high_seas | To go with your crew...

Who: Everyone who is fighting in the battle to kill the witch.
Where: The Black Fortress in the East
When: Jan 24th-25th
What: The grand battle to get back what you have lost, get revenge for what was taken, and avert disaster.
Warnings: Language. Death. Victory. Defeat. True love. Miracles.
Style: Text or prose
Status: Open to all

The black fortress ripples with shimmering iridescent energy, the piles of black coral heaped on roped together barges around it, bobbing in the waves. On the largest barge stands a slender man with a copper belt, wearing a face mask, orange red hair flecked with black from ash or dust. As the dawn slowly folds over the ocean, he'll look up, as if hearing some hidden voice.

At the top of the fortress, a figure climbs into vision, a woman, dressed in gray, features obscured by a hood with impenetrable darkness behind it. She staggers a moment as if she is weary, then straightens to her full height. As she speaks, her voice comes out of the journals, echoing over the water, low but clear.

"This is no small task ye do. She that rots within'll do anythin' ta stop ye. Don't hesitate to kill what ye find. If they were human once, they hain't no more. Watch out for her golems, too, or they'll drain ye dry quicker'n a wink. But if ye can get rid of 'em, it'll weaken her." She hesitates, cants her head to the side. "And if ye lot aren't as much of a bunch'a idiots as usual, ye might come out alive through this."

That said, she raises her hands. After a moment so does the man on the barge. For a moment, nothing seems to happen and then iridescent light shimmers over the coral, seeming to match that which surrounds the fortress. It crackles and dances like a fire, and then without warning bursts into a furious life, slamming against the energy of the fortress. There is the sound like thunder and light snaps and crackles, zipping with energy. Then with a woosh the light flies upward, taking the figure with it. The man on the barge lets out a cry like a seagull and dives into the water as if intending to swim after her.

For the boats that remain, a part of the fortress will crumble away into the sea, revealing a small harbor and an open doorway. Enter all ye who dare.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hubert is almost convinced at this point that he's dying, he feels so awful. He clutches at Asbel's shirt with a hand, trying his best to keep standing but it's so hard --

But...at least his brother is here, right?]

Asbel...

[If Hubert really is dying (he hopes he isn't but with how badly things have gone in the past few weeks he won't rule that out), then he's grateful for one last chance to see Asbel. There's so much he wants to say, but he doesn't have enough energy to find the words.

So Hubert does the next best thing. He starts crying silently, eyes clenched shut and the tears rolling down his dirty cheeks.]

[Come on, Hubert. Don't fall apart on him now! He doesn't think he'll be able to keep from crying himself if you keep this up.]

[With one hand on his brother's shoulder, Asbel peers around quickly. It looks like the coast is clear - at least for now. He rubs at his face with his free hand, sniffing once, and starts digging through his pocket, producing a scrap of rope. He might suck at his studies, but at least knots managed to keep his interest long enough for him to actually learn a couple in the past few months.]

Right. Sooo... I'm gonna knot this sword on in case more of those zombies show up. And we'll get going. Maybe we can even get someone to cook up some rice omelets once we get back to the ship, huh?

[It takes some fumbling, and the weapon's clearly going to drag, but it'll have to do. He can't ask Hubert to hold onto it, and he definitely can't carry it and Hubert. Running around without a weapon would be pretty stupid, too.]

There! That's good. Okay, Hubert, let's get out of here. [Asbel gives his wrist a tug.] Can you still move? Or do you need some help?

[Hubert sniffles, having spent the past few moments trying to get his emotions back in control. Why did he have to be such a crybaby? Why did he have to be so weak?]

I...I'm fine.

[He very much isn't. He certainly doesn't sound fine, his voice tiny and hoarse. And when he takes his first steps forward, he hobbles a little, thrown off by dizziness.

But Hubert can be as stubborn as Asbel, in his own way. He's determined not to ask for help until he absolutely can't avoid it. He's going to use what little strength he has left to walk on his own for as long as possible.]

[Yeah, okay. Asbel's not even sure if he believes it even a little, but if Hubert's gonna be that way, then...well, fine.]

[He doesn't let go of his brother's arm, and he even stops after the first few steps turn out so shaky. Is this really such a good idea...? But they need to keep going, and Hubert doesn't seem like he's gonna quit.]

Just one step at a time. Try not to think too much about anything else, okay Hubert? If we run into something along the way, I'll take care of it. So just concentrate on walking. At this rate, we'll be back with the others before you know it!

[Actually, at this rate it could take quite a while, but details. A little positive thinking never hurt.]

Edited 2014-04-14 17:24 (UTC)

[Hubert gives a slow nod. One step at a time sounded good. If he let himself think beyond that, he'd probably collapse all over again.

But even if he did...at least Asbel was there to help him up again, right?

Hubert's throat clenches as he feels more tears beginning to well up from his eyes. He isn't sure why he's crying, this time. Even if he still feels physically awful...his heart doesn't hurt as much.]

To go with your crew...

no subject

OW. OW OW OW OWWWWWWW.

sorry never sorry

Re: sorry never sorry

end thread?