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#Post#: 400300--------------------------------------------------
The Crystal Forest
By: Landon Yamato Date: December 7, 2015, 3:55 pm
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"Legend has it an old warrior one day gave his life. Not in
battle, nor out of fear or shame, but instead to be reborn. It
was said that his soul was trapped within another body the whole
time he lived and he would one day return for it. That the shell
everyone saw him in was empty, decaying and broken, that it
longed to be real again, but knew not what real was.
According to tales, it is said that the read body and soul were
trapped as a child, that they roam the earth within the crystal
forest. Though no one has ever been close to said forest,
everyone claims to have seen it even if only for a fleeting
moment. A living forest of ice and crystal, where the light
refracts in such ways that nothing can compare to the ecstasy it
would fill one with. Though it moves with every breeze, never in
the same spot twice, looking to where it will eventually settle,
shatter and melt.
That is what the legends, stories and tales say. What old folk
have come to murmur around the bridge tables and children sing
in nursery rhymes. It's what the church says within it's prays
and it's what the young women think of when they fake the
ecstasy their men give them.
It is what everyone secretly searches for, though no one knows
why."
He coughed slightly before licking his lips and turning the page
within his book. "What a load of bullshit..." He laughed lightly
flicking his eyes over the next paragraph of text before raising
them to stare at the 'priest' that stood before him. "And you're
telling me you are the grand priest of this church? and that you
have seen the Crystal Forest?"
The old man smiled, teeth missing leaving a checkerboard grin.
His eyes glazed over and the thin strands of dirty, dry hair
hung over his face. "Indeeeeed child, and with a small donation
from yourself I can take you there! You can have the most
enjoyable moment of your life!" He laughed harshly, is short
broken bursts, like a dying mule being trampled to death by it's
kin.
"Let's say I believe you... How much?" He asked politely handing
the book back to the 'priest'.
"500 Gold pieces in advance, another 500 when we arrive! A cheap
price for bliss!!!" He laughed again. It was almost enough to
drive young children insane with just the way it didn't flow
through the air, but more thrusted it's way towards peoples ears
the same way the old coot probably did to girls young enough and
dumb enough not to fight back... Sickening.
"Alright old man... It's a deal. But if you really get me there,
i'll pay ten times as much!" He smirked, he knew the old man
would stutter in excitement, but the dark rings around the old
coots eyes made this shock more beautiful. "Well then old man...
Lead the way!"
Almost a week had passed since they had left the city of Twivail
and still there was no sign of this forest. The old priest was
running out of stories to tell, and some had been repeated but
with various differences which left them to be false. Though he
kept on saying...
"Almost there child!" He pointed towards a cave. "Through the
cave and there is the resting place for the forest, it comes
back when ever the priest is close, so stay close to me!" He
laughed again and began to hobble into the cave. A cold wind
blew from behind as they both walked in, and then everything
went black.
"Have I told you about the story of how I fought off bandits
that were trying to steal the forest?" The priest said with a
soft tone.
"I don't believe you have old man... Do tell!" He smirked while
stepping forward, waiting to hear another bogus story.
"Well It's not an interesting one, as you see I wouldn't fight
my own kind..." He laughed as something hissed through the air,
a loud crack erupted in the cave and then came the sound of
something steadily dripping onto the cold stone floor.
"Poor child... Another one lost on the journey to the forest...
I suppose it would be rude to leave his stuff here." He old
priest spoke softly to himself before laughing.
"You're right old man... It would be rude to leave your own kind
here..." He spoke out calmly only to be quickly blinding by the
panic stutters of confused bandits. Torches sparked to life
lighting the cave and before them all stood the giant of a man
that was paying money to find this forest. At his feet that the
shattered ruins of a large wooden club, and in his hand the
mangled and bloody corpse of the clubs owner.
Not a moment passed before the ruckus began, torches dropped to
the ground and blades pulled out, the soft shimmering edged
tinted with the warm glow before the walls became tainted in
crimson. Bones shattered with such an audible creak that they
echoed for minutes on end, the screams of agony followed before
they were all drowned out by the sound of those still alive
gurgling on their own bodily fluids.
The old priest fell back in fear, his eyes no longer glazed, but
wet with tears, his breaches wet with piss. "MONSTER!!! WHO...
WHAT ARE YOU?!" He screamed in the cave at the giant of the man
that was simply toying with the remains of the bandits.
"Me? Why do you not recognise me... I am Father Donnal... The
Grand Priest of the Crystal Church... And I believe you've led
me astray" He smiled before walking over to the old man slowly,
each footstep leaving a ripple of amber tinted blood. The
torches pushed his shadows in various angles and positions as he
walked until he stood over the man. He attempted to cry to help,
to be forgiven... He attempted so hard.
His face was crushed with just a single hand, the only sound to
escape him was the soft gurgling as he choked on the fragments
of bone that slid down his throat.
"Now I believe you've wasted a good deal of my time, and my
money old man... It's a good thing that I need neither... For
the lord will repay me for the deed I have done today. For This
is how he would want the sky to be painted..." He laughed and
continued to walk through the cave, on the ceiling above him
dripped the blood and organs of those he had just dealt with...
The whole cave around where he stood was nothing but a pool of
crimson. Walls included.
#Post#: 400361--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Crystal Forest
By: guest1383 Date: December 7, 2015, 4:50 pm
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Lelain traveled with a sense of urgency through the woods. Young
and fragile in her appearance, the girl was very much out of
place in the forest. The night had just began to settle in,
bringing with it remnants of the past winter's frigid breath.
Her short sleeve dress was not sufficient to keep out the chill
of the air, making her shiver. If only she had listened to her
family and waited until morning light to travel back, then
perhaps she could have prevented roaming the forest at night.
But her pride and the need to prove to them that she was capable
of taking care of herself had been too great.
Although, the darkness never bothered her. She lived in
darkness. Over the years, she had forgotten what the light even
looked like. But, it was the sense of forbidding the night
brought with it that put her on edge.
Dark wisps of auburn tendrils of hair tumbled down her cheeks as
the wind loosens the braid on her head. As the moonlight crossed
paths with her eyes, dark grey clouds could be seen eclipsing
their once amber color. Despite her obvious blindness, the grey
among the attractive sway her of bountiful lips and shy curve
her her cheekbones, gifted her with an enchanting, even though
eerie, appearance. The stick she carried to maneuver through the
woods had chipped on a rock along the way, making her have to
bend slightly over so that the end could reach the obstacles on
the ground. It was not long until the girl had gotten lost and
was pulled onto an unfamiliar path with a rocky terrain.
The girl soon found herself in a cave with lingering rusty
smell. It sent a shiver down the vertebrae of her spine, making
the shivering more violent. She reasoned that a night spent in a
cave would be much safer than a night spent roaming out in the
open where bandits or wolves could ravage her dry. She sat
silently on a large boulder near the entrance and willed the
night away.
#Post#: 400365--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Crystal Forest
By: Landon Yamato Date: December 7, 2015, 5:06 pm
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The cave was a dead end, it's walls cold and moist from what
ever had been in here before him and the bandits, he smiled
softly knowing he would have to return the way he came. He would
be able to see if anymore bandits had come to check on their
friends. Though with every step quick flashbacks of the way
their bodies crumpled in his hands flooded his mind. His smile
faded as he realised what he had done. He was no holy man, no
bringer of the lords gift... He was a monster who travelled the
land and murdered those he felt the need too.
He grew angry with every step, every flash back, it irritated
him that he did the things he did, and that people offered no
resistance to said things, though as his anger peaked he saw the
entrance to the cave, he could hear the soft dripping of the
blood from the ceiling, though what was worse... He could see a
young girl sitting by the entrance.
He approached her slowly and forced a smile. "Child it's not
safe out here, there were bandits here shortly before you
arrived and no doubt more shall follow." He stopped a few meters
away from her so not to raise concern, though he realised his
size would do this alone and so he sat on the ground with his
legs crossed. "Why are you here in the middle of the night?"
He paused for a moment before realising what she was wearing and
the temperature of the cave, as well as the bitter breeze that
gushed in. He then unbuttoned his coat and threw it at her feet.
"Have that child, it will keep you warm... I am Father Donnal,
the Grand Priest of the Church of the Crystal... Is there
anything I can do to help you?"
#Post#: 400386--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Crystal Forest
By: guest1383 Date: December 7, 2015, 5:58 pm
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Despite the youthful quality of her facial features, her body
was full of curves that could only belong to a woman. They were
even more evident as a hint of moonlight that had managed to
seep through the entrance of the cave outlined her silhouette as
she stood up upon hearing echoes of footsteps. As they grew
nearer, the girl grew fearful and felt the urge to run, though
it was suppressed as fright paralyzed her to the spot at which
she stood. Despite her blindness, the girl could tell by the
heaviness of the footsteps that the owner of them was a male.
It was not long before the echoes stopped and a voice emitted
from the owner. She detected a smile in his voice, but it seemed
strained with an unknown emotion. His question made her panic.
Would it be possible to tell the man a fib about her waiting
here for a significant other who knew she was waiting her to
arrive? But then, the innocent soul did not have the ability to
lie. Even if she were to try, it would be easy to see right
through the lie. Instead, she cleared her throat and rubbed her
arms; neither the coldness or the fear was eased by the motion.
"Momentary lapse of judgment," she replied, lamely, though
honestly. "I was traveling home when it got dark and I got lost.
I found the cave and thought to seek out shelter until morning.
"
She swallowed, almost certain that she would meet her fate at
the hands of this stranger for her ignorance. However, instead
her bare shins felt a small breeze and her ears picked up on a
rustling of fabric as he thrust his coat at her feet.
She was hesitant to pick it up, but she knew thread not picking
it up would be foolish. Bending down, frail fingers grabbed the
coat and hoisted it over her shoulders. It sufficed in chasing
away the chills.
"Father Donnel," she repeated for memory's sake. "I'm Lelain.
You have been more than generous already by lending me your
coat. I'll be fine."
It was obvious that she doubted how 'fine' she would really be,
but she felt that burdening the man with her needs would be a
disservice.
#Post#: 400387--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Crystal Forest
By: Landon Yamato Date: December 7, 2015, 6:15 pm
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As she knelt to pick up his coat he noticed her figure and a
part of him smiled, the same figure as what 'she' had... This
girl wasn't a child but a woman in her own way. Though by
looking at her he could also see she was more afraid of him than
the bandits earlier had been. "Well it's a dangerous place to
travel through I must admit, you are quite some way away from a
town as well..." He sighed softly looking out into the darkness.
He could feel the bitter wind pouring through and part of him
felt bad for how cold she must have been.
"Did you not have anyone who could escort you home? Instead of
wandering alone?" He smiled softly towards her, though made no
movement other than with his head. He could see she was scared
and wanted her to feel relaxed, otherwise this cold weather
could be the end of her. Though at the same time maybe making
her run in fear would be safer... More bandits would surely come
here to check on their 'prize' and although he was sure they
would be no issue for him... Risking an innocent woman would go
against even the darkest of monster that lived within him.
Though her response to how she was fine, how he was generous...
It was funny in a way. "So will you be leaving here now? If so
you can keep the coat, I'm sure I will pick it up again in a
church on my travels?" He smiled softly, he cared not for the
coat, it was nothing but an old rag given to those who the
church felt should go on a quest... Lightly armoured, thick and
warm, yet strangely breathable in the heat... Made for
travelling...
He needed nothing of the sort, he was big enough to deal with
bad weather and the armour was more of a hindrance for him than
anything else. "Or did you wish to stay in the cave until the
morn? I shall be staying here over night regardless so if you do
stay, we can trade old stories of our travels." He laughed
softly, though part of him wanted her to be put off by talking
to someone such as him about old tales... Any smart girl would
avoid travelling stories.
#Post#: 400391--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Crystal Forest
By: Demonreach Date: December 7, 2015, 7:03 pm
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It was a day like any other, winter slowly losing its grip. The
wind was whisking away the decaying and dead leaves from the
trees. In the light of the moon, the small side-road was
occupied. The shifting of the gravel beneath leather boots broke
the seemingly oppressive silence despite the more natural
sounds; the ring of metal on stone added to the breaker of
silence as the horse plodded alongside the stranger, the reins
held in a hand that was brown from the sun, a hand that was
scarred. The trespasser was a little taller than average with
broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build that was hard with
muscle; light, silver-blond hair shined in the false dawn
lighting as the breaker of silence walked almost soundlessly.
Forest green eyes, dark in color and bright with a sort of inner
fire, were lit up with the passing of light rays within the
forest canopy. A face high in cheekbone and formed a handsome
face with sharp features. A few white lines marred the handsome
face of the stranger with crude, garish slashes: these scars
covered his arms and some of his upper body, rendering about
twenty percent of his body in scar tissue. But the scars didn't
detract from the handsome features but seemed to hand a more of
handsome in a rough, roguish way. Even the air about the
stranger was filled with confidence and a childlike glee that
bordered on insane mischief.
As the moon’s light fell on the stranger’s attire, consisting of
a cape and darkly colored shirt and pants and boots. A leather
belt wound its way around the silence breaker's waist and
buckled to this belt was a falchion and a few longknives and a
pair of heavy, parrying gauche. The stranger, by the looking
upon its face and further, its body, revealed itself to be, a
man. A small smile played on the lips of the man as he walked in
the peaceful, serene forest though his eyes tracked everything
with barely a twitch. A bow and a quiver of arrows bounced
slightly as he walked along, his trusty steed at his side.
The horse was holding most of the supplies, though it had
lightened since the day of the journey and, for this, the horse
was glad, though it would ever remain ignorant of the truth of
the emotions within it. The horse held a few scars as well and
carried two more swords: one a broadsword, the other a
longsword. A few more quivers remained untouched by the man
baring the need to check to the fletching. Pots and pans rattled
in one of three of the packs the horse carried, a fourth carried
by the man. The hair of the horse shone dully in the rising sun,
revealing a salt-and-pepper kind of coloring; the horse was old
but just as strong and healthy as it was a few years back, when
it earned the scarring along its hide; a few teeth were missing
from its mouth, one of its ears is torn to shreds and hardly
works; the front hooves cracked and chipped. But the horse was
happy, content, for the most part in the company of its long
term companion.
The man sported a beard that was neatly trimmed, also
salt-and-pepper in color and covering his neck, resting along
his collarbones. The man himself wasn't old but his hair was
prematurely greying and was not falling out, which the man was
thankful for. He scratched at a cheek idly as he felt it itch
and rubbed his nose afterwards. And here, the features and
definition of the man and horse lost a hold on reality as
shadows took them as they neared the darker, lightless parts of
the forest trail in which he and the horse walked along.
It was, perhaps, as he pulled the horse off the small road that
time to stop for the night. They had been moving since the night
before and he could tell the horse was weary with its burden. A
burden that had lightened much but a burden nonetheless.
He regretted not stopping at the town a few days back, but it
was too late at this point and besides that, he was almost to
his destination.
He chuckled wryly at the thought.
How long ago was it that he had been home? Had a place to call
home?
Rolling the broad shoulders in a shrug, he heard echoes of
voices coming off some distance; though he knew sound traveled
well within the trees. He stopped his horse, murmuring a soft
command to it, and pulled the bow out and nocked it; he kept the
quiver at his side, though the warrior knew there'd be precious
seconds if there were a fight to break out.
Crouching the man made his way closer to voices, his eyes
picking up on small tracks; two sets of feet, though earlier
traffic was visible. He followed the tracks, nary making a sound
to give away his presence; and although the forest was silent,
he knew it was not from him.
Violence perhaps, the smell of blood... He shook his head and
allowed himself to shift deeper into the shadows of the forest.
It wasn't too long before he made out two figures within a mouth
of a cave; one slimmer than the other, which he gathered was a
woman, especially after he heard her voice.
So, till morning, eh? He frowned at that, but left his bow at
half draw; listening, waiting.
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