Descent into Darkness

[bravenewmods]

As the characters arrive, they will find what appears to be a rather deep cavern. Upon entering, the caverns are quite narrow, with twists and turns everywhere and different tunnels that all seem to be interconnected. As characters travel deeper within the caverns, reality around them will start to warp, they will start to see and hear things that aren’t necessarily there - images of old enemies, past failures, voices of condemnation, visions that strike at the soul and core of the characters. Once this begins, it will only increase in power and volume, demanding it be confronted, lest they be trapped within these caves forever.

[OOC: This event will run for a week. All characters who enter the caves will be subject to some of their deepest fears, darkest demons, and most abject failures. To overcome them, characters must help each other out, finding their purpose through strength of character and resolve to move forward. In general, these visions should require characters to come to grips with themselves. Illusory images and voices can and will appear and can take any number of forms, depending on what is most appropriate to a character. Additionally, characters may thread with each other and are encouraged to help each other out to overcome these personal demons. For those who wish to take part, they are able and encouraged to narrate their own personal demons, which will be on display for everyone who enters their thread. IC threads may be made in this post.]

Comments

[rainsrespite]

[Well when you put it that way? Yuuna nods, not turning around.]

Fine.

[And then the dance begins. Yuuna and her double become a whirling dervish of steel and sparks. Right, left, right left, a waltz turning into a samba. The Proper Yuuna is definitely more skilled, but aiming to disable, her blade turning aside the shadow's lethal attacks.

A few times she's forced back, or staggers under the weight of a much more vicious blow, but something about her seems...different. Maybe it's just adrenaline, but Yuuna's progressively hitting harder and harder, until eventually she couples skill with strength and knocks her double's blade away. With a growl, she slams a boot into the woman's belly and overbears her, sword pressed against her neck.]

You lose. For all that strength, if you really were me then you've forgotten what it means to be a fighter.

Heh...then finish it!

[Yuuna hesitates at that, but her double starts to laugh.]

Finish it, if you really think you've won. Or I'll just come back and kill you...and kill her!

[The shade's eyes find Merrill's, and she licks her lips menacingly. And that elicits a snarl from the true Yuuna, a hand going up to grab the clone's hair.]

I should, shouldn't I? Shouldn't I!

[bleeding_heart]

[Merrill is, of course, always ready and willing to help. But she truly believes that this is something very personal to Yuuna, and something that she needs to overcome herself. More than that, she believes in her ability to do it. And it would seem her faith is well-placed as she beats back the shadow of her potential future self. Once she's got her pinned to the floor, she finally steps up, placing a hand on her shoulder and shaking her head.]

...You are beaten. Begone from this place, and enter the eternal sleep.

[And once again, she sings the ancient resting hymn of her people.]

hahren na melana sahlin
emma ir abelas
souver'inan isala hamin
vhenan him dor'felas
in uthenera na revas

vir sulahn'nehn
vir dirthera
vir samahl la numin
vir lath sa'vunin

[rainsrespite]

[It's the touch more than anything that draws Yuuna up short. She stops pressing, release the double, and kicks her full in the chest, driving her to the ground.

Nobody ever said she was a saint.]

That's for spouting all that crap about Merrill.

[Rising, she lowers the sword and closes her eyes, letting the old melody wash through her. She only understands a few of the words, the very, very basics of the language, basically what Merrill's shared but the meaning is clear. It's a lullaby, almost. Or a dirge. Perhaps both.

In any event, when Merrill's voice rings out for that final time and Yuuna opens her eyes, they're standing back in the cavern. Sagging, she drops her sword and gasps before dropping onto her knees.]

Savior's great flaming ass...that was...what the hell was that. What is up with caves these days.

[bleeding_heart]

[A bit of both. An elegy, really, meant to lull restless spirits back into their eternal slumber and to guide the newly departed to rest.]

Another test from the gods, I'm sure.

[rainsrespite]

Well, that's it. Caves and me? We're done.

[For a week maybe.]

Thanks, Merrill. I appreciate you stopping me. That...gods I haven't been so angry since...well, actually I don't think I have ever been so angry.