DGS3 -- Staging: The Star Dome
- Thread starter The Man in Red
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When the doors slid open, Zayin found himself faced with a rather unusual sight; an entire forest situated within the building he had been transported to. Thoroughly impressed, the angel didn’t even notice the doors closing behind him as he stepped forward into the star dome. He had seen impressive indoor gardens before, but this was something else. Carnivale Rosa was certainly full of surprises.
The entire place was well lit despite the fact that it seemed to be night time outside. While not exactly surprising, the swordsman noted that he must have been teleported rather far away for the time zone to have changed. He paid little attention to the time, however, too enraptured in the scenery around him to worry about something so minor.
The hero walked up to a nearby tree and pressed his hand against the bark, wondering if it was simply some impressive statue. While he was no arborist, it certainly felt real against his skin, hard but with a bit of give that you wouldn’t get from marble or the like.
In awe of the indoor woodlands, Zayin slowly began to walk through the park, stretching his wings appreciatively. The atmosphere was deceptively calm and pleasant for what was effectively a Death Game waiting room. It was quiet and peaceful, warm but was a gentle (and presumably artificial) breeze that kept things at a comfortable temperature. While heat and cold didn’t particularly bother the projected form of the challenger, he could appreciate the climate control from an objective stance if not a personal one.
The swordsman deigned to take a stroll through the man-made forest, still hardly able to believe how real it seemed. One thing that never seemed to change was mortal ingenuity. If a human wanted something badly enough, they would move heaven and earth to get it, regardless of how absurd it should be. Naturally, though, the park didn’t extend forever. It took a decent amount of wandering, but eventually Zayin reached the boundary of the star dome, a glass wall separating them from the outside world.
The presence of the dome wasn’t too shocking at first. After all, the precise condition of the forest would have been much harder to maintain if the outside world was allowed in. Then, in idle curiosity, the hero attempted to look down at the earth beneath him.
But there wasn’t any.
The nigh inconceivable reality of the situation dawned on him in that moment. It wasn’t night time. The teleporter has transported him to some place among the stars, far above the world. Awestruck, Zayin placed a shaky hand on the glass dome, staring out into infinity. Despite the beauty of the scene before him, the false angel couldn’t deny the chill that ran down his spine. The deep dark of space wasn’t meant for the likes of man. Old things dwelled out there. Terrible things.
If that revelation weren’t enough to shock the swordsman, then the next one would be. As he took in the celestial scenery, he began to notice elements that he didn’t recognise. Constellations, moons… worlds…
Entire planets that he didn’t recognise were laid out before him. Either the teleporter had taken him much farther away than he had initially realised, or Erde Nona wasn’t just a foreign nation that he had been transported to, but was instead a whole different world.
And, frankly, he wasn’t sure which was more terrifying.
The entire place was well lit despite the fact that it seemed to be night time outside. While not exactly surprising, the swordsman noted that he must have been teleported rather far away for the time zone to have changed. He paid little attention to the time, however, too enraptured in the scenery around him to worry about something so minor.
The hero walked up to a nearby tree and pressed his hand against the bark, wondering if it was simply some impressive statue. While he was no arborist, it certainly felt real against his skin, hard but with a bit of give that you wouldn’t get from marble or the like.
In awe of the indoor woodlands, Zayin slowly began to walk through the park, stretching his wings appreciatively. The atmosphere was deceptively calm and pleasant for what was effectively a Death Game waiting room. It was quiet and peaceful, warm but was a gentle (and presumably artificial) breeze that kept things at a comfortable temperature. While heat and cold didn’t particularly bother the projected form of the challenger, he could appreciate the climate control from an objective stance if not a personal one.
The swordsman deigned to take a stroll through the man-made forest, still hardly able to believe how real it seemed. One thing that never seemed to change was mortal ingenuity. If a human wanted something badly enough, they would move heaven and earth to get it, regardless of how absurd it should be. Naturally, though, the park didn’t extend forever. It took a decent amount of wandering, but eventually Zayin reached the boundary of the star dome, a glass wall separating them from the outside world.
The presence of the dome wasn’t too shocking at first. After all, the precise condition of the forest would have been much harder to maintain if the outside world was allowed in. Then, in idle curiosity, the hero attempted to look down at the earth beneath him.
But there wasn’t any.
The nigh inconceivable reality of the situation dawned on him in that moment. It wasn’t night time. The teleporter has transported him to some place among the stars, far above the world. Awestruck, Zayin placed a shaky hand on the glass dome, staring out into infinity. Despite the beauty of the scene before him, the false angel couldn’t deny the chill that ran down his spine. The deep dark of space wasn’t meant for the likes of man. Old things dwelled out there. Terrible things.
If that revelation weren’t enough to shock the swordsman, then the next one would be. As he took in the celestial scenery, he began to notice elements that he didn’t recognise. Constellations, moons… worlds…
Entire planets that he didn’t recognise were laid out before him. Either the teleporter had taken him much farther away than he had initially realised, or Erde Nona wasn’t just a foreign nation that he had been transported to, but was instead a whole different world.
And, frankly, he wasn’t sure which was more terrifying.
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Saying her last goodbyes to Aileen had felt... weirdly final. Like it was the last time they would ever see each other, a hollow emptiness growing inside Coda's chest like no other. Watching as Aileen exited the elevator, she was left feeling strangely bereft— like she had been cut off from something vital, as separated from her friend by the gulf of distance between them as she was severed from her enhanced biology by the collar around her neck.
Even long after the doors had closed, Coda just stood there, swaying slightly, staring blankly at her reflection in the metallic surface. She absently fiddled with her bow tie, tightening it around her throat. Well. What the heck was she supposed to do now?
Biting her lip, Coda turned her attention to the series of buttons available for her perusal, ready to take her to any floor of the facility. Her eyes darted back and forth between the little buttons, each one a weighted choice to make.
Maybe she could go all the way up to the Star Dome; that sounded like the perfect escape from reality for a few hours. She hadn't spent nearly enough time there while under the Carnivale Rosa's employ, and she much liked the idea of sitting under the stars for a time, surrounded by nature. It mattered little how artificial said nature might be.
With a bit of trepidation and a whole lot of wistful hopefulness, Coda pressed the button leading to the Star Dome.
Lurching slightly, the elevator began to ascend higher and higher towards its destination. As she watched the numbers on the digital counter slowly tick up one by one, Coda's heart began to beat faster and faster, anticipation crackling through her veins like sparks of electricity.
Finally, after an indeterminate amount of time spent ascending ever higher into the facility, a cheerful ding heralded Coda's arrival at her destination— the Star Dome.
Cautiously stepping out of the elevator car, Coda took in a sharp breath upon seeing the sheer beauty before her eyes. Where moments before there had been nothing but blank metallic walls hemming her in on all sides, now lush greenery cascaded all around in waves of vibrant foliage!
The air inside the park was pleasantly warm, with a slight dampness to it that brushed like gentle rainfall over her face. Pink and red flowers nodded gently in the artificial wind, shifting their petals in a soft, sweet-smelling murmur that blended with the rustling of the trees. Green vines with leaves like bright emeralds twined upward toward the sky-like roof of the dome, complete with a whole host of twinkling stars suspended high overhead— drifting like fireworks in slow motion against a canopy of midnight blue silk.
Smiling, Coda pulled out her tablet, intending to sit beneath one of the many trees and get some research done while there. The screen's digital display lit up with a touch, showing a catalogue of the latest registrants to the Death Game. Soon, Coda's gaze was fixed upon the screen as she began to stroll under the shade of the trees, her sunglasses reflecting its harsh blue glow in the half-darkness.
But then, as she rounded the corner of a particularly large tree, Coda's footsteps ground to a sudden halt. Even with her senses as dulled as they were, she felt a... presence close by, near enough to put her on high alert.
Abruptly lifting her head from the screen she had been so very intently studying, Coda glanced frantically around, eyes widening upon spotting the presence she had felt so keenly.
They were a... human, she believed, or at least something shaped like one, standing at the furthest edge of the Star Dome. The figure's long midnight-black hair was pulled back in a braid, and they wore pale clothing. An array of dizzying, strange lights floated behind them, the fuzzy shapes shifting in a continuous circle. As it happened, their face was half-hidden in shadow as they stared upward, luminous golden eyes seemingly entranced by the celestial lightshow meandering in a slow, mesmerizing crawl past the glass barrier.
Coda stared at the strange person for several moments more, her throat closing tight around the sudden flush of anxious emotions bubbling up inside of her— and then looked down at the tablet still in her hands, blinking at the information profile there, recorded right next to her own.
Zayin. That was this being's name. She recognized his picture.
As if sensing her presence, the man — or angel, as he claimed — slowly turned toward her, golden eyes flashing, wide with surprise and... confusion? Terror? Fear?
What does he have to be afraid of? Coda wondered. Certainly not her. Not yet, at least.
Without saying a word, he cast one long look at her before raising his knuckles slightly in greeting— a gesture that Coda hastily returned.
"Um, hello!" she called out to him. "You're one of the other contestants, aren't you? Pleased to make your acquaintance, though I don't know if we'll be friends in the end. My name is Coda. What's yours?"
Even long after the doors had closed, Coda just stood there, swaying slightly, staring blankly at her reflection in the metallic surface. She absently fiddled with her bow tie, tightening it around her throat. Well. What the heck was she supposed to do now?
Biting her lip, Coda turned her attention to the series of buttons available for her perusal, ready to take her to any floor of the facility. Her eyes darted back and forth between the little buttons, each one a weighted choice to make.
Maybe she could go all the way up to the Star Dome; that sounded like the perfect escape from reality for a few hours. She hadn't spent nearly enough time there while under the Carnivale Rosa's employ, and she much liked the idea of sitting under the stars for a time, surrounded by nature. It mattered little how artificial said nature might be.
With a bit of trepidation and a whole lot of wistful hopefulness, Coda pressed the button leading to the Star Dome.
Lurching slightly, the elevator began to ascend higher and higher towards its destination. As she watched the numbers on the digital counter slowly tick up one by one, Coda's heart began to beat faster and faster, anticipation crackling through her veins like sparks of electricity.
Finally, after an indeterminate amount of time spent ascending ever higher into the facility, a cheerful ding heralded Coda's arrival at her destination— the Star Dome.
Cautiously stepping out of the elevator car, Coda took in a sharp breath upon seeing the sheer beauty before her eyes. Where moments before there had been nothing but blank metallic walls hemming her in on all sides, now lush greenery cascaded all around in waves of vibrant foliage!
The air inside the park was pleasantly warm, with a slight dampness to it that brushed like gentle rainfall over her face. Pink and red flowers nodded gently in the artificial wind, shifting their petals in a soft, sweet-smelling murmur that blended with the rustling of the trees. Green vines with leaves like bright emeralds twined upward toward the sky-like roof of the dome, complete with a whole host of twinkling stars suspended high overhead— drifting like fireworks in slow motion against a canopy of midnight blue silk.
Smiling, Coda pulled out her tablet, intending to sit beneath one of the many trees and get some research done while there. The screen's digital display lit up with a touch, showing a catalogue of the latest registrants to the Death Game. Soon, Coda's gaze was fixed upon the screen as she began to stroll under the shade of the trees, her sunglasses reflecting its harsh blue glow in the half-darkness.
But then, as she rounded the corner of a particularly large tree, Coda's footsteps ground to a sudden halt. Even with her senses as dulled as they were, she felt a... presence close by, near enough to put her on high alert.
Abruptly lifting her head from the screen she had been so very intently studying, Coda glanced frantically around, eyes widening upon spotting the presence she had felt so keenly.
They were a... human, she believed, or at least something shaped like one, standing at the furthest edge of the Star Dome. The figure's long midnight-black hair was pulled back in a braid, and they wore pale clothing. An array of dizzying, strange lights floated behind them, the fuzzy shapes shifting in a continuous circle. As it happened, their face was half-hidden in shadow as they stared upward, luminous golden eyes seemingly entranced by the celestial lightshow meandering in a slow, mesmerizing crawl past the glass barrier.
Coda stared at the strange person for several moments more, her throat closing tight around the sudden flush of anxious emotions bubbling up inside of her— and then looked down at the tablet still in her hands, blinking at the information profile there, recorded right next to her own.
Zayin. That was this being's name. She recognized his picture.
As if sensing her presence, the man — or angel, as he claimed — slowly turned toward her, golden eyes flashing, wide with surprise and... confusion? Terror? Fear?
What does he have to be afraid of? Coda wondered. Certainly not her. Not yet, at least.
Without saying a word, he cast one long look at her before raising his knuckles slightly in greeting— a gesture that Coda hastily returned.
"Um, hello!" she called out to him. "You're one of the other contestants, aren't you? Pleased to make your acquaintance, though I don't know if we'll be friends in the end. My name is Coda. What's yours?"
Zayin was drawn from his quiet contemplation by the sensation of eyes boring into the back of his neck. For a moment, he was caught off guard, hands grasping for absent swords as he turned around. When the angel realised that it was just a normal person, he chastised himself for being so on edge. In an effort to save face, he extended a gesture of greeting which the woman returned.
“Coda.” He murmured to himself. An unusual name, certainly, but that was to be expected. The hero doubted he’d be hearing many names that he recognised so far from home. He attempted to meet the stranger’s eyes as he gave a nod and a shallow bow, but was blocked by the strange eyewear she wore. Strange. What reason did she have to hide her eyes?
“My name is Zayin.” The angel said, subtly glancing about in search of a way to diffuse the awkwardness of the situation. “I like your braid.”
“Oh. Well, I like yours too.” Coda responded, slightly caught off guard by the compliment. Gently touching her hair, she smiled appreciatively at the angel. “I don’t mean to intrude, but are you alright? You seem a bit… scared?”
“Scared? No, no, I’m not scared. Just…” Zayin trailed off as he gazed back out into the darkness beyond the dome. It wasn’t the sense of scale and insignificance that upset him, the faith that humanity had in him meant more than all the stars in the sky. Rather, it was the distance. He was so far from his beloved home. Turning back to his new acquaintance, though, he did feel a little relief. If there were mortals about, he still had purpose. “Well, I suppose I am a bit scared. Just don’t tell my brothers and sisters. I would never hear the end of it. The mighty and noble Zayin, upset by the night sky.”
The swordsman gave a weak chuckle as he looked up at the dome one more time, his voice coming out quiet and subdued. “Where am I?”
“Hmm? Well, you’re in the Death Game pre-show staging area, specifically the star dome.” Coda replied with practiced ease. “If you want to know the exact location of the facility, it’s teeeeechnically classified, but you can figure it out by-“
“No…” Zayin said, cutting her off before suddenly regretting his rudeness. “Ah, sorry. I just meant… where is this?”
As he uttered these words, the angel raised both arms, gesturing at the cosmos before him. As he did, his wings flared up subconsciously, reacting to his suppressed distress.
“Ohhhh.” Coda murmured, nodding to the hero and giving him a sympathetic look. “I get it. You got taken too.”
“Taken?”
“Yeah. Happens to a lot of people. They just kinda…” The young woman made a short, sharp whistle to try to verbalise the strange concept. “And they end up here. The crossroads.”
“Crossroads?” Zayin repeated after her, confused. It wasn’t like any crossroads he’d ever seen. Perhaps it meant something different here. Some vast, cosmic coincidence.
“Yeah. It’s a whole solar system of people going all over the place, meeting in the middle. Like a crossroads.” She explained. “Lots of colourful characters around here. You’ll get used to it though.”
“Hrmm.” The angel mumbled to himself. It was all quite a lot to take in, and he didn’t know if he really understood it himself. “I take it there is evil here?“
“Well… huh?” Coda asked, doing a bit of a double take before her voice took on a bit of a bitter tone. “I mean, I guess so. There’s evil everywhere, right? Why do you ask?”
“To strike down evil is my purpose. It’s why I was created. And if I can continue to carry out that purpose here, then where I am or why I was brought here… well, it’s not meaningless, but I suppose it makes it easier to swallow.” The hero explained, falling into silence with his thoughts for a moment. He considered the stranger for a few moments. A most curious fellow competitor… wait, a fellow competitor?!
Zayin glanced back at Coda with an appraising look, sizing her up. He wondered what reason she had for entering such a competition. Was she tricked too, or had she signed up for this death game herself. What were her motives?
Taking a deep breath and letting it out as a sigh, the angel fixed his piercing golden gaze on her. “Coda… may I ask you a question.”
“Shoot.” The girl responded. If she was even the least intimidated by his presence, she didn’t show it. Of course, it was never Zayin’s intention to intimidate a person, but it was a bit disconcerting. Most people were thrown off by seeing an angel in the flesh, or lack thereof.
“Say humanity as we know it was under threat by some hostile force, but you could personally gain by joining this force, what would you do?” He asked. “Would you fight against it? Would you stand aside and do nothing? Or would you take part in its annihilation?”
Silence hung in the air between the two for a moment, but before Coda could answer, Zayin raised his finger towards her. “And remember, you need to tell the truth. If you lie to an angel, you go to Hell.”
Coda suddenly burst into a fit of giggles at his declaration, as if he had just told a hilarious joke. To her surprise, the angel joined her moments later, laughing at his own comment. Once their laughter had died down, Zayin wiped a tear from his eye.
“I kid, I kid, of course. Hell isn’t real.” He croaked, getting out the last of his giggles.
“Coda.” He murmured to himself. An unusual name, certainly, but that was to be expected. The hero doubted he’d be hearing many names that he recognised so far from home. He attempted to meet the stranger’s eyes as he gave a nod and a shallow bow, but was blocked by the strange eyewear she wore. Strange. What reason did she have to hide her eyes?
“My name is Zayin.” The angel said, subtly glancing about in search of a way to diffuse the awkwardness of the situation. “I like your braid.”
“Oh. Well, I like yours too.” Coda responded, slightly caught off guard by the compliment. Gently touching her hair, she smiled appreciatively at the angel. “I don’t mean to intrude, but are you alright? You seem a bit… scared?”
“Scared? No, no, I’m not scared. Just…” Zayin trailed off as he gazed back out into the darkness beyond the dome. It wasn’t the sense of scale and insignificance that upset him, the faith that humanity had in him meant more than all the stars in the sky. Rather, it was the distance. He was so far from his beloved home. Turning back to his new acquaintance, though, he did feel a little relief. If there were mortals about, he still had purpose. “Well, I suppose I am a bit scared. Just don’t tell my brothers and sisters. I would never hear the end of it. The mighty and noble Zayin, upset by the night sky.”
The swordsman gave a weak chuckle as he looked up at the dome one more time, his voice coming out quiet and subdued. “Where am I?”
“Hmm? Well, you’re in the Death Game pre-show staging area, specifically the star dome.” Coda replied with practiced ease. “If you want to know the exact location of the facility, it’s teeeeechnically classified, but you can figure it out by-“
“No…” Zayin said, cutting her off before suddenly regretting his rudeness. “Ah, sorry. I just meant… where is this?”
As he uttered these words, the angel raised both arms, gesturing at the cosmos before him. As he did, his wings flared up subconsciously, reacting to his suppressed distress.
“Ohhhh.” Coda murmured, nodding to the hero and giving him a sympathetic look. “I get it. You got taken too.”
“Taken?”
“Yeah. Happens to a lot of people. They just kinda…” The young woman made a short, sharp whistle to try to verbalise the strange concept. “And they end up here. The crossroads.”
“Crossroads?” Zayin repeated after her, confused. It wasn’t like any crossroads he’d ever seen. Perhaps it meant something different here. Some vast, cosmic coincidence.
“Yeah. It’s a whole solar system of people going all over the place, meeting in the middle. Like a crossroads.” She explained. “Lots of colourful characters around here. You’ll get used to it though.”
“Hrmm.” The angel mumbled to himself. It was all quite a lot to take in, and he didn’t know if he really understood it himself. “I take it there is evil here?“
“Well… huh?” Coda asked, doing a bit of a double take before her voice took on a bit of a bitter tone. “I mean, I guess so. There’s evil everywhere, right? Why do you ask?”
“To strike down evil is my purpose. It’s why I was created. And if I can continue to carry out that purpose here, then where I am or why I was brought here… well, it’s not meaningless, but I suppose it makes it easier to swallow.” The hero explained, falling into silence with his thoughts for a moment. He considered the stranger for a few moments. A most curious fellow competitor… wait, a fellow competitor?!
Zayin glanced back at Coda with an appraising look, sizing her up. He wondered what reason she had for entering such a competition. Was she tricked too, or had she signed up for this death game herself. What were her motives?
Taking a deep breath and letting it out as a sigh, the angel fixed his piercing golden gaze on her. “Coda… may I ask you a question.”
“Shoot.” The girl responded. If she was even the least intimidated by his presence, she didn’t show it. Of course, it was never Zayin’s intention to intimidate a person, but it was a bit disconcerting. Most people were thrown off by seeing an angel in the flesh, or lack thereof.
“Say humanity as we know it was under threat by some hostile force, but you could personally gain by joining this force, what would you do?” He asked. “Would you fight against it? Would you stand aside and do nothing? Or would you take part in its annihilation?”
Silence hung in the air between the two for a moment, but before Coda could answer, Zayin raised his finger towards her. “And remember, you need to tell the truth. If you lie to an angel, you go to Hell.”
Coda suddenly burst into a fit of giggles at his declaration, as if he had just told a hilarious joke. To her surprise, the angel joined her moments later, laughing at his own comment. Once their laughter had died down, Zayin wiped a tear from his eye.
“I kid, I kid, of course. Hell isn’t real.” He croaked, getting out the last of his giggles.
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What a weird guy, thought Coda. That sounds like the type of question somebody might ask during a job interview… but I guess everyone in this competition's bound to be a little odd!
The young woman let out a small cough and shifted her stance, feeling some of the tension ease from her body. “Well, to answer your question, I am very... invested in humanity's survival, being quite human myself! Though my place is here, at the Carnivale Rosa. That might put a damper on things.”
Blinking quizzically at her, Zayin tilted his head to the side. It was an oddly bird-like motion, seeming almost as if he were listening to some hidden frequency Coda could never dream of hearing. "How do you mean?"
Coda giggled softly. "Well, I work here. I can't just take off my work hat to go save the world. I've already had my fair share of heroic escapades, you know," she said fondly, a wistful glint in her eyes. "Besides, I owe the Carnivale a lot. Without our host's generosity... well, I don't know where I'd be today, but it probably wouldn't be anywhere good!"
Zayin paused, as if looking at the woman with fresh eyes. She seemed almost too young to be coerced into a situation such as this, yet here she was, apparently a seasoned adventurer in spite of her tender age— and completely willing to give it all up out of some sense of loyalty. How curious.
To his surprise, Coda continued to speak. "If you must know, however..." she lowered her voice to a secretive cadence as she leaned into his personal space, glancing around fervently at the shadowy trees around them, as if expecting to locate a spy hidden among the foliage. "There already is a hostile force in this universe seeking to eradicate all life as we know it. It's called the Unmaking. It would be a bit much for myself alone to explain, so I'd recommend that you look into it when this is all over. Trust me, you'll want to know about this one!"
Expression thoughtful, Zayin's mouth twisted in contemplation, and he gave a slight nod of approval. Again, his gaze drifted to the dark lenses that lay over her eyes, wondering at what emotions lurked beneath. If the eyes truly were windows to the soul, it was peculiar indeed that someone as seemingly affable as Coda kept hers hidden from his sight! The puzzle of it all itched at him, compelled him to speak.
"Why do you cover your eyes in such a manner?" asked Zayin, gesturing to her strange eyewear.
Coda was taken aback by the abrupt question, but she kept her composure... mostly. She nervously adjusted the shades covering her face with shaky fingers, sighing.
"Uhm, well," she stuttered, unsure of how much she should tell him and clearly working up the nerve to speak. Her gaze darted to the side, tongue darting out to wet her lips. "I have a... unique eye condition, so I have to wear these special glasses to protect my eyes. It helps that they’re pretty stylish, too."
There. That wasn’t technically a lie, now was it? Coda thought.
The angel nodded in understanding. "Ah. I'm sorry you have to suffer such pain. It must be terribly difficult to see through them..."
"Oh, no! Not at all, not at all," laughed Coda, fidgeting in place. "They're only a little bit of a hindrance when it's dark out, but I can usually see just fine!"
The angel raised an eyebrow, gaze narrowing. "I see," he said, even though he looked doubtful.
Sweat beading upon her brow, Coda tried to change the subject.
"So... you're an angel, right?" she said, pointing to the six wings gently fluttering behind him in their usual circular fashion.
"Ah, yes," said Zayin. He glanced behind himself at his wings, as if noticing them for the first time. "Of a sort."
Coda hmmm-ed. "You know, I fought an angel, once. Before I came here, anyway. A fallen angel— she wasn't quite in her right mind, I guess. Boy, but that was an ugly battle!"
Zayin's golden eyes widened nearly to the size of saucers at the mention of a fallen angel. His expression shifted to one of profound confusion, one hand reaching up to rub at his chin as he tried to make sense of what he had heard.
"An angel? Fallen from the heavens? Are you sure?" he asked, voice heavy with disbelief. Angels rarely, if ever, fell from their posts. At least to his knowledge. “What sort of weapon did this angel wield?”
Coda nodded firmly, eyes narrowing. "Yes, I'm sure. It was this huge battle, and it definitely wasn't easy dealing with her. We were lucky to survive at all, really."
The woman visibly shivered in recollection, obviously having quite a few bad memories of that fight.
“As for her weapon…” Coda continued, but paused mid-sentence, her face screwing up in confusion. “You know, I don’t actually remember what kind of weapons she had… it was all such a blur! Funny, usually I’m pretty good at remembering little details like that…”
Zayin's gaze darkened a little, but he merely nodded. "However did you manage? I doubt you could simply overpower an angel if they had their wits about them, fallen or not."
Rubbing at the back of her neck, Coda bit her lip. "No, you definitely can't. We were luckily able to escape after she, uh, practically pummeled all my friends into the dirt. It was a tense situation, but thankfully everyone got out... more or less okay," she said with a sigh of obvious relief.
"That is... quite a tale," the angel replied, regarding her with newfound respect.
Noticing the look, Coda suddenly appeared supremely embarrassed. "Ah, but it was nothing! We didn't win or anything, so things actually kind of sucked..." She cleared her throat, pushing the thought away. "In any case, the thing is that it was a close call. So now I'm more cautious when it comes to these sorts of things. That's why I like to stay with the Carnivale— it's safer territory, you know? Or, well. Not now that I'm a contestant, but usually. You know what I mean."
"I see," murmured Zayin, even though he really didn’t, not exactly. He tilted his head, seeming thoughtful for a moment as he considered Coda's explanation. "Well, I must thank you for sharing such a story with me, and for your bravery. It is not often that one willingly puts their safety at risk— especially if it is for the sake of others. You are a courageous individual, if I do say so myself."
Coda felt her cheeks flush with heat, but something in her chest fluttered at the angel's kind words. "Hey, thanks! You know, I think you're the first person to ever say something like that to me. Usually the feedback I get is a lot less positive.”
Zayin blinked owlishly "Oh, really? What do they usually say?"
"Erm, well, usually it's something along the lines of 'what were you thinking?!'" Coda admitted, her lips quirking up into the tiniest of smirks. "I'm kinda used to it by now, though, so it’s no biggie."
The young woman let out a small cough and shifted her stance, feeling some of the tension ease from her body. “Well, to answer your question, I am very... invested in humanity's survival, being quite human myself! Though my place is here, at the Carnivale Rosa. That might put a damper on things.”
Blinking quizzically at her, Zayin tilted his head to the side. It was an oddly bird-like motion, seeming almost as if he were listening to some hidden frequency Coda could never dream of hearing. "How do you mean?"
Coda giggled softly. "Well, I work here. I can't just take off my work hat to go save the world. I've already had my fair share of heroic escapades, you know," she said fondly, a wistful glint in her eyes. "Besides, I owe the Carnivale a lot. Without our host's generosity... well, I don't know where I'd be today, but it probably wouldn't be anywhere good!"
Zayin paused, as if looking at the woman with fresh eyes. She seemed almost too young to be coerced into a situation such as this, yet here she was, apparently a seasoned adventurer in spite of her tender age— and completely willing to give it all up out of some sense of loyalty. How curious.
To his surprise, Coda continued to speak. "If you must know, however..." she lowered her voice to a secretive cadence as she leaned into his personal space, glancing around fervently at the shadowy trees around them, as if expecting to locate a spy hidden among the foliage. "There already is a hostile force in this universe seeking to eradicate all life as we know it. It's called the Unmaking. It would be a bit much for myself alone to explain, so I'd recommend that you look into it when this is all over. Trust me, you'll want to know about this one!"
Expression thoughtful, Zayin's mouth twisted in contemplation, and he gave a slight nod of approval. Again, his gaze drifted to the dark lenses that lay over her eyes, wondering at what emotions lurked beneath. If the eyes truly were windows to the soul, it was peculiar indeed that someone as seemingly affable as Coda kept hers hidden from his sight! The puzzle of it all itched at him, compelled him to speak.
"Why do you cover your eyes in such a manner?" asked Zayin, gesturing to her strange eyewear.
Coda was taken aback by the abrupt question, but she kept her composure... mostly. She nervously adjusted the shades covering her face with shaky fingers, sighing.
"Uhm, well," she stuttered, unsure of how much she should tell him and clearly working up the nerve to speak. Her gaze darted to the side, tongue darting out to wet her lips. "I have a... unique eye condition, so I have to wear these special glasses to protect my eyes. It helps that they’re pretty stylish, too."
There. That wasn’t technically a lie, now was it? Coda thought.
The angel nodded in understanding. "Ah. I'm sorry you have to suffer such pain. It must be terribly difficult to see through them..."
"Oh, no! Not at all, not at all," laughed Coda, fidgeting in place. "They're only a little bit of a hindrance when it's dark out, but I can usually see just fine!"
The angel raised an eyebrow, gaze narrowing. "I see," he said, even though he looked doubtful.
Sweat beading upon her brow, Coda tried to change the subject.
"So... you're an angel, right?" she said, pointing to the six wings gently fluttering behind him in their usual circular fashion.
"Ah, yes," said Zayin. He glanced behind himself at his wings, as if noticing them for the first time. "Of a sort."
Coda hmmm-ed. "You know, I fought an angel, once. Before I came here, anyway. A fallen angel— she wasn't quite in her right mind, I guess. Boy, but that was an ugly battle!"
Zayin's golden eyes widened nearly to the size of saucers at the mention of a fallen angel. His expression shifted to one of profound confusion, one hand reaching up to rub at his chin as he tried to make sense of what he had heard.
"An angel? Fallen from the heavens? Are you sure?" he asked, voice heavy with disbelief. Angels rarely, if ever, fell from their posts. At least to his knowledge. “What sort of weapon did this angel wield?”
Coda nodded firmly, eyes narrowing. "Yes, I'm sure. It was this huge battle, and it definitely wasn't easy dealing with her. We were lucky to survive at all, really."
The woman visibly shivered in recollection, obviously having quite a few bad memories of that fight.
“As for her weapon…” Coda continued, but paused mid-sentence, her face screwing up in confusion. “You know, I don’t actually remember what kind of weapons she had… it was all such a blur! Funny, usually I’m pretty good at remembering little details like that…”
Zayin's gaze darkened a little, but he merely nodded. "However did you manage? I doubt you could simply overpower an angel if they had their wits about them, fallen or not."
Rubbing at the back of her neck, Coda bit her lip. "No, you definitely can't. We were luckily able to escape after she, uh, practically pummeled all my friends into the dirt. It was a tense situation, but thankfully everyone got out... more or less okay," she said with a sigh of obvious relief.
"That is... quite a tale," the angel replied, regarding her with newfound respect.
Noticing the look, Coda suddenly appeared supremely embarrassed. "Ah, but it was nothing! We didn't win or anything, so things actually kind of sucked..." She cleared her throat, pushing the thought away. "In any case, the thing is that it was a close call. So now I'm more cautious when it comes to these sorts of things. That's why I like to stay with the Carnivale— it's safer territory, you know? Or, well. Not now that I'm a contestant, but usually. You know what I mean."
"I see," murmured Zayin, even though he really didn’t, not exactly. He tilted his head, seeming thoughtful for a moment as he considered Coda's explanation. "Well, I must thank you for sharing such a story with me, and for your bravery. It is not often that one willingly puts their safety at risk— especially if it is for the sake of others. You are a courageous individual, if I do say so myself."
Coda felt her cheeks flush with heat, but something in her chest fluttered at the angel's kind words. "Hey, thanks! You know, I think you're the first person to ever say something like that to me. Usually the feedback I get is a lot less positive.”
Zayin blinked owlishly "Oh, really? What do they usually say?"
"Erm, well, usually it's something along the lines of 'what were you thinking?!'" Coda admitted, her lips quirking up into the tiniest of smirks. "I'm kinda used to it by now, though, so it’s no biggie."
The girl was certainly mysterious. Zayin saw no reason to distrust her at the moment, but he still harbored suspicions, particularly about those glasses of hers. Where he was from, unusual eyes, much like his own, were the surefire way to tell if someone possessed magic or not, and magi would go to great efforts to conceal their eyes if they wanted to avoid detection. That being said, he didn’t think she was about to spring a surprise attack on him, so he decided to let it slide.
Besides, he had bigger worries at the moment. A destructive force sweeping across the so-called crossroads was bad enough, but Coda’s tale of her battle against an angel was especially disturbing. For an angel to fall was… well, it was unthinkable. The hero desperately hoped that it was not one of his sisters who had fallen from grace. To turn against humanity was a fate worse than death.
As he contemplated this, a horrible thought occurred. So far from home and cut off from the heroic expanse, what if he followed suit, and fell from grace? Shaken a little by the thought, Zayin did his best to push his worries aside. He needed to be in the here and now at the moment.
“I see… That is a shame, that your heroism was not recognised for what it was.” The angel said solemnly before giving a warm, genuine smile at Coda. “I’m glad you haven’t let them discourage you though.”
The hero’s words seemed to hang in the air as the two fell silent for a moment, simply gazing out into the dark abyss of space. “So… you work for this… organization? What do you do? Are you some sort of tenured competitor?”
“Well… no, this isn’t a normal work day for me.” The girl admittedly. “I’m normally greeter, but sometimes I’m as a talent recruiter.”
“Greeter I understand but talent… recruiter?” Zayin repeated, tilting his head inquisitively as he turned to her. “Do you recruit entertainment? Jesters and such? Some sort of mid-game show?”
“Oh, no, no.” Coda laughed. “That’s what we call people who go out and find contestants like you.”
The angel nodded with sudden comprehension before his eyes narrowed, suddenly recalling the… encounter he had experienced with the two recruiters who had brought him to the sign ups.
“Oh, I know that look.” The Carnivale employee cringed behind her glasses. “That’s the ‘my recruiter gave me some extra incentive’ look. Which was it, the super-taser or the gravity net?”
“I… I don’t know what those are.” The warrior sighed. “All I know is that I woke up in a vehicle with this around my neck.”
Coda peered closer, seeing that he did, in fact, have a metal collar locked around his neck, a little red light blinking gently on it to show that it was suppressing his natural abilities.
“Hey, why do you have one of the normal ones?” She asked, examining her own suppressor bow tie in the reflection of the dome. Zayin raised an eyebrow at this. That was hers? This whole time he had assumed that they had given him one because of his unique circumstances.
“I thought that was just a fashion statement.” He mumbled before shaking the thought off. “Whatever the case, you don’t seem the type to stun potential competitors. Especially not ones who were already willing to come along.”
“Well, most of the recruiters are a bit easier on the competitors. The Carnivale really isn’t that bad overall, they just get a little overexcited sometimes.”
“Right… so what got you to sign up for this Death Game, then, if you're one of the recruiters?” Zayin inquired, furrowing his brow as he turned his back to the dome. He could only stomach staring into the abyss for so long before it started to weigh on him. “I love a fight as much as the next angel, and even I had to be promised a chance to cut down evil to join.”
“Well, it was aaactually just to try and get back at my boss.” Coda replied, chuckling a little. “It worked, too. You should have seen the look on his face.”
“That sounds… extreme.” The hero said, wincing just a tiny bit. He wasn’t quite sure how those too things correlated, but beyond that, he could hardly fathom entering a competition where you risked your life just to spite your boss. “You must really not like this boss of yours.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that. He’s…” The Carnivale employee trailed off as she thought about it for a moment before glancing back and forth and then lowering her voice. “Actually yeah, no, I don’t. Between you and me, he’s a real dick. You get it, we’ve all had bad bosses, right?”
The two looked at each other for a moment before Coda’s brow furrowed.
“Oh yeah, I guess you wouldn’t have. Your boss would be like… god, right?”
“Well… not exactly.” Zayin said, running his hand through his hair as his wings flapped a little. “I’m animated by a divine force, that I suppose you could call god, though I don’t communicate with it directly. I have superiors that I answer to as well, angels with more knowledge, power and experience than myself. But with all that said, I guess humanity is really what you would call my boss.”
“Hmm?” Coda mumbled. This time, it was her turn to tilt her head inquisitively. Her face told the angel that she kinda got what he meant, but the idea was a bit too abstract. “So I could tell you what to do and you’d have to do it?”
“Not… quite.” The angel replied, searching for a way to explain the concept. “It’s like… I have a few commandments, or rules I guess, that I have to follow in service to humanity, and I can take orders for the good of humankind. So I’ll save you from being hurt, or go take down a great evil if humans need me to, but I won’t go get your groceries for you.”
“Right.” The girl nodded. “I guess I was wrong, then. You do have a pretty tough boss.”
“Ah, yes, sometimes.” Zayin acknowledged. Still, he had a grin on his face and a look of adoration in his eyes. “But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Besides, he had bigger worries at the moment. A destructive force sweeping across the so-called crossroads was bad enough, but Coda’s tale of her battle against an angel was especially disturbing. For an angel to fall was… well, it was unthinkable. The hero desperately hoped that it was not one of his sisters who had fallen from grace. To turn against humanity was a fate worse than death.
As he contemplated this, a horrible thought occurred. So far from home and cut off from the heroic expanse, what if he followed suit, and fell from grace? Shaken a little by the thought, Zayin did his best to push his worries aside. He needed to be in the here and now at the moment.
“I see… That is a shame, that your heroism was not recognised for what it was.” The angel said solemnly before giving a warm, genuine smile at Coda. “I’m glad you haven’t let them discourage you though.”
The hero’s words seemed to hang in the air as the two fell silent for a moment, simply gazing out into the dark abyss of space. “So… you work for this… organization? What do you do? Are you some sort of tenured competitor?”
“Well… no, this isn’t a normal work day for me.” The girl admittedly. “I’m normally greeter, but sometimes I’m as a talent recruiter.”
“Greeter I understand but talent… recruiter?” Zayin repeated, tilting his head inquisitively as he turned to her. “Do you recruit entertainment? Jesters and such? Some sort of mid-game show?”
“Oh, no, no.” Coda laughed. “That’s what we call people who go out and find contestants like you.”
The angel nodded with sudden comprehension before his eyes narrowed, suddenly recalling the… encounter he had experienced with the two recruiters who had brought him to the sign ups.
“Oh, I know that look.” The Carnivale employee cringed behind her glasses. “That’s the ‘my recruiter gave me some extra incentive’ look. Which was it, the super-taser or the gravity net?”
“I… I don’t know what those are.” The warrior sighed. “All I know is that I woke up in a vehicle with this around my neck.”
Coda peered closer, seeing that he did, in fact, have a metal collar locked around his neck, a little red light blinking gently on it to show that it was suppressing his natural abilities.
“Hey, why do you have one of the normal ones?” She asked, examining her own suppressor bow tie in the reflection of the dome. Zayin raised an eyebrow at this. That was hers? This whole time he had assumed that they had given him one because of his unique circumstances.
“I thought that was just a fashion statement.” He mumbled before shaking the thought off. “Whatever the case, you don’t seem the type to stun potential competitors. Especially not ones who were already willing to come along.”
“Well, most of the recruiters are a bit easier on the competitors. The Carnivale really isn’t that bad overall, they just get a little overexcited sometimes.”
“Right… so what got you to sign up for this Death Game, then, if you're one of the recruiters?” Zayin inquired, furrowing his brow as he turned his back to the dome. He could only stomach staring into the abyss for so long before it started to weigh on him. “I love a fight as much as the next angel, and even I had to be promised a chance to cut down evil to join.”
“Well, it was aaactually just to try and get back at my boss.” Coda replied, chuckling a little. “It worked, too. You should have seen the look on his face.”
“That sounds… extreme.” The hero said, wincing just a tiny bit. He wasn’t quite sure how those too things correlated, but beyond that, he could hardly fathom entering a competition where you risked your life just to spite your boss. “You must really not like this boss of yours.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that. He’s…” The Carnivale employee trailed off as she thought about it for a moment before glancing back and forth and then lowering her voice. “Actually yeah, no, I don’t. Between you and me, he’s a real dick. You get it, we’ve all had bad bosses, right?”
The two looked at each other for a moment before Coda’s brow furrowed.
“Oh yeah, I guess you wouldn’t have. Your boss would be like… god, right?”
“Well… not exactly.” Zayin said, running his hand through his hair as his wings flapped a little. “I’m animated by a divine force, that I suppose you could call god, though I don’t communicate with it directly. I have superiors that I answer to as well, angels with more knowledge, power and experience than myself. But with all that said, I guess humanity is really what you would call my boss.”
“Hmm?” Coda mumbled. This time, it was her turn to tilt her head inquisitively. Her face told the angel that she kinda got what he meant, but the idea was a bit too abstract. “So I could tell you what to do and you’d have to do it?”
“Not… quite.” The angel replied, searching for a way to explain the concept. “It’s like… I have a few commandments, or rules I guess, that I have to follow in service to humanity, and I can take orders for the good of humankind. So I’ll save you from being hurt, or go take down a great evil if humans need me to, but I won’t go get your groceries for you.”
“Right.” The girl nodded. “I guess I was wrong, then. You do have a pretty tough boss.”
“Ah, yes, sometimes.” Zayin acknowledged. Still, he had a grin on his face and a look of adoration in his eyes. “But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
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Coda's gaze grew wide as the angel spoke with an intensity that rivaled even the most fervent of warriors. Despite herself, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. His passion, his drive— these traits were certainly remarkable and admirable! She could only dream of maintaining that same level of determination throughout the trial ahead of them... and if only her motivations were half as noble, maybe she could manage it!
Eugh. Just thinking of the imminent competition caused her insides to twist in a mixture of fear and anticipation. Failure meant almost certain death, and the being standing before her now could very well be the one to deliver the final blow. Even if it wasn't permanent, dying was never a pleasant experience...
But there was absolutely no sense in getting upset quite yet! Shaking her head to clear it of the dark thoughts that filled her mind, Coda tried to put on a brave face, smiling at her newfound companion.
“W-well, if you really are in charge of saving us all from impending doom or whatever, I guess I should be grateful," she chuckled, trying to hide her nerves. "Even if you won't do me a solid and pick up my shopping, too."
As if sensing her sudden uncertainty, Zayin’s expression softened, eyes bright and features awash in the luminescent light of his... weird, fuzzy wing-looking things.
"Ah, but you see… if that jaunt to the grocery store were to somehow determine the fate of the world, I might be persuaded!"
“Hah! Well, in that case, I'll let you know!” Coda responded gamely, a crooked smile on her face that the angel returned. The two then settled into a companionable silence, the quiet between them stretching out comfortably.
Turning once more to gaze out across the heavenly abyss, Coda scrutinized the ever-changing tapestry of faraway worlds drifting just beyond the protective glass of the dome. Stars like cosmic grains of sand twinkled back at her, cold and bright— contrasting sharply with the sleepy verdancy of the woodland around them, with its rustling tree branches and finely combed grasses.
She sighed softly. Where before she had only felt terror and revulsion towards this new existence of hers, a sense of belonging now took its place. On one hand, she was still the same person from before, just stolen from her old identity and home. On the other hand, and especially with the Carnivale's help, she had rapidly warmed to her new life. Whether she liked it or not, the Crossroads was now indisputably her home! Perhaps, one day and if he was very lucky, Zayin would feel the same way.
Her eyes drifted to the being in question, her expression both calculating and empathetic in equal measure, shrouded by the dark lenses covering her face. Yes. Maybe one day.
Coda could remember well what it was like to be in between worlds— navigating a totally new reality without any warning or guide, frightened and isolated, seemingly cast aside by some incredibly careless cosmic force that was completely outside of her control. And Coda hated not having control of things!
Point being, it was truly unfortunate that Zayin's first impression of the Crossroads was... well, this. No offense meant to her employer, of course! It just, uh. Wasn’t ideal to be hurled into a battle royale when you were just starting to get your bearings…
Taking a deep breath, Coda nodded a little to herself, her mouth flattening into a grim, determined line.
Yes, it was decided. She'd do what she could to help this guy find his place here, even if it used up what little time she had left to prepare for the Death Game. Even if they'd be trying their damnedest to kill each other in a few days, it was the very least she could do to give him a hand.
With conviction sparking in her eyes, Coda’s head swiveled around, her gaze locking with Zayin's.
“You know, something just occurred to me,” she blurted out, the words spilling out all in an excited rush. “The Carnivale Rosa has an excellent library. In fact, it's housed here in this very facility! Books, news articles, historical information... it has it all. It might not answer all the questions you might have about the Crossroads, but I'll bet it can answer a few of them. I could take you there if you'd like...?”
Zayin's brow furrowed as he considered her offer. He seemed to take a moment to very carefully mull over her words, the wings at his back fluttering softly with the movement of his shoulders. Seconds seemed to stretch out interminably before he finally gave a slow nod, granting his assent.
“Very well,” he said, a small but genuine smile pulling at his lips. “I'd be glad to accompany you, and even gladder for the opportunity to learn more about this... Crossroads. If it truly isn't any trouble to you, of course."
Coda's lips spread into a wide grin. Success!
“Oh, it's no trouble at all, really!” she assured him, voice practically bubbling over with enthusiasm. “It's actually perfect timing— I came here to do a bit of research myself, you know, but come to think of it, the library would definitely make a better venue. C'mon, let's get going!"
Without waiting for much of a response, Coda whirled around with a grand flourish of her coat, practically skipping in that direction. And with that, the pair set off through the trees.
Eugh. Just thinking of the imminent competition caused her insides to twist in a mixture of fear and anticipation. Failure meant almost certain death, and the being standing before her now could very well be the one to deliver the final blow. Even if it wasn't permanent, dying was never a pleasant experience...
But there was absolutely no sense in getting upset quite yet! Shaking her head to clear it of the dark thoughts that filled her mind, Coda tried to put on a brave face, smiling at her newfound companion.
“W-well, if you really are in charge of saving us all from impending doom or whatever, I guess I should be grateful," she chuckled, trying to hide her nerves. "Even if you won't do me a solid and pick up my shopping, too."
As if sensing her sudden uncertainty, Zayin’s expression softened, eyes bright and features awash in the luminescent light of his... weird, fuzzy wing-looking things.
"Ah, but you see… if that jaunt to the grocery store were to somehow determine the fate of the world, I might be persuaded!"
“Hah! Well, in that case, I'll let you know!” Coda responded gamely, a crooked smile on her face that the angel returned. The two then settled into a companionable silence, the quiet between them stretching out comfortably.
Turning once more to gaze out across the heavenly abyss, Coda scrutinized the ever-changing tapestry of faraway worlds drifting just beyond the protective glass of the dome. Stars like cosmic grains of sand twinkled back at her, cold and bright— contrasting sharply with the sleepy verdancy of the woodland around them, with its rustling tree branches and finely combed grasses.
She sighed softly. Where before she had only felt terror and revulsion towards this new existence of hers, a sense of belonging now took its place. On one hand, she was still the same person from before, just stolen from her old identity and home. On the other hand, and especially with the Carnivale's help, she had rapidly warmed to her new life. Whether she liked it or not, the Crossroads was now indisputably her home! Perhaps, one day and if he was very lucky, Zayin would feel the same way.
Her eyes drifted to the being in question, her expression both calculating and empathetic in equal measure, shrouded by the dark lenses covering her face. Yes. Maybe one day.
Coda could remember well what it was like to be in between worlds— navigating a totally new reality without any warning or guide, frightened and isolated, seemingly cast aside by some incredibly careless cosmic force that was completely outside of her control. And Coda hated not having control of things!
Point being, it was truly unfortunate that Zayin's first impression of the Crossroads was... well, this. No offense meant to her employer, of course! It just, uh. Wasn’t ideal to be hurled into a battle royale when you were just starting to get your bearings…
Taking a deep breath, Coda nodded a little to herself, her mouth flattening into a grim, determined line.
Yes, it was decided. She'd do what she could to help this guy find his place here, even if it used up what little time she had left to prepare for the Death Game. Even if they'd be trying their damnedest to kill each other in a few days, it was the very least she could do to give him a hand.
With conviction sparking in her eyes, Coda’s head swiveled around, her gaze locking with Zayin's.
“You know, something just occurred to me,” she blurted out, the words spilling out all in an excited rush. “The Carnivale Rosa has an excellent library. In fact, it's housed here in this very facility! Books, news articles, historical information... it has it all. It might not answer all the questions you might have about the Crossroads, but I'll bet it can answer a few of them. I could take you there if you'd like...?”
Zayin's brow furrowed as he considered her offer. He seemed to take a moment to very carefully mull over her words, the wings at his back fluttering softly with the movement of his shoulders. Seconds seemed to stretch out interminably before he finally gave a slow nod, granting his assent.
“Very well,” he said, a small but genuine smile pulling at his lips. “I'd be glad to accompany you, and even gladder for the opportunity to learn more about this... Crossroads. If it truly isn't any trouble to you, of course."
Coda's lips spread into a wide grin. Success!
“Oh, it's no trouble at all, really!” she assured him, voice practically bubbling over with enthusiasm. “It's actually perfect timing— I came here to do a bit of research myself, you know, but come to think of it, the library would definitely make a better venue. C'mon, let's get going!"
Without waiting for much of a response, Coda whirled around with a grand flourish of her coat, practically skipping in that direction. And with that, the pair set off through the trees.
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The predator licked his lips. The demonic face more akin to a jack-o-lantern than a corpse, meant to haunt the most unsuspecting onlooker with his luminously hollow eyes. His mutilation served as a warning to any who dare to come close. He was not merely meant to hide. He was meant to instill fear.
The dual planets of his pupils slunk from one edge of his hollow eyes to the other. Maintaining a revolving motion much like a vacant doll in a shop. Eddie strolled forth, direction called by whichever shadow rested closest to him.
“You do know I’m going into battle, don’t you?” There was a harsh, sharp metallic-tang delivered as he spoke in a swift nearly-illegible whisper to no one around.
“Then service me a suit!” The madman’s shattering voice harshly commanded, raising his voice with the wrath of his anger coming down in a motion that threw his hand across the air around him in a vehement flail.
His movements braced, controlled while his motion suddenly slowed by his hunched shoulders. The stray and violent hand once bashing against air now hung in a claw-like brace over his chest. “Or…” Contemplation hung just so with a pensive, threatening, consideration in his tone.
“I’ll make you!” He seethed in satisfaction, his twisted voice was hot steam slithering out. As a different, limp expression glowered from his lips than that of the expansive void of his callous eyes.
The split man’s tongue held in pause.
“Afraid to run errands for the Devil? Haven’t you any wit left? He’s the only one you should be running FROM! Ha! HahaHa!” The crazed laughter crumbled against the strain of a thirsting voice. The off-tune guffaw churned his own stomach, which made the painful noises hurl into howls that emulated weeping.
“You know what we must do. We wait. Wait for darkness.
Then we… gut the pig.
Gut the pig!
-GUT THE PIG!-GUT THE PIG!”
His possessed voice mounted faster and faster as the same chant continued contorting around his lips. As the madman’s repetition fell into a soundless cackle, he curled his form and hunched further inward. A bent crouch made him smaller still as he knelt and shrunk beneath the veil of shadow. All while the sharp bones of his starved-spine popped against the ivory leather skin.
Transformation that took place embodied mutilation the chrysalis of his old skin tore off as his new skin covered in slime grew over the creature's skeletal flesh.
A breath slunk into the living-corpse’s lungs and the air seemed to restore something that was lost. He inflated, like a balloon outward. Fetching his new form while he writhed awake. Anew. With rebirth, pulling more and more air greedily in through the slits of his nose. Sniffing in, faster, faster, faster still. The creature’s beastly huffing with more and more haste as he finally seemed to catch a new scent.
One long breath to fill all breaths and at last filled, he obtained it. His lungs full of the aroma of his prey while his body now oblong and standing in a rigid stoop. The breath bellowed out as his decrepit form no longer appeared weak, limbering on his starved joints in the unnatural way a puppet moved without string. Now, his boney hands resembled brambles, his fingertips raised thorns as his arms outstretched to either side and held the empty matter within them like invisible orbs of power.
He seized this moment, laying claim to this new strength embalming his soulless vessel. Triumphant in his exuberance.
“Behold, the tyrants will fall.
There will be a feast! And you…
You all will bleeeeeeeeed.”
The dual planets of his pupils slunk from one edge of his hollow eyes to the other. Maintaining a revolving motion much like a vacant doll in a shop. Eddie strolled forth, direction called by whichever shadow rested closest to him.
“You do know I’m going into battle, don’t you?” There was a harsh, sharp metallic-tang delivered as he spoke in a swift nearly-illegible whisper to no one around.
“Then service me a suit!” The madman’s shattering voice harshly commanded, raising his voice with the wrath of his anger coming down in a motion that threw his hand across the air around him in a vehement flail.
His movements braced, controlled while his motion suddenly slowed by his hunched shoulders. The stray and violent hand once bashing against air now hung in a claw-like brace over his chest. “Or…” Contemplation hung just so with a pensive, threatening, consideration in his tone.
“I’ll make you!” He seethed in satisfaction, his twisted voice was hot steam slithering out. As a different, limp expression glowered from his lips than that of the expansive void of his callous eyes.
The split man’s tongue held in pause.
“Afraid to run errands for the Devil? Haven’t you any wit left? He’s the only one you should be running FROM! Ha! HahaHa!” The crazed laughter crumbled against the strain of a thirsting voice. The off-tune guffaw churned his own stomach, which made the painful noises hurl into howls that emulated weeping.
“You know what we must do. We wait. Wait for darkness.
Then we… gut the pig.
Gut the pig!
-GUT THE PIG!-GUT THE PIG!”
His possessed voice mounted faster and faster as the same chant continued contorting around his lips. As the madman’s repetition fell into a soundless cackle, he curled his form and hunched further inward. A bent crouch made him smaller still as he knelt and shrunk beneath the veil of shadow. All while the sharp bones of his starved-spine popped against the ivory leather skin.
Transformation that took place embodied mutilation the chrysalis of his old skin tore off as his new skin covered in slime grew over the creature's skeletal flesh.
A breath slunk into the living-corpse’s lungs and the air seemed to restore something that was lost. He inflated, like a balloon outward. Fetching his new form while he writhed awake. Anew. With rebirth, pulling more and more air greedily in through the slits of his nose. Sniffing in, faster, faster, faster still. The creature’s beastly huffing with more and more haste as he finally seemed to catch a new scent.
One long breath to fill all breaths and at last filled, he obtained it. His lungs full of the aroma of his prey while his body now oblong and standing in a rigid stoop. The breath bellowed out as his decrepit form no longer appeared weak, limbering on his starved joints in the unnatural way a puppet moved without string. Now, his boney hands resembled brambles, his fingertips raised thorns as his arms outstretched to either side and held the empty matter within them like invisible orbs of power.
He seized this moment, laying claim to this new strength embalming his soulless vessel. Triumphant in his exuberance.
“Behold, the tyrants will fall.
There will be a feast! And you…
You all will bleeeeeeeeed.”
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