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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 16, 2023 16:00:57 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Pandæmonium had nearly completed coating her lightsaber in the portaak amber when she heard her name echoing in the Force, summoned by a familiar and welcoming voice. Yet something not-so-welcoming accompanied Tartarus' call. A gut-wrenching sensation washed over her. It felt like she swallowed a massive stone that had rested in the toxic cloudsea for over a millennium.
"Chaos take me. Leone, what are you up to?" she whispered.
It took her only a second to finish putting her saber back together and a second longer to snatch up her things and rush back to the camp. Her usual route took her around the outskirts so no one saw her. Now, she would have to travel to the far side of the settlement to get to where she felt his presence. It took her only a second after that realization to know where he was.
She cursed under her breath.
Pandæmonium was sure a handful of her fellow cultists saw her, but from what she could tell, none of the Elders were anywhere near. That was good, at least. She stormed through the cave entrance, which led to an array of chambers for various arts, rituals, and archives. If he was up to what she thought he was, only one would suit Tartarus's needs.
Sure enough, a figure appeared before her in the summoning chamber. The ritual circle was already set up and prepared. Tartarus was dimly lit within the artificial light of Sith magics, and she could make out his gaze already upon her as if he was already waiting for her to make her appearance.
Pandæmonium stopped within the entry and placed her hands on her hips. Staring down the Summoner with a scrupulous gaze, she asks like a mother having caught her child with his hand in the cookie jar, "What in the six gates do you think you're doing?" |
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The Sith Eternal
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 16, 2023 16:14:45 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
A flash of black and white came across his vision, to which Tartarus offered his timely companion a toothy grin. He took her question, although clearly rhetorical, as a lead right into his explanation.
"I came across something in my research the other day, something that will help us both if I-" he paused and then corrected himself, "if WE manage to pull it off. Today."
Before Pandæmonium could utter a single word to deny him, he approached her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Slowly, Tartarus steered her deeper into the chamber, his other hand clutching the book close to his chest. He guided them to a nearby podium, where he ceremoniously laid down the tome and turned to a particular page over halfway through. Around various instructions and models, a magnificent wyrm-like figure depicted in the text stood out.
"Hyperion," Tartarus explained, carefully trying to catch Pandæmonium's gaze as he glanced back and forth between her and the tome. "A link with him is said to bring about great rejuvenation to the summoner, allowing their other bonds to be brought forth with greater strength and power. Let alone the fact that his power is also said to rival the other summons. Tavi," he pleaded. "This power could make us an unstoppable duo. If you help me achieve it, it could help you gain some favor back with the Elders since... well, since what happened last time." |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 17, 2023 15:38:51 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
"Stop. Absolutely not."
Pandæmonium hated to squash the hope she could see in Tartarus's eyes, but she couldn't allow him to take such a reckless risk. Not now.
"First off, you've just gained Anemoi as a summon, but you've hardly had enough time to commune with her as you have the others. It's too soon to try this damned Trance again. Give yourself time to rest and grow accustomed to the new power she's granted you."
She could only hope he would see reason. Anemoi was a powerful summon, the Temptress of Winds and Storms. The battle for her allegiance was still fresh in Pandæmonium's mind. Gently, she placed a hand on Tartarus's chest, silvery eyes now pleading with him to let go of this cursed idea, at least for the time being.
"Second, I don't care what the Elders think of me anymore. What happened last time is what happened the time before and the time before that. You can help me gain their favor all you want, but in a week, they'll find something else to pin against me. I'll just be back where I am now. I'm not like them, or you."
Tartarus had always been one of the favored acolytes to the Elders. He had been with the cult since long before she arrived. Even as a child, he pored over tomes and books, soaking in their information like a sponge. Their rituals came naturally to him, and it was only a matter of time before he crafted his own grimoire and discovered a knack in a lost art -- summoning. Although he had taken a liking to Pandæmonium since day one, Tartarus had later been chastised for his association with her. Eventually, the scoldings died down when the Elders realized it was all in vain. They continued making her life a living hell, though.
"Third, if you're going to do this, you should have the Elders' approval. They can help you while you're in the Trance better than I ever could. You know I'm no good at these rituals. Please, think about yourself and what you truly need right now, which isn't another summon." |
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The Sith Eternal
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 17, 2023 15:56:29 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Tartarus expected Pandæmonium's answer and why he had hesitated after calling out to her. He had only hoped she would side with him, willingly aid him in his endeavor. His mind had been made up since the first stroke to incite the summoning circle, though, and nothing she said would stray him from this path now.
"Of course, I already talked to the Elders about this, Tavi. They denied my request for the same reason as your first point, although a bit more... Council-speak. You're more like them than you know... if only you both realized that."
Gently, he grasped her hand that rested against his chest. Alone or with her help, he would perform the ritual and enter the Trance. It was a risk he was willing to take, to grow stronger, deadlier. The hopeful look in his eye suddenly shifted into something more stubborn and sinister. A look that one wore into battle when they knew their life was on the line, yet they believed so strongly for what they fought for, any and all outcomes would be worth it.
"If you don't wish to help me, I understand and won't hold it against you." He released her and turned away to grab his grimoire that rested on a nearby stone. He paused, though, and turned to catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye. "You should probably get going, though. I don't want you to become an accomplice in this, especially if things go south. Just give me five minutes, and if you haven't heard from me, alert one of the Elders, okay?"
'If things go south.' Actually saying those words, Tartarus paused to ponder. No, he knew the risks. The risks were worth the reward, he reassured himself. They were well worth it. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 18, 2023 17:47:01 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
"We're nothing alike, Leone," she protested softly. "The only time we agree on anything is when it's what's best for you."
Pandæmonium could see the shift in Tartarus's disposition and knew what he would say well before the words even left his lips. It was like she was talking to a wall. She narrowed her eyes on him. Could she ever pull him away from this sentiment that he wasn't already a force to be reckoned with? His gift was something so spectacular. He only needed to learn how to better connect with his summons, to draw out their energies to the fullest. He was hungry, though, always searching through the archives of books and tomes for anything that could even remotely sate his hunger. He wouldn't stop until satisfied if that was even possible.
She couldn't allow him to walk this alone.
With sure steps, Pandæmonium closed the gap between them. She rested her head against his back, her hands finding his sides in a half-hearted embrace.
"Link." She whispered the request in defeat and sighed deeply. She was sure Tartarus would question her for changing her mind, so she continued before he had the chance. "I'm not about to let you kill yourself to a damned demon without anyone here to lend you their strength."
Sure, she could leave and try to find one of the Elders. By the time she convinced one of them to bother listening to her, though, Tartarus would already be under and probably in more trouble than she could fathom. This was her only option if she wanted to keep him safe, or at least try to. It was a terrible idea, but her mind couldn't scrape together any other sensible option.
Again, she asked in a quiet voice, "Link." |
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The Sith Eternal
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 18, 2023 18:03:42 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
This outcome was far from what Tartarus had hoped to achieve when he called out to Pandæmonium. As much as he wanted to send her away now, that was no longer an option. Her touch clouded his mind yet allowed him the briefest respite. He breathed a slow and steady sigh, tilting his head to the invisible sky above them, blocked by the stale cave's darkness.
"Thank you, Tavi..."
His whispered words bore a mixture of guilt and genuine thanks. Bringing a hand to hers, Tartarus uttered a lilting chant. Sith syllables repeated in a hypnotic cadence as he felt the magic usher around them. With each utterance of the chant, he could feel more in tune with Pandæmonium, and she would feel the same with him. They had done this time and time again. It became as natural as breathing. Her essence was his, and his essence was hers. The latter was a crucial factor in battle, but today, the former would play a key role in his triumph.
Once the spell reached completion, he carefully tugged at Pandæmonium's hands, releasing himself from her. With a few mindful steps, grimoire in tow, Tartarus took his position inside the summoning circle. With a slow nod and devilish, confident grin towards her, he tried to soothe whatever doubts he knew lingered in her head.
Tartarus turned to a particular page within his grimoire and murmured another soft-spoken spell. His spell guiding his way, he pulled himself under and into the realm of nothingness, the Force lifting him gently from his feet. The grimoire, too, levitated before him like the key vessel in this ritual that it was.
The Trance had begun. The trial was underway. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 19, 2023 18:19:09 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Pandæmonium nodded slowly toward Tartarus as he positioned himself within the ritual circle. Although her discomfort was far from alleviated, she could find solace that she would stand by him.
Taking her place at a particular point outside the circle, mirroring Tartarus with his grimoire between them, she too began to mutter the incantation softly and in rhythm with Tartarus. It was one of few that she had memorized, for his sake. It would do little to help Tartarus in his ventures into limbo, though. She butchered many pronunciations; the Sith ancestors undoubtedly rolled in their tombs. For now, she would need to have faith -- and more patience than any vile Jedi.
She could at least find comfort that should something go wrong, she would know. She may not have been able to see what Tartarus saw or hear what he heard, but she could feel what he felt. Their link, a flickering connection of their spirits, allowed her that much at least. If anything went wrong, she would know. She couldn't think like that, though. He would be victorious in his quest.
Hyperion would be his. |
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 19, 2023 18:25:22 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Darkness spread in all directions around Tartarus as he walked on seemingly nothing. His venture felt like hours. Here in the void between his mind and Chaos, time was an illusion. Hours were mere seconds, and he had many more seconds to find the beast he sought. Soon, a figure wreathed in flames emerged from the depths. The man carried himself with the power of a volcanic eruption, prepared to explode and eradicate all that stood in his path.
"Hephaestus..."
At first, the man refused to acknowledge the Summoner, now paused before him. Instead, he continued walking onward in the same direction Tartarus traveled. The Summoner took it as a sign and picked up his pace to walk side-by-side with this creature of the void, the one who was the first to swear allegiance to him.
"There's nothing I can say to change your mind, Master. This much I've learned about you," Hephaestus rumbled in discontent. The man locked his jaw as he paused again before continuing. "You have my fury and my flame for all your battles. I've sworn that much to you for many of your mortal years. If you are to bring Hyperion to his knees, however, you will need much more than just my might to aid you in this battle."
Hephaestus's steps quickened just enough so that he could turn to face his Master and thus block Tartarus's path. The man's eyes burned with an otherwordly judgment as he sized his Summoner up. Revolted with what he found, Hephaestus clenched his teeth. Yet again, though, the creature of Chaos, born of passion and flame, remained silent about his opinions.
"Stoke the fires of your resolve, Master. The battle ahead will be far greater than anything you have ever faced."
Tartarus nodded in understanding to Hepaestus's warnings. He could only read about the power structure of these demons, but they lived in this constant hell. If anyone knew of the fight to come, it would be the summons he had already communed with.
Hephaestus, refusing to say more, flickered out from before Tartarus, leaving trails of sparks and embers drifting in the darkness. Blazing streams crawled up the Summoner's arms, wreathing him in flames. After a deep breath, accepting the power Hephaestus now lent him, Tartarus continued through the deep abyss. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 20, 2023 19:13:35 GMT -8
Private RP
Pandæmonium continued chanting over and over again. Soon, Tartarus's figure turned monochrome. Cast in dull gray and black, he appeared like nothing more than a shadow. It was as if the Sith magic that lit the room had gone dim on only him. She had seen this phenomenon before and silently thanked whatever Summon had come forth. Tartarus was gathering strength, more than just from her. It was a good sign for what was to come.
The shade soon ripped itself from Tartarus's figure, creating a kinetic reaction of flames to spew. The shadow appeared like a man seven feet tall and loomed with a terrifying presence, muffled and contained by the summoning circle. Despite his horrific signature, Pandæmonium sighed in relief in between butchered chants.
Hephaestus, she knew. She had fought side by side with him many times. He was Tartarus's first summon and perhaps the most loyal because of it. Typically, he was a terrifying beast with a crown of two horns and claws that could rip through skin and bone like a knife through paper. His very nature wrought fear, pumping adrenaline through his enemies' veins and urging them to fight. Together, Hephaestus had carved her many openings against a reckless foe who succumbed to his essence. With Tartarus fueled by the element of fire, he, too, was a force to be reckoned with.
Hephaestus's shadow parted from his Master and approached his place at the edge of the summoning circle, at a corner of the inner triangle. A small platform like molten lava formed beneath the shadow's feet, and a fiery link attached Hephaestus's figure to the grimoire, which in turn fueled Tartarus at the heart.
Pandæmonium prayed that the other two would soon come forward and join him, too. |
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The Sith Eternal
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 20, 2023 19:22:04 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Tartarus continued his venture deeper still into the Abyss of Nothingness. This time, alone in his thoughts, granted him those moments to prepare for his final destination. Hyperion -- if he was anything like the other three, a battle would ensue once he reached his realm. He would have to be prepared to do whatever it took to subdue this great wyrm.
Tartarus hardly noticed when his footsteps created ripples in the darkness, as though he walked in shallow waters. He finally arrived at the next realm and wandered in the Voidsent of Storms' domain. A draft soon brushed against his face, floating his blue hair behind him in its gentle breeze. It was a much different greeting than his first welcome.
With a violent WHOOSH!, a gust of wind picked up around him without warning, and a shimmering white and silver figure hovered before him. He paused, his gaze drawn to her angelic figure turned demonic by sharp, serrated teeth and a hungry stare. Four wings carried Anemoi carefully to the ground, and once her foot touched the still waters, her entire figure changed to the woman Tartarus was used to connecting with.
A mischievous grin painted her lips as she approached Tartarus. Anemoi hovered around him, gliding a delicate hand across his shoulders and back. In her almighty judgment, Anemoi examined him, sizing him up like Hephaestus had prior.
"Oh, you poor misplaced thing," she pouted. "You come into our realm again already, and for what? To try and tame the mighty Hyperion." Anemoi's cackle screeched through her realm like a sudden squall. "My dear Summoner, if I remember correctly, you barely managed to face my storms and make it out alive. Do you really think you're ready to face the unholy beast that forced us into our tiny dominions?"
Anemoi stopped dead center in front of Tartarus, now blocking his path onward. She cocked her head to the side, her sick and twisted grin never faltering from her expression. Her slender fingers grasped his face, forcing his gaze to hers, silvery green eyes locked onto the depths of his. No matter the relationship between the two of them -- Tartarus, her summoner, and she, his humble summon -- her personality was as strong as a typhoon, ready to tear at whatever weakness in his resolve she could find.
"He will rend your essence into oblivion and shred your soul to delectable morsels to feast upon. You are not ready to face him until every part of you is like infallible steel, unable to succumb to his terror. Turn away now, Master, or die."
Tartarus didn't flinch under Anemoi's touch. In truth, he was not expecting her just yet, but the shock was quickly wearing off. She was still his freshest bond, so it was an intriguing twist of fate to see her play her hand so soon. With a gaze like the very steel she spoke of, he answered her emotionlessly, feigning the power in his voice to bring her into submission.
"Aid me or not, Anemoi, my path is certain." One hand grasped at her wrist, forcing her hand off of him. The other quickly found a comfortable spot around her throat. He dragged her closer and continued, softly yet sternly. "I have faced down your storms. Now lend them to me as you have sworn to do, or I'll use you as bait when I arrive and feed you to him. There are millions of others I can take control of to replace you. The choice is yours."
As much as Tartarus wished to have a peaceful and trusting bond with his summons, he was a Sith just as much as these creatures were beings of Chaos. Mindless toys to be brought to submission, as the Elders had described them. Although Tartarus did not agree with the sentiment, now wasn't the time to debate morality. Those who chose to step in the way of granting him the power he sought had no place in his collection. It seemed to please Anemoi to see this side of him, too. She neither jerked at his hand around her throat nor did she fight back against her Master. Instead, she reveled in it.
"Oh, that won't do at all. Consider my storms yours to wield, Master, but don't say I didn't warn you~!"
She sang her parting words, which danced among the winds around them with a twisted melody. A final cackle resonated around Tartarus, and with her farewell laughter, her body fizzled into streams of emerald and silver. The wisps climbed up the arm that held her and joined with Hephaestus's flames that licked over his body.
Two summons now joined him. One remained to sway, and he would undoubtedly appear before the final battle. Tartarus continued forward, alert for his third and final summon to make himself known. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 21, 2023 17:21:43 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Pandæmonium had repeated the spell a handful more times since Hephaestus took his place within the circle. After a few more chants, the phenomena occurred again. Tartarus became like a shadow, now with wisps of silvery green wind cloaking his figure. Pandæmonium nearly stumbled over her words at the sight.
Anemoi? Already? But what about-?
Again, Pandæmonium watched as the shadow pulled away from Tartarus and took its place at another peak upon the circle's markings. The shadow appeared like the silhouette of a woman, except this woman stood as tall as her shadowy companion, if only slimmer. As she took her place, the stone-cold floor glistened with silvery winds and emerald wisps around Anemoi's figure, and the reflection of her storms reached out for Tartarus's grimoire, joining Hephaestus's flames.
There was very little that Pandæmonium knew about this summon. Tartarus had yet to train with her. From what she knew of Anemoi, she had a wild spirit as violent as her storms and proved her strength since the beginning. Tartarus had been rushed to the chirurgeons after his Trance to gain her as a summon. He should technically still be recovering as far as the Elders knew.
Perhaps this was a sign that all would go well. Tartarus had managed to gain help from his newest summon. All he would need now is Perses, the titan of destruction. He gained Anemoi's confidence so quickly without expending unnecessary energy. Everything should be fine. Pandæmonium repeated those words in her mind as she uttered the incantation aloud again. Everything would be fine. |
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The Sith Eternal
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 21, 2023 17:33:02 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Tartarus continued towards his destination. Soon enough, his third pact would make himself known. Wouldn't he? Tartarus knew he was growing increasingly close to the Hyperion's domain. His whole senses were wracked with the fresh stench of death, darkness, and unholy oblivion. His whole otherwordly body felt weighed down, as though each step was heavier than the last. Still, the further he went, a pinprick of light shimmered in the distance.
With a newfound determination, Tartarus carried himself towards it. The orb grew until he could make out a clear doorway as if to enter a whole other realm. Tartarus narrowed his eyes upon it, but his soul felt drawn to it. Hyperion's lair. It had to be.
Tartarus was a handful of steps to the threshold when a massive 'CLASH!' resounded. It was as if two mountains had collided, blocking his path forward. He laughed wryly as a stout and sturdy man erupted from stone and approached him with the ferocity of a star destroyer.
"It's about time you joined us, Perses."
Perses only answered with a growling battle cry as he pushed Tartarus back, knocking him back several feet.
"Join you? In this idiotic plan? Kriff... Absolutely not." Perses's voice was gruff, and he did very little to hide the stubborn anger he forged against his Master. "The others might think serving you means aiding you in every outlandish thing you decide to do, but I, on the contrary, do not."
Tartarus was taken aback by Perses's sudden onslaught against him. Even Anemoi wasn't as brash or bold. Before he could even resituate himself back to his feet, Tartarus felt a sudden weight chain him by his hands and ankles.
"Perses, enough of this!" Tartarus commanded. "Or I'll do to you as I threatened to Anemoi and feed you to Hyperion as bait!"
Perses approached his Master and squatted down next to him. That threat may have "worked" on Anemoi, but it was laughable to try it again on Perses. Glowing yellow eyes peered over Tartarus carefully, unamused and unafraid.
"No," he stated as if reprimanding a child. "You're gonna lie here until either one of two things happens. Either I forcibly return you to your realm, and you learn the hard way to give up on your absurd death wish, or you willingly go back to your realm and think real long and hard about this foolish idea before trying it again. Either way, you're giving up on Hyperion for the time being, so what'll it be, Master?"
As far as Perses saw it, Tartarus was acting like the child he was. Twenty-six summers -- he was still a boy. Anemoi would let him die to break her bond; she despised being bound to a mortal. Hephaestus had no stake in the outcome of this battle; he would win, whether or not Tartarus saw victory or defeat. Perses found amusement in all these mortals trying to play god, and he relished being a mentor to this one especially. He sure as hell wasn't allowing this kid to continue down this chosen path. Else he'd have to wait another century until another allowed him the chance to pass his boredom, and with his luck, the next summoner will be a piece of bantha dung.
The burly figure patted Tartarus' face like an adult might do to grab a child's attention and posed the question again. "Now... what'll it be?"
Tartarus spat at the summon who dared defy him. "You don't command me or belittle me. If you refuse to obey, then you leave me no choice."
Perses chuckled dryly at the threat, but his laughter was soon silenced. With the powers of both Hephaestus and Anemoi already at Tartarus's disposal, another summon of equal strength was nothing. Anemoi's winds fed Hephaestus's flames; melded with Tartarus's magic, the stone that held him down melted like snow on Tattooine. Hephaestus was now the one laughing as he drew power from the essence of the molten rock, further feeding his Master with the new aether that abounded. Tartarus jumped to his feet, setting off a storm of wind and fire around them.
Tavi... I'm sorry for this...
He drew Pandæmonium's essence into him, feeding himself and his two summons. He would need to end this altercation with Perses quickly to not expend any extra strength he would need for Hyperion. Hate burned in his eyes towards this renegade summon and the position he put them all in. Perses decided his fate; now Tartarus would render his verdict. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 22, 2023 15:57:26 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Pandæmonium waited... and waited... and waited. It was ominous that Perses hadn't shown up yet. She refused to panic, though. Not yet. She only needed to continue chanting. Perses would arrive. She could tell in the few battles she fought with him. Although the titan typically revealed himself as an older, stockier man, he held Tartarus with great regard and guided him in his growth.
Perses would show up.
Sure enough, a dark cloud was cast over Tartarus again, and with it, Pandæmonium sighed in great relief. He had all three of them on his side in this. With the strength of three summons aiding him, Tartarus would bring Hyperion to his knees. Her reassurance was short-lived, though, when Tartarus's voice echoed in her mind.
Tavi... I'm sorry for this...
She watched as the shadow dragged itself away from Tartartus, but instead of taking its place within the summoning circle, Perses's shade started doing the unthinkable. Like a caged, feral animal, the shadow, armored in gold and stone, approached the outskirts of the circle and attempted to shatter the gate between Tartarus's Trance and reality. Again and again, it beat against the air as if trying to escape. When that didn't work, it turned to charge against the heart that powered this ritual.
"Perses, no!"
Why she believed she could talk sense into the shroud of the actual being was beyond her. But with those words, her incantation faltered, creating a crack in the glimmering gate that surrounded Tartarus. Pandæmonium cursed under her breath when she realized what she had done and returned to her chanting, hoping to reinforce the gate. Perses's husk seemed to notice the weakness and turned away from Tartarus. Thank the Force... Although the shadow attempted to smash through the gate again, Pandæmonium could force more of her energy into the magic that kept it standing. She couldn't keep Tartarus's body, or his grimoire, safe from out here, though.
Leone, please hurry...
As she begged him through their link, she could feel more of her power draining out of her. She caught a cry in her throat as she was forced to a knee. He needed her now more than ever. The gate needed to keep standing, but this altercation between him and Perses forced Tartarus to draw from her essence, too. Force be damned, how long could she hold out? She was the furthest thing from a sorcerer; her strength could only carry him so far. He could fail if she wasn't strong enough.
~Please hurry,~ she thought, a whimpered plea repeating in her mind. Carefully, she slowly stood back up and pushed everything she could offer toward Tartarus while keeping Perses's shade at bay. ~Please hurry.~ |
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The Sith Eternal
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 22, 2023 16:05:46 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
A violent battle ensued between summon and summoner. Despite him having Pandæmonium, Hephaestus, and Anemoi's strength to fuel him, Tartarus's attacks were thwarted time and time again. Perses seemed prepared for whatever he threw at him. Tartarus was reminded of Anemoi's words -- infallible stone. He huffed in aggravation.
Leone, please hurry...
Tartarus locked his jaw. Perses was causing issues not only for him but for Pandæmonium as well. He was determined, alright. If Tartarus was to be successful against Perses, he would have to use Perses's abilities against even himself. When he initially communed with Perses, subduing him proved to be a difficult task. Now that a bond had been forged between the two? Tartarus only needed to steel his mind.
With a feint of wind and fire, Tartarus compelled Perses away from the doorway. He then summoned the same earth as Perses commanded. The summoner attempted to use the same chains that held him down prior. It didn't go as planned, though, and Perses effortlessly snapped out of the bonds Tartarus attempted to inflict.
"You're not the smartest sometimes. Using my powers against me ain't gonna go the way you hope, kid."
Kid. Tartarus snorted. Perhaps this was Perses's way of accepting his fate, that their bond would be permanently and irrevocably altered after this. That is unless Tartarus had a change of heart about feeding him to Hyperion. Perhaps Perses called his bluff, and this was his way of expressing that. Deep down, Perses knew that Tartarus was a kind-hearted boy. He doubted if Tartarus could throw his comrades overboard to save himself.
Still, Perses admired Tartarus's resilience and creativity against his aggression. He knew he would fall eventually; Perses lacked the means to overwhelm his Master. He had been defeated once before and in his authentic form at that. Since then, Tartarus evolved remarkably into the summoner he was today. However, that passion bred stubborn recklessness. Perses only needed to weaken him past the point of choosing to venture through that door. If he could just stop the boy, he would accept whatever punishment Tartarus deemed fit for his retaliation later.
The fight ensued, flashes of precious gold, silvery winds, and burning reds alighting the darkness. Perses began to slow, Tartarus unleashing a hellish offensive. Perses's defensive nature and stone exterior soon cracked and chipped away. With a furious whip of fiery wind, Tartarus struck out and broke Perses's skin. With another flurry of attacks, Anemoi's storms knocked Perses off his feet. Anemoi's speed and Hephaestus's raw power were a deadly duo. Quickly, Tartarus cast an encasing of phrik and stone to envelop Perses within an impenetrable and indestructible cage. Perses didn't move, couldn't move; the link shared between Summoner and Summon told Tartarus as much. He had won.
It was done... It was finally done.
Breathless, Tartarus stumbled towards his makeshift jail and fell to his knees. Uttering a forceful incantation, the stone prison crumbled from Perses, and like dust in the breeze, his essence was soaked into Tartarus. He sighed deeply. Any reasonable sorcerer would know their limits and turn back now. That was what Perses was hoping for. The doorway still glimmered, hailing him to complete his journey and find victory in this final trial.
He had made it this far. He had to try. He couldn't let Perses win.
Thank you, Tavi... This is almost over. I promise.
Stumbling back to his feet, Tartarus approached the door to Hyperion's realm, and with one final huff of determination, he leaped forward. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 23, 2023 16:15:08 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Sweat broke out on Pandæmonium's brow as she continued channeling every ounce of her spirit into the incantation. She had to keep Perses from breaking through the border. That would disrupt the whole ritual and everything that Tartarus had worked for. What made matters worse was feeling her energy split, consumed by him deep within his Trance. At this rate, she would fail him when he finally met Hyperion -- that is, if he ever made it that far.
There was a sudden shift in the shadow's nature, although Pandæmonium didn't realize it at first. The pounding upon the ritual gate quieted until the husk of the hefty man stood utterly still. What finally drew her attention was simply a feeling; Tartarus lightened on the energy he siphoned from her, meaning that something had changed. Almost afraid of what that meant at first, she looked up. Perses's stocky shadow thumped its way to the final peak on the triangle, a glowing stream of gold and dust reaching out to Tartarus's hovering form and the grimoire that floated before him.
Thank you, Tavi... This is almost over. I promise.
Pandæmonium sighed in relief after hearing Tartarus whisper those reassuring words. This left one final trial ahead. With her energy expended, though, she reached out to Tartarus one last time, hopeful she could talk some sense into him.
It's not too late to turn back... We can keep training and try this again another time. Please...
Chaos be damned, Pandæmonium hoped now more than ever that Tartarus would call this venture and return to his mortal body. He may have finally earned his three summons, but at what cost? She was nearly spent; they both were. Until she knew Tartarus returned to his physical body, though, she would repeat this accursed spell as many times as it took. She couldn't leave him now. She made her choice, and she would honor his. |
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πΏπππππππ
The Sith Eternal
"You want weapons? Books are the best weapon in the world. Arm yourself!"
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 23, 2023 16:19:48 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
From the visionless darkness to a blinding light, Tartarus fell. How could even a speck of light exist within the gate between his mind and Chaos?
A small beat passed, and Tartarus hit the ground, which felt as hard as glass or steel. In his already exhausted state, he crumbled, groaning. He tried to take a breath, but with the light came a scalding heat that filled his lungs like smoke. He gasped, choking for air. Stumbling back to his feet, Tartarus tried to gain his bearings by drawing on the strength of the summons that still resided within. Even if he could muster the strength to stand, what path was there to take? A sharp sensation tore through his head and sundered his senses.
Blindly, he took a step... and another... but made it no further.
A roar unlike anything he had ever heard pierced through the air, deafening the light around him as if bursting him back into the void. With that single howl from the wyrm, Tartarus felt a POP! and sizzle from deep within his essence -- his summons. Without so much as a fight, they fizzled and were forced back to their dominions at the mere sound of the wyrm's voice. It wasn't just them, though. Pandæmonium -- his link with her had been destroyed, too.
Tavi...? Tavi, can you hear me? Tavi?!
A high-pitched ringing screeched in his ears as heavy, muffled beats of wings resounded.
Tavi, end the ritual! NOW!
His pleas fell on deaf ears. Hyperion had come. Tartarus was alone and as helpless as a newborn babe. This was fear in its most potent essence. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 27, 2023 9:18:03 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Chant. Chant. Chant.
Was this the only thing Pandæmonium could do? It was her only task. Over. And over. And over.
A silence soon set in around her, unlike anything she had experienced. The cave resonated with her voice, echoing her words. The soft flicker of light crackled on the walls. The faint noises of critters that called this cave home rustled. In a single second, it all faded into a deafening hush until all she heard was the muted incantation that parted from her lips.
This was getting far too dangerous for them both now. An Elder needed to intervene. She couldn't leave Tartarus, though, not in this state. She could reach out to one of the younglings instead. Who was old enough to understand but still naive enough to do as asked without questions? Was she being dramatic, though? Maybe it wasn't as bad as the gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of her stomach told her. Maybe this was just the potency of Hyperion's power.
Think, Tavi. Think...
An answer never came to her. Instead, a pulsation in the Force tore its way through her like lightning, forcing the Echani to her knees. Her spell was again disturbed with a pained cry. Panicked, she tried to pick back up, but it would've been all in vain. Her connection with Tartarus snapped. She could no longer feel his presence. Even worse, the shadows of Hephaestus, Perses, and Anemoi dispersed into nothingness, like a candle blown out, smoke dissipating into the air. Their links severed, and the grimoire clattered to the ground. Tartarus's motionless body dropped as though dead.
"LEONE!!!"
Her shrieking cry ripped through her throat in sheer panic as she tried to break through the gate. How was the circle still active? She had stopped chanting, and Tartarus was unconscious or worse. There was someone -- or something -- so powerful on the other side, ensuring that Tartarus remained locked within the Trance. It shouldn't have been possible...
~Perses... this is what you were trying to prevent, weren't you?!~
GET OUT OF THERE! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!!
With every ounce of her remaining energy, she tried to find Tartarus wherever he was in the depths of the Trance. She would scream, shriek, and cry, hoping she would somehow get through. She beat on the gate and wouldn't stop until her hands were bloodied, every bone shattered. All to no avail. She had to keep trying.
CAN YOU HEAR ME??? LEONE!!! |
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πΏπππππππ
The Sith Eternal
"You want weapons? Books are the best weapon in the world. Arm yourself!"
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 27, 2023 9:22:29 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Pandæmonium could scream through the Force with enough strength that all could hear her cries, but Tartarus would still remain ignorant of them. The sense of loneliness weighed heavy with the sudden snap, rending him from every link he had formed before entering this realm.
Tartarus tried to utter those words to snap him out of the Trance. Before a syllable could part from his lips, the thunderous beat of the wyrm's wings filled the air, and the weight of what felt like a whole planet abruptly smashed into his chest and squashed him into the steel-like ground. One of Hyperion's claws crushed him as another violent, deafening roar obliterated his senses.
The heat from the wyrm's breath, a laugh, burned against Tartarus's face. The demon said nothing and only rumbled, pleased with the meal that sauntered aimlessly into his realm. Tartarus's last few moments spun in a dizzying world of a hot white hell.
Hyperion began to feast, slurping every last mortal essence of this so-called summoner from his ethereal form. The more he consumed, the stronger he could feel that connection to the living realm, where life and aether like his existed with endless abundance. Tartarus had carelessly left a breadcrumb trail leading into the mortal realm. How fortunate.
Yesss, the wyrm hissed.
To finally break free of this prison. Oh, it was the opportunity of a millennium. Hyperion's maw watered; he would feast until the world of mortals was wholly sucked dry. |
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Post by ππͺπ·πΓ¦πΆπΈπ·π²πΎπΆ on Aug 27, 2023 19:13:21 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
What was the spell? There was one that forced Tartarus out of the Trance... Why did she never bother to learn it? Pandæmonium chastised herself within her hysteria. Nothing she did made any difference. She was as powerless to help Tartarus as he was to save himself.
She sensed Tartarus's presence rapidly diminish from his motionless body. She feared for the worse. He wasn't just trapped; Tartarus was gone. Dying. As though feeding off her dread, an overwhelming presence crept over Tartarus, overwriting his signature that she knew so well. This dreadful one started as a trickle but soon rushed over the summoner like a stream. Pandæmonium felt as though the breath had been knocked out of her. No...
That Force presence then surged out of Tartarus like a tsunami of ultimate death, a beacon of havoc. The next thing she knew, she was on her knees, her whole body numb. She couldn't even feel the hot tears that streamed down her face. Even if she did, she didn't know if she cried for Tartarus or sobbed in simple wonderment at this remarkable signature that pulsed through his body. She couldn't breathe under its weight. It had to stretch for miles around the planet -- if not lightyears to those neighboring worlds. It spoke that the presence of a god had come to exterminate the galaxy, and like a parasite, it was using Tartarus' body as its host.
As this ultimate signature washed over her, it was as if time stood still yet moved her through her life all at once. She saw her father, her mother, and her little brother. The slavers stood before her, and she remembered the cries of the other helpless ones. Robed Sith, their identities masked. She felt the swell of her ascension into greatness before she was met with a terrible downfall.
So overwhelmed with the visions of her past, present, and possible future torn asunder, Pandæmonium didn't even notice when every Elder had rushed in around her. She only felt her body forced away from the summoning circle and heard muted orders barked at each other. Their voices lulled in hypnotic unison and spoke a spell into existence. She couldn't make sense of their words; it was a spell she had never heard before. She blinked, reacquiring her wits, to realize she had wound up on the damp, cold stone floor several feet back from the summoning circle.
Pandæmonium could only stare in shock, unsure if she could help -- or even if she could move to help. |
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πΏπππππππ
The Sith Eternal
"You want weapons? Books are the best weapon in the world. Arm yourself!"
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Post by πΏπππππππ on Aug 27, 2023 19:16:23 GMT -8
PRIVATE RP
Tartarus wearily hung on with the last strings of life he had left. It was as though knives sunk deep into his flesh and hoisted him into the air with a sudden thrust. He was so weak; he could barely groan from the pain that ripped through his ethereal form. The steady beat of wings told him that Hyperion had taken off with his newest prey, but now, the wyrm skulked after a fresh hunt. The main course.
Dread pulsed through Tartarus. If Hyperion made it through the gate, what horrors could he unleash? Pandæmonium was far from prepared to handle this. He accepted his death by his own foolishness, but she would be Hyperion's next victim if she remained by Tartarus's side. No, not if. He knew she would have never left. In his final conscious moments, Tartarus cursed himself for what was about to be unleashed on Haruun Kal and perhaps the rest of the galaxy. All by his hand. His stupid, foolish hand.
A piercing darkness like a harpoon suddenly ripped through his mind's eye. The beast that grasped him tightly screeched as it was knocked from its skies. Hyperion whipped his head in annoyance and tossed Tartarus aside like a ragdoll. Before the wyrm could take flight again, though, another pulse of varied energies reeled towards him, pushing the draconic demon further back from the gate to the living realm.
Within this vacuum, Tartarus couldn't interpret what was transpiring. He was losing himself. A great spell fortified the gate with heightened potency, and the last thing he felt was his soul ushering out of this blinding oblivion. In the edges of his vision, Tartarus caught a glimpse of green and silvery winds, burning red and orange flames, and glowing molten rock before a peaceful, dreamless black consumed him wholly. |
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