Skitter Across The Planes
Egg 1.5
Today was the day Taylor was officially inducted into the Golgari Swarm.
A day she'd been both looking forward to and dreading for several days. Her initiation into the Guild she would be part of for as long as they would have her.
She stood in a dark forest area in the Undercity. A Devrakin lich standing on a rotting stump at the end of a trail, the undead elf dressed in his fanciest cloak of rotting leather and mushroom fiber clothes. Kraul and Devrakin and trolls were on either side of the path. Watching her with critical eyes, they were waiting for her to start her first steps towards the lich and were whispering amongst themselves as well.
Taylor started at the end of the path. Her form draped in her hooded cloak. Her face painted with mood mark paint with a likeness to beetles. She'd added white mushroom fiber gloves and leather boots, which squished against the moist ground as she walked. Trying to keep her breathing even under all the eyes staring at her, Taylor felt like everyone was judging her, waiting for her to mess up and make a fool of herself.
As Taylor walked, she kept looking around and down at the ground. Checking for people trying to trip her and have her fall in the muddy soil. She caught sight of a troll's leg moving a small bit forward, but other than that she was fine. The lich produced a flask of thick green mud from his robe as she got halfway there, ready to dab some of the fluid on Taylor's forehead to finish her initiation, after she swore the Oath of the Golgari.
The Oath was in Devrakin Elvish, which after last night Taylor would have no trouble reciting by heart. One of the benefits of being a Planeswalker was understanding any spoken language, like Taylor had a Google translate in her head. Any language she read would be translated and engrained into her memory, which allowed her to speak fluent Elvish in just an hour or so of reading.
When she was half the trail away from the lich, she began creating a train of insects behind her. Just a few inches away from her ankles and buzzing on command for dramatic effect. The swarm of flies, beetles, worms and other such scavengers made quite the impression, causing the whispering to group to whisper even harder. A satisfied grin on Taylor's face, enjoying the attention. Watching them see the power Taylor wielded, power that was practically still in its infancy. Knowing the crowd was imagining how strong Taylor's power would be with enough training and experience.
Taylor's smile was just a mask, a façade to hide her nervousness and fear. She suppressed a gulp as well, avoiding eye contact from the crowd. All the while Taylor was trying to keep her cool, trying not to break down under all the staring.
Once Taylor was at the Lichs stump, she knelt down on one knee with her head bowed. A few seconds afterwards the Lich began a small sermon, the preamble of the Oath. The Lich's voice sounded hollow and whispery, like wind blowing out of a hollow log. All the whispering quieting In respect.
"From the earliest days of Life, Death was waiting behind it and out of Death grew Life from the remains Death created. The eternal cycle of Growth, Death and Regrowth, the foundation of the Golgari Swarm. The foundation of our very way of life. When our Parun, Svogthir created the Swarm, he was the only one who understood that the eternal cycle did not need to so separate. He became the first Lich of the Golgari. The God-Zombie who would become an example to Golgari to come. His body dead, but housing life and allowing it to spring from his decaying flesh. A true example of what it meant to be Golgari. A shining example of the connection between, and sometimes overlap Life and Death. On this day, 4th of Golgar we welcome another member into the Swarm, Taylor Hebert of the Plane known as Earth." The words echoing through the forest around him, making the sermon sound even more potent. Each of the other members bowing their heads.
"Taylor Hebert, today you are officially inducted into the ranks of the Golgari Swarm. Today you join the guild of rot and rebirth, of decay and growth." The Lich continued, taking a dark green bag from his robe. Taylor knew it contained items related to the Oath.
"Do you agree to become a guardian of the cycle of Life and Death? To serve and propagate the cycle?" The Lich asked, pulling out a black mushroom cap from his bag.
It was a Svogthirian Cap, the traditional mushroom for the initiation ritual. "Yes." Taylor replied, nodding in agreement.
"Then consume this mushroom, and show your devotion." The Lich finished. The mushroom didn't taste very good, but Taylor suppressed her disgust. Her stomach rolling a bit as well, causing a small shudder to go through her body.
"Do you agree to become part of the Swarm? To become a facet of the Swarms might?" The Lich continued, pulling out a small dagger.
"Yes." Replied Taylor, taking the dagger and and placing it at her belt. She took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves. The initation ritual was almost over. Just one more step before Taylor would be marked with the mud and officially join the Swarm.
"Do you agree to serve the Guild Master in all their endeavors? To be a loyal agent of the Guild Master?" The Lich finished, holding out a small locket for Taylor to wear. The last part of the oath was more flexible than the rest. As Coups were common among the Swarm.
"Yes." Finished Taylor, taking the locket from the Lich. Giving him a small smile at him as well. She rubbed the lockets front at the same time. Enjoying the feeling of the cool metal against her fingers.
"Then by the power granted by Guild Master Vraska, I happily induct you into the Golgari Swarm. May you serve our Queen well." As the Lich talked, he opened the cap and dug out a small bit of mud and rubbed his thumb across Taylor's forehead. Her initation into the Golgari Swarm officially complete.
Gently the Lich took Taylor's hand and lifted her up to her feet. His hands cold and slimy with rot which making her shiver as well. "Welcome to the Golgari Swarm. I hope to see you thrive amongst our ranks." The Lich said, lifting his staff high, and creating a beautiful swirl of mushroom spores to fly upwards.
One Hour After The Initation
After the initation, it was traditional to bring all the initiates to the Guild Hall, Svothgos, for a welcoming feast. Something to show the Swarms generosity to it's new members.
Taylor was currently sitting near the middle of the feast table. Gingerly cutting up some seratok steak peppered with some roasted mushrooms. Sitting next to a Devrakin munching on some bread one side and a troll tearing into the his steak with his teeth on the other.
At the head of the table sat the Lich from earlier. Sipping old wine and munching on the occasional mushroom, since Lich's didn't need to eat. Svogarian was his name, having introduced himself proper once everything was settled. Most likely he was chosen as Taylor's mentor due to the being the one overseeing the initation ritual and being the one overseeing the feast. The Lich's centuries of experience would help greatly in teaching Taylor Golgari Magic.
Taylor had tried to have a conversation with the other initiates, but the elf didn't seem interested and the troll was stuffing his face. So talking to him was out of the question.
After the meal, everyone scattered into the Undercity but Taylor and Svogarian. Who was guiding Taylor to her new bedroom, her suitcase held by an Erstwhile servant.
The room was a large circular chamber with a bed on the far end made of twisted wooden frames, the mattress seemingly made of living green moss. A large closet on the opposite side of the bed. The floor was covered in a black carpet of mushroom fibers, soft under Taylor's shoes. Just like Jace's guest room, it had shelves for books and scrolls. A few books on the beginnings of necromancy and rot magic. Books that were perfect for Taylor to learn from.
Grabbing a book on the History of the Golgari Swarm and taking off her shoes Taylor laid on her new bed. Stretching out her legs on the soft mattress, enjoying how it shifted under her body.
"If you need anything my lady, just let me know." Said the Erstwhile maid, bowing and walking away with Svogarian. Leaving Taylor alone with her books. Ready for her first lesson to start tomorrow.
With her power over insects, controlling the undead shouldn't be that hard!
Meanwhile Back On Earth In The Undersiders Base
Lisa was currently pacing back and forth in the living room of the Undersiders Base.
Walking behind the couch while Alec played video games on the TV. Her breathing hitched and nervous, making the other Undersiders nervous.
Her power had told her that Coil had gotten a new minion, someone who was powerful and dangerous.
But for right now, she was stuck waiting for a reply from her boss. Lisa's Anxiety was going through the roof. Making Alec groan in annoyance.
"If you don't stop stomping around Lisa so help me-" He tried to say, before being interrupted by Brian stepping into the room. The Undersiders leader was currently talking on the phone with his sister and holding a bag of Chinese food.
"Yeah, yeah, love ya too. See you soon." He said, putting the bag on the table. "You alright Lisa? Rachel's out walking her dogs, so don't worry about her." As Brian talked, took out one of the boxes and stared at Lisa.
"He's worried about his sister. She's struggling at home."Lisa's power told her, giving her something else to focus on. As she took her container of rice, Lisa replied to Brian "I-I'm fine. Just, nervous. Coils got something cooking, something big. I just don't know what it is yet." As she talked, Rachel came back into the house. Her dogs seemingly having smelled the food.
A few seconds later, as if Coil knew what Lisa had just said, a text came in on Lisa's phone.
Thomas Calvart was both giddy and nervous. The strange disappearance of the Hebert girl was a simple thing now that he'd learned the truth.
The girl was a Planeswalker. A person with the ability to travel the planes. He didn't believe it at first. It sounded like some kind of comic book or something out of a fantasy novel. But his, informant had opened his eyes. She'd shown him that his world was just one of thousands, of millions. Making him feel small and insignificant. Even with a power as powerful as his, there were people who could see far more than he did. She'd explained she needed to, hide out for a while. A "low Mana" world like Earth is the perfect place to do so. Coil didn't understand what she meant. But the woman promised she'd explain with time.
The supervillain was currently sitting in his lair. Having texted Tattletale to bring all the Undersiders here. To meet his informant. Meet the woman who would take them from low class villains doing bank robberies, to high class villains ruling cities. "What the fuck you want?" Replied Hellhound, Coil knowing she had taken the phone due to the abrasive tone and swear word in her response.
"I have a surprise for you." He'd replied, leaving a winking smile face Emoji to tease her. Enjoying the feeling of ticking her off. Causing a stream of expletives to come onto his phone. Chuckling to himself at the girl's anger. Wondering if she was screaming or cursing back at the Undersiders base.
Having seen Tattletales reaction beforehand using his power, that and seeing Regent getting his phone ready to snap a picture of it. Declaring his intent on using it as a lock screen for his phone. The mixture of shock, surprise, anger and terror was something ether of them would never get tired of seeing.
He'd sent directions for the Undersiders to his lair. His guest snorting in annoyance at how long she'd have to wait. Though Coil easily diffused her annoyance. Steepling his fingers and grinning under his mask. Knowing the guest would enjoy the reaction of the Undersiders, if not more so than himself.
After the four teenagers had entered the lair. They laid eyes on Coils, new friend and ally. The children were dressed in their full supervillain outfits. Rachel wearing an actual Doberman mask instead of the cheap plastic and string kind she usual wore. Regent had his scepter held in front of him threateningly.
A tall pale woman with long black hair. Wearing a fancy purple dress with a strange gold horseshoe like tiara curling on each side of her head. A strange cloth neck-guard covering her entire throat. The dress revealed her shoulders and plunged just a small bit into her cleavage as well. Combined with her beautiful, regal face and smug demeanor made her feel like an evil queen from a fairy tale. All she needed now was to ask the mirror on the wall who the fairest of them all was and she'd fit would be indistinguishable from one!
"Grue, Tattletale, Bitch, Regent meet Ms." "Vess, Liliana Vess. Wonderful to meet you all~." She said, interrupting Coil. Holding out a hand for the children to shake. A wicked grin on her face as she looked at the four teenagers in front of her.
Will be reposted when it's finished with editing.