UpbeatSweetie let's her sight adjust slowly to the darkness. Even here, the
taint of her human blood is slow to adjust to the demonic blackness. But
eventually, she's able to see around herself, and take stock of her
location. Centuries have passed, since last time she visited these caverns.
UpbeatSweetie wonders to herself, how much time has changed these once
hollowed caves. The air itself is heavy, laced with despair and malice.
Yes, even the mighty fall and are soon forgotten. And with it jealousy and
anger replace once what was good and twist it into something else.
With these final thoughts, UpbeatSweetie steps further into the darkness, feeling as it's coldness wraps around her body, infiltrating even into her aura. She steps with sure feet though, walking the now cracked and corroded path that once vibrated with rainbow hues of colors. Even the great trees along the path have shriveled and dried up. Now looking like blackened skeletons caught in a great moment of pain and death. Yes, the binding was a harsh war on all kind. Even this metamorphosis cannot hide it's torture.
The trees slowly fade away, till only the broken path lays before UpbeatSweetie. The cavern walls squeeze in closer along the path, till UpbeatSweetie has only to reach out her hand to feel the roughness beneath her fingers. And the urge to do so overwhelms her, and she reaches out tentatively, running her hands across the wet roughness. Where once the cavern walls sparkled as if the stars were caught within, now only a dim glimmer of was once was remains. It saddens her heart, to see such beauty and peace destroyed. And for what? To be worshiped and put above all else? Why is, UpbeatSweetie asks herself, that all pride manages to do is destroy what it touches? How nothing remains when one puts themselves above others is the only important reality within the whole?
A heavy sigh escapes her lips, as a solitary tear escapes and flows gently down her cheek. The lone tear falls unnoticed on the path. As UpbeatSweetie continues following the flow of the walls and path, she's oblivious to the tiny rose growing where once there was no life. Held inside it's petals, a lone drop of blood stains it's pristine white petals.
Suddenly the quiet is broken with the steady drip of water. UpbeatSweetie looks about her and and notices the once clear depths of the stream winding slowly along the path and cavern wall to her left. She smiles gently, at the memories of how she had once waded in it's cool depths. But now even the darkness has touched that. The dark water ripples and moves, with a life of it's own, swallowing each drop collected from the cavern walls, as a thirsty man grasps for life. She can see that something moves beneath the waters, waiting for the unwary. And her stomach churns. But she knows that she is nearing her destination, if only a little further. UpbeatSweetie turns her face away, doing her best to block out the wails of something lost in those murky depths.
Finally, up ahead UpbeatSweetie sees some light. It's not much, but within the darkness around her, it is almost as if the sun had broken through a stormy sky. She sees within this light, one of the many magical pools that can be found inside the caverns. As she approaches it, she notices that here, the darkness hasn't completely corrupted all. Although a slight film can be seen spread over the water, like a fine sheet of silk, the water still ripples with ancient magics and serenity. It's only taint that of forlornness and disrepair. She looks about, and sees the ancient stones surrounding the crystal pool in different states of decay and how time has eroded them slowly. She walks up to one of the stones, and traces her hands lovingly over the barely visible markings and symbols.
"Yes," she thinks to herself, "even here the old ways still are as powerful as ever." The rituals and sacrifices made, still protect what once was. It is here she decides to take her rest. Time moves differently within The Veils, and her body tells her that it has been days, not minutes that have passed. But time is running quickly, and the longer she tarries, the less likely shall she be able to retrieve what was taken from all.
It is at this moment, as UpbeatSweetie stares into the pool's reflection, her sister's thoughts tear through her.
One word, a plea. "Shadow".
The grief, loss, and pain within this single word tears at UpbeatSweetie's soul. She wonders at how much time has passed since she began her journey, and concern for her sister Cerri washes over her.
"It shouldn't hurt if I do this. If I only keep the contact brief, nothing from this realm should be able to pass through. I have to try. I can not let her suffer alone and abandoned."
UpbeatSweetie stares into the pool's depths. Softly chanting, she opens up a portal between herself and her sister, hoping to reach the other's thoughts and offering comfort. As she peers anxiously into the depths, she sees that her sister is beside a lake. And from it's depths, she sees the presence of a male. She watches as water rolls down his body, and sees her sister's pain reflected in his own eyes. She knows now, she is seeing her sister's beloved for real, not in the reflections of her sister's thoughts. Like her sister, she can appreciate his beauty and aura. For like Cerri, her heart also is claimed by one of The Fallen.
She watches quietly, wishing not to disturb this moment between one she calls sister, and another she would call brother. For a brother indeed is he, as he is of the same line as her own mate. But for where their love has been torn from them, her love and her had flourished.
As UpbeatSweetie contemplates to herself whether or not to leave them, she notices that Cerri and Shadow have become aware of her ethereal presence. With a gentle laugh at the look of confusion over the male's face, UpbeatSweetie decides it's best she introduce herself, before he believes her to be a threat to his love. Or himself.
"Greetings Shadow. Do not fear, for I mean no harm to you or my Dragon Sister. I heard her despair, and only wanted to check on her welfare before continuing on with what must be done. I know that your journey has only started itself, and know that I plan on not interfering, as I do believe our goals are the same. But it is two separate paths, one to ensure your kind, and mine to ensure ours. I must not tarry long though, as this brief contact may attracted danger."
As Phantom begins to reply, UpbeatSweetie hears a growl behind her. The hairs upon her neck raise, as a heated breath washes across her neck.
"By the Elders, I've tarried too long. Cerri, trust in your heart and embrace both halves of yourself. Only than will you find contentment and peace, no matter the path you choose to walk."
UpbeatSweetie quickly starts chanting a protection spell to ensure nothing escapes from her realm to theirs. As the portal slowly closes, UpbeatSweetie stands and turns around to face what challenges her.
With these final thoughts, UpbeatSweetie steps further into the darkness, feeling as it's coldness wraps around her body, infiltrating even into her aura. She steps with sure feet though, walking the now cracked and corroded path that once vibrated with rainbow hues of colors. Even the great trees along the path have shriveled and dried up. Now looking like blackened skeletons caught in a great moment of pain and death. Yes, the binding was a harsh war on all kind. Even this metamorphosis cannot hide it's torture.
The trees slowly fade away, till only the broken path lays before UpbeatSweetie. The cavern walls squeeze in closer along the path, till UpbeatSweetie has only to reach out her hand to feel the roughness beneath her fingers. And the urge to do so overwhelms her, and she reaches out tentatively, running her hands across the wet roughness. Where once the cavern walls sparkled as if the stars were caught within, now only a dim glimmer of was once was remains. It saddens her heart, to see such beauty and peace destroyed. And for what? To be worshiped and put above all else? Why is, UpbeatSweetie asks herself, that all pride manages to do is destroy what it touches? How nothing remains when one puts themselves above others is the only important reality within the whole?
A heavy sigh escapes her lips, as a solitary tear escapes and flows gently down her cheek. The lone tear falls unnoticed on the path. As UpbeatSweetie continues following the flow of the walls and path, she's oblivious to the tiny rose growing where once there was no life. Held inside it's petals, a lone drop of blood stains it's pristine white petals.
Suddenly the quiet is broken with the steady drip of water. UpbeatSweetie looks about her and and notices the once clear depths of the stream winding slowly along the path and cavern wall to her left. She smiles gently, at the memories of how she had once waded in it's cool depths. But now even the darkness has touched that. The dark water ripples and moves, with a life of it's own, swallowing each drop collected from the cavern walls, as a thirsty man grasps for life. She can see that something moves beneath the waters, waiting for the unwary. And her stomach churns. But she knows that she is nearing her destination, if only a little further. UpbeatSweetie turns her face away, doing her best to block out the wails of something lost in those murky depths.
Finally, up ahead UpbeatSweetie sees some light. It's not much, but within the darkness around her, it is almost as if the sun had broken through a stormy sky. She sees within this light, one of the many magical pools that can be found inside the caverns. As she approaches it, she notices that here, the darkness hasn't completely corrupted all. Although a slight film can be seen spread over the water, like a fine sheet of silk, the water still ripples with ancient magics and serenity. It's only taint that of forlornness and disrepair. She looks about, and sees the ancient stones surrounding the crystal pool in different states of decay and how time has eroded them slowly. She walks up to one of the stones, and traces her hands lovingly over the barely visible markings and symbols.
"Yes," she thinks to herself, "even here the old ways still are as powerful as ever." The rituals and sacrifices made, still protect what once was. It is here she decides to take her rest. Time moves differently within The Veils, and her body tells her that it has been days, not minutes that have passed. But time is running quickly, and the longer she tarries, the less likely shall she be able to retrieve what was taken from all.
It is at this moment, as UpbeatSweetie stares into the pool's reflection, her sister's thoughts tear through her.
One word, a plea. "Shadow".
The grief, loss, and pain within this single word tears at UpbeatSweetie's soul. She wonders at how much time has passed since she began her journey, and concern for her sister Cerri washes over her.
"It shouldn't hurt if I do this. If I only keep the contact brief, nothing from this realm should be able to pass through. I have to try. I can not let her suffer alone and abandoned."
UpbeatSweetie stares into the pool's depths. Softly chanting, she opens up a portal between herself and her sister, hoping to reach the other's thoughts and offering comfort. As she peers anxiously into the depths, she sees that her sister is beside a lake. And from it's depths, she sees the presence of a male. She watches as water rolls down his body, and sees her sister's pain reflected in his own eyes. She knows now, she is seeing her sister's beloved for real, not in the reflections of her sister's thoughts. Like her sister, she can appreciate his beauty and aura. For like Cerri, her heart also is claimed by one of The Fallen.
She watches quietly, wishing not to disturb this moment between one she calls sister, and another she would call brother. For a brother indeed is he, as he is of the same line as her own mate. But for where their love has been torn from them, her love and her had flourished.
As UpbeatSweetie contemplates to herself whether or not to leave them, she notices that Cerri and Shadow have become aware of her ethereal presence. With a gentle laugh at the look of confusion over the male's face, UpbeatSweetie decides it's best she introduce herself, before he believes her to be a threat to his love. Or himself.
"Greetings Shadow. Do not fear, for I mean no harm to you or my Dragon Sister. I heard her despair, and only wanted to check on her welfare before continuing on with what must be done. I know that your journey has only started itself, and know that I plan on not interfering, as I do believe our goals are the same. But it is two separate paths, one to ensure your kind, and mine to ensure ours. I must not tarry long though, as this brief contact may attracted danger."
As Phantom begins to reply, UpbeatSweetie hears a growl behind her. The hairs upon her neck raise, as a heated breath washes across her neck.
"By the Elders, I've tarried too long. Cerri, trust in your heart and embrace both halves of yourself. Only than will you find contentment and peace, no matter the path you choose to walk."
UpbeatSweetie quickly starts chanting a protection spell to ensure nothing escapes from her realm to theirs. As the portal slowly closes, UpbeatSweetie stands and turns around to face what challenges her.