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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Oct 31, 2023 0:01:41 GMT
A chilling silence is all that remained in the wake of the riots that had left over fifty civilians dead and hundreds imprisoned— as though the city itself mourned the calamitous outcome. It had all happened so quickly and without much warning, it was all Elenya had been able to do just to shelter down with her mother and father in the cellar of their small home before the streets were swarmed with shadowy bodies. She could still see the erratic flicker of firelight from passing torches. Could still hear the angered shouting. The echo of anguished screams as people were cut down in front of one another. She couldn't say how long she had sat there listening to the terrible commotion, but it felt as though a lifetime had come and gone before things had finally seemed to settle. Yet even still, she and her parents had remained huddled together in the dark. Unwilling to step out and bear witness to the devastation they were sure awaited them.
The proclamation from the imperial palace had come swiftly and shortly thereafter. A city wide curfew. No one out after sundown, lest you risk suffering the consequences at the still-bloodstained hands of the soldiers tasked with enforcing it. Elenya was not so foolish as to test their resolve, even if she condemned the emperor for his actions. After all, what would further rebellion accomplish? Hundreds had stood in direct opposition to him, and hundreds were now dead. Dead for a cause that went unfulfilled. Unchampioned. And perhaps it made her a coward, but she had more than just herself to consider. She had her family, and they were worth far more to her than her pride, regardless of how enraged she felt at the actions of the deplorable man that governed them.
Her hands shook as she stepped out into the early morning light, and with great reluctance, she set off down the cobbled streets toward the palace. Completely unprepared to spend her day amongst the gaggles of nobility. Unprepared to stomach the fact that she still had to serve after everything that had been done. It was not the fault of the princesses, of course. But the prospect still had her stomach turn unpleasantly.
Not a soul in sight. No sound, save for the whisper of her feet on the cobbles and the skittering of a rat somewhere down an adjoining alleyway. And it made her skin crawl. |
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Khalon Zel
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Posts: 35
Registered: Sept 21, 2023 3:09:35 GMT
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Post by Khalon Zel on Oct 31, 2023 0:32:02 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
It was a long night, too long, for hours Khalon stood at the window of his bed chamber as fires burned and civilians raced to an fro. The palace had doubled the guard and increased patrols around the palace grounds. Likely his wife's doing. Khalon certainly never gave the order to slaughter innocent's. Yet the blame fell squarely upon his shoulders. At least in the mind of the people.
He must of pondered the future of his empire for hours. The screams of angry rioters filling the streets and wounding his softened heart. Such rare moments of clarity were few and far between these days. He hoped it would last this time, but as the sun began to creep over the horizon, Khalon felt the itch at the back of his mind. The voices were back, louder then ever.
A fierce migraine caused him to lurch forward, jumping to his feet with a scared hand to his face. A sudden flickering of energy filled him with life as Imperius once again forced his way into the light. Taking control, even if only for a brief moment. Calmly walking toward his bedroom door he peered outside and motioned for one of the elite Crusadrem knights guarding his room to step forward.
He spoke with a wicked confidence that was unusual for him... Or rather the spirit spoke through him. "I want a proclamation made throughout the city. Overna is officially under curfew. Anyone out after sundown will be subject to imprisonment. Increase patrols across the main roads and call for the garrison at Fort Cragwelde to send men to reinforce our walls."
The knight bowed and made the imperial salute, a right hand in a fist across the heart. Quickly rushing down the hall. Just as quickly as the voices came, they vanished. Khalon once again found himself standing at his bedroom door with no memory of walking there. The despair in his eyes clear for all to see.
He closed the door and sat down by the window again before a flash of memory came to him. "Luciana... I need to speak with her, surely she knows a remedy for these constant blanks in my memory." Like a desperate child he once again burst out of his room. Waving for the guards to leave him be as he stumbled down the hall towards his youngest daughters room.
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Oct 31, 2023 1:06:57 GMT
T he walk to the palace was not altogether lengthy, and though she wished she could drag her feet and prolong the inevitable, she arrived with enough time to spare to wash up and gather her hair up out of her face and in an arrangement of elaborate braids that she pinned in place with deft, practiced fingers. The Princess Luciana was first on her list of priorities, and Elenya was not surprised to see her chambers empty when she reached them. It was rare for the youngest to spend an extensive period of time within the castle's walls. Still, after the events of the previous evening, it would have been the sensible thing to remain within the safety of her home. Particularly with the number of guards doubled and the threat to her well-being higher than ever. Granted, it was entirely possible she was simply somewhere else within the vicinity of the palace. Conferring with her sister, her mother or father perhaps. Clearly recent events had left Elenya uncharacteristically paranoid, and she shook her head to rid herself of the intrusive thoughts.
She swept into the spacious suite in a flurry of cotton skirts, and busied herself with first checking and emptying the chamber pot beneath the bed. She then proceeded to strip the bed of its linens and collect them in the basket she'd set on to the floor at her feet, meticulously folding them in a small pile, before she began laying out and dressing the feather mattress with freshly laundered sheets, blankets and pillows. It was tedious work, but it kept her preoccupied enough that she did not have time to dwell on everything else that had monopolized her thoughts since the previous day.
Until, of course, it found her instead. The source of her agitation and uncertainty, in the form of the last man she wished to see. Emperor Khalon Zel himself.
"Y-your Highness," she gasped, having stepped out into the hall the moment she'd heard the approach of quickened footsteps outside. She blanched, caught entirely off-guard by the sight of him, and fell into a clumsy curtsy in her rush to adhere to the expected etiquette. Head and eyes down in respectful deference as she willed herself to disappear. |
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Khalon Zel
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Posts: 35
Registered: Sept 21, 2023 3:09:35 GMT
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Post by Khalon Zel on Oct 31, 2023 1:55:51 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
Khalon almost tripped over his own foot as he steaded himself. Leaning against the wall, breathing haphazardly until he finally calmed himself. It took him a bit longer then expected to find his daughters room. Since when did she move to the third floor of the palace? Such strange thoughts entered his mind as he almost forgot what year it was.
Squinting his pale eyes at the young woman before him in confusion. "My daughter... Is she here?" The emperor raised a hand to his head as the headache returned. The ringing in his ears getting louder and louder until he couldn't take it anymore. He scrambled for the door and quickly stumbled into a chair near the wall inside Lucianas room and took a moment to collect himself.
For a brief and fleeting moment Elenya could see tears running down Khalons face as he desperately fought to keep control over his own mind. A few seconds later, he sighed deeply and the ringing had passed. "Forgive me, you must be new! Or... No... Yes! I think I've seen you before."
Khalon visibly looked sickly, his skin pale, his eyes greyed and his hair speckled with black, grey and single whisps of white. As he awaited a response the emperor almost seemed to drift into a day dream. Flashes of memory and voices he didn't recognize filling his mind. Then almost as if a spark had been lit or a switch turned, Khalon sat upright and locked eyes with Elenya.
His gaze not aggressive or angry, but... intrigued? In a voice that seemed utterly unfamiliar to the one he spoke with before, the emperor motioned for the handmaiden to sit in the chair on the opposite side of the room. "Elenya, yes I remember now. Please, by all means, take a seat."
The faint orange glint in his eye betraying the presence of Imperius who had ripped control from Khalon. A soothing smile seemed to soften his once sorrowful appearance. "When was the last time you saw Luciana miss Elenya? I'm simply so worried about her well being you see."
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Oct 31, 2023 2:41:55 GMT
T he rapid and erratic fluctuations in his temperament and behavior caught her off-guard first. And his voice. The desperate plea in it as he asked after his daughter's whereabouts. Had an outside threat already managed to find its way into the palace? Was that what his current panic stemmed from? But if that were the case, surely his guards would have accompanied him here? Surely there would have been evacuation orders of some kind? With her brows knit together uncertainly, her lips parted in preparation to answer his query, but he barreled past her before she could say anything— head cradled in one hand as he all but fell into one of the ornate chairs set by the wall. Amid her confusion, she seemed to forget about the vitriol she felt for this man. And how could she not, when he looked so pitiful? Sounded so lost and broken?
The sight of his tears had her grow still entirely, and she half-turned to glance behind her, as though wordlessly compelling someone to appear to help her navigate this bizarre interaction. But there was no one else in sight, and she had to take a deep, steadying breath as she returned her full attention to him, wringing her hands in a show of nervous bewilderment and helplessness.
"Your Highness, forgive me my impudence. Is everything ...?" Again, she did not finish. Because he seemed to transform before her very eyes. Still the same timeworn, feeble shell of a man. But brought to life by some unseen source of vitality that filled him with fire from the inside. Suddenly there was clarity in his eyes. A self-assuredness and outward calm that an Emperor should exude. There was something eerie about the sudden change in his demeanor. A change that had occurred so seamlessly that it was almost mechanical. But for as unsettled as she felt, she would not defy his orders, and she nervously took the seat he indicated, smoothing out her skirts with delicate hands, if only to give them something to do.
Something was very wrong. The inflection of his voice as he asked after his daughter again was almost sinister, and such a contradiction to how he had sounded only a moment ago as to be entirely unnatural. She had long heard whispers of the Emperor being unwell, but hadn't known what to make of them then. Was this what they had meant? A sickness of the mind? "I have not seen the Princess Luciana in several days, sire." Her voice was deadpan, and she did not return the smile he offered her. "But that is not unusual. She has often departed already by the time I arrive to clean her chambers." |
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Khalon Zel
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Posts: 35
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Post by Khalon Zel on Oct 31, 2023 3:30:29 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
The emperor made a sly grin and made an almost wicked laugh as Elenya spoke. His head tilting slightly to the side as he seemed to be quite easily entertained by this handmaiden. As he crossed one leg over the other and leaned ever so slightly forward he spoke once again. His eyes sparkled ever so faintly as the sun shines through the window.
"Hm yes, the rebellious daughter, she never did listen to her father did she. I shall have to correct her on proper royal eticate when she returns. If only she obeyed her dear fathers wishes. Things would be so much simpler for her." It wasn't the soothing, deep, almost alien tone or the slight accent of his words that screamed danger.
It was the eyes, for a tiny fraction of a second, in a brief instant. In the twinkling of the sunlight, his face was fully illuminated. Revealing for that one moment a pair of orange tinted, slitted eyes. Almost reptilian in appearance. But in next moment, the sans light began to fade as a cloud passed over them, the eyes returning to normal.
"I have a small request for you miss Elenya, if you'd be so kind... When you next see Luciana, send her to me. I would have words with her about her behavior." As Khalon attempted to stand to his feet, that once sorrowful face fell upon him once more. A single tear in his eye. His hands shook as if unable to grip the arm of the chair he sat in. His legs weak and feeble, as he looked up to see the young half elf again he seemed to pout in confusion.
"Who are you? Where's mom? I want mom!"
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Oct 31, 2023 18:17:12 GMT
T he Emperor's expression perfectly matched the ominousness of his voice, and Elenya felt herself tremble involuntarily at the cunning, almost predatory look in his eye as he watched her. Even the sunlight that flooded the room wasn't enough to dispel the inexplicable chill in the air, or make him appear any less threatening. A request, he said. And there was no mistaking the ill intent in his words as he bid her pass along his demand for an audience with his youngest daughter. A demand she wasn't entirely sure would be in the Princess' best interest to obey. But she said nothing. Only nodded her assent once, as she willed herself to remain calm. Frozen with fear, as she attempted to rationalize what she had witnessed— as she attempted to explain those horrifying orange eyes that, for an instant, she'd seen staring back at her. And though a part of her refused to believe it, the more rational voice in her head assured her that it had not been the King himself she had been speaking with.
Shadows stole the light from the room as heavy clouds seemed to smother the sun outside, and all at once, the atmosphere seemed to change.
The Emperor rose abruptly to his feet, looking unsteady and weak. Confused. Even ... fearful? Her heart began to race as a fresh wave of panic washed over her, and she too rose from her seat. Was he calling for his mother? Glancing uncertainly over her shoulder, she gripped her own chair for support and wondered whether it would be wise to call for aid. Surely with the surplus of guards patrolling the halls, there would be someone near enough to hear her? But something gave her pause, and she blinked at the sickly old man with a sense of trepidation and, admittedly, some morbid curiosity. What was going on? "I am just a lowly handmaiden," she reassured him, and clutched nervously at her skirts. Disturbed by the childish pout he now wore. A stark contradiction to the perverse smile that had been there only a few moments earlier.
"My name is Elenya. Won't you tell me yours? Perhaps we can try to find your mother together?" |
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Khalon Zel
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Posts: 35
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Post by Khalon Zel on Oct 31, 2023 20:38:14 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
Khalons grown seemed to grow as he sniffled and held back a tear. Sitting with both legs crossed in the chair and rocking ever so slightly. "Mom sent you to watch me huh..." The emperors voice was softer now, kinder, full of innocence. "She never wants to play with me anymore..." And just like that the headache returned, a faint itching in the back of his head.
The voices, they screamed for the light, for control. His head suddenly felt heavy, shoulders slumped over, the ringing in his ears causing his head to lurch upwards with a bright eyed face, a nigh invisible psionic aura of friendly, but confused intentions seemed to fill the room around them.
Khalon examined his hands and stood to his feet without issue. The strength returning to his body, even if only for a moment. He calmly walked toward the mirror and gazed at his reflection in contemplation. "Sorry you had to see all that, the others don't let me out much. I just had to be sure this was real..."
His voice was calm, a bit raspy and course, but altogether typical from what she knew of the emperor. As he turned to face Elenya he smiled, this time a genuine show of good will. "I imagine you're quite confused, Khalon was hoping to find an alchemical remedy for his condition, but I honestly doubt such a cure exists for possession. I'd help him if I could, but the dragon really hates me in particular."
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Oct 31, 2023 21:19:00 GMT
T his time, Elenya was not so caught off-guard by the sudden shift in the Emperor's personality. In fact, the moment that his shoulders slumped and his head fell forward, she prepared herself for the emergence of a new or possibly already seen persona. And her suspicions were confirmed when he rubbed his hands together and sprung upward with newfound vitality. His eyes were clear now, and some warmth seemed to have returned to his face. But he did not immediately direct his attention toward her, instead seeming to assess himself in the ornate mirror that hung upon the wall. As though to reaffirm he was himself.
When he did finally speak, his voice was gravelly. Possibly from the constant fluctuations in pitch and intonation. Or perhaps simply because he - this current persona - had forgotten what he was supposed to sound like. She remained quiet as she studied him, fingers still buried in the front of her dress as she hovered nervously alongside the chair.
"Possession?" she breathed, echoing his words with the faintest trace of disbelief. "Are you ... the emperor?" It was impossible to say. He seemed to have a much better grasp on what was happening, and spoke clearly and confidently. But when he mentioned Khalon, it was as though he were merely a close acquaintance, and did not seem to indicate that 'Khalon' was he himself. "Dragon?" She cradled her head in her hands as the world seemed to spin, suddenly nauseous. And those orange slitted eyes flashed at the forefront of her mind again. Haunting. Sinister. Inhuman. "Please. Please explain to me what it is that's happening."
This time, she took a tentative step forward, and her eyes were full of confusion and desperation.
"Who are you?" |
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Khalon Zel
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Posts: 35
Registered: Sept 21, 2023 3:09:35 GMT
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Post by Khalon Zel on Oct 31, 2023 23:16:50 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
The man simply nodded at her question, like it was the obvious thing to say. "The names Asterius, I suppose you could call me Khalons imaginary friend. But one that exists inside his head and actually helps him out from time to time." He wandered over towards the window. Making a long, drawn out, deep sigh that seemed to exude an aura of concern.
"Unlike the others I'm able to retain control for at least a few hours. However few and far between those moments might be." Asterius began rapidly tapping his fingers on the window sill, betraying a level of nervousness that hadn't been seen before.
"I won't lie to you, the fact Imperius spoke to you is concerning to me. I may be able to see what the others see. But thankfully, they can't see what I see." He simply brushed his whispy and frayed white, black and grey hair as if trying to alter his appearance. However minimal that change might be.
"I may not be able to take the light next time, there is a verbal trigger that must be spoken for me to be able to appear. You have to ask my name... Was pure chance you did so." As Asterius motioned for Elenya to stand, he reached a hand to take hers. "Consider this an experiment if you will. I will surrender control, and I want you to ask my name again. Can you do that for me?"
Without waiting for an answer, the shade of many minds had his eyes role back and his head violently tilt backwards, eyes facing the ceiling. His legs began to wobble as he placed one arm against Elenyas chair to stabilize himself. Then as quickly as it happened, the man's face slowly gazed downward at the handmaiden, eyes wide and fiery, full of defiance and pride and ego. Yet somehow more... Human then the dragon.
"Who the hell are you?"
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Nov 1, 2023 0:18:05 GMT
S he felt dizzy. Disoriented. As though nothing were real, and she were simply trapped in a dream that felt frighteningly close to reality. So she remained silent as he spoke, taking some solace in the calm intonations of his voice as she attempted to commit some of what he was telling her to memory. Asterius. The Emperor's imaginary friend. The one persona that was able to remain in control for longer than the others. The others? She squeezed her eyes shut in frustration, and felt her fingers curl themselves into fists at her side. The child, whose name she had not been given. The feeble old man that had initially been the one to rush into the room in a panic, crying. Khalon himself? It was impossible to say. And then Imperius. The Dragon spirit, and thus far the most imposing and frightening of them all, or so she presumed it to be him. The one that had stared intently at her with those horrible orange, reptilian eyes.
The fact that Asterius was concerned Imperius had spoken to her at all was enough to have dread curdle in the pit of her stomach. Why had he then? Was it merely her connection the Princess? Did he assume her weak and easily manipulated? But there was no time to ask, for the man had taken her hand and helped her to her feet. It was all she could do not to faint, let alone pay close enough attention to the instructions he was giving her. Take the light? A phrase to mean assuming control. A verbal trigger. His name. By the time she had blinked and refocused, however, he had already begun the process of relinquishing control again.
And Elenya blanched.
"No, wait!" But her plea went unheard, for in the next moment, his eyes had rolled back in his skull and his head had tilted unnaturally, prompting her to take a small step in retreat.
When next he looked at her, it was with an expression of arrogance. Audacity. An imperiousness that was somehow familiar and unfamiliar at once, underscored by the kind of ferocity that ignited her own stubborn refusal to submit. Her fear gave way to unspoken challenge, and she felt her back straighten and her chin tip upward with an air of self-assuredness that hadn't been there before. She could take back control, in some small way. Whoever this new persona was, she need not humor him. Instead, she narrowed her eyes and bolstered herself. "Give me your name."
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Khalon Zel
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Registered: Sept 21, 2023 3:09:35 GMT
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Post by Khalon Zel on Nov 1, 2023 2:06:00 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
The moment the phrase was spoken the telepathic trigger set within his mind caused his eyes to glaze over for a few seconds before Asterius blinked and took a few steps back. "ASTERIUS!" He gasped as if clawing his way back into the light. "I'm surprised that actually worked, quite a remarkable bit of mental magic really. I hope the fighter didn't scare you too much. His every thought is bent on resisting Imperius, must be so exhausting."
Asterius stood tall and straightened his coat collar, returning to the mirror, licking his hand and once again brushing his whispy hair flat. Before turning his attention back to the hand maiden he peered outside the door, looking down the hall on either side to a guard standing watch on each end.
He finally closed the door quietly and tip toes toward the chair Khalon originally sat in. "So... not sure exactly how long I got, but I'd feel terrible is imperius forced you into his little games. The fact you by some twist of fate encountered the emperor today was unintentional, but now that the dragon knows you... I feel obliged to help however I can."
The air grew silent as Asterius just stared at Elenya with a smile on his face. His foot began to tap, his fingers obsessively scratching at the wooden arm of the chair. Almost as if lost in thought. "By all means, ask whatever questions you wish. Now that he's aware of you, I imagine the... thing inside our head will no doubt try and use you as yet another pawn for his psychotic games. Best you be aware miss Elenya!"
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Nov 1, 2023 19:51:36 GMT
T he more skeptical part of her mind hadn't entirely believed it would work, so she found herself startled when he gasped the name 'Asterius' and abruptly straightened, readjusting his collar and slicking down his disheveled hair. It seemed the friendlier persona from before had returned without incident, as he himself had explained, and Elenya loosed a sigh of relief as she watched him step toward the large, ornate doors and peer curiously outside of them. For what, she couldn't fathom. Again, she said nothing. Simply took the few moments of quiet to absorb what she had seen, wrapping her arms about herself for comfort, before settling back down in the chair she had occupied before and allowing herself to truly relax.
It wasn't too much longer before the old man returned to the seat opposite her, and she listened to him carefully. But as his words reached her, she felt that same sense of dread fill her all over again. "Do you really think he would have reason to do me harm? But I ..." she trailed off, flustered, as she lifted her hands and then dropped them into her lap again in disbelief. "I am no one. No one of real significance to him, at least. What could he possibly hope to gain by antagonizing a mere handmaiden?" The question was meant to be more or less rhetorical. After all, why did any evil or ill-intended thing do what they did? More often than not, it seemed to be simply out of pleasure or boredom or both.
"If I were to ask you everything for which I needed clarification, we would be here until the sun sank beneath the horizon, I'm afraid." And she rubbed at her temples, seeming to consider her options in silence, before she lifted her chin again and peered at him somberly. "What is his objective in all of this?" She demanded eventually. "This ... Imperius. This dragon spirit. What is his intention by possessing the Emperor? And what sort of magic do you think it might take to suppress him permanently?" There was a long pause, as realization dawned on her then. "Was it truly not the Emperor himself that has been sowing such discord as of late, then? Has this all been Imperius' doing? The executions? The riots? What other personas exist that I have not seen? What or who allowed this possession to come to be at all?" The questions poured out of her unfettered, and the only reason she lapsed into silence was because she had forgotten to breathe.
"My apologies. This is ... this is all impossible to really believe."
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Khalon Zel
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Post by Khalon Zel on Nov 1, 2023 21:10:21 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
Asterius listened intently to her words, leaning forward with his hands clasped together. His nervousness about Elenya predicament clear to see as he continued fidgeting and twirling his thumbs. "I doubt he'd intentionally cause you harm. But he might attempt to use you to manipulate the princesses and other staff. Unfortunately this may indirectly result in harm coming to you. Something I'd like to avoid."
Asterius tone changed to become somewhat more serious and concerned. His concern not necessarily dedicated towards Elenya and her safety, but the fact she knew so much and was now thrust into the emperors struggle without warning. He calmly wiped the sweat from his brow as if stressed and lost in thought.
"I'm worried you're knowledge of his... Ailment... Will result in further complications. However it's too late to avoid that now. So I believe my best course of action is to keep you informed, and hopefully a useful ally against Imperius and his schemes."
He raised a hand at her questions to slow her down before continuing. "Unfortunately yes, Imperius has been the one giving orders. Khalon has no memory of this, but I see through all their eyes, even if I can't intervene." He took another deep breath and sighed. His old, wrinkled hands strong in this persona, but still cracked and dry.
"There could be a way via sorcery... However he's been possessed for some time now and I don't want to risk an exorcism expelling Imperius only to possibly kill Khalon in the process." Asterius pondered a moment until raising a hand again, this time an excited look in his eye. "On the other hand... If you know a good hypnotist, or maybe a psychic that can meld minds, it could be worth a try."
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Nov 2, 2023 16:41:42 GMT
H e raised his hands to calmly indicate her to slow, and she obediently took a long, steadying breath, realizing she'd been dangerously close to a state of outright hysteria. So she took a moment as he proceeded to answer her nigh-unintelligible questions and lowered her head into her small palms to rub gently at her temples. As though that might help to dispel her fear and mounting panic.
"But what does Imperius wish to achieve through all this? Is it simply for the sake of causing chaos and destruction? Or ... you don't imagine there's something else at large? Something, or someone else, behind all of this?" The very thought had her tremble involuntarily, and she wrapped her arms around herself again with an uneasy frown. What could be more powerful than a malevolent dragon spirit capable of possessing Emperors? "Does this have anything to do with the dragon eggs that were stolen? I ... had heard in passing that they were taken from the imperial treasure vault, but couldn't confirm whether there was any truth to the gossip." In fact, she had been entirely unaware of the existence of dragons eggs altogether, having assumed that dragons themselves were all but myth and legend now, hunted to near extinction as they were. After today, however, she was likely to believe just about anything was possible.
She pondered the rest of what he told her, visibly troubled. Something needed to be done. If Khalon himself was not behind the executions and imprisonment of his citizens, and if Khalon had not been the one to sow discord through his people, the civil war that was breaking out now was without just cause. Overna was tearing itself apart on account of evil lies. And once it had been destroyed, what was to be Imperius' objective after it? Would he continue to possess and manipulate other lords and powerful mages until he had eradicated life in Mortalum entirely?
"I do not know of any such person," she answered, defeated. "You forget that I'm very much a no one. The Princess' attendant. That is all." She paused, raking her hair back out of her face in frustration. "But I also know that this story would sound deranged at best, if I were to try to explain it to anyone here. They'd likely have me thrown into a cell. So ..." she trailed off, and looked him in the eye. "Where must I go? Where do I even begin to search for someone powerful enough to suppress a dragon spirit?"
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Khalon Zel
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Post by Khalon Zel on Nov 3, 2023 1:42:03 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
Asterius stroked his frayed, greying beard, his mind full of possibilities as he wondered over her options. "I'm not well versed in magic... But Khalon did meet a powerful wizard once. In fact from what his memories tell, the man seemed almost like... family." He tapped his foot as if grasping for a name, yet was struggling to find it.
"Aha! Grimone was his name. He passes through here a few times per year, you may have encountered him before as the wizard seems quite friendly with many of the staff here." Asterius leaned forward again and clapped his hands in an unexpected show of excitement.
His smile widening as if indulging in his own genius. "If anyone has some ideas of how to save Khalon it would be the black wizard. He is quite the masterful enchanter after all." For a moment he seemed genuinely blissful, until the realization finally clicked, the truth of the wizards relationship with Khalon came rushing into his mind.
"Oh... I realize now that won't be as easy as I imagined." He sighed as his shoulders dropped in defeat. "Unfortunately, the wizard hasn't been seen in six months. I'm unsure when he might return. Yet I can't seem to think of a better option. Perhaps we should figure out some way of signalling to each other for now. A way for us to communicate our findings without Imperius knowing. Any ideas?"
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Nov 3, 2023 3:40:54 GMT
F or the first time since Asterius' appearance, Elenya felt the faintest glimmer of hope, and perked up almost immediately upon his mention of the Black Wizard. "Grimone!" she gasped, and leaned forward in her seat, expression bright with newfound hope. "Yes, of course. He's actually the one that taught me everything I know about alchemy. I have been told that he's a master enchanter and incredibly powerful. Beyond that, he's well-traveled. At the very least, he would be an invaluable source of advice." But that same surge of hope was promptly deflated by the old man's next words, and she felt herself sink back into the chair's stiff but beautifully-sewn upholstery.
"That's right. There's often no way to know when he'll be paying the palace a visit. And I have no way in which to reliably contact him." She lapsed into silence then, thoughtful. "The only choice we have is for me to leave the capitol and search for him." It would be a waste to try and think of someone else they could pass the responsibility off to. No one would believe such an outlandish story, and even if they did, the more people who knew meant the more likely it would be Imperius would catch on and attempt to intervene. No. It was imperative this was kept between herself and Asterius. Although, his next query had her grasping helplessly for solutions.
"The only way to summon you is to ask the current persona their name. And any manner of communication I send to you, Imperius will surely see." She frowned, all too aware of the beginnings of the headache that pressed uncomfortably against her skull. "It seems too risky."
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Khalon Zel
SILVER
Posts: 35
Registered: Sept 21, 2023 3:09:35 GMT
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Post by Khalon Zel on Nov 3, 2023 17:57:10 GMT
![]() The Mad Emperor | Imperius The Shade |
The pale face of the emperor nodded in understanding as he continued tapping his foot. The anxiety of taking on Imperius alone from within the same mind was a confrontation he didn't look forward to. But likely inevitable if they couldn't find a way to save Khalon. "I hate to ask this of a mere handmaiden, but seeing as you're involved now against your will, I have to ask."
He paused for a few seconds as if debating the right words to say. Before clasping his fidgeting hands together. The seriousness on Asterius face clear to see. "You need to find him... The wizard may be our only hope of saving the emperor. And in turn saving the empire itself."
He stood to his feet once more in a jolt and walked towards the mirror again. Gazing intently at his own reflection. "If the empire falls... The wall falls. We have the same dreams you know. Every night the same dream..." His left hand started shaking as he held it still with his right. "We saw the wall... Wreathed in green flame. Stone and metal melting like honey as the darkness stepped through. Voices screaming, an army turned to blood..."
He turned back to Elenya with a half smile and a look of true fear in his eyes. "Save the emperor... Save the world..." His left arm began to tremble as he grabbed his shoulder. "It's the voices, they want out, but I can hold them for a while longer." He seemed to collapse against the wall. Bracing himself upward with one shoulder while having a steel grip on the other.
Khalon Asterius Zel
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Post by Elenya Jaromir on Nov 3, 2023 21:02:51 GMT
A part of her was still lost in the surrealness of the situation she had been thrust into. Part of her even still clung to the hope that it was all a dream. But her heart knew otherwise. The Empire was in far more danger than anyone could have imagined, and it was only by a fluke that she herself had stumbled across this knowledge. There was no one but Grimone that she could turn to. No one that she could entrust this newfound information to. Not even her parents. The very thought of them bolstered her some, as she realized that - even if she had been coward enough to disregard everything she had learned - they could still fall victim to the fate that awaited everyone should she and Asterius and Grimone fail. That was not an option. She had to protect them at all cost. But between Imperius' tyranny, the threat of revolt and every other threat that lurked beyond the borders of the city, it seemed an impossible task.
Impossible, but necessary, she reminded herself. It was her responsibility now to help set things in motion. And she could not afford to waste any time. Her family's well-being rested in her hands now, whether she liked it or not. She couldn't simply sit back and do nothing. Even if her determination was spurned on by more selfish than noble reasoning.
Her eyes went wide as Asterius lurched to his feet, left hand trembling, even as it was cradled in the other. And he peered into the mirror, battling something unseen.
The wall. Emerald flame. Blood and screams and shadow. She swallowed thickly and took a step toward the older man in concern as he appeared to collapse, only just able to steady and brace himself as he fought to maintain control. "Will you be alright?" she asked, though she didn't know why. He was but one of a myriad of consciousnesses fighting for dominance over one man's tortured mind. There was nothing she could do for him now, save for one thing. "I will leave immediately," she promised, balling her delicate hands into fists that shook at her sides. "And I will not rest until I have found Grimone. Please, hold on until I do. And if there's anything you can do to ensure my family's safety while I am gone, I beg of you to do so. They ... won't understand."
She turned on her heel in a flurry of heavy skirts then, and swept toward the doors, where she wrenched them open with a heave. But then abruptly stopped. Turned to cast a withering glance behind her at the sorry sight of the Emperor ... or what remained of him. And with a heavy heart, vanished.
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