[ But yeah, okay, go on then. He really would've liked to go on something more casual and less speedy. Especially when, at this point, he has to feel out the dungeon's location.
Which is why over an hour passes before he's smacking Izumo's arm, having taken to resting his head against the man's back. He was focusing, shut up. ]
We're gonna have to slow down. May as well get back to the ground.
Says someone who really doesn't know shit about dungeons or magi.
[ He's going to get his wand back out and float off the damn thing. Floating gives him the time and chance to focus properly. Izumo would also probably feel the building getting pulled out of the earth, before seeing the temple rising up to take it's proper, if temporary, place in the world. ]
[ Yeah, give him a moment to float back down and sit on the ground. It always takes just a bit out of him to summon these things. ]
Yeah, that's right. Each one suited for the djinn it's connected to. Before you ask, I've got no clue what the trials will be. You wanted a djinn that can heal and restore, so there you go. All I know is it's good at life and clairvoyance magic, but because we already have Phenex, it wasn't really needed.
Guess it's just half the fun to find out. [A bit of a nod towards the dungeon.] Want me to wait for you while you recover or do you mind if I go in first?
[It might be better than going in blind, but there is a reason why Judar had chosen Izumo to be a King candidate. The potential was there even if Izumo doesn't even realize it still.]
It's up to you. That or you pull me along anyway. Time's a little displaced between here and the dungeon. I could go in after but have been in there for days when you finally show up.
[ He doesn't really mind either way- the dungeon was raised specifically for Izumo, so he better be able to conquer it. Then again, it's not as if he had to be in there with the candidate. Sinbad managed it plenty of times before. ]
[ To which he watches as Izumo disappears to get sucked into the dungeon, and sent off to that necropolis. There was something of an idea on what would happen in there. Marbas was also known for the mechanical, as well as giving truth to hidden and secret things. He'd likely have to face something about his character more than just fighting and having to survive. It was almost guaranteed to be an intimate sort of dungeon.
But after the retainer disappeared, it's a long minute before he's looking back at that bird. The way it's staring... ]
Try anything and he's walking home. I'll have your wings destroyed.
[ Yeah, he's not staying out here for very long. ]
[The bird croons at him, not letting up on it’s staring. Better get inside before it finally decides to eat your hair.
But inside the dungeon, it was—different than what Izumo initially expected. Then again, hardly anyone he knows has been into dungeons and with the Swords, the colored Kings were forbidden to enter one. Just a drop of that Sword alone has the power to destroy a dungeon. However, he’s aware of something watching him, eyes much like a predator keeping an eye on every movement, hearing every breath he takes.
The farther he ventures inside, the more he’s become aware of the scent of...flowers? It makes his nose wrinkle a bit before the smell of smoke covers the flowery scent, a smell he’s much more intimate with than anything else.
There’s a loud growl echoing in the dungeon.
Izumo presses his lips together into a thin line of displeasure as he moves forward, only stopping when he sees a burned version of the necropolis around him, all of it turned into ashes with the Sword above it, cracks of red splintering on its blade. Below that Sword stood Mikoto, or rather, simply a different version of his King who was giving him a lazy smile.]
[ There's a dull and heavy clunking sound in the background, slow and monotone, almost overpowered in a similar way as to how the flowers were. The timing almost like clockwork, but it allows the embers of the necropolis to glow with life once more before dying again. It's the sword that speaks more to the challenge than the lion grinning before the candidate, as a chunk starts to slide off the sword in the slowest of motions.
Judar, meanwhile, had to weigh getting his energy back to the risks that increased with the bird staring at him like that. The order it had been given will only be obeyed for so long. He could see that. ]
... Fuck this.
[ While he floats and hurries into the entrance, it'd be quite a bit longer before he would finish that transfer to the real dungeon and necropolis. ]
[The lion smiles wider, golden eyes flashing in amusement the same way Mikoto’s does. The djinn is well aware of the Magi entering its dungeon, knows of his past and wickedness, his twisted ideas brought upon by a certain woman. It’s why he ensures that Judar is kept separated from the King vessel while he sets about his trial.
He spreads out his arms as he looks at Izumo, forever knowing.]
Do you think you can really save your King with my power? [The amusement is palpable, flames rising around them, the heat insufferable to most who aren’t used to the Flames of the Red King.] Or are you hoping that with my power, you can hold off the inevitable for a bit longer? After all, if he dies, the next King has been chosen already.
Is this my trial? To question me?
[Gold eyes blink and he laughs, the Sword above them cracking even further.] Yes. No. What do you think? This is all on you, after all.
[ And separated they are, with the only signs of his arrival hidden beneath the trial as a few of those flowers Izumo had smelled earlier turned a blue-black color. Except he couldn't see or even scent the flowers anymore. Everything was flames, ash and rubble. A glimpse of the past and promised future for the one that Izumo had been at the side of since they were young.
It's clear that this wasn't the only question. Izumo would have to show how expected this vision of the future to be diverted. To stop the sword from crumbling, and falling upon the world- were there hopes to restore the sword? Conviction was as much a part of this as the truth was.
Meanwhile, Judar found himself stuck in an abandoned necropolis, full of rubble and taken over with roots, leaves and flowers. Everything had been taken over with this odd choice of life, but in following the flow of ruhk, he could tell...
He wasn't invited or supposed to interfere. He'd been removed from the trial itself. ]
That afraid of what I'd do, huh? Fine. I'll play along...
[ Oh, he can see what this necropolis was made to look like, but despite what he was saying, he wasn't going to actually play. If he was being removed, then he'll go to where they would end up at the end of this. The djinn was occupied and knew who it was that was meant to be tested- it shouldn't look to him too much.
The last thing he wanted was for someone, or something like a djinn, to look at him and go easy or take pity on his existence. ]
[The only problem with a djinn of truth is that it sees everything, especially ones with hidden secrets. It's aware of Judar, always so aware of him especially now that the flowers that had gathered changed colors. But its attention is focused on Izumo, on the King Candidate because there were multiple ways to stop the Sword, but it's only through what Izumo really wants that it'll stop.
Acceptance for what his true feelings are, the hidden secrets he's tucked away deep into his heart in order to prevent others from seeing it, from witnessing it.
It's why the djinn had chosen the image of someone close to Izumo - his King, his best friend, his brother in everything but blood. Because Izumo would do anything for him, go through such great lengths even though the potential of being a King himself is there. It's only to push through that barrier that will prove to be the fatal point of this trial.
Something the djinn could clearly see in Izumo's eyes as the human takes in the situation, calculating and wary. A part of its mind is focused on the magi, the other half focused on the human.]
You've yet to answer my question.
Why answer when you already know it?
[Marbas gives him a knowing look, eyes flickering up at the Sword when more pieces begins to chip away.]
Be true to yourself, Izumo. I know everything, yes, but you're taking too long - you're stalling. Do you honestly think there's a way for you to save your King or did you come here to run away from it all? To prevent yourself from looking at one of the two possibilities to save him?
[Izumo glares at him, his own flames merging with the ones around him.
It only has Marbas laugh, low and deep.]
You can't stall forever. Make your choice and accept the consequences that come with it.
Man, that stupid retainer better figure things out...
[ He was strolling through, noting the particular design on all the mason work and the kind of destroyed stores that were underneath the decay and destruction. The real Sindria had been rebuilt and reborn, so this kind of thing wasn't a literal truth, but a fond reminder. It's what had broken him a little more, to slowly destroy the chain that had been around his entire being. One that turned out to be there since he was an infant, as he'd learned a couple of years ago. Everything had been chosen and decided- everything.
He kicked some stones into a bed of flowers before lifting himself into the air by a few inches as he continued through to reach that end. He'd stepped on enough broken and dead things. ]
Man, even tossed aside by the djinn and dungeon I raised, huh? Maybe I should bring it to the ground, too, before that guy fails...
[ Because he didn't want actual proof that he was no good as a magi- that he had to have his candidates chosen instead of being able to find a good one on his own. Sinbad always rejected him, and it was probably better that he should. The thing was, Judar was ready to lash out and destroy before someone, or something, either decided to go easy on him or cast him aside.
He had no clue how long Izumo had been going through his trial, not with the time dilation. He could be in the midst of failure now. Hand squeezing the wand, he knew how pathetic it was that this was the closest to patient that he could be. ]
Because when more of the Sword begins to crumble, it does make Izumo move while Marbas develops a pleased gleam in his eyes.]
Accept for what must be done.
Do not turn away what you do here - it is only the beginning.
[Izumo really did have enough of Marbas - of this. Because when the Sword crumbles further, there's a sudden shift in the air - a stillness. Izumo isn't standing feet away from him anymore; instead, there's blood, there's the smell of sulfur and ashes in the air and Mikoto is no longer in front of him, turned into ash at his feet.
The Sword stills, suspended in time and he can hear deep laughter echo around him.]
Is that your answer, human?
[The human says nothing, eyes directed at the ashes at his feet.]
[ It's the shift in ruhk that tell Judar that a decision or final outcome has been made. For better or worse, the trial was at its end.
Something he wasn't even allowed to witness.
Before some afterimage of that chibi magi showed up, pointing out how he was 'just a kid,' Judar took further into the air. He was done following the path, and decided to follow the ruhk directly. ]
I don't give a shit if you were planning on dangling this crap in front of me as a distraction, to torment me, or because you hate me. I'm the magi, so I should see how this stuff goes.
[ And if he kept being denied, he'll just destroy everything until the djinn has no choice but to send them back. Then he'll send the entrance so far back that none of the others will ever raise it again. ]
[As the scene around him changes, Izumo becomes aware of the flowers - the same ones he had scented upon entering. It stood out in a black-blue color, among a few of the dark red.
It makes Izumo blink once.][Marbas sighs, the sound echoing before the djinn reveals his true form: a giant, red lion with an eye on its forehead.
...The human is sure there's some twisted irony being played here.]
He is. But he isn't your magi, so does it matter whether he's here or not?
He brought me here. It's only fair.
[The djinn makes a face, but soon lets out a growly grumble, dispersing the illusions in the dungeon and leads the magi to them.]
[ Well, finally all of the illusions were finally dispersed. Letting the real necropolis and dungeon show itself. And there they were. To which he'll float over and point his wand threateningly at the Djinn. ]
Oi, what's the idea with keeping me away from it all? Maybe I should've just went and raised Buer- he's right nearby.
[ Though he glances over at Izumo, seeing him in one piece. Being alive meant- ]
So you managed to pass then. See, and there you were, probably just doubting me the entire time.
I know how the rules of dungeons go; all I would've done was ensure he won. Did you think it was funny to stick me around all that? Your illusions suck.
[ Though it didn't mean he'd actually follow the rules to make sure that happened. Which they both knew. Judar wasn't pretending that Marbas knew about as much as all these damn truth djinn knew. Which just made him want to lash out even more at them. Why he said a djinn meant for life and clairvoyance magic sucked at the things he was meant for.
Which is why he doesn't nod back to Izumo, but opted to float over by him, landing softly after a moment. ]
With the monster you left outside? Tch. You better have remembered to bring something metal to use as a vessel.
[Izumo blinks at the djinn, slowly wondering just why it was goading Judar on. But Marbas was giving the fallen magi a knowing look, tail swaying lazily behind him. He opts not to pry - that wasn't what he's here for.
He holds up a metal pendant.]
Will this suffice? [Marbas looks at the pendant for a moment, scrutinizing it before he gives a nod.]
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listentomymuse2017-12-31 12:37 pm
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A hand on the bird's neck has it almost cooing.]
It's big enough to fit two people, really. [Do you hate his smiles yet?] It'll be fine. No need to be wary of it.
[Or rather, don't be in front of it and it won't try to eat your hair.]
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I think there's plenty of reason to be wary of it...
[ Knowing which one, which was in the area, to head for, Judar points in a direction. ]
You'll want to start flying that way.
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[Maybe, but he does nod and gets onto the bird.
With a silent command, the creature spreads its wings and shoots up into the sky, flying in the direction Judar pointed in.]
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[ But yeah, okay, go on then. He really would've liked to go on something more casual and less speedy. Especially when, at this point, he has to feel out the dungeon's location.
Which is why over an hour passes before he's smacking Izumo's arm, having taken to resting his head against the man's back. He was focusing, shut up. ]
We're gonna have to slow down. May as well get back to the ground.
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It's more of a grassy area, and the bird lowers itself, making itself comfortable even with its passengers still on its back with wings tucked in.]
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[ He's going to get his wand back out and float off the damn thing. Floating gives him the time and chance to focus properly. Izumo would also probably feel the building getting pulled out of the earth, before seeing the temple rising up to take it's proper, if temporary, place in the world. ]
Welcome to the 5th dungeon of Marbas.
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[As if he needed to be dragged into something else.
His eyes land on the dungeon as its summoned, eying it for a moment. There really isn't a chance to bow out now, is there?]
Each dungeon has its own set of trials, right?
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Yeah, that's right. Each one suited for the djinn it's connected to. Before you ask, I've got no clue what the trials will be. You wanted a djinn that can heal and restore, so there you go. All I know is it's good at life and clairvoyance magic, but because we already have Phenex, it wasn't really needed.
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Guess it's just half the fun to find out. [A bit of a nod towards the dungeon.] Want me to wait for you while you recover or do you mind if I go in first?
[It might be better than going in blind, but there is a reason why Judar had chosen Izumo to be a King candidate. The potential was there even if Izumo doesn't even realize it still.]
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[ He doesn't really mind either way- the dungeon was raised specifically for Izumo, so he better be able to conquer it. Then again, it's not as if he had to be in there with the candidate. Sinbad managed it plenty of times before. ]
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[A glance at the dungeon.]
I’ll see you inside then or out here if you choose to stay outside. [He’s not going to pull Judar along.
But a pat on the bird , commanding it to stay, Izumo makes his way into the dungeon. And without the blond, the bird’s staring intensely at Judar.]
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[ To which he watches as Izumo disappears to get sucked into the dungeon, and sent off to that necropolis. There was something of an idea on what would happen in there. Marbas was also known for the mechanical, as well as giving truth to hidden and secret things. He'd likely have to face something about his character more than just fighting and having to survive. It was almost guaranteed to be an intimate sort of dungeon.
But after the retainer disappeared, it's a long minute before he's looking back at that bird. The way it's staring... ]
Try anything and he's walking home. I'll have your wings destroyed.
[ Yeah, he's not staying out here for very long. ]
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But inside the dungeon, it was—different than what Izumo initially expected. Then again, hardly anyone he knows has been into dungeons and with the Swords, the colored Kings were forbidden to enter one. Just a drop of that Sword alone has the power to destroy a dungeon. However, he’s aware of something watching him, eyes much like a predator keeping an eye on every movement, hearing every breath he takes.
The farther he ventures inside, the more he’s become aware of the scent of...flowers? It makes his nose wrinkle a bit before the smell of smoke covers the flowery scent, a smell he’s much more intimate with than anything else.
There’s a loud growl echoing in the dungeon.
Izumo presses his lips together into a thin line of displeasure as he moves forward, only stopping when he sees a burned version of the necropolis around him, all of it turned into ashes with the Sword above it, cracks of red splintering on its blade. Below that Sword stood Mikoto, or rather, simply a different version of his King who was giving him a lazy smile.]
Welcome to my dungeon.
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Judar, meanwhile, had to weigh getting his energy back to the risks that increased with the bird staring at him like that. The order it had been given will only be obeyed for so long. He could see that. ]
... Fuck this.
[ While he floats and hurries into the entrance, it'd be quite a bit longer before he would finish that transfer to the real dungeon and necropolis. ]
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[The lion smiles wider, golden eyes flashing in amusement the same way Mikoto’s does. The djinn is well aware of the Magi entering its dungeon, knows of his past and wickedness, his twisted ideas brought upon by a certain woman. It’s why he ensures that Judar is kept separated from the King vessel while he sets about his trial.
He spreads out his arms as he looks at Izumo, forever knowing.]
Do you think you can really save your King with my power? [The amusement is palpable, flames rising around them, the heat insufferable to most who aren’t used to the Flames of the Red King.] Or are you hoping that with my power, you can hold off the inevitable for a bit longer? After all, if he dies, the next King has been chosen already.
Is this my trial? To question me?
[Gold eyes blink and he laughs, the Sword above them cracking even further.] Yes. No. What do you think? This is all on you, after all.
Tell me: do you think it’s worth saving him?
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It's clear that this wasn't the only question. Izumo would have to show how expected this vision of the future to be diverted. To stop the sword from crumbling, and falling upon the world- were there hopes to restore the sword? Conviction was as much a part of this as the truth was.
Meanwhile, Judar found himself stuck in an abandoned necropolis, full of rubble and taken over with roots, leaves and flowers. Everything had been taken over with this odd choice of life, but in following the flow of ruhk, he could tell...
He wasn't invited or supposed to interfere. He'd been removed from the trial itself. ]
That afraid of what I'd do, huh? Fine. I'll play along...
[ Oh, he can see what this necropolis was made to look like, but despite what he was saying, he wasn't going to actually play. If he was being removed, then he'll go to where they would end up at the end of this. The djinn was occupied and knew who it was that was meant to be tested- it shouldn't look to him too much.
The last thing he wanted was for someone, or something like a djinn, to look at him and go easy or take pity on his existence. ]
no subject
Acceptance for what his true feelings are, the hidden secrets he's tucked away deep into his heart in order to prevent others from seeing it, from witnessing it.
It's why the djinn had chosen the image of someone close to Izumo - his King, his best friend, his brother in everything but blood. Because Izumo would do anything for him, go through such great lengths even though the potential of being a King himself is there. It's only to push through that barrier that will prove to be the fatal point of this trial.
Something the djinn could clearly see in Izumo's eyes as the human takes in the situation, calculating and wary. A part of its mind is focused on the magi, the other half focused on the human.]
You've yet to answer my question.
Why answer when you already know it?
[Marbas gives him a knowing look, eyes flickering up at the Sword when more pieces begins to chip away.]
Be true to yourself, Izumo. I know everything, yes, but you're taking too long - you're stalling. Do you honestly think there's a way for you to save your King or did you come here to run away from it all? To prevent yourself from looking at one of the two possibilities to save him?
[Izumo glares at him, his own flames merging with the ones around him.
It only has Marbas laugh, low and deep.]
You can't stall forever. Make your choice and accept the consequences that come with it.
[Before the magi decides to reach the end.]
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[ He was strolling through, noting the particular design on all the mason work and the kind of destroyed stores that were underneath the decay and destruction. The real Sindria had been rebuilt and reborn, so this kind of thing wasn't a literal truth, but a fond reminder. It's what had broken him a little more, to slowly destroy the chain that had been around his entire being. One that turned out to be there since he was an infant, as he'd learned a couple of years ago. Everything had been chosen and decided- everything.
He kicked some stones into a bed of flowers before lifting himself into the air by a few inches as he continued through to reach that end. He'd stepped on enough broken and dead things. ]
Man, even tossed aside by the djinn and dungeon I raised, huh? Maybe I should bring it to the ground, too, before that guy fails...
[ Because he didn't want actual proof that he was no good as a magi- that he had to have his candidates chosen instead of being able to find a good one on his own. Sinbad always rejected him, and it was probably better that he should. The thing was, Judar was ready to lash out and destroy before someone, or something, either decided to go easy on him or cast him aside.
He had no clue how long Izumo had been going through his trial, not with the time dilation. He could be in the midst of failure now. Hand squeezing the wand, he knew how pathetic it was that this was the closest to patient that he could be. ]
no subject
Because when more of the Sword begins to crumble, it does make Izumo move while Marbas develops a pleased gleam in his eyes.]
Accept for what must be done.
Do not turn away what you do here - it is only the beginning.
[Izumo really did have enough of Marbas - of this. Because when the Sword crumbles further, there's a sudden shift in the air - a stillness. Izumo isn't standing feet away from him anymore; instead, there's blood, there's the smell of sulfur and ashes in the air and Mikoto is no longer in front of him, turned into ash at his feet.
The Sword stills, suspended in time and he can hear deep laughter echo around him.]
Is that your answer, human?
[The human says nothing, eyes directed at the ashes at his feet.]
It is.
Then consider yourself lucky. My powers is yours.
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Something he wasn't even allowed to witness.
Before some afterimage of that chibi magi showed up, pointing out how he was 'just a kid,' Judar took further into the air. He was done following the path, and decided to follow the ruhk directly. ]
I don't give a shit if you were planning on dangling this crap in front of me as a distraction, to torment me, or because you hate me. I'm the magi, so I should see how this stuff goes.
[ And if he kept being denied, he'll just destroy everything until the djinn has no choice but to send them back. Then he'll send the entrance so far back that none of the others will ever raise it again. ]
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It makes Izumo blink once.][Marbas sighs, the sound echoing before the djinn reveals his true form: a giant, red lion with an eye on its forehead.
...The human is sure there's some twisted irony being played here.]
He is. But he isn't your magi, so does it matter whether he's here or not?
He brought me here. It's only fair.
[The djinn makes a face, but soon lets out a growly grumble, dispersing the illusions in the dungeon and leads the magi to them.]
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Oi, what's the idea with keeping me away from it all? Maybe I should've just went and raised Buer- he's right nearby.
[ Though he glances over at Izumo, seeing him in one piece. Being alive meant- ]
So you managed to pass then. See, and there you were, probably just doubting me the entire time.
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Don’t threaten me, cub. It was good to keep you away from the candidate. You might’ve influenced him otherwise.
[Izumo holds back a sound st that, nodding to Judar in greeting.]
Doubt you? No. But I was also half-expecting you not to come in either.
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[ Though it didn't mean he'd actually follow the rules to make sure that happened. Which they both knew. Judar wasn't pretending that Marbas knew about as much as all these damn truth djinn knew. Which just made him want to lash out even more at them. Why he said a djinn meant for life and clairvoyance magic sucked at the things he was meant for.
Which is why he doesn't nod back to Izumo, but opted to float over by him, landing softly after a moment. ]
With the monster you left outside? Tch. You better have remembered to bring something metal to use as a vessel.
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[Izumo blinks at the djinn, slowly wondering just why it was goading Judar on. But Marbas was giving the fallen magi a knowing look, tail swaying lazily behind him. He opts not to pry - that wasn't what he's here for.
He holds up a metal pendant.]
Will this suffice? [Marbas looks at the pendant for a moment, scrutinizing it before he gives a nod.]
That one will do.
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