Dream’s we Conceive- Loom (Ian’s apartment)- Very early morning Ian, Hazumi By Wind Wild & Themerlinhawk Hazumi stepped out of the void separating the worlds, silk gray dress trailing behind, and onto the burning desert sand of Hell. Her bare toes sank deep and heat engulfed them despite the cold black colour of the ground rock and bone. As a part of the Gatekeepers it was easy for her to pierce the void and travel to any given destination in any world in what seemed in the mundane world like an instant. However she couldn’t go all the way to her final destination this time. [i]Ironic[/i], she thought lazily as she inspected the huge black bubble spread out in front of her. Shifting her weight and adjusting the big bag on her shoulder Hazumi extended her hand and placed it on the bubble. It vibrated with an essence she knew well. And one that was way beyond her control. The woman closed her eyes and concentrated. She knew now how to shift the flows of essence inside her own body to bring certain ones to the fore and push others back. So as she slowly inhaled and exhaled, the layers of essence inside her shifted and turned until what was left on top was that of Melody, immediately followed by Chime, and then the Harp and the Violin. A subtle scarlet glow started radiating from her skin and as she made a step forward, it sliced through the veil of the West apart and let her in. Opening Melody’s owl-black eyes Hazumi surveyed the Western kingdom with pure-white irises. What lay before her was a harsh, almost pitch black, hellscape. There was very little light here, the veil appeared to filter it out, instilling an eternal night in the Western Realm. Around her she would note the presence of many demons, some who were invisible, but watching, others who ventured into her line of sight, licking their lips with hunger. However, what stood out the most was the massive Citadel in the distance, the Chimeric Citadel, home to all Western Lords since the beginning of the realm. There was something else which would stand out to her, the feel of the West’s essence, which appeared almost...stale. Beyond this, only the strangely unmoving form of the Citadel would appear odd, as typically the [I]structure[/I] moved and shifted its form continuously as if alive... for it was. This was what her senses would perceive, as well as the cold, but gentle, wind which blew across the rocky surface of the realm, some hills and mountains here and there, but the majority far off past the Citadel. Overall it was a bleak setting to behold, and one that for many was rife with terror and death. Hazumi’s lips twitched as she overlooked the land so bare it was almost grotesque – like the poor attempt of Aaurus to draw the Life he couldn’t comprehend. The creatures about, despite their darkness, stood out to her eyes as something other than the rocks about – as subtly different, a different shade of darkness, and among them, the one in the citadel caught her eyes like a burning torch. With her eyes set on her goal Hazumi reached into the bag that rattled upon her touch. The nightwalkers around her shifted with excitement as she pulled out a hand full of tiny white fragments. “I come in peace” she whispered and scattered them behind her. The woman’s foot stepped forwards, her muscles registering the movement a second later, the fabric of her dress following by yet another second. To a side-observer it would seem like she was moving in slow motion, as if time and space had no reign here… And in fact, they barely did. The nightwalkers, smelling the essence of an angel, powerful and ready for them without effort, swarmed the things, some assimilating their brethren to get at the essence. Other demons narrowed their eyes and continued to watch her. The warden of the portion of the West she’d entered was observing her movements far closer than the others, but his essence was a decent ways away. She was however, in his domain and as such he was painfully aware of her intruding essence. The warden wasn’t entirely sure how to react to Hazumi, for he knew this to be her. Her status as the Essence was rather unmistakable. On one hand he knew how powerful she could be and that the Lord wanted no visitors whatsoever, but on the other...she seemed to come in peace and the warden wasn’t entirely sure she would be capable of stopping Hazumi. It was a difficult situation, so for the moment she simply watched the chimera waltz casually through her area of Szayeis’ realm, the other lesser demons devouring the scraps of essence she left behind. And so, undisturbed, save for the nightwalkers she encountered on her path, Hazumi made her way to the Citadel. Instead of footsteps her way was littered with death and life in the shape of the brilliant white remains of an unfortunate Archangel. As she came within three miles of the Citadel it began to move, lashing out at her with its strange essence. As she entered two miles it actually began to physically morph and attack her with a bombardment of sickening multicolored flames, seeming to cause nausea simply by looking at them. Its form physically assaulted her, warping and convulsing as if to defend itself, despite the fact that she was not attempting to threaten it in the least. Hazumi stopped her stride and narrowed her eyes at the citadel like a parent squints at their naughty child. She couldn’t understand what his problem is – she had done everything right and was even saving the best for him. With a slight pout she took the humerus of a wing out of the bag and offered it to the citadel as if it was a hungry beast itself. An ominous humming began to emanate from the structure, before it formed what looked like a mouth with many tentacle-like feelers below and above it. The mouth extended on a massive neck. As it neared her it would become apparent that the material which composed the Citadel was entirely anomalous. It acted like flesh, was far stronger than any known metal or material, and it had no smell. The amount of essence beneath its surface was tremendous, but unreachable and could only be detected due to Hazumi’s nature and the fact that its mouth was open. The massive mouth, bigger than her by several orders of magnitude, dipped down, its feelers grazing over the archangel’s bone and then over Hazumi herself, detecting the entirety of her form through touch, and then withdrawing. The hum increased in intensity, but altered in pitch before the thing grasped the humerus with its feelers and pulled it into its mouth. It then laid itself down before her, stretching all the way back to the bulk of its mass via the neck. The mouth closed and its essence signature vanished, as if it were not right before her. After several moments the feelers vanished, the entire neck and mock head formed into what could be seen as a massive corridor, and then a door opened where the mouth had been, but now roughly her size to allow entry. Intrigued, several demons tried to approach the citadel from other angles only to be smashed, or eaten by it. It was still not accepting other visitors, this had apparently remained unchanged. Hazumi nodded to herself and to what the citadel had been a moment ago, looking down the corridor. It would be wrong to assume she wasn’t impressed, after all, she had never been here, in any capacity. And there were very few places left in all the worlds any part of her hadn’t belong to. She had no way of knowing what exactly she would encounter here and a living breathing matter wasn’t what she would have expected. But, in fact, it made sense. Feeling flattered by the invitation, she threw another look around and decided not to dwell any longer and get to the person she had actually come to visit. As she entered the corridor that the Citadel had created for her she would initially see its expansive length, before the door shut behind her, dissolved into the structure. It would essentially lock her in. Following this the corridor rushed and she’d briefly feel movement as she watched the corridor physically shorten. Finally she could walk through another archeway and into the Citadel’s expansive and shifting interior. The walls appeared to thrum with life as well as expanding and contracting slightly as if the whole place was just one massive lung. Still, its surface, which was warm to the touch, did not appear to be composed of flesh. Though now that she was within it she could vaguely feel its essence, which would be alien to anything she had ever felt previous to now. It wasn’t demonic, it wasn’t angelic, and it certainly was not human. It was closer to a gatekeeper, but even that wasn’t right. As she looked around suddenly a monotone voice would speak from a location just to her left. “I see the Citadel has allowed your entry, state your purpose,” when she looked at the being she would see...nothing. No face, no defining features. Just a blank mannequin-like entity wearing a grey suit that almost blended in with its equally grey skin. It had no presence whatsoever, much like the Citadel itself, except in this case its lack of essence was the result of something entirely different. To Hazumi the Nameless Aide, for this was the being’s title, was like a window into her soul. A being without any identity to call its own...much like Hazumi herself. Cocking her head with curiosity, Hazumi blinked that slow bird-like blink. Her eyes slid up and down the creature, trying to define what it really was. As it posed its question she had to think. How could she put her purpose in mere words? Luckily the creature didn’t mind waiting and so a few moments of silence passed. Thinking her answer carefully over, she spoke. “My purpose is to meet the masters of this place. Speak to them and discuss my future actions according to their answers.” The Aide nodded, having not thoughts during the time where she did not speak. “Very well, come with me madam. He will likely be rather displeased, but nonetheless you made it this far and according to protocol, deserve to be allowed an audience with the Lord.” He turned, offering his arm if she preferred to hold onto it as he guided her. She didn’t. Regardless, he continued, his voice ever monotone. For once there was very little aura to him, as if it did not matter what emotions he projected to Hazumi. This time it didn’t, because of what she was. Eventually, after the Citadel shifting as they walked through it, they would arrive in front of a massive threshold. A gateway within the palace, one might say. And here the Aide turned to her, pressed his hand against the door and then gestured for her to enter. “I will guide you out afterwards. Be mindful of your actions.” Once she looked away he would no longer be there, though no movement could be detected from his departure. Sending the creature off with no more than a nod and a stare, Hazumi walked in the throne room. Considering sitting on the throne for a second, she quickly dismissed the thought and stayed at the edge of it, not even approaching it. She could both see and feel the pitch-black essence of the creatures she was here to meet – a feeling somewhat disturbing and somewhat curiously intriguing. “Long time no see, Szayeis, grandfather.” She smiled at the darkness. White eyes opened in the darkness, but there weren’t just two. There were at least ten of them, staring at her from a variety of angles. Then most of them shut and only the pair behind her remained. The pitch darkness of the room made the eyes and the essence which flowed off of Hazumi the only available light in the throne room. The eyes narrowed, [B]“[I]It[/I] allowed you in here didn’t it. How...bothersome,”[/B] the demonic lord appeared to struggle for a moment between the two words before the eyes gathered some of the darkness around them, forming a visage with barely any definition. Still, the body was somehow darker than the shadows of the room, despite being composed of the same substance. [B]”It is unfortunate that you no longer serve the purpose which before you possessed. Then at least you would be useful to me,”[/B] the lord growled as he circled her and then walked up the dias to the Western throne, which he sat in. His eyes twitched and flickered slightly, almost altering their color, but then not doing so. It was impossible to tell what color they had flickered to. [B]”What do you want, I don’t have the time to play with you, or anyone else for that matter,”[/B] he seemed irritable, something that Szayeis had not often been. Instead he had tended towards amusement, but now...well he was anything but. [B]”Speak or I’ll devour you like the others who manage to find their way into my realm!”[/B] his voice resonated within the darkness, briefly becoming multilayered before he went silent, growling not at her now, but at something else. Not showing either admiration or fear, Hazumi decided to disregard Szayeis’ obvious irritation and his comment about her current state. “Not all is lost for you.” she remarked, her gaze following him as he moved to sit on his throne. She observed the Lord for a second longer before stepping closer to the throne and sitting down at the base of its arm-rest and leaning her shoulder against it, her eyes still pinned on him. It was curious to see Szayeis in the state he was in – so unstable, so… frail. Of course, she had an idea that this was happening, had sensed it in her bones, but seeing it was different. And not even she completely understood. She had to wonder if coming here was a good or bad idea as she felt the tinge of nervousness at the sight of the man. If she had to define her feelings in human terms, she would probably use the word “admiration”, but also “distrust”. “Reluctant reverence”, she decided. “You don’t need to threaten me. I’m here to talk.” She reached into her bag again to take out the most precious gift of them all – the Archangel’s skull. “And I have brought you a gift. One that will help in your dire situation. It will strengthen you.” She shrugged with one shoulder. “Or him.” She was quiet for a second longer before she continued. “When I first met you as Hazumi you showed me kindness I wouldn’t have deemed you capable of, had I known just what you are. Many years have passed since then but time can’t undo what has once happened and so I was left thinking if I shouldn’t have acted upon my urges back then and served you instead. So, now that this is all past but the future is yet to be seen, tell me. What would you do with such power?” Narrowing his eyes at her, but not being in a position to deny her offering, Szayeis took the skull, nodding slightly, but not saying a word in thanks. He was too proud for that. The skull found itself devoured by his shadows, causing the white glowing eyes to glow brighter and his form to solidify further. He sighed, sounding somewhat relieved. It was too bad that he couldn’t have eaten the whole archangel, blood, flesh, and bone alike. Eyes resting on her even as she made contact with the Western Throne, Szayeis shook his head at her question and looked away. [B]“I have no energy to lie to you, but I assure you that the result today would not be one you are likely to prefer. However, I would get rid of the one who dwells within. The Old One. I would live.”[/B] He growled somewhat and glanced at his own hand, seeming annoyed. [B]”For now the most I can do is hold him back and bide my time. I don’t have the energy to travel as I did before. Like those before me I am being devoured, no, assimilated from the inside out and there is little I can do except resist with all my might.”[/B] He put his hand down, having noted that it had faded back once more. The essence from the skull had bolstered him only so much and the Old One’s actions within his prison were not doing well to preserve such energy. Hazumi kept quiet for a moment turning the words in her head and looking for their true meaning. It was reasonable for that to be Szayeis' first job, considering his unfortunate predicament. And there was probably nothing wrong with that desire. Probably. "What about the world then? What follows? Who rules? And how?" She asked as if she was a curious child asking about the next chapter of a bed-time story. The Western lord’s eyes turned to Hazumi and for a brief moment they again flickered, now revealing the Chimeric blue of the eyes of Praestrigia before they again became white. [B]“As I said, I could tell you, but you would not like it. Perhaps chaos would rule, but not destruction. These realms interest me, as do their inhabitants. I am not like [I]him[/I] even though I am [I]of[/I] him.”[/B] Szayeis sighed and seemed to almost rub his temples, something he’d picked up from his time in the human world: Surface. The demon, very briefly, smiled somewhat at the thought of chaos ruling, for chaos was his power and if it ruled, so did he. He didn’t care if Hazumi picked up on these thoughts, it wasn’t like he’d be able to leave the West, his prison, any time soon. It was now up to Lautumiae to keep the Old One sealed, he could do only so much, as his power was gradually waned. Hazumi lifted her eyes to stare into Szayeis’. “The humans as your toys, angels just a feast? …What about him then? What would he do?” “Return from whence he came, and remain there,” he growled vehemently. “The races could do as they pleased...somewhat,” the lord shook his head and then rubbed his shadowy temples. “What is it you really want Hazumi?” “I want to hear it from him. Let him speak.” she smirked. “I know you can.” The nightwalker rose from his throne and vanished before the darkness of the room began to press in on Hazumi, as if trying to crush her. The force was pushing her towards the room’s exit. “Oh, I can, but I will not. I won’t do it for you, nor any other. Giving him hold enough to speak through me is giving him far too much. It is dangerous for both myself, first and foremost, and the world.” The nightwalker’s tone was almost furious, but at the same time it was one that hinted at how tired Szayeis truly was, for despite all his power, the prisoner he was holding fast was far...far stronger, and he knew that. The darkness was making it obvious that she had overstayed her welcome and Hazumi saw no reason to resist. She had come here seeking answers to a question transcending her understanding, and perhaps even Szayeis' own. Who deserved to win or lose, live or die. In the end, maybe only time could tell. Getting to her feet she sent one last look in Szayeis' direction and started at the door. Stepping outside she turned around and gave the Chimeric Lord a deep bow. As she rose from her bow and turned the door would shut, the two white embers that were Szayeis’ eyes briefly flickering to the piercing blue of Praestrigia. Finally the Nameless Aide would manifest, behind her, to escort her from the Citadel. Who was to say what would happen or which of the two beings would win in the end...but for everyone’s sake, hopefully the answer would simply be neither. Hopefully. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ian woke with a start. It wasn’t fear that had woken him so much as surprise. No, nightmares, but a very odd dream that was for sure. It had seemed so real. Ian slid out of the bed on bare feet and dropped to the floor. The wood was cold against his bare chest as he rooted under the bed for something. Finally he latched onto a flat wooden box and pulled it out from under the bed. Popping off the lid he pulled out a leather bound sketch book. As he flipped through it he smiled at many of the earlier drawings but the later ones caused him to frown. That had been after he’d been attached to Koshmar. Rooting in the box Ian produced a set of colored pencils, with them in hand he began to draw. It had been forever since he’d done this for something other than a nightmare. His ears colored slightly as he worked on getting Hazumi just right. It was odd drawing her especially having her in his dream. From there he moved on to the castle and the beings he’d witnessed within. It took him almost and hour of drawing and several pages of the notebook before he was satisfied. Setting everything down he stared down at the drawings. What the hell? Ian closed the book and tapped it against his lips thinking. What was going on? It hadn’t felt like a dream. It had felt like a [b]Memory[/b]. Ian pursed his lips in contemplation of that. Had Hazumi done this to him? and if so had it been on purpose or an accident. As if that wasn’t enough to think about, where was she and who had she gone to see. Perhaps when he went to get Fidrieon he should ask her. Biting his lip he walked to the window and opened it. Loom was still dark. Looking at the clock it read 4:30. While it was normal for him to be up at strange hours he was suprising well rested. Ian smiled. he could get use to this. At the same time he was annoyed by the lack of Fidrieon’s presence, it made him feel more dangerous than normal and he was use to feeling very confident in his abilities. It reminded him of when he was younger and he wore blades. Whenever he went out without them he’d always felt strangely disadvantaged. Dismissing the feeling he turned back to his bed. Well if he wasn’t going to have nightmares at the very least he could take advantage of his time without Fidrieon. Ian crawled back into bed and immediately fell back asleep.