[center][h1][b]Collab between Pezz, Skycera and Jamesyco[/b] [color=mediumpurple]N[color=MediumOrchid]i[/color]a[/color] [color=00aeef]Chres[/color] [color=f49ac2]Princess Lys[/color] [color=00a651]Peytr[/color][/h1][/center] Interactions with [@jamesyco] [hr] [hider]Chres hesitated. Was Peytr a Crazed as well? Another chorus of cries. They didn’t have time to wait. Hesitantly he reached out to help the man up, but Lys caught his hand. [color=f49ac2]”He… um… doesn’t like being touched.”[/color] She said looking to Chres and Nia. Chres gave her an anxious frown, as he glanced back in the direction of the cries. Their way out was from that direction as well. [color=a2d39c]”Can you calm him? I’m not sure if we can fight what’s coming.”[/color] Lys pursed her lips, uncertain. [color=f49ac2]”I, don’t know.”[/color] she admitted. [color=f49ac2]”They did something to him, I gathered. Some kind of… procedure...”[/color] The words made Chres’s back stiffen. Images of the basement horrors flashed through his mind. Was Peytr one of them? [color=a2d39c][i]No.[/i][/color] He thought. Peytr didn’t give off the same feeling. Plus he still had a human form… Still though… Chres’s grip tightened on his hatchet. He watched Peytr carefully as he whispered over to Nia beside him. [color=a2d39c]”Nia,-”[/color] He started, [color=a2d39c]”-do you know this man? Is he dangerous?”[/color] Nia cast him a sidelong glance through the blindfold and shook her head. [color=mediumpurple]“I’ve never been down here before, I don’t even really know what they’re doing.. I suppose I had a few hints but my group…”[/color] She paused a moment before correcting herself. [color=mediumpurple]“The people I was with before, we weren’t really trusted yet. It was something my aunt kept pushing for”[/color] She fell silent again, her expression was hard to read through the blindfold but she appeared lost in thought. Lys knelt down beside Peytr. She wasn’t entirely sure what to do here. Comforting individuals never really was her thing. Regardless, she would try. [color=f49ac2]”Hey Peytr… You um… doing okay there buddy?”[/color] She grimaced. Ugh! That was terrible, wasn’t it?! [color=f49ac2]”I mean… No… no… of course you're not. You’ve been in a cage for who knows how long.”[/color] Better… maybe…? [color=f49ac2]”We have to leave Peytr. If we don’t go now, they will put you and myself back in that cage. For now, don’t worry about leading. What we need is someone who can follow. Do you think you are able to follow us, Peytr?”[/color] Yes. That was much better. Peytr stared at them for a second slowly getting back up and nodding as he turned and he just listened, to what he didn’t know. Nor anyone, it was likely just things in his mind. [color=00a651]“Yes… Yes, I can follow, I can follow.”[/color] he whispered quietly. His head snapped around when he was crouched, and he slowly looked at the walls, [color=00a651]“I feel.”[/color] Lys smiled. [color=f49ac2]”Alrighty then. Let’s-”[/color] Lys’s words trailed off as the walls, Petyr was looking at, began to warp. The wall bulged, gradually transitioning from its normal stony coloring, to one more fleshy. A twisted womanly shape began to emerge. Teary eyed. Body distorted and bleeding into the wall. Hands outstretched. Lys’s hand shot her head. An intruding sense normalcy seemed to exude from the monster. Conflicting ideas that her mind actively fought against. This thing was normal. It was human. It was the wall. It is both. It always was both! Accept it! Accept it! ACCEPT IT! “Help… Please…” The monster cried as it reached for the three of them. [color=a2d39c]”RUN!”[/color] Chres Cried out. [color=f49ac2]”But its… I feel…”[/color] Chres grabbed Lys’s arm. [color=a2d39c]”I know.”[/color] He said. [color=a2d39c]”The ideas intruding in all your minds. Accept them and run!”[/color] With effort, she managed to quell the conflict in her head. And then, without further question, she ran. [hr] The thing followed as they fled. It glided along the walls, as if the walls themself were nothing more than water to it. It was one with the walls. A medium that it alone could traverse through. And while in a bigger room, that might not have been an issue, when running through a narrow hallway it was a much greater concern. Nia tailed after the group. It wasn’t that she was less afraid of the creature, no, the person following them. it was instead a strange sense that she was, at least in part, somehow responsible. She was Crazed afterall. It was her people who performed this horrific act. She hadn’t known exactly what was going on down here but she’d gleaned a small idea. The thought made her feel sick. [color=mediumpurple]“Next turn!”[/color] she cried out to whoever was leading them. It was a risk but she felt that she might be able to influence their pursuer, lead them away with a delusion. If nothing else, she knew the twisting sensation of guilt would likely go along with some amount of her sanity, an unhealthy escape she knew; but it wouldn’t be the first time. Lys turned as instructed. [color=f49ac2]”Honestly, what kind of insane nightmare is this?! I mean forget that abomination back there, but are we really going to rely on directions from a blindfolded lady?”[/color] She shouted back. Peytr stared at the wall as he followed almost mindlessly, he saw a face he thought, he saw what he could believe as something beyond himself, it was something human, it was something like what he was to become. It was why they moved him from the others most likely. [color=00a651]“Not nightmare, nightmares are dreams, this is real, this is what happens here, reality, monsters, within, torture, destruction, mind, It is why I want to go back to the others… Their cries, I don’t like their cries, I can feel it in the floor we step on, I feel it in the air.”[/color] [color=a2d39c]”I trust Nia.”[/color] Chres said. Or… at least he trusted her well enough. [color=f49ac2]”Well, so long as Chres trusts you, I guess…”[/color] She said to Nia. [color=f49ac2]”Now back to this Beaut.”[/color] She continued while thumbing over to it. [color=f49ac2]”Care to explain?”[/color] [color=a2d39c]”I don’t know much more than you, but there was a whole room with caged… people elsewhere in the basement. All of them just as twisted.”[/color] Chres said. [color=f49ac2]”Wonderful! Just wonderful. Hey Peytr, my bud. You’ve been here for a while, right? I don’t suppose you have an inkling of what’s going on and how to deal with Miss Lovely back there, do you?”[/color] [color=00a651]”Experimentation, torture, they wish to reach divine, they wish to reach the next step, something like that, they want to change us and watch us grow. They would do things to us to make us change, I didn’t want to change, I didn’t want others to change, they turn into things that aren’t themselves. The face, I knew… I knew the face, face… She was once sweet, kind to the others… They moved us apart, apart… I was strong, kept them from going too far, kept others spirits up… Together strong, alone weak… Alone broken… Please let us go back… I don’t want to see them as your nightmares… I don’t want to see nightmares… I don’t want to see.”[/color] Peytr was gone, it looked as if some of the last shreds of his humanity had fled him from when they left the cellar to now. His eyes were sunken more, and dark with shadow, his hands trembled where there was once resistance, any youth left in the tortured skin was as cracked and coarse. Blue in his eyes was now gray, [color=00a651]”I… want to help her… she was sweet… I… destroy the wall, if there is no wall, and no way to escape, she can be saved… right, we can save her?”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”Break the wall?!?!?”[/color] Lys said Flabbergasted. [color=f49ac2]”And just how do we do that? Punch it? Think I’ll pass. I like my bones intact thank you.”[/color] After Petyr’s words Nia became silent and fell into step once more. She felt uncertain now and more guilty than ever for what she had been part of. Between the broken man accompanying them and the creature, no she corrected herself again, [i]the person[/i] chasing them, the people here, her own people, had been doing monstrous things. Feeling sick with shame she avoided their eyes even behind her blindfold. The group entered a wider room and funneled themselves towards the center of the room, away from the walls. This, however, didn't seem to help as the monster then transitioned from the wall to the floor. [color=f49ac2]”Ah wonderful. I guess the floor is our enemy now too then.”[/color] [color=00a651]”Her name… I don’t remember her name, it started with an M… her name” [/color] He took a deep breath and sighed deeply as he started to move backwards looking at the woman, and then he just stopped,[color=00a651] “face those you lost as if you are a brick wall… we are all monsters… monster, something within us… we are monsters, you are a monster… You are ours, nothing more than that, you will be nothing, and are nothing more than a speck of dust… dust dust… dust, we got to stand… stand, no… she is not enemy, is is victim… she is sweet… she just does not know who she is… there is no running, no way to stop.” [/color] Petyr went from several forms of what could be considered ‘emotions’ starting at something that Lys has maybe seen, and that was almost caring, but the rest was destruction, the rest was almost recited until the end of his rambles. The man’s arms went out, almost instinctually as he continued to move backwards, but he faced the woman in the floor. He knew they couldn’t outrun it for too long unless if there was something hidden in the abilities of the woman. Though he didn’t know what that was, [color=00a651]”What is her name… Mir…Mar…M… Ma…” [/color] What was the thought of it, what was the ideal of her name. He didn’t know her name, he wanted to remember her name. She was sweet. [color=f49ac2]”Mir-Mar-M-Ma. What a wonderful name. Very original. Also a bit a mouthful.”[/color] The thing cried out as if angered by the comment. [color=f49ac2]”I meant it in a good way!”[/color] She shouted back at the thing in protest, passing into another hallway [color=a2d39c]”In a good way?”[/color] Chres repeated questioningly. [color=f49ac2]”Sure! If you like a challenge that ends with your tongue all up in knots.”[/color] Lys squinted at an upcoming opening at the side of the hallway. [color=f49ac2]”I see a way up!”[/color] She exclaimed, while turning the corner. As with all buildings in the Divergent, it was not a stairwell leading upwards but rather a winding wooden ramp with railings and flatten segments that aided in breaking someone’s momentum should the Divergent’s ill fortune cause them to trip. Lys ran up the ramp followed by Chres and the rest. Behind them, Lys could make out a sort of frustrated painful wail. Lys glanced backwards curious by the new cry. The thing had stopped chasing them… or rather, no… it seemed unable to chase them further. She ceased her running and tilted her head curiously. The creature strained, clawing at the wooden ramp but unable to pass through it. It then transitioned to the wall and onto the ceiling, only stopping at a point when the stone met the wooden material that composed the rest of the manor. The creature was unable to proceed. Intrusive thoughts flooded her mind. She understood but at the same time she did not. The understanding was foreign. A similar sensation to the conflicting ideas of normalcy that this thing imposed on her. The thing… it was one and the same as the stone wall, floor and ceiling that composed the basement yes. But it was not one with the rest of the materials which composed the upper levels of the Manor. Lys’s hand went to her head. A dizzying sensation flooded her. Where was this understanding coming from?! These were not her thoughts! Once again, Chres put his hand on her shoulder. [color=a2d39c]”It’s the same as before.”[/color] He said. [color=a2d39c]”Don’t fight it.”[/color] [color=00a651]”That works as well he said looking at the woman, then the floor. Miri… Miram.. Miriam… Strong, and youthful.” [/color] He turned his shoulder back and looked at the woman who seemed to have a bit of a headache. [color=00a651] “Can you lift her up… or at least move her? We should move before… Miriam… yes, Miriam finds a way to walk once again. As much as I think I can do to put her down, it will mean someone will have to carry me as well. Yes… yes…” [/color] [color=f49ac2]”I’m fine.”[/color] She she said, holding up a hand. [color=f49ac2]”Just needed a moment.”[/color] She stood there looking at what had once been Miriam. [color=f49ac2]”She’s stuck there I think. Whatever they did to her, I’m not sure she will ever be able to leave this prison.”[/color] Miriam screamed in rage. Her cries of ‘Help… Please…” perhaps taking on another meaning. The final words of a woman’s lost humanity. Now, nothing more than a monster, Miriam scraped and clawed at the wooden manor walls. Her hands turning bloody in the process. Drool beginning to pool from her mouth. “Help… Please…HEEEEELP! PLEEEEEEAAAASE!” Her words became a roar. Hoarse and feral. Lys turned away. She had seen enough. [color=f49ac2]”Come on.”[/color] She said. [color=f49ac2]”Let’s go.”[/color] [color=00a651]“I will be back for y-y-y-you… I know not how to help except to end the pain once we fall… But I don’t think the others wish to ca… carry me. I may be much thinner from when I met… met you, but, while your memories might not be locked within me, they moments we spent together are with me forever, and with those I give those memories to… I hope I can see you… alive… alive once more in the future.”[/color] As the others proceeded, Nia hung back a moment. There wasn’t much she could do exactly but as she looked at the woman bloodied and fused to the floor an idea came to her. It wasn’t exactly a mercy. It was even quite selfish, like an addict seeking their high. Focusing on the broken mind before her she wove them a delusion of another place. If there was any part of this ‘Miriam’ left then her mind would fill in the details. It was unlikely that they would break free of it if they had no reason nor will to do so. As the delusion took hold, the screaming stopped and the figure slumped forward. Nia took a sharp breath as her own sanity fed her power. She felt the guilt, the shame, the uncertainty, all the feelings of turmoil within her ebb away. She smiled a dizzyingly joyous smile and slipped the blindfold from her face before hurrying to rejoin the others. [hr] The halls of the manor had become eerily silent. That unnerved Chres. Where had all the Crazed gone? [color=f49ac2]”So what now? I don’t suppose you know where the others are Chres.”[/color] [color=a2d39c]”Maybe…”[/color] he said contemplatively. [color=a2d39c]”But I think we would serve them better if we found a way to get these power hampering bracelets off first.”[/color] [color=f49ac2]”That’s why my powers aren’t working?!”[/color] Chres glanced at her. The princess had abilities? Why hadn’t she mentioned this? He kept his thoughts to himself though, watching as a scowl slowly spread across her face. [color=f49ac2]”Ru’Tev! That bastard!”[/color] She said. [color=a2d39c]”I don’t suppose you know where to find the keys?”[/color] Chres asked glancing to Nia. [color=f49ac2]”And why would this woman know such a thing?”[/color] She asked suspiciously. [color=f49ac2]”Who even are you anyway?! Why are you even here?”[/color] [color=a2d39c]”She’s an old acquaintance.”[/color] Chres said quickly. [color=a2d39c]”Of my wife’s actually.”[/color] He then added. Lys, arched an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied. [color=MediumOrchid]“That’s right! I’m an acquaintance of his wife”[/color] Nia clapped a hand on Chres’ shoulder as she passed and spun herself about to face them from the lead. She offered Chres a sly wink and grinned, her energy far different from the basement. [color=MediumOrchid]“Just here to help, y’know, since I’m such a kind person!”[/color] Chres raised his head warily. Just like earlier that night, it felt as if something about Nia had flipped on its head. She spun her removed blindfold about her index finger as she made an exaggerated show of contemplating the bracelets on their wrists. [color=MediumOrchid]“Now.. Why would I know about those? We’re all oh so [i]normal[/i] and [i]reeeasonable[/i] after all”[/color] Casting a quick glance to Petyr she added in an airy tone [color=MediumOrchid]''Well, most of us anyway”[/color]. [color=MediumOrchid]“That said, I, a normal person and acquaintance of Chres’ wife, do know where the keys to the bracelets are. Well, at least I did. There’s always the chance that since you’ve escaped they’ve moved them somewhere more secure.[/color] ” She paused thoughtfully then shrugged [color=MediumOrchid]“That, or they’ve set up some kind of horrifyingly brutal ambush knowing that’s exactly where you would head!”[/color] Nia smiled with a sweetness wildly at odds with their predicament. [color=f49ac2]”Uh-huh… Well I have to say Chres, this [i]normal person[/i] is totally filling me with such confidence.”[/color] Lys said sarcastically, while thumbing at Nia. [color=a2d39c]”Glad to hear it.”[/color] Chres replied curtly, earning him a flat stare from Lys. [color=00a651]”Secure… for most part, these aren’t secure, easy to get off, simple lock… also lot weight… lost a lot of weight… weight. But… they would be somewhere in the main part, away from prisoners… closer to where they did experiments, can’t have extra bits on then… it…. I… it ruins the process I think… Or at least it isn’t as painful as they would want.”[/color] [color=MediumOrchid]”Easy to get off? Simple locks?”[/color] Nia quirked a brow at Petyr. [color=MediumOrchid]”Those are the prisoner cuffs, they’re designed for the people who are supposed to be held here. They are neither of those things… Well, actually they might’ve used different ones in the basement. I don’t know”[/color] she shrugged with an over dramatic flourish. Dropping one hand she scratched her head with the other, loosening a few strands of hair free from her ponytail. [color=MediumOrchid]“Either way, there [i]should[/i] be keys back in the foyer. It’s probably a good place to start.”[/color] Chres nodded absently. As he followed Nia to the foyer. Behind them he heard a few faint inhuman cries screech out. That had been in the direction of the Guest Wing, hadn’t it? A shiver ran down Chres’s back. He hoped the others were okay. Though the best way that they could help was to hurry and get those keys.[/hider]