[Center][i]”She sees us as children and children cannot make their own choices.”[/i][/center] [hr] [center][sub]Sylann’s Conquests and Moss VIII Part III[/sub][/center] Rahdayo felt his chest constrict and he grunted as the blinding flash of white hot pain hit his core. It was the only thing keeping him conscious, strange as that was. In that past, he had always fainted at any sort of overwhelming pain. Like the time he had dislocated his arm and father put it back into place. He had blacked out. Or that time Teefee had gotten into a brawl with children and someone had thrown a rock right between his eyes. Rah smirked at that memory before the pain hollowed out any emotion but despair. No, he didn’t faint anymore. He just suffered. He looked at his arm, veins bulging and glowing red as the flesh blackened, turning his skin into something monstrous. Each pulse, each heartbeat, was pushing the infection further throughout his body. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. What had started as a whispered promise had slowly morphed into a graceless lie. The creature had spoken to him with such honeyed words, feeding on Rahdayo’s own insecurities as it promised and promised. He had been such a stupid fool. Jealous and afraid of being left behind. Zafrina, he understood why the elemental power had suffused itself with her. But Teefee? The one he had confessed to love? How it had made him feel when she emerged changed. It only became worse when the spirits had denied him. His wife… His precious wife. He had resented Teefee and in that resentment… he let himself be seduced by a foul thing. He had no name to call it but corruption. So he fled his friends, his lover, his family- in shame. Now the corruption lived inside him. Changing him. It stole his time. It fed on his emotions. It churned and rooted itself deep in his soul, bit by bit. It had said that pain was now the gateway to true bliss. That all else was a lie. He was beginning to believe it. Rah stumbled on a tendril of fleshy vine and fell face first into the red and black bramble. Thorns scraped and cut his cheek and forehead. He wiped the trickle of blood, smearing it on his torn cloak. The blood was a dark red, flecked with black. Would it soon be black entirely? He sat up with his thoughts hammering his head into an ache. The cold shadow of the place bit into his remaining flesh, the places where his clothes were naught but tatters. He looked up at the tall expanse of black wall. Monumental. All encompassing. And Rahdayo could not remember how he had gotten there. He had simply woke up on a blackened beach with a bloody ocean at his back and he knew, deep down, this was most likely hell. Where all Talyrians went. But as he walked, the whispers in his mind, the voice of the corruption, had given him knowledge. He had been imprisoned, sent behind the great black wall where the misjudged lay. So he began to walk. Salt and iron filled his noise as the sea breeze came. It was nauseating as always. But as he went to plug his nose with his fingers, his eyes caught a flicker of light in that dark landscape. A fire. Rahdayo began to walk some more. [hr] Moss grumbled as rain fell in thick wet drops. Splatterings of mud and other unsavory ground detritus had soaked her boots and lower pant legs. She knew Teefee hated the rain, so the girl must be somewhere dry at least. The problem was finding her. Which meant Moss had to wander aimlessly, at night, in the rain. Guided only by lantern lights and the warm glow of taverns and inns as she trekked. Water ran past her, down into grates that hid a world Moss shivered just thinking about. Still, she was amazed at the technology. Sylann truly was the largest and most advanced city she had come across, besides home of course. But she couldn't really compare the two. A man walked past Moss, staggering slightly as his foot came down in a puddle, splashing Moss’s already soaked coat further. He didn't seem to pay attention to her and Moss grumbled under her breath. Why was she really out in this godsforsaken weather? If it had been Zafrina who had run off, Moss would have just found an inn and waited for her to return. But of course, it was Teefee. Why did Teefee never listen to her? Moss had given her explicit instructions and then, of course, she slipped away. Becoming imbued with wind hadn't made Teefee any less of a nuisance. If anything, it had emboldened her. Especially now that she could seamlessly use Rose. Still, if there was trouble to be found, Teefee would find it. They all wanted to find Rahdayo but going off on one's own in a strange place, aloof as she was… Moss needed to find her. But she was beginning to think it would be quite impossible in a city this large, in the rain, without any leads. And then the sword, turned medallion, began to whisper. The voices were jumbled, excited, frightened, angry and insane. Moss couldn’t make out what they were saying with the rain roaring. She reached for it and the moment she touched it, even through her clothes, one word became clear- DANGER! The goblin tensed, backing up to a building as she scanned the dim street before her. There was a dirge of sound coming from inside the building, singing and roaring laughter that Moss had to make herself ignore. But the steady patter of rain muffled anything in the wet world she stood in. She spotted it first. Emerging from a far alleyway, a tall person, shrouded in rain. Its head reached the second floor of the buildings it passed as it made a beeline for Moss, as if it knew she was there pressed against the wall. An instinct told her to run, to hide but as the shape loomed forth ever closer Moss could see that it held something underneath an arm and that the rivulets of water running down its metallic skin caught the light like a shimmering fire when it passed by any lit building. It was now undeniable that it knew what it was looking for. It came right up to her and Moss felt her spine shiver as the Watcher stood over her like a dark mountain. She had seen it in the coliseum. She knew what it was dangerous and Moss really didn't feel like testing it to see just what it was capable of. She wrenched her eyes away from the blank face with its floral crown, to what it held. And now her heart began to beat faster as her eyes widened. It carried both an unconscious Zafrina and Nikan under its left arm. She at least hoped they were unconscious. Moss gripped the hilt of her sword, knowing it would be useless but maybe… It spoke and the voice startled Moss. It was feminine and soft, almost quiet. “The Maker requires your presence. Follow and you will be unmolested.” “Wha…?” Moss’s voice faltered before she cleared her throat and asked, “What have you done to my friends?” “They would not comply. Actions were undertaken to ensure their continued compliance. It would be inadvisable to react aggressively.” The Watcher said in return. “And where are you going to take us?” Moss asked, “To this Maker?” The pendant around her neck hummed in excitement. “That is correct. Follow now.” And the Watcher turned, walking away. It did not look at Moss again and she cursed under her breath as she jogged after the thing. It's stride easily ten of her own steps. They took a very winding path, walking through alleyways and debris strewn roads until they reached an empty thoroughfare next to a high walled section of the city. In the darkness and rain, Moss could not see beyond the wall. It's imposing presence even dwarfed the Watcher. Zafrina and Nikan did not stir as the Watcher walked through a gate guarded by statues of metal even larger than it… Or she? They entered an extensive area of actual plants and trees. Villages dotted the landscape as they took the winding path upwards, to another section of the structure. The rain finally let up and Moss cranes her neck to, pausing to see the structure that defied the very laws of gravity. Floating and twisting about it each other as a megalith of art. “Where are we?” Moss asked, pulling her hood off. The fresh air ran coils through her tresses of hair. It felt good on her ears too. “The Atelier.” The Watcher said in flat monotone. “And what is the Atelier?” “The Maker erected it before the city that grew up around it. It is a place of learning, craftsmanship and where novices become masters.” Moss was surprised by how forthcoming the Watcher was being. But perhaps… Perhaps that was just common knowledge? “And why are we here?” “The Maker awaits you in the final tier.” “I see.” Moss said after a time when nothing more was said. They continued up through the tiers, coming across a few people out collecting water from rain barrels. When they saw the Watcher, they hurried inside their hovels and workshops. There was no more conversation to be had, despite the questions that were lingering inside of Moss. Try as she might, she only received one worded answers as they reached the third tier. Here they passed a gate guarded by stone Watchers. The likeness was deliberate, she realized, and Moss wondered who had come first. The statues of the Watcher or the Watcher itself? When they arrived at the grand building, the Watcher did not pause as she walked through the doors and into the lit hallways. Moss hesitated to follow. Was she ready to meet this Maker? She clutched at the pendant upon her chest, the thrum was powerful now, the voices a mass of unintelligible whispers. “Where are you Masy?” she whispered aloud, hoping her namesake, the poor foxgirl who had sacrificed herself for her parents, consumed by the sword, was still fighting for control or at least, keeping the other victims from control. Warmth blossomed in her hand, radiating into her chest. A warning or a welcoming? Moss closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them and took a step inside the building. The moment her foot touched the ground, Moss was in a new place. A moment of disorientation overwhelmed her and she almost collapsed to the floor as her head swam. She began to hear a faint buzzing, and the smell of something metallic overpowered her nose, like iron and… Blood. As her eyes adjusted, Moss saw something that made her heart stop. Before her, not thirty paces away, was a creature she could not fathom. It’s body was…flowing? As if molten silver had taken shape into something humanoid, except, it was not like any being she had ever seen. Its chest had ripped open and what looked like a thousand arms were stretched out before it, working, moving, slithering… It’s head snapped up and Moss took a step back into the wall, expecting a monster- but no, it had a feminine face that swirled and wavy silver hair that seemed to be drifting on an unseen breeze. But her eyes, oh her eyes, they looked upon Moss with such scrutiny, Moss felt as if she was being stripped bare. Moss felt as if she was pinned there for an eternity. Then the woman brought up her hand, and Moss was free but she did not look away. The woman’s slim fingers became splayed in the air and Moss, suddenly mesmerized from the swirling light that glanced off the petite fingers, watched with increasing horror, as the same fingers split apart, writhing into a mass of liquid metal wires. Moss watched, unable to look away now, despite the scrutiny, despite the mass of appendages working in a blur, no, she watched as the wires snaked down, down, down until they reached a shape upon the table before the woman. Had there always been a table there? What was… The wires connected to a skull. A silvery skull. It was turned to look at Moss and the goblin woman realized it wasn’t really a skull, at least not from the front. No, from the front, it almost looked familiar? It had the same silver eyes like the woman standing over it, working on it, as Moss now realized. But the difference was, these eyes- There was no scrutiny there, just a sadness that made Moss blink. Moss began to take in the full picture and the shape of that face, so familiar… With triangular ears jutting from the sides, a petite, almost childlike face. A small button nose and lips that- Movement from the mouth caught her attention and Moss stared in confusion at first before realizing it was repeating two words. ‘Mistress run’. Moss’s eyes went wide and now she truly saw what was before her. The familiar shape, the shredded clothing. The metallic smells. The blood. Oh gods, all the blood. On the floor, dripping off the table, being collected in suspended vats. That blood was then dripping into silvery liquid which was then being pumped back into the lithe body on the table. A body subdued and pinned, a long, now, silvery tail hung lifeless off to the side. The towering woman continuously stared at Moss as her appendages moved with inhuman speed as they worked upon the body below it, reshaping and and and violating! The figures eyes, eyes Moss had seen a thousand times before were not sad, but pleading. And [i]her[/i] mouth, ever repeating, over and over- ‘Mistress run’. It was Teefee. Moss was screaming and charging before she even knew it. The pendant at her chest burned through her clothing, becoming a mighty mercurial sword. The monster that worked upon her daughter’s body, at last showed a flicker of emotion- her eyes widened as Moss jumped. With the sword clutched tightly in her hands, everything slowed. She was bringing the sword down over the monster’s head but her appendages in her chest began to recoil, being absorbed into her body and she was tilting to the side so quickly, Moss knew she would miss. But the sword- the sword seemed to scream all at once and with a burst of speed, it fell forward and metallic sparks exploded over the area. Time seemed to return and Moss tumbled forward, losing her grip on the blade. She fell past the monster and when she scrambled to look back, Moss was shocked to see she had severed the wires connecting the monster to Teefee’s head. The monster seemed to be frozen as it stared at the severed appendages. The hand slowly fell, fingers reshaping, all save her pinky. The monster looked at her now deformed hand and after a prolonged second, she looked at Moss. The creature now strode for her and in three quick steps, loomed over Moss. Her expression was one of disbelief and curiosity. Moss looked towards the Mercurial sword, only to find that it was pinned by an object of glowing white. A net of some sort, holding the struggling blade underneath. The monster reached out towards her and Moss scrambled back, angling herself towards where Teefee lay. “Stay away from me and my daughter!” Moss shouted. The door to the room swung open and the monster paused. The Watcher strode in and deposited Nikan and Zafrina onto the floor like sacks of grain. The Watcher immediately began to stride towards Moss but the beautiful monster held up a hand and the Watcher froze in place. “You’re dying.” The woman suddenly said. Moss didn’t understand at first. Her heart was pounding. Her blood was hot and angry. She looked down at her hands and saw the slow creep of silver veins. She had wielded the sword. “Mortals were not meant to wield divine weapons.” The monster said softly, raising her damaged hand. “Still. I am impressed. My creations that can harm divinity all have a failsafe, they cannot touch me and yet, you managed to do so. In the end, the price is paid in your death. Go to her, if you must.” Moss felt the pain then. Flaring up inside of her like a hot knife in waves starting at her hands. “Teefee…!” Moss said, stumbling to her feet as she made her way to her daughter. When she reached Teefee, Moss felt like she was going to be sick. The only thing recognizable from what Teefee had been, was the general small shape of her body and her expressive eyes. Everything else was metallic. There was a cavity from just below her neck all the way past her stomach, pulsing with light and intricate wires. Moss could see no organs and as she watched, the cavity was slowly sealing itself shut. There was no visible scarring. Teefee jerked her head towards Moss and shrugging past her own discomfort, Moss took one of Teefee’s hands and with her other, began to caress Teefee’s cold face. The texture was smooth and Teefee barely squeezed Moss’s hand back. “M-Mistress…” Teefee said slowly. “Teefee hurts.” Moss grimaced as a flash of pain ran down her core. “I-I know baby. I know. You’ll be alright. I promise.” “Teefee… T-Teefee should have l-listened.” Teefee’s lips curled into a very soft smile. “It’s okay darling. It’s okay. I should have found you sooner. I should have protected you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Moss felt tears run down her cheeks. The wetness in stark contrast to her burning skin. “Mistress u-used the sword to help Teefee.” The cat girl said as a fact. “W-Why would Mistress do- do that?” the words caught in Teefee’s throat and her body began to shake as if sobbing. “Because, a parent will do anything for their kids, Teefee.” Moss smiled through the pain. She could feel the silvery veins crawling up her neck now. “L-Listen to me now,” Moss said, her voice quickening. “Do not blame yourself for this. I chose this. You have to get out of here, Teefee. You have to find Rahdayo. You have to-” Moss winced as she felt her knees buckle but she leaned forward still, using her thumb to caress Teefee’s lower cheek. “You have to live despite this change. Do not become a puppet. Do not-” Moss slumped to the ground as she began to seize. Teefee cried out as she pulled at the restraints binding her. One by one they snapped and she slid off the table to be next to Moss. Now it was Teefee who grimaced against pain as she held Moss in her lap. Moss’s seizure stopped and she looked up into Teefee’s new but old face. She saw the kitten in that back alleyway, filthy as can be, so long ago. She smiled. “...Love you.” she murmured, before her body broke down into mercury. It slid through Teefee’s fingers, pooled and then streamed towards the sword. “M-Mama…” Teefee cried. Before it reached the sword. The God pulled it into a vial of crystalline glass. She loomed over Teefee now. “Teefee hates you!” Teefee gritted, looking up at the God. “Hate is irrelevant. I’ve a task for you.” “Teefee won’t help you!” Teefee’s claws protracted and dug into the floor. “You made Teefee cold! You made Teefee hurt!” “Do you not see the futility in denying me? Your companions,” She pointed to the still slumped Zafrina and Nikan, “Are now at my mercy. You will perform a task for me and I will let them go.” Teefee hissed but it was tinged with a metallic ringing. “There is another Pantherasapien in Sylann. I need you to go find this person and bring them back to me. This serves a dual purpose. You must also familiarize yourself with your improved state. Surely you would not wish to see your companions come to harm or further improvements?” The God asked in a no nonsense tone, as if totally unaware of the threat implied and only saw it as a matter of fact. Teefee slammed her fist into the ground, shattering the stone. Her anger was total. She had just lost the one person who had loved her unconditionally. Rahdayo was gone. Zafrina and Nikan could be next. All Teefee had to do was this task and they could all be free? But another one of her kind, could she allow what happened to her, to happen to another? At that moment, Teefee realized she didn’t have a choice. Teefee dipped her head. “We’ll be free? You’ll tell us where Rahdayo is?” “I promise to let your companions be at peace and to tell you where Rahdayo has gone in exchange for the completion of this task.” The god responded. “Fine. Teefee will do this.” “Affirmative. The Pantherasapien was last seen at the Northbound docks. I want them alive.” Teefee stood, a flash of disgust running across her face as she looked down at her metallic body. She turned and strode on uneasy feet towards the door, tail swaying to and fro. Teefee paused briefly as she looked at Zafrina and Nikan. She wanted to tell them about Moss but Teefee doubted they’d be able to understand what had happened and why she looked like… a monster. So she left. Sylia held up the liquid of the one who had once been Moss, mind computing ideas and simulations before she looked over at Gift, the sword who had harmed her. “What will I do with you?” Sylia asked herself. “A tool that harms its master… Is no tool.” [hider=Summary] Wherein we briefly see what has happened to Rahdayo since last we saw him, how Moss has been looking for Teefee and what happens when she finally does find her wayward pupil. Teefee is then given a task. [/hider]