[IC] ::Shadow of the Colossus - Wrath of a Scorned God::

[ReaptheMusic]

Dormin waited a moment, holding out both of his hands slowly.

As he did, Riin heard the red-haired woman mutter an insult; 'sycophant.' Not knowing who in particular the woman had meant to insult, her eyes slid over to the woman on the outskirts of the group. She muttered back to her, "Střední hubená mrcha..."

Dormin raised his hands up.
"Several Warriors... Several Foes... " He closed his fingers into his palm, making a fist. "To Grant Your Wish... I Must... Be Restored To Power." He lowered his arms. "Are You Willing To Sacrifice Something Dire, For A Wish? I Will Not Lie, It Is A Powerful Price To Pay... To Gain What You Desire." Behind him, the dark haired woman stroked the infants cheek. A flash of sadness went through her face before she stepped forward, walking through Dormin.
"My name is Mono." She swallowed, her fingers shaking. "I cannot fight.. but I will be your guide." She stepped forward, walking to them with her head down. Beside her, a dark horse with a white diamond on his face walked slowly to the group.

"So... You will grant all of us a wish...?" Riin asked, suddenly seeing the foolishness of her actions. Yet she didn't apologize.

"You Want Your Wish Granted... You Will Slay The Colossus."

[Argetlam350]

There was the catch, so we were to kill these colossi for this Dormin, then we could have our wishes."You say several foes, how many colossi are we talking about since it doesn't sound like it's just one of these creatures we shall fight."
Zaccar felt uneasy how Dormin said he needed to be restored to power, he had little trust in this Dormin now seeing him, he had assumed Dormin was human but this thing that stood before them definitely was not human, and did not seem to be of anything of good nature but perhaps he was wrong, it was hard to say. In any case the only thing that mattered was regaining his memories and saving his own life from the curse he suffered. The others here probably wanted wishes of fortune and unimportant items that he did not care about, why else would they be here? He did not see them suffering so why did they need there wishes? Ultimately though he did not care what they asked for as long as he got what he wanted.

[Leviathan]

“So feisty.” Red chuckled to the woman’s ineffective resort of derogatory insults and winked.

If no one knew better, which they did not, some might mistake her teasing for flirtation. Perhaps they would be right and since she did not discriminate when it came to love no matter what gender, it was difficult to say what her preference was from the outside looking in. Truly Red desired the company of men but did not pass up any opportunity, which possibly labeled her as promiscuous. Maybe she was searching for something on a deeper level but had not found it in anyone yet, who truly knew? Trying to read this crimson thief was like trying to navigate the vast seas with a map sketched by a toddler—nearly impossible.

Her attention then befell to Dormin once again as he laid out the catch as these fellow wanderers probably expected. Red listened with an unfazed expression as though bored by this banter and leaned her head against the pillar. Paying little mind to the shadows heeding words because what dire price could this be? She had nothing to offer this ghost besides her soul which he could take right now if he so asked. She did not need such a thing and had already prepared to be sent to the fiery pits of an underworld abyss anyway for past, previous, and future deeds committed. At this current moment everything seemed too good to be true—except for the little fact of slaying an ancient titan.

After the white knight spoke Red interjected with a few questions of her own.“Sounds glorious for I slay giants on my idle time already. How will I find this colossus and how does it die? I doubt simple daggers and arrows will befall it?” The words were plainly spoken as she gazed to the light gauntlet on her arm and adjusted its position.

[BlueBravado]

A tight hand clung to Mythrend. Able's once slightly amused expression had become stoic. His anger toward the others beside him subsided to the emotions that started to shake him like the shadow-man's voice. Their questions just overwhelmingly piled on top of his own. What would become of him when restored to full power? Was honor the only thing keeping him to help them in return? Still, Able was silent. These questions wouldn't help his cause, only his hope would. He drew in a deep breath, as well as a gain of confidence; his hope would help him survive.

With a dramatic turn, Able came to leaning a his staff with a soft expression of amiability on his face for the crowd. "I am looking forward to working with every one of you. May we find a prosperous future ahead of us."

His words were genuine, he knew. He couldn't have asked for a better group of companions to do the impossible. Admittedly, he hadn't the slightest clue of who they were, where they came from, or what they were after, but they could fight. They could possibly not kill each other in the process if they kept the one damsel's mouth shut, and the other from throwing a tantrum. He secretly thanked that the other man that didn't pose a threat to him as well. This place felt too much like home, it's holy serenity leaking from it's cracked walls. These people all reminded him of his travels, Bandits, soldiers, queens, and the inexplicable appearing before him. He was ready to feel the sun on him again, take another breath before the chaos ensued.

[ReaptheMusic]

Dormin slowly faded, but his voice remained.
"Sixteen Giants Awaken The Tongue Of Your Blades. Leave Something To Represent Your Wish On The Altar."

He hadn't answered any of their questions, at least not directly. He left the warriors alone now... the woman with dark hair mounting her horse and waiting, keeping the infant cradled in her arm. Riin, scowling, decided to go through with this, as much as she didn't like it. She approached the Altar first, considering what to lay down... before taking something out of her satchel. A now dried and wilted flower. Her hand trembled as she laid it down on the altar and walked away, calling Nittyo and mounting him, sitting beside the dark haired woman who called herself Mono.
She'd said that she could take them to the colossi... but not fight? She wondered what power this woman possessed and eyed her suspiciously. Dormin had said something about something in their blades awakening... what did that mean?

[GreatSalmon]

"ah HA! I knew it!"

From the bottom of the steps climbed another. Hema ran upward, grasping the hilt of his sword from his back. The newcomer held his head high towards the crowd of people, and began to monologue upon starting up the stairwell. [i]"I knew that dark manipulation would lurk in lands such as this! Corrupt, spooky gods like yourself have no right to control such innocent, helpless wanderers! Now, approach me Doonim! For your judgement falls nigh-" One slip on the final step sent Hema up in the air, a cocky grin replaced with that of absolute fear. When gravity had finally decided to started up again, Hema crashed hard onto the temple's floor. His sword went sliding across said surface, and right to Dormin's very feet. With a defeated groan, he tried to pick himself up with no avail. He felt like a broken egg, and his mind scrambled equally. "Stand... stand back everyone... I got this one."

(I hope this was alright. :S)

[Leviathan]

“Dearest, do not be too sure of that statement just yet.“ Red smirked to the man with the staff as a wicked glint beamed behind her radiant emerald hues, and took a step forward to the alter.

Red knew instantly what to place on the pedestal and unlatched her bandit insignia porcelain face mask, raising the item up in the air and wiping some dirt from it. Hands set the disguise down without hesitation or reservation and backed away looking to the others briefly. Black boots walked toward the steps not waiting for the others to offer up their significant element. Her head did not even turn to gaze back before speaking; she simply wandered on ready to expedite this long adventure. A sensation of excitement began to consume her entire being not able to predict the coming events. Everything she had been searching for lead to this and she was finally following a suitable path after all these years, and it was absolutely gratifying.

“Since this has now become a product of us, let us take lea--” Words and footsteps were interrupted as a bustling fool loudly stampeded into the holy sanctum.

Red simply sidestepped before the stooge could fall on top of her, instead watching with a raised brow as he tumbled toward the hard ground. She blinked twice before slightly shaking her head with perplexity, and then scratched the side of her temple with an index finger. She came to the realization that this scene was actually quite hilarious and could not contain a smile much longer.

“Ah, Sir Steadfast. We have been anxiously anticipating your arrival but you are late Sire. His name is Dormin and we are leaving. Good day to you—and good luck…you’ll be needing it.” A patronizing laugh could be heard as she left his side to venture out to the valley and ready her horse.

After strolling down the steps she scanned the area not sure where that creature had wandered off to.‘That damn horse’ she cursed privately. “You there, yes you.” She called and finally whistled without using her fingers to the stubborn beast. It trotted over pompously sharing almost an uncanny resemblance of grandiose like its new owner. She would have to keep an eye on this creature least it begin to think he had some authority. A foot once again placed itself into the stirrup and hands gripped the hom pulling herself onto the saddle. There she waited for the others to take their place and would then trot off following the Woman named Mono.

[BlueBravado]

Able was only a step behind his red-haired similar, but what he saw made him grim under his amiable face. He new a sign of danger when he saw one, and he had seen this one before. After letting her out of arms' distance, which he wasn't sure was out of hesitation or courtesy, he knelt to place his token on the holy relic. His hands untied a leather cord from around his neck that held a string of oddly shaped and colored baubles, balls, rings, and rocks. It felt like a weight being taken off of his neck he was happily waiting for. He stood, renewed in a motivation that he could now see as substantial. This was the beginning.

Before he could really appreciate his sentimental moment, an even newer -and much more horizontal- face joined the company of their escaping party. He grimaced at the sympathetic pain of the taste of this floor and a pretty woman's teasing. With an exaggerated reach of his staff, he shuffled the new boys - erm, strange pointy stick - back into the reach of his arm, and held out a hand for the other.

He was about to shout to his mare, faithfully lying where he had left her, but choked on the words while that she-thief mounted hers. No more bandit tongue, not until he was more acquainted. Able didn't know what to make of the party as they lay some personal part of them aside, he would have just that to know them for now.

"Hail friend! We are not so helpless as to sit idly by here, as victims. We will quest on our own, to confront Dormin more fatefully again. Do you care to join us?"

Perhaps this invitation isn't very polite, considering i am bringing him to monster he does not know. Oh well, he seems the type to bring...something to the party.

[Argetlam350]

Ignoring the new comer, Zaccar stepped forth pulling out a piece of cloth that on it held an image of a woman holding a child. He had no idea who the woman was, only that he awoke with it in his hand. The faces of the woman and child were smudged, as if they were melting in a creepy sense. Blood splatted on the piece of parchment as well as ash. He placed the image down amongst the other items the others had placed and stepped down the stairs getting on his horse, Tupaka and heading over to where Mono was, awaiting to get moving and begin this new quest. How hard could it be?
He thought to himself ,I've faced monsters, monsters these fools would not know of unless they came from the lands I came from. A few colossi shall merely be another task of destroying evil lives that needed to be put down.
Though as he thought this, his mind also thought about Dormin, what was he? Another monster perhaps? If so then why did he need these colossi destroyed to regain power, did they take it and if so why? Was there a reason? So many questions with no means of answering them.

[ReaptheMusic]

Dormin glanced at the new Warrior at his feet just before he faded away. "I Did Not Summon thee. Begone."

Riin glanced at the poor sap. "Hey, We're taking off now so... yeah... " She glanced at her new companions, shrugging and unsure of what to say. Mono, ever with her eyes on the future, started up riding Agro. As she was in the sun, she took the sword from her hip and held it into the light. Amazingly enough, the light pointed a placed not too far, just to the cliffs beyond in the valley. Mono rode, silent, in lead to the companions beside her.

As the rode, Riin looked at the companions. "How did I get stuck with a sorry lot as you," She muttered, then spoke up. "Hey. How the fuck did you find out about Dormin?"

[Leviathan]

Fingers jiggled the reins a bit subtly commanding for “midnight” to begin following Mono’s horse in a steady gallop. Wind began rustling through Red’s lengthy crimson locks appearing as a blazing fire. The simple landscape was breathtaking and created a serene feeling among the tension shared amongst the unique group. She was especially hard to anger and had no qualms with any of these strangers; in fact, grunges did not exist with anyone in her past. It was freeing to hold no hard feelings toward people, and anger was an emotion that corrupted the ability to fight and see things clearly. A thief could not allow themselves to be hindered by such petty emotions, and they certainly could not afford that luxury.

“Such fowl words uttered by a lady.” Red quipped to the woman.

“Perhaps we should introduce ourselves since we shall most likely be spending days together. My name’s Red and learning about such marvels like what Dormin has to offer, and then taking them is my specialty.” She added with a grin.

Who knew honesty and thievery went hand in hand?

[Argetlam350]

"Does it matter how we found out about Dormin," Zaccar asked bluntly ",We are each here for our own reasons and once this is done we all will go our separate ways.There is nothing to talk about."
Zaccar had no reason to learn about these people, he didn't want to learn anything about them. He merely wanted to complete the task at hand and get his wish. Why should he care to learn about the others, one tried to kill all of them, the one who had called herself Red was to optimistic for his taste, one new guy who's introduction had not impressed him, and the final guy, the bandit. What else did he need to know about them?
"Plus why would you want to know how we learned about Dormin. You were the one who was trying to kill us," Zaccar directed at the armored woman.

[Argetlam350]

Zaccar did not wait for an answer instead he pulled ahead of the others, only Mono in front of him. He carefully reached up and removed his helmet, revealing his face and placed the helmet on his belt, having a means of hook it on so it would not fall off. How he had gotten hear was a strange story indeed for he had been led by dreams, as he slept he saw this forgotten land and the temple of Dormin. He had not known how he had know its name but it just came to him in his dreams and it drove him to find it, in hopes of remembering who he was and getting rid of this curse that he was doomed with. He just hoped the others would never see the mark of the curse, and that it didn't spread and consume the rest of his sanity and ultimately be consumed by the curse.
As the road they past by a large structure, at least first it looked like a large structure. On closer inspection it had eyes, and a face. Was this one of the colossus, wasted away in time? If it was it had been deceased for quite some time, so it would seem this wasn't the first time someone had fought the colossi but how far did they get? Did the fail or succeed, and if they had succeeded why were there still more colossi to destroy? Looking at the colossus Zaccar couldn't help but feel some for of awe and respect about it. It was magnificent but in the end if he had to kill such beasts to beat his curse and regain his memories so be it.

[ReaptheMusic]

Riin had quieted at his remark, growling. She'd tried. They rode on in silence for a good while, until Mono stopped at a great cliff. She put her sword away and turned Agro around.

"This is where I leave you," The stony voice of Mono came. "The creature is up these cliffs. You must climb... or forget your trials."

With that she kicked the black horse in the ribs, riding back to the temple. Riin watched her leave, and dismounted her steed. She looked around for a way up. "How the hell are we supposed to climb?" She asked, to no one in particular. After a moment she leaned in, and gripped some overgrown moss. She pulled herself up... and dropped down. She cursed, inwardly. She grabbed the ribbons of her armor and pulled them off. With a heavy CLUNK it fell to the ground, leaving her with her sword at her hip, a black shirt, and an armored waist. She hoisted herself and began to climb.

[Argetlam350]

Zaccar dismounted as well, and seeing how they must climb, he began as well by grabbing hold of the moss on the rock which was surprisingly strong for what it appeared. It wasn't an easy process for his armor weighed him along with his sword and shield but he pressed on, keeping his mind on the goal at hand. It was an excruciation climb to the top but Zaccar did not complain, he remained silent throughout the climb. The sooner it was done the better, then he could get away from these other people. As he climbed he wondered what they would come face to face with. Sure they knew it was a colossus but what did it look like, and more importantly what was its weakness?

[ReaptheMusic]

Riin ran along the edge, jumping a gap and rolling under fallen foliage. "So tell me," Riin called as she ran up the cliffs, climbing where permitted nearly to the top. "What's your name stranger?"

[Argetlam350]

Zaccar followed close behind Riin. When she asked for his name, he debated for a few seconds on whether to share it or not. He still wasn't to thrilled that she had tried killing him before at the temple but ultimately figured there would be no harm in sharing his name at least, after all if they were going to be stuck with each other through these tasks, might as well know names.
"My name is Zaccar, and yours?" he asked.

[ReaptheMusic]

"...Riin..." She smiled at him, finally warming a bit. She got to the top with Zaccar, in silence once more. She looked around, blinking. "There.... There is no beast." She sighed, putting her hands on her knees, tired from the long climb. "Dammit!" Could the God have been lying?

[wait for iiiiittt eue you can post but it's comin.]

[Argetlam350]

"What?" Zaccar exclaimed coming up behind Riin and looking around ",There has to be, unless Dormin has decided to pull the wool over our eyes. No there has to be something." Despite his best effort at hiding it, there was a tint of fear in his voice. He couldn't of traveled all this way for nothing. If he had he wasn't going to shove Dormin's head onto a spear before he died from this curse.
"Dammit!" he exclaimed in frustration as well after Riin ",This can't be it for me, there has to be something here."

[ReaptheMusic]

Just as Riin had turned around to speak, thunder from underground shook where they stood, as though great footsteps were being made and trembling them to their core. Riins head turned around quickly as the colossus emerged. Its long neck poked in the grass as though searching for something. Despite its size, it moved decently slow. Riin took a step back.... the creature was absolutely beautiful and strange. "How are we going to kill something so grand!?" She asked to no one in particular.