The Corrupted Warden

[Vai]

The forest was calm this day, but a strange feeling was in the air. A man had collapsed next to a tree; it was Vai, a Warden Adventurer who was originally blind in the real world. The man’s armor was sleek, showing signs of Trebuchet Engine being activated and he lay beside the tree motionless. His eyes were closed, and the only time he would move is when a sound happened anywhere nearby. Looking at the man, one could see he was clearly ill. His skin was turning gray and zombie-like, his hands were looking ragged and his nails were cracking. Whoever this man was, it barely resembled the Vai of the past, instead looking like a decrepit man who was ready to finish his time in the world. Unlike the strange sight of a visibly corrupted Warden, the forest was serene and calming. Probably why Vai was laying beneath the tree in the first place, as one so far corrupted often takes solace from others for fear of their attempts at killing him.

Vai knew not what had happened to his body, he had partied with a couple of heretics, but had no idea that their powers had a lasting effect on him. He began giggling to himself, oh how the world looked with his eyes closed. This is miraculous, each sound was a new way to see the world around him. Atleast, he thought this, in the end he was just hallucinating everything. Birds would chirp in the trees, and Vai’s mind would immediately lock onto where it came from, before another bird would sing and he would then concentrate on that one. “Listen to the bird’s sing... how they know that if they could be seen it would be the end for them.” He laughed loudly, or rather psychotically causing a small, tiny bunny rabbit to become spooked and rush out of a nearby bush. Hearing the sudden rustling of the bush, Vai immediately opened his eyes and shot a single laser at the Rabbit. Of course, he missed, but he had caused the rabbit to change it’s course severely, falling here and there and fighting just to stay standing as it panicked during it’s sharp turn back towards the bush it had just ran from. The sight of this caused Vai to laugh maniacally again.

What had become of me? Vai asked himself as his inner eye saw his own insanity. This wasn’t me, he thought to himself; but his thoughts never reached his consciousness as he cackled once more, firing another laser the moment it came off cooldown, this time at the bush. “Ohhohoh how it runs! Run little bunny rabbit run!” His body stood up, and began shambling towards where he had just shot the laser. With how fast the man was moving, the rabbit had an easy escape, and escape it did. Breaking through the bush, he saw nothing. There was no rabbit to see for yards. “And don’t come back!” Sounding like a raspy old man, his voice had taken a more serious tone before he cackled once more, followed by a hollow cough as he turned around, and meandered back to the tree he was sitting under.

He had sat beneath the tree for long enough, that he was close to dropping a stage in corruption, which would have been stage 3. Sadly, he still had perhaps an entire day to go before he even reached that point; at least without help at the very least. Would he accept help though? Would he even be able to, with his mind currently the way it is? Whatever this was that had afflicted him, Vai could slowly feel himself become closer to normal.

Words: 620
Tags: Bailin,
Notes: Trebuchet Engine online, Purity Core in offense mode. Vai is currently at corruption 78 corruption, putting him in stage 4.

[Bailin]

[nospaces]

HP: 100% MP: 100% RH: Pre- war Luger (lvl 20) LH: Fall back option (lvl 20) QS: Golden Hilt (lvl 21) AR: Flak Jacket (lvl 21)

WC: 438 TWC: 438 Tags Vai Theme Song TS Credits Cortana

It was a calm day, the wind was blowing softly and, despite the time of year, the sun was shining, sending out gentle rays of, artificial, light that went about caressing all they touched with their gentle and warm glow. It was a serene time and place to take a walk in the forest. For some reason hardly anyone ever came here, possibly because they feared the mighty, legendary killer rabbit from an ancient movie. The thought almost left the warden laughing. Suddenly a zap broke the peaceful silence, followed by another one shortly after the first. After that silence, except for a small rabbit that went hurtling past the warden, as if the devil was on his heels, shooting or hurling something that went like *zap, zap* at the poor creature. Or it was just another new guy who wanted to prove himself by killing a rabbit. Drawing out his Luger the warden silently started to sneak upon the presumed origin of the zappy sounds. [break][break] Through the bushes and past the trees the warden noticed a rather familiar construct lounging against a tree. There sat a boy, greyish of skin, in a suit of warden armour. The boy appeared to be tallish, though that also might be the armour and his semi-tall, unkempt hair. Something however unsettled the warden, primarily the greyish skin, as well as the darker shade of the boy’s fingernails. The warden spotted two options, either he would switch to his riffle and just shoot the chap from a distance, or he would have a… chat with boy, just a nice, calm and… friendly chat. The thought made the warden grin, putting his Luger away and standing up again, ready to start dodging the boy’s laser beams if he was to be perceived as a threat. It that would however be the case, this would be a relatively short fight and a missed opportunity for the warden to score karma points by doing that one good and social deed a year. [break][break] Standing up the warden started walking towards the other warden, raising his hands to shoulder level and putting up the mask of a friendly and gentle smile, calling the warden out in the most friendly and warm manner as he could: “Greetings friend, you appear to be in some form of predicament, can I assist you in any way?” Bailin spoke, slowly walking towards the other warden, offering his help, suppressing his desire to run up to the boy, kick him off balance and execute him for being a traitor as he had allowed himself to be corrupted this far and this badly. [break][break]

[Vai]

Vai heard the man approaching, and his eyes moved up to greet him. Saying nothing, he stared blankly at the approaching man. At first it seemed as if he was looking through him, but Vai knew better. This man might be his death. He was much too weak to run again, or at least felt that way. Whoever this was, it wasn't the first man to attempt to kill the Warden, but he would probably be the first to succeed. His mind wandered in slow motion, trying to figure out a way to escape but couldn't figure out any way that didn't involve him standing up. The visitor spoke and a response appeared in his mind. 'Just talk to him.' Shaking his head slightly, or rather shifted his eyes in a left to right fashion. "But I don't want to talk with him..." The voice leaked out of the boy, his lips barely moving to create the sound. 'Talk to him, and he might not kill you. Running isn't always the way.'

Vai nodded in response to his own mind; being as lost as he was, it was hard to tell what was real or not. "Yes, are you here to end my life?" The boy needed to ask about the mans intentions. Still having little to no idea as to what was going on with him, he needed answers to that as well. More thoughts flooded the corrupted warden's head, causing him to shake his head violently. "No, no! I... I refuse. He's another human being I... I can't. F-fine." Vai attempted to stand, but fell over a couple of times before grabbing the tree and pulling himself up. "The voice is telling me to leave... but I don't want to. It's a new voice. Who are you? I... I am so confused." He turned to start walking away but paused, perhaps indefinately as he found he was having issues moving his legs. Collapsing once more he accepted whatever fate the other Warden would throw upon him.

Vai's true conscienceness was still inside his head, seeing all of what was happening. Thankfully, he could hear his own thoughts and was able to partially influence them. Kill the man, end him now. Those were the thoughts that plagued him. If his body lashed out at the new man he would more than likely be ended within a couple of moments. His life was too short as it was, no way was he letting his body kill itself. While trapped in this state, he could almost feel the world moving slowly. Sounds were normal, motion was normal, but the time inbetween anything was elongated to feel like hours. The trees around shifted with the wind, blowing to and fro and shaking with every gust. He awaited for the man's response, and had hoped that his body hadn't accidently spoken in such a way to make him hostile.

Words: 486
Tags: Bailin
Notes: Will update status when something changes.
Corruption: 78 (Will start decreasing in a couple of posts)

[Bailin]

[nospaces]

HP: 100% MP: 100% RH: Pre War Luger (lvl 20) LH: Fall Back Option (lvl 20) QS: Golden Hilt (lvl 21) AR: Flak Jacket (lvl 21)

WC: 319 TWC: 757 Tags Vai Theme Song TS Credits Cortana

Silently the warden listened to his fallen counterpart, carefully deciding how to respond. The chap was clearly mad with Miasma and, rightfully so, afraid of losing is life. If memory served hearing voices was somewhat in the early stages of the corruption, yet, this warden looked much, much worse than that. All the while Bailin patiently listened and kept his hands up as if he was held hostage. Killing the traitor here and now would be the easiest way, but it offered no information, insight or cause what so ever. It did break with the usual motto of taking no prisoners and no questions asked, especially when it came down to Miasma, yet the warden had to wonder, how far did it spread? Was it merely one that had fallen to the dark side or were there more? [break][break] “I was hoping we could avoid the killing you part.” Bailin said with a friendly and warm smile. “I was rather hoping we could spend some time chatting, just you and I, until we can figure some things out.” He continued, smiling and gently lowering his hands a bit. “You see, I am rather curious to your story as to how you came to be your predicament.” [break][break] As if struck by thunder Bailin’s face changed back to its usual, stone cold, unmoving and stern. “We also both know you cannot kill me, you might be able to scratch me, yet you will die, slowly, painfully. I make no idle threats so consider this a warning.” He spoke, voice cold as ice, his eye staring into Vai’s, making certain the corrupted warden understood what his counterpart insinuated. [break][break] Switching back to the cheerful face Bailin continued: “I am Bailin, headmaster or guild leader of Vylbrand, formerly the Vylband Academy. I would consider it rude if you were to walk away, it is a sign of very, very ill manners.” He continued, gently smiling. [break][break]

OC: I kinda left things open at the end to allow you freedom in how you react rather than being led to a certain reaction ;). Also I am very sorry it took me this long, please forgive me!

[Vai]

Vai eventually lowered himself to the ground, sitting with his back against the tree. His glum, confused expression cracked a sadistic smile as the man spoke briefly. “That is just want he wants, a nice little chat.” This response from Vai caused him to chuckle to himself as his visitor continued to speak. Was he just threatened? Oh that sounds like fun! The voice in his head kept chiming in, trying to lure Vai into combat with the higher leveled player; after all if he had the advantage of surprise, he might win right?

The man introduced himself as Bailin, leader of some place called Vylbrand. Interesting, so there were more people like him? “Are you alone? The voice wants to kno- nevermind don’t answer, I have the answer it wants.” Vai looked up at Bailin before continueing. “You can call me Vai, it seems the voice wants to give you a name as well. Oh, two voices now. Matthias and... Maia. Why are those names familiar... do you know why, Bailin?” He waited not for a reply before struggling back to his feet and pacing around the tree.
This entire time it felt as though Vai was still watching his own body act on it’s own, thankfully it heeded his call to give the names of his own voice, but it was strange that the name Maia came up. Was that the other voice he was hearing earlier? This whole thing felt really strange, and slowly but surely he could feel his own ability to get back in control coming back; but it was taking it’s sweet time. ‘Remember, he wants to know what happened to you.’

“What do you mean he wants to know what happened? Nothing happened... we were fighting random monsters... they were great at keeping my health up...” He seemed to flip voices, from the solemn and calm to a more brash voice. “Thank you.”

Words: 320
Tags: Bailin
Notes: Dude, no forgiveness required. I took forever too :P.
Corruption: 78

[Bailin]

[nospaces]

HP: 100% MP: 100% RH: Pre War Luger (lvl 20) LH: Fall Back Option (lvl 20) QS: Golden Hilt (lvl 21) AR: Flak Jacket (lvl 21)

WC: 356 TWC: 1113 Tags  Vai Theme Song TS Credits Cortana

The corrupted warden sat himself down against the tree once more. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Vai, and to you as well Matthias and Maia.” The warden spoke after taking in all the information the fallen warden had given him. Normally one would have been considered schizophrenic if one were to hear voices that were not his, or her, own. In this world however, stranger things had happened and would probably happen in the near or far future. [break][break] “Yes, I am alone, and physically so are you.” The warden responded kindly to his counterpart. “Perhaps it are names you remember from before, from the other world, perhaps your parents or brother and sister? There is no shame in feeling a desire to reconnect with them, either through actions or through voices. However I fear that it is possible that these voices are not the people you remember.” Bailin said, trying his best to remain with his friendly and kind neighbour act. [break][break] “I fear something did happen, something horrible, perverse and sadistic. I presume you have not had Maia and Matthias in your head before? If not I would presume you had been fighting Miasma based monstrosities, which infected you. This infected presumably led to the creation of the voices you call Maia and Matthias.” Bailin spoke, presenting his hypothesis to his fellow warden. [break][break] “I have been to the Miasma Realms, it is a dark, wicked place where one should remain sound of mind lest deaths embrace becomes the better alternative than life gentle and warm touch.” He continued, “As such I fear that these familiar voices will slowly corrupt you more and more, driving you further and further from the true you, until a mindless husk of Miasma strolls around this place, harming those who have done nothing wrong. I cannot help with your health, I can however attempt to keep you company whilst you fight of this infection yourself or perhaps if you desire it; deaths sweet and soft embrace. The choice is yours.” The warden said kindly, gently smiling as he looked with his eye into those of the other warden. [break][break]