Horizon Walkers (Game Thread) Dead

[Terratina.]

Look at Id, it was doing so much to take hold of a blind old feline. But at least the struggle was over now.

In an instant, all barriers dropped and Id fully embraced the Lion's mind. It felt... heavy. However, Id could feel the power behind the beast's muscles, from the intercostal muscles that made the hulking chest rise and fall to the quadriceps which gave the feline its pounce. This was only exaggerated in the blind darkness; touch, taste, hearing, smell - when one sense fell, the others arose. Cutting through all of that was the bloodlust, the beast had taken Id's idea of revenge and filled its mind with the idea; it was almost like a virus infection. The Id-Lion rose and roared. The arena combatants were irreverent now, both to the Lion's plans and Id's, so the soulbonded gestalt exited the arena. First, it kicked off and turned around then leapt into the rift, making sure it was big enough with a swipe of its own claws. The problem of being blind was a large obstacle, but that could be fixed.

'Eye eye eye eye eye eye eye eye eye eye sight sight sight sight sight sight reform reform reform reform...'

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

"You're welcome. Any idea how to fight the lio-"

The giant said before there was a loud roar of something tearing. Vaerys turned his head to see the lion claw... something that protected the audience from the show. Now that had been rendered asunder by the lion's claws as a crimson began to bleed from the torn barrier. Vaerys hadn't seen a building bleed before but some lingering part of him it wouldn't be the last strange sight he saw.

"An exit!" Vearys shouted in astonishment. "I may have an opportunity to repay you after all!"

In an instant, Vaerys sped off towards the exit but as he drew closer, he saw the blood sizzle and crackle wherever it dropped making his advance falter into a cautious jog. Then he saw the lion once more, appearing to be unscathed by the blood unlike the spectators in the crowd unlucky enough to be caught in its splash.

"And here I thought I'd seen the last of ya!" Vaerys grunted as he readied his battleaxe. He stopped in his tracks even though the exit was close by. The lion was the only thing standing between him. Why was he hesitating?

 

[IFS]

Alex's eyes widened briefly as the barrier began to bleed, the lion had turned away from them and torn through it. That cloaked thing must be directing it else it would turn against us, but the barrier poses larger issues. It bled and burned, and the sight and smell of it was all too familiar. Perhaps not the same, but it reminded him of a source, blood and disease and pain desiring more of the same so that it might grow faster. And if it was like a source... it might be influencing or even controlling others, this spectacle, these people watching might only desire it so much because of this thing.

"Dalrel! Burn the edges of the tear, where it bleeds, it might widen the gap or at least make it safe for us to pass through," he commanded, "Everyone else, stay back and don't let the blood touch you, we don't know what it might do."

Or if it might carry some infection, it burns if nothing else. This is a path out, but the lion should be stopped to stop others from dying, and we must put an end to this barrier, maybe this arena itself. It may not be a source itself, but the resemblance... I can't take any chances.

 

[Josh123914]

"Dalrel! Burn the edges of the tear, where it bleeds, it might widen the gap or at least make it safe for us to pass through,"
Dalrel ran at the tear and had fire streaming at the barrier before he even realised what he had agreed to do.
He remembers the blinded lion create this tear, before running through it, but Dalrel was less concerned with that, and more concerned by a potential attack from behind.
''I doubt the arena guards will just stand by while we escape'' he yelled towards anyone and everyone, still blazing a torrent of flame at the tear, with little progress to show for it.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Kyras watched as the barrier began to bleed and the ground began to shake.
"What in the hells."
He heard one of them yell to the fire thrower to burn it. One of them seemed to think it was diseased.

Kyras sheathed Maiar and moved to beside the fire thrower, Dalrel.
"I doubt the arena guards will just stand by while we escape."
Kyras began streaming his own flames at the opposite ends of the tear in an attempt to speed up the process.
"They're probably more concerned with stabilizing their barrier than chaining us right now."

 

[DarkRawen]

Des looked with a mix of sadness and relief as the large lion attacked what seemed to have been an invisible barrier around the area. While he certainly wanted to get out of there, the sight of mortals being killed and harmed by what looked like blood was sad. However, he followed the others, carrying the girl as he did, taking care of that he was careful enough to not do her any harm. The others decided to burn the parts of the barrier that was bleeding, and then discussed whether or not the guards would try to take them.

"Does that really matter now?" he asked, confused. Wouldn't it be better to worry about that after they had gotten out, when they could still use the panic of the running mortals to their advantage? He looked behind him, at the people who wasn't there yet.

"We should hurry!" Des then continued, voice raised so that everyone inside could hear him. "If we're lucky, we'll get out quickly and without anymore fighting! Be careful when walking though, the blood will harm you!" Des waited for Alex and the rest in front of him to continue walking, reassuring the mortal in his arms quietly, telling her he wouldn't leave her behind, and that they were soon out of there. Safe.

I hope so, at least.

 

[Lunar Templar]

She hadn't expected to throw the beast that far, still the effect was agreeable, they had a way out. She dropped back to all fours and waited for the others to make it safer to pass through, as the barrier fragments seemed to be harmful, though the fact the people in crowd where the ones being harmed, not just by the barrier, but the lion as well made her smirk "Not So Amusing Now Is It?!" she roared at the wounded in the crowd, and in her own way, encouraging the lion to continue.

 

[IFS]

"Damn," he swore, seeing the effect of the flames on the barrier, they stopped the bleeding but did no further harm to it. That means only the lion can hurt it, guess I'll have to try and steer it back to it. He darted forward out through the hole and into the stands, motioning for the pyromancers to follow him.

"Not So Amusing Now Is It?!"

He heard the Ranglie roar, he frowned finding such vindictiveness distasteful. But if it was seeking vengeance for being forced to fight, and if the arena and its barrier were truly influencing the crowds as he suspected, then perhaps he could motivate it to help him further. It was a safer idea than trying to appeal to the cloaked figure, he couldn't be certain what motives it had or how much control of the lion it possessed.

"These people may not be to blame for this!" he yelled, mostly towards the Ranglie but loud enough for others to hear "The barrier itself may be affecting their minds, making them seek such blood sport, if we set the lion on it though we may be able to destroy it!"

His usual smile had faded, and he considered his options quickly. He doubted any of his weapons could draw the lion's attention, though perhaps the others fire could and the Ranglie had proven itself strong enough to throw the beast, in spite of its earlier protests regarding holding it. The cloaked figure itself might even heed his words, though he couldn't be sure. If no one listens I will be forced to flee for now, he thought regretfully leave this world and its people to deal with it themselves. If it was influencing them though then they might already be lost, but his pursuit of the Tall Man was paramount, and he had learned long ago the impossibility of saving everyone.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

"These people may not be to blame for this! The barrier itself may be affecting their minds, making them seek such blood sport, if we set the lion on it though we may be able to destroy it!"

Kyras walked through the barrier while keeping his flames on it and yelled at the man.

"It's not the barrier! Their whole empire is like this! They're monsters! If they die they've earned it with their sins!"

Kyras stopped burning the barrier as he thought he saw the rest of the others escape. One of the women ran into a shop, so he followed her in from a distance assuming she knew something he didn't. Silk, pots, clothes, jewels. He realized she must have went into the back room as there was hushed talking. He took a look around as he assumed whatever was happening wasn't for him and saw a ruby bird shaped necklace he could swear was from his tribe. He pocketed it quickly out of a combination of homesickness, anger, and shame.

He began walking back and forth in the tent, watching for guards.

 

[DarkRawen]

The mortals had started leaving the coliseum, which was good. He followed them, and was soon enough behind the barrier. What was not good, was that they sounded like they were bickering, some blaming the people who had watched, and some not. Des sighed, this wasn't the time or place to do that.

"We should just leave," Des said, though he wasn't going to argue about it. As much as he wanted to help the mortals, as soon as he had crossed the barrier, they were free to do what they wanted. It was their choice. Besides, he didn't think either was correct, he certainly didn't want to harm anyone, but would destroying the barrier really help? How had Alex even known that?

I can't really see anything off about it.

Des looked from one part of the group to the other, then tilted his head.

"What could we even do about it? Or about all these people, what can we really do? Wouldn't it really be better if we just left? Else we could get hurt, or even captured again." He noticed that Serragish had gone ahead, and chose to follow her, finding her talking to someone in front of a shop, of all things. The ice-user in his arms was getting a bit heavier, moving a little more.

"What are you doing, Serragish?" Des asked, confused. He then looked at the girl in his arms, and muttered to her. "Are you okay? Do you want to be let down now?" He spoke friendly and caring to both of them, charmingly and clearly not paying much attention to what was going on around him.

 

[Josh123914]

After several more moments, Dalrel dropped his arms and joined the others on the other side of the barrier, as a torrent of people rushed out of the stadium above and around him, with a bit of thinking, he came across a few familiar faces inside a tent with an old man.
After making a noise between a grunt and a cough to announce his presence, Dalrel ignored the old man and asked the others present, ''So what is the plan? Personally I'd like to find the nearest Horizon before we're found by the authorities.''
Dalrel wasn't one to be wary of other cultures, but when one willingly drags strangers off to be part of a bloodsport, that is when his self-preservation instinct kicks in.

 

[Lunar Templar]

She made her way past the Lion, leaving it to its rampage as she followed the others out and to where they had gathered, a shop of some kind, though found a spot to conceal her self for the time being since she stuck out to much. There was talk of the armor and something called a 'horizon'. "My aim from here is going home, if this horizon thing will do this, I'm all for it." she said, adding her own thoughts on it.

Truthfully she was tired of the humans, all of them. Her contact with them had not been a pleasant one and even these ones who'd helped her, only did so after she'd agreed to help them.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

"You have a good eye, funny story about this piece, and that fascinating history is complementary when you pay a reasonable price."

Damn, he had been caught, he could only guess how, maybe he's a wizard considering the walking armour.

He made his tone as stern as possible and spoke
"What do you consider a reasonable price for someone who's been forced into slavery and blood sport for about four years?"
He pulled a bag of coins from his pack and set it down on a nearby table.
"I'll pay you after you tell me where you found it."

"So what is the plan? Personally I'd like to find the nearest Horizon before we're found by the authorities."
"Make a run for the horizon, using the armour as cover I think."
"My aim from here is going home, if this horizon thing will do this, I'm all for it."
"It's a portal, it should get us away from these people." he had a brief thought about how he was captured "That's all that really matters here."

 

[Terratina.]

The Lion-Id tore up everything in its wake, revelling in the carnage.

The imperial civilians met its maw and their flesh was torn to sheds, the sharp tang of blood reaching the Lion's tongue. Its teeth rended bones and bits alike to ribbons - who cared about half-heard shouts and strange people touching your mind when you could send a hundred men to their graves with a single swipe? It was intoxicating, the bloodlust, the bloodshed... Id's mind was assaulted by the Lion's sensory input. Endorphins leaked across the two minds and soon enough Id and the Lion were drunk with blood and rage. Even the blurry vision from the half-formed eye added quite a bit to the experience as both entities saw smaller ones panic and run away only to be cut down by a swipe of a paw. Yes, this was why Id was a Walker, to hijack other beings and make other experiences its own - a morbid sort of collector. But let not it be said that Id was unkind to its toys.

After all, it was giving its current one exactly what it wanted, even as Id calmly sunk back down into a cold, machine-like, mentality.

Now where was that Horizon?

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Vaerys hurried outside the stadium after the lion decided not to eat him for once. Outside, he was greeted to a lovely sight of the lion attacking the citizens of the city. Vaerys couldn't help but chuckle as he scanned the area. The streets were packed with people retreating from the arena and often, they were just trampling over each other to get out. The packed streets meant that the local soldiers would have a hard time getting to them but either way, he had to get away fast and towards the next horizon which drew memories of initial moments in this world. Sure, he woke up in a cell but he could smell the decadence through the cracks of the wall. This city was nothing but luxury and pleasure with this arena being its largest testament to that or so far he'd seen. Now that he was outside of the arena, he breathed in the air deeply only smelling the burning wall behind them.

After a few moments, he spotted the gladiators that helped him back in the arena. They were gathered around a shop nearby. He wondered why they were doing such a thing when they should be trying to get out as fast as possible. He strode over to them, walking briskly as he was anxious.

"Oi! Thanks for the help back there. Any of you know the way outta this pisspot?" Vaerys grunted as he finally got a good look at the group. Varied was the first thing that came to his mind.

 

[IFS]

Alex watched, disappointed but not surprised as the others ran off to the outside. The lion itself had left anyways, removing much chance of him trying to persuade the cloaked thing possessing it or to try to steer it into the barrier himself. He shook his head sadly and muttered a short prayer to the healers before heading outside after the others.

"You know," he said as he joined them "If we leave the barrier then they will simply take others and force them to fight as they did to us, even if it isn't controlling them, and if it is then you have simply killed the slaves of the one to blame for our plight. But if I cannot convince you then I will have to seek an exit to this place, as I suspect you are."

They seemed to have gathered in a shop, why the shopkeeper hadn't fled as any sensible person would have he didn't know, but he had no need of further supplies nor any real money to spend on merchandise. The merchant didn't even seem phased by the screams, blood, fleeing, or the fact that he was speaking with escaped arena combatants. At least the others hadn't decided to blame and slaughter him as well he supposed.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

He hadn't expected this.

"Thankyou, I thought you had- I assumed you were... Nevermind. Thankyou."

He moved his coins back into his pack and raised his hood again.

"I trust you, I'm ready."

 

[hiei82]

Out in the streets, the chaos had begun to settle down. Whether this was the result of the Lion and other escapees moving on or being captured or killed was unclear; only the lack of audible signs of trouble. The Vigiles Urbani were out in force, cleaning up the mess and hunting those who escaped late into the night.

As night fell however, they had their chance to move. Being led by the merchant/retired soldier, the group slowly made their way out of Liem and into the countryside. The escape was difficult; evading capture only by the barest of margins and losing their snow elf to Liem pikes in the process. Eventually however, they were out of the city.

Several more hours brought them to the "Unused Portal", though unused was hardly the best term. The portal itself was in a deep pit and pushed on its side to slow anyone trying to make their way through. Around the top of the pit dozens of ballistae were pointed down, maned at all hours of the day. For about a mile around the pit, tents and permanent military building has been set up as a training ground for new recruits to Liem's 15th Legion.

Now came the fun part.

 

[DarkRawen]

We can set out as soon as whoever is coming is ready."

Seeing as there was no reason for Des to wait around, he had quickly agreed, and followed the mortals, setting the female ice-user down as he did, and letting her move on her own. Of course, even then they still couldn't move ahead, as some of the mortals were busy chatting.

Feeling that he was in need of more vitae, he had asked her, while they were waiting for the rest to get ready, if he could have some of hers, explaining it quickly and in terms that would appease a mortal. Whether or not it was fondness, kindness or just her sense of honor, she had allowed it, making a small cut on her wrist so that he could access her veins. A short moment later, he'd taken what he could without harming her, he'd be safe for a while now even if he did use his ability to paralyze more.

Then, they escaped, though the woman didn't make it out. Des felt a little regret, even wondering if it could be because of his influence, but it was probably not so, it was nothing but bad luck. After several hours, they were close to the Horizon, it could be seen as a deep pit, surrounded by ballistae and training grounds. However, even so, it wasn't difficult for them to get in, and Des was the first to climb down, and through the portal.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

A fresh Horizon, the most beautiful sight that he had ever seen.
He began to weep at this new freedom of his, in all honesty he had began to think that it wasn't going to happen for him.
All the failed attempts, beatings, and killings. Much longer and he probably would have given up.

But he was free, and in a desert, his favourite type of land, the type of land he was born and raised in.
He loosened his armour a bit and checked his cloak, it had been awhile since he had lived in one and it might take some time to get used to it again.

Pink sky, orange sand, constant heat. This was nice.
The others began to move, should he follow them?
They escaped at the same time, the armour and the woman led them out.
It couldn't hurt, he didn't know where he was.

"GET OVER HERE NOW IT'S NOT SAFE OUT THERE!"
Locals usually know their lands better that he did, so that's not good.
He rushed to follow the armour to the tents.