Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 0:22:36 GMT -5
May 15, 23
The Shadow Isles were ruthless, ever trying to suck the very life out of anything living that stepped upon it. It was no place for the living. The air felt chilled, and gnawed at the strongest of wills ever more whittling them down to mindless slaves under control of the Ruined King.
The cityscape was desolate - what of it could be seen beneath the fog that often choked at the darkness ever present on the Isles. Hints of rain sprinkled against the canvas of green within the castle. One small section, visible through the endless black the Isle was ever in a state of, bricked in and sealed off from the rest of the Island.
A garden. A single, large garden which hosted the only life on the Isle itself. Life that would not have flourished had a sole being not been taken there. Within the garden, an ebony weeping willow had sprung to life, blanketing part of the garden in long, swaying branches with leaves that seemed to glisten with a strange kind of iridescent light. It stood like a protective force over a sleeping woman as she lingered in the one place Death's daunting grasp did not constantly rip away at her sanity.
Without the garden, someplace her magic could grow, create and protect her, she would have perished under the harsh environment. She would have joined the Isles in their dark madness, ever hungry for more souls to take, consume, or keep. Light magic caused the garden floor to glow a soft golden-white, just enough to illuminate the paths that laced through the somewhat ghostly garden. Flowers took on a strange kind of glow, seeming softer, and enriched with magic as they blossomed. A stream coursed its way through the foliage within the garden, trickling along paths and under small, decayed bridges that remained a constant reminder of the place she had been trapped. Bricks were soaked in their own decay, with deadened moss clinging up walls and wilted vines somehow managing to produce the occasional flower. It was nothing like anything she had ever witnessed, or even heard of in Runeterra. A ghostly garden, flourishing with light magic.
But there were consequences despite being somewhere she felt so safe. After being trapped on the Isles for over a month, under the watchful eye of the Ruined King, Belle was beginning to change.
The Noble woke with a startle, letting out a small shriek as a nightmare plagued her relentlessly.
Running.. Running.. no escape.. Jarvan reaching out.. He couldn't quite grab a hold of Belle. He kept screaming for her to come back. As his fingertips swept her own, her body slowly started to shatter into tiny fragments of light with tears falling from her eyes, until there was nothing left.
A look of pain rushed across Belle's features as she pressed her hand to what was simply a sapling when she fell asleep. Startled, her eyes darted up the aged, ebony Weeping Willow. It looked shockingly like the one back in Demacia, but it was almost completely opposite of the ivory one she had grown up with. "... How.." She started, then paused as she slowly pushed her way up to a stand. Her fingers gently pressing in against the willow with wide, curious eyes.
A whisper danced across the air as the willowy branches swayed around her. It was soothing, but somehow terrifying still. She could feel a familiarity about it, yet it was nothing she could put her finger on. Belle leaned in against the willow with a soft frown, muttering something under her breath before her eyes snapped up at the sound of rustling behind her.
A lone guard stood with an annoyed look on his face. He had been forced to stand in her garden and keep an eye on her for the entirety of her nap. Needless to say, he hated even being near her. "Prisoner." He barked at the partly concealed Belle as she lingered so near to the trunk of the tree, "Dinner is almost ready. Hurry up and get ready for it." Huffing, the guard started forward only to stop as the willow seemed to groan and sway. The guard staggered back with a look of disbelief, before he caught a glance of Belle. His eyes grew wide as he stared at her, his mouth agape.
The groan startled Belle, though she would much rather be near the tree then dealing with the guard. Her lips pinched together as she started away from the tree. The guard responded rather violently as he drew his sword on her, looking scared and confused by what he was seeing.
Belle gasped, and stepped back. She had no idea what was going on. That there was a blackened armor forming across her face, and along her body.. And that one of her eyes had become a striking golden color. Phantom wings slowly started to form against her back, laced with a strange kind of energy that was both dark, and light. The guard looked unsure what to do. He knew attacking her would result in severe punishment, or permanent death..
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 2:33:24 GMT -5
The Ruined King sat at the head of a large mahogany dining table that stretched through the massive stone dining hall. A dull light filtered through the large once magnificent glass windows, illuminating the table in a pale glow. The King sat in silence, his heavy black plate armor obscured all but his face, his head bowed in quiet contemplation, the woman brought to the isles from Demacia had wore away at him. His subjects had noticed he seemed distracted... Yet they were forbidden to lay a single scratch upon her, any attempt at removing her from the isles would be met with extreme punishment.
A shaky voice splits the silence, within the king's mind he would hear the soldier in the garden calling to him. Unsure of what else to do, the King had allowed the soldier the ability to commune with the king this way should something happen to Belle.
"M-my King.... The Prisoner...s-something has happened. In the garden... Come..."
Cyan fire ignited from the king's eyes beneath the helm as he open them. His black armored fists clenching upon the table causing great gouges to splinter underneath them.
Not knowing what to expect in the garden, he stood, an aura of darkness pouring out like smoke surrounded him as he made his way toward the garden. His sword forming from the black aura and solidified in his hand. A low guttural growl resounding from his helm, had anyone touched her, so much as threatened her, they would be torn asunder.
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 3:31:40 GMT -5
The gentle fragrance within the garden began to stir, filling with a decaying undertone that slowly permiated about with increased potency. Flower pedals wilted and fell off as the glow of the ebony willow leaves would become more vivid.
Belle curled her arms up against her chest with a worried look cast out towards the frantic guard. Her hand lifted as the wind picked up to gently push her hair as it whipped around her face. It was then she felt it. The blackened armor spread across her arm and along her fingers causing Belle's eyes to widen and a horrific shriek to fill the garden.
Quickly, Belle grabbed the hood of her cloak to pull it over her head, burying her face against the trunk of the large ebony willow. All she could do was try to hide herself, and try to stop whatever taint was effecting her. But she had so little control of her magic. Every attempt, the corrupted darkness won over the light magic. Fueled by the willow in the ghostly garden.
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 3:51:05 GMT -5
The Ruined King continued to march through the castle grounds, any servants that seen him coming quickly ran from sight, afraid of the king's wrath. The light in the garden slowly faded as the King got closer and closer, it was as if the light from the sun was being driven away by the king himself. He could sense the light and warmth radiating from her soul growing more and more potent as he approached, a sign she wasn't harmed. It seemed to have a calming effect on him, the black smokey aura slowly fading away as he felt the comforting warmth from her.
But there was something else, a black taint had wormed it's way into her soul. The warmth was being overpowered by a coldness familiar to the king, the taint of the isles. The taint of the black magic that kept the isles anchored to the realm of the living.
The King entered the garden, his eyes surveyed the area and noticed how the flowers were beginning to wilt and decay, anger stirred within the King once more. He would not allow her to be broken by the isles power. He approached the willow, he could sense the warmth from the soul radiating outward from extremely close to it. Yet the cold was creeping into it with every passing moment, his eyes glanced to the soldier as the king moved swiftly past him.
"Belle!"
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 3:56:53 GMT -5
Belle was huddled against the tree with the cloak wrapped about her to hide her head, and body from view. She was an utter, emotional mess as she sobbed against the ebony willow that seemed to have sprung up from no where quite rapidly. It did not fight TRKs approach. In fact it seemed to calm with his presence as the wind slowly faded in the garden and things started to settle down.
All except Belle, who was frantic as she kept herself as hidden as possible. The phantom wings would be the first visible thing The Ruined King would see, unhindered and not hidden beneath the cloak she had covered herself with. "S-Stay away!" She called back through the tears, terrified that this perhaps was his doing.. Or perhaps she was simply losing to the Isles. She was scared to become a part of it.. To die, and become a slave to its power.
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 4:07:01 GMT -5
The Ruined King growled at Belle when she commanded him to leave, his eyes flared, "You do not command me within my kingdom." Had anyone else told him what to do, they would have been struck down. Yet his black aura fades away completely when he noticed the phantom wings sprouting from her back. Under his helm his eyes widen in awe and confusion.
He stepped closer, his eyes studied her as she huddled under the cloak, he could feel the cold taint as clear as day. Entwining itself like a snake around her soul, like a protective barrier against the undead taint of the isles and it's power.
The soldier clears his throat, trying to not act shaken in front of its king, "S-Sire. Also... Her eye... Her face..."
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 4:22:44 GMT -5
When he became angry with her for telling him to stay away, she let out a startled cry and tightened against the willow. By this point, she was trembling pretty heavily. Her right hand slipped up, bracing her fingers against the bark of the tree exposing the blackened armor as it laced its way across the top of her arm and along the back of her hand and fingers. Small claw-looking tips curled over the edges of the tips of her fingers, latching into the bark slightly.
Another soft sob escapes her, "..I-I can... never.. go home.." she cried. What would Jarvan think if he saw her like this? If he knew what had happened to her? How could she face Demacia at all?
"..please..." she pleads softly, "..leave me be..."
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 4:38:48 GMT -5
The King's eyes were drawn to her fingers tips as the small hooks dug into the tree, the willow? The King frowned. The willow was something he hadn't seen within the garden before, perhaps it was linked to the taint, or it was purely coincidental. Wings and blackened armor lacing across her flesh? She was becoming something more than human... The Isles was no doubt having an unforeseen effect upon her.
"I am not leaving you." The King's voice was quiet, his helm looked to evaporate into smoke, fading away to nothing. His leyes were cold, yet a glint of concern could be seen within them, "I said show me."
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 4:52:13 GMT -5
Belle hesitated. She didn't want to show him. She wanted to hide away and forget about it all. But she knew it was impossible.. Slowly she pulled herself back from the willow and forced herself to climb to her feet. She was shaking pretty badly by this point, struggling to stay standing up and forced to use the tree to brace herself.
Carefully she turns, her head bowed and shadowed by the hood. Traces of the armor could be seen around her lower face, but it was difficult to tell what it was. As her hands lifted, he would likely notice an ivory armor on her left arm, with pale gold intricately accenting the simple curves of its shape, and on her right arm that chaotic ebony armor that seemed to manifest without a specific formation. The hood would be pushed back, revealing the single gold eye surrounded by the ebony armor, and across her forehead, and part of the other side of her face - the ivory armor that matched the ones on her arm and hand. She stood there silent with her eyes cast downward, shamed by what has become of her. Not understanding why, or how.. Or even what it might mean.
Whatever the source, it seemed to have formed something protective on her. It would become clear that one phantom wing was symbolically black, and the other white on opposite sides of where the armor sat. Both looking young, but frayed.
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 5:43:36 GMT -5
The Ruined King kept his face impassive when he looked upon Belle's from, his eyes studying the small wings, currently showing from her back. Moving his gaze across the armor, manifestations of her power? It seemed unlikely, he didn't know much about her power. Only that the taint had recently seeped into her... His brow knits into a frown, the black chaotic armor contradicting the ivory armor. His eyes stop upon her golden one, slowly moving to her teal. The king looks away, his head bowed in thought.
If the darker power had begun to encroach upon the pure half, and if it was as chaotic as the armor suggested... Then do doubt she wouldn't be able to control it without a proper tutor. That is, if there was no way to remove it. And if that were the case, there were few upon the isles who had to balance out both the dark and light powers. The King being one of them.
The Ruined King turns back to Belle, doubting his thoughts on the matter were one-hundred percent accurate, "... What do you know of your power?"
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 14:16:30 GMT -5
"I-I don't know.." Belle was increasingly hesitant as she was forced to show TRK what was happening with the ebony and ivory armor. She wanted to run away, and just perish somewhere alone. It was almost too much to bare believing she could never face J4 again. Not like this.
"It.. started some months ago.." She said in a shaky whisper. Tears continued to trail down her cheeks as she spoke, "When I purchased a jade necklace.. " Where she had first met Jarvan. It was a wonderful day, even if J4 had a bit too much wine when he had come over for dinner that night. It was all quite funny. The memories caused her tears to slow.. A glimmer of hope shining within her.
"I did not know who the merchant was. He seemed to be a traveler.." She kept her gaze locked upon the ground with an ever growing sorrow climbing its way throughout her. "It.. protected me.. when I encountered the create Kha'zix.. It healed me.. I-I thought it was just the necklace.. But it wasn't.."
This goes months back. She can recall the events that had transpired, and even when she realized she had a tremendous source of power she could access. But it was too rich to accurately direct; too unstable as her ability to use it was only in its first stages. It would take her some time to fully grasp her abilities, and even more now to understand the darkness that has corrupted it partially.
Belle slowly lifted her eyes. The strange golden iris seeming to be set aglow as it met with the blue gaze of The Ruined Kings. His impassive demeanor giving her pause before shooting her gaze back down to the ground. It was a struggle to regain any sense of composure given the circumstances.
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 15:51:20 GMT -5
The Ruined King listened to her tale, knowing full well she didn't want to share it. He doesn't make a sound nor move as she speaks. Until the eyes glows that is, a small frown appearing. He watches as she casts her gaze downward, if it was as she said, and that her power could heal her when she needed it most. Perhaps the armor was a way of stopping the taint from spreading, a defense her power had created to protect itself. The Dark chaotic armor could be the Isles power that had already corrupted a part of her soul manifesting along with the pure side.
The king murmured out loud, almost to confirm it to himself more than to her, "I believe the Isles are corrupting you." He glances at the blackened clawed hand, "I believe the armor may be a defense against the corruption." His eyes look to the weeping willow, unsure what that could possibly have to do with any of it.
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 16:20:06 GMT -5
The ancient looking tree groaned as it sway in a phantom wind, seeming to respond to TRK when he looked upon it. Belle had heard what the King had said, causing her hands to rise and clutch at the center of her chest, "Majesty.." She whispered, "I don't know what I can do here. I do not wish to be a part of the Isles."
The groan of the tree as it swayed would seem to respond to Belle with soft colors illuminating from the leaves it produced. She would look up with a soft gasp as if she had heard something startling from it. But TRK would not have been able to make anything out. Whatever it was, it was clearly connected to Belle.
"I can't go back to Demacia." She said, feeling herself straightening as she slowly started to compose herself, "This... is my home now.." Said with hints of reluctance. "I have no choice.." What has been done, is irreversible. There was nothing she could do to strip away the taint. All she could think of was how this would impact not only Jarvan, her husband, but also Demacia to know the future Queen had become corrupted by the Isles. It pained her tremendously to think she could not serve Demacia as she had hoped to.
"Will you retain your agreement?" Questioned Belle as her eyes lifted, "That you will leave Demacia alone for as long as I remain on the Isles?"
Post by The Ruined King on May 16, 2013 17:26:14 GMT -5
The Ruined King watches as she clutches her chest, simply remaining impassive as she stated she didn't want to be a part of the isles. The moment a living soul stepped upon the isles, they were already apart of the Isles in one way or another...
The King felt a pang of sadness for the woman before him, he knew the pain of having ones loved ones ripped away, the feeling of powerlessness to stop it. At least she had the comfort of knowing they still lived, they could still be happy. While the king's were now in death's embrace, because of him.
"I will never go back upon my word. So long as you remain here, Demacia will not be harmed by my command."
I am the one who defied death. I am the one he fears. I am the on he can not take. One sweep of my hand and your nations will fall. Come for me you worms. You will all bow before my legions or be broken beneath us as we march upon your cities.
Post by Marabelle De'Vera Lightshield on May 16, 2013 17:40:29 GMT -5
"Then I will remain.. and pray I do not become further tainted.." She said with a bit more determination to her voice. It was clear she was still quite shaken by what was taking place. She stepped forward, feeling the wind pick up as she drew closer to The Ruined King.
"Majesty.. I-" Taking a deep breath, "Tell me what I must do... please.. So that I might learn to control these changes." Her fingers lifted to trail across the chaotic ebony that covered the right side of her face, causing her to shudder with disgust. This was disgraceful. It made her feel filthy, and sick.
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