Caerys was stirred to activity and desperation once more, wondering why she had bothered to fight- she resolved to die alone, but it seemed something about the stranger who fought- her movements, moved something in her.
The gladiatrix moved as gracefully and lethally as a hunting cat, even more agile than the brutish shadow hounds. Still, her light was insufficient for further use- they moved in and she danced in circles to make them lose their balance. She struck one with her lamp, its chemicals spilling onto the beast. Expertly, Caerys swung her pick down, timing it with the creature phasing in- a pick to its skull killed it immediately. The deadly dance would prove to be too much for her now, though; The third beast’s jaw latched onto her arm, the dancer’s malnourished form too slow. She groaned in pain as the creature’s vile power attempted to rip Caerys’s life force from her.
Then, behind her, moonlight exploded- stunning her attacker and safeguarding her. The monster, stunned, could not defend itself as Caerys snapped its jaws open with her bare hands.
The hound fell to Diana's sword swiftly, its phasing power rendered impotent by the Avatar's wrath. The surviving monsters realized their error, and fled into the shadows, literally vanishing into otherwise solid objects. When all was silent, and the streets now empty, Caerys could not help but stare at Diana.
Slowly, Caerys approached Diana’s glowing form, someone who was defeated and broken. Diana was an all too physical and real manifestation of the goddess she had very nearly lost faith in. She fell to her knees and dropped her pick axe at the sight of Diana; Slowly, she tried to touch Diana, desperate to see she was real.
“Goddess! Goddess... why... after so long, did you finally come...” When she spoke the word that called Diana divinity, she spoke it with absolute faith, convinced of herself that an intercession had finally come. Too tired to even cry aloud as tears streamed down her face, She fell onto her hands as well, the burden on her soul finally reaching its breaking point. She collapsed there, onto her side. If this was a dream, she cared not to wake from it- and if it was finally real, then...
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 19, 2013 2:59:32 GMT -5
As the figure slowly approached Diana, she would eye her curiously until it stopped before her. When a female voice erupted calling Diana a goddess, her eyes would widen... as the hood came off as she collapsed. This was the one she was searching for, and has been through alot it seems. A few moments of thinking, Diana would reach over and say a small Lunari prayer of fortune.
"I won't let you die here, not now... by the moons light... you shall be saved."
Diana would scan the woman's body as she finally picked her up, and she would carry her back to her small allotted building in Noxus, from the deep underground's. As she walked, those within the higher area's would stare as Diana continued her bright glow... almost as if a saving light erupted through the dungeons. She would pass others with an unfazed gaze, and would finally lose her glowing luster once she broke the surface.
Diana would then treat Caerys herself, fixing up all of her wounds, re-clothing and meeting her medical needs for the immediate moment. She would call in a doctor to analyze the woman, and give her what she required until she came to. For a few days, the woman slept peacefully under the watchful eye of Diana, un-moving in her determination to revive such a prospective soon-to-be Lunari in her mind. Although, she wouldn't give up until the woman's death... which seemed unlikely.
Caerys fell into a deep, healing sleep, the first fitful rest she has had since coming to Noxus. She fell in and out of consciousness over several days, gripped by a terrible fever. Diana would really have her hands full with her, but a doctor would make her care much more manageable. They freely decorate and improve the house to better care for a patient, stocking the pantry with easy to cook food, while bringing in medical equipment.
In fact, when the authorities heard of Diana’s plight, Noxus spared no expense, and assigned the top physicians of the Bleak Academy to assist their semi-divine guest. Dr. Valeria Van Mordenheim, the newest High Command General, personally came with a small team and provided Diana a fairly optimistic diagnosis on the first day she checked her out.
The petite, blonde doctor spoke with Diana in the room adjacent to where Caerys slept, a servant pouring tea for them both.
“Incredible fatigue, dehydration, filth fever from living in the Noxian underground... but your guest possesses the impressive physique of a warrior and athlete in her prime. She will endure.”
She said, with a strangely tired appearance, as if the doctor hadn’t eaten in awhile. She drank her tea slowly, and ate a biscuit with a deliberate place, offering the same to Diana. She then asks the maid to leave, and close the door behind her. She looked about the room as if to double check no one else was around.
“And judging from the markings on her face, she is a former slave from a Noxian gladiator school... a house champion of the Blood Brides called Vermilion. Her body has been augmented physically and cosmetically for this. It is unusual to find escaped slaves these days, but I imagine when she will awake, have a desire to be escape, seeing as she is once again... inside the city where she has been a captive.”
The doctor passed to Diana the small satchel containing the girl’s meagre possessions. Inside was a broken dagger Diana would recognize as too familiar- the pommel bore the symbol of the Lunari, and the steel was Moonsilver, its power long since gone.
“But, since she is still asleep, I am certain you will... hear an interesting story when she comes around.”
Diana would have a few days to watch over Caerys, before she would finally come to on the fourth day, her fever broken. The doctor warned if she saw she was in a Noxian house, she might react... unpleasantly. She would have to choose her first words and actions carefully.
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 20, 2013 20:51:40 GMT -5
The several days accompanied by the help of High Command, did indeed help Diana and Caerys' living conditions within the home. The various soft foods, monitors and other necessities did indeed make Diana feel more welcomed in Noxus, as Swain had insisted on after they struck their deal the month before. When Dr. Valeria arrived, making a good point to inform Diana of Caerys' origins after some research, Diana actually found it quite interesting.
"This woman has been through much, as she broke down when I saved her from a possibly gruesome death to the hands of those foul beasts within the underground."
Diana herself was not impartial to the rules of Noxus, where the strong live and the weak crumble. If Caerys survived under the city for that long, she deserves to live... and Diana would thank herself for journeying that deep as well later...if Caerys did more than simply prove her worth. Soon, Diana would gaze upon the different possessions Caerys' had upon her, and took a keen interest within the dagger. She'll pick it up and with a small faint glow, the blade itself would emanate back in the same fashion. If noticed, it seems that Diana has the ability to reawaken old Lunari artifact's powers, as she studied quite a-lot more than others believed after discovering everything she knows now.
"I believe the story shall be fruitful, as even this building does not look like typical Noxian architectural design, thanks to Swain helping me. Although, if she awakens and attacks me... I'll simply knock her out once again." Diana said, brow raised to the Doctor.
"Her origins seem to not venture far from the Lunari, as this dagger... interests me. I must know of her life before becoming a Gladiator."
The building itself looked far to close to Demacian, or even early Rakkorian architectural design. It upheld the gloomy atmosphere Noxus projected, but instead was fitted to Diana's liking. The walls were painted a dark navy blue, to resemble the night sky; The doors themselves had Crescent knobs with standard lock & key design; The downstairs and basement area's upheld the same, except for the lone office Diana asked for as a simple place to file things if needed. There were also many places to escape, but alas Diana wouldnt reveal those to she felt ill will towards.
Caerys awoke peacefully for the first time in years, her eyes glancing about the room- a habit of paranoia- before they settled onto Diana. Without the misery to drag her down, she saw her in a more realistic light. Dr. Van Mordenheim excused herself from the company of the two, citing that Caerys was already well.
"...You... I know you... you were a Champion of the League... the one who has the powers of the moon. Not... my goddess... I... you are human and..." She rambled on, turning her eyes away. Her gladiator night suit was styled after Diana's own armor after all.
"Yet, you saved me in my darkest hour. I am..." she reached a conclusion that seemed to sadden her. "...in your debt, it seems." Her stomach growled loudly, indicating great hunger- the doctor had sustained her with only a liquid diet these last few days after all.
"So, what I shall I call you now? Mistress? or goddess?" She asked, resigned to a moment of embarrassment.
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 20, 2013 22:01:50 GMT -5
Diana smirks. "Neither, as I wish to learn your story... dear. I know of your escape from the school you were once indebted to, and I already have no intentions on returning you to that place."
She would take note of Caerys' hunger and actually smile warmly, quite pleased that the woman has come to after so long.
"By the Goddess, I feel like I want to eat everything." She responded, getting out of bed and noticing she was in decent, plain clothes, finally. She looked at herself contentedly, realizing that perhaps the worst misfortune of her life was finally at an end.
She peered out the window and had an idea where they were. "I will get changed. I know a place that..." Caerys was interrupted by the good doctor coming in.
"Lunch is served." She said to them both simply, and Caerys nodded. "Well, it is only polite to accept the doctor's invitation I suppose."
Dining Room
Caerys walked out of her room and headed to the dining hall, where her jaw dropped at the massive lunch being served for the relatively small medical staff. A whole roast turkey took center stage, as well as large bowls of potato casseroles, mixed vegetables, and slices of yoxen barbecue. There was also a large pot of thick, creamy soup, and cakes for dessert.
If there was one thing peculiar about the doctor that Diana would've noticed over the last few days was the sheer size of the meals she had with her staff- it was almost disgusting, if not for the excellent quality of the food. Apparently the doctor was a gourmand bordering on a true glutton, which explained why her entourage included five chefs.
"Uh... I think the steak can wait..." Caerys said, taking a seat at the doctor's prompting and piling up her plate with meat and cake. The doctor looked at Caerys as she began eating, messily. Forget the presence of a goddess, the gladiatrix was hungry.
"Lacking in decorum, but at least her appetite is healthy. I'd say the patient is fully recovered." The doctor ate at a much slower pace, but judging from her portion size, the doctor's meals must've taken awhile to finish.
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 20, 2013 22:54:15 GMT -5
Diana would eye yet another table full of food, as it seems this was to be another feast as the days before had prompted. She herself eyed Caerys curiously, but did not mind as she believed almost anyone would eat messy after recovering from such a state of sickness.
"Well well, I do appreciate your help doctor, once again. Do tell Swain or one of those who report to him my thanks." Diana said, taking a seat and soon fixing herself a plate before the medical staff and the Doctor got a full hold upon the table.
After a few minutes of eating, and watching others enjoy theirselves upon the feast, Diana would turn to Caerys once more. She would furrow a brow, remembering the small Lunari dagger before asking her question.
Caerys finished the barbecue and the potato casserole, her expression one of unmistakable joy at having eaten delicious fatty food at long last. She had matched the doctor for portion size, though she was still in the midst of eating. Dr. Valeria seemed so... indifferent to things around her, it was difficult to believe she was in the High Command.
Caerys told her story to Diana in the doctor's presence, seeing that she seemed indifferent she was a slave. Likely, it was a waste of time and energy for her to trouble with the former property of another Noxian.
She went to fetch her possessions, and retrieved wrinkled parchments; she told her tale with the aid of these journals she had hidden away. It began when she, a dancing gypsy girl, came to Noxus to refine her battle art- but was fooled by a Noxian noble, and duped into slavery.
Her year and a half long stay in Noxus was marked by extremely grim conditions, constant training and bloodshed, and a severely strict diet and exercise regimen that turned them into aesthetically pleasing killers. Vermilion rose in popularity in part because of her determination, her unbending will, and her dancers' grace. She had held on, refused to become a monster because of the hope she could once again see her people. She questioned herself though, as every kill eroded her humanity, eroded her inhibition to shed blood.
She then shared to Diana, in tears, how... they, the Blood Brides, were rented out to wealthy nobles for many different purposes. She told Diana how the Chemist Singed had taken her womanhood, given her high hopes of freedom, only to be discarded and forgotten.
Because of the slave collar she wore, she had even been forced to come back to Noxus, even when she was in Zaun during a very recent outbreak that claimed many hundreds of lives in the Undercity. There she encountered horrors... monsters... twisted mockeries of life that drove her sanity to the edge.
She had eventually found her freedom by making a deal with a disembodied spirit of a sorceress, but by then she had already been pushed to her brink. To win her freedom, she betrayed her mistress, and worse, she had been forced to put down the other gladiatrices she had fought alongside- killing those she called sister.
Once free, she no longer had the will to leave Noxus. She threw herself to the darkness and gloom of Noxus's grim dungeons, where a monster like her belonged... until Diana came along. Re-telling the story, Caerys understandably teared up again, even the good Doctor wiping a small tear from her eye.... admiring the woman's strength. Even though a slave, she had shown qualities of a Noxian- which made Caerys feel a degree of pity for the doctor, for having to live in such a society.
"Caerys... Caerys Asha'bel is now free... I... I haven't spoken my name since I put on the collar." Much tears flowed from her eyes, as the hours passed as she told her tale.
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 26, 2013 15:55:56 GMT -5
As Caerys finished her food, Diana would continue eating as the woman moved away, only to return with several belongings and begin her story. Diana would listen to Caerys' story for the long hours she told it, showing nearly no emotion except for a few parts that truly intrigued her. At times of hearing sad stories within the past, Diana would've broken down and become almost the most emotional within a group of people, but her hardened gaze and understanding of being used & betrayed kept her in check. Diana would watch as she broke down, seeing that the woman herself had such a terrible time with life, but for now... she's fine and safe.
"Caerys Asha'bel hm? A beautiful name for a courageous woman." Diana said as Caerys finished her story, moving over to sit next to Caerys, bringing her gaze up up to match her own.
"Now chin up, dear. I do intend to free you much more from the bondages of Noxus. You have shown the greatest qualities this city-state admires, but I've found a higher purpose for you. You wish to return to your people, let alone leave Noxus... as a Lunari, I can make it happen."
She would await Caerys' reaction, and with a furrowed brow she'll continue to analyze the woman, still quite interested.
"As long as I am gone from this place, I will be glad to be anywhere. But who are you really, and the Lunar...i?" She repeated, the obvious root word making it apparent how similar they must be. Now that she had the presence of mind, she could ask Diana about her.
"What is the Lunari, then? Are you part of a group, by any chance that worships an aspect Witch goddess, the moon? if so, then you have other associates who worship the stars and the sun?" Caerys was intrigued; Diana's appearance and powers paralleled that of the trinity goddess that her own people worship.
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 26, 2013 19:47:52 GMT -5
Diana would tilt her head to the side, and notably frown when Caerys mentioned the sun. Although her mind was curious, Diana could only answer so much.
"All in due time dear. I am Diana, leader of the Lunari and Avatar of the Moon. My goal is to restore the balance that was lost by the Solari, which is now lead by Leona, Avatar of the Sun. The closest to one that is closest to the stars, would be Soraka the starchild, but alas I do not associate with her much outside of institute matches."
Diana's tone almost changed to disgust as she mentioned Leona's name and title, knowing that speaking her name already upset her greatly... but she'll always keep her cool if explaining something. Her tone would return to normal afterwards.
"The Lunari does revere the Moon, as she overlooks us and guiding our will each and every day. I myself am far more connected to the Moon, as you have seen... but I do not know of this goddess you speak about."
"It would be interesting if the Lunari and my people's goddess worship were related." Caerys said, already finding great comfort in Diana's presence- like the familiarity of her people.
Post by Scorn of the Moon on May 27, 2013 23:56:18 GMT -5
Diana would tilt her head to the side, looking back towards the Doctor, then Caerys.
"We leave in a few days, as I'll send Swain word to keep this place locked up and well... protected while we are gone. You do not have to return with me if we ever are within the area, as I'll send you ahead to another place if preferable."
Diana would then give off a sigh of relief, as she's now full from her meal and once again turn her gaze back to Caerys' own.
"The matters of your joining, will be done at my temple. But, I'll rather wish to track down your old family and others, as they have possibly assumed your fate by now. If not, it can also be done at the Institute of War, at my quarters there."
Caerys looked at Diana, holding out the broken moonsilver dagger. "Every member of the Caravan on their pilgrimage carries a relic that allows them to home in on the Vardos. My mistress broke my weapon, taking the enchantment with it."
She came slightly closer to Diana. "Could you repair this?"
Welcome to Maelstrom, Original Characters, Summoners and Champions alike. We are a divergent setting roleplay forum for the ever-popular MOBA by Riot, League of Legends. This means we are based in Riot canon, but your characters' actions can have a real, lasting impact on the world. Together, the Maelstrom community endeavors to bring the League of Legends setting and characters to life through collaborative storytelling and meaningful development. We welcome you along for the ride.
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