{ LAIR } The Main Colosseum (PAGE 4)

[Zoobey]

A blast of warm sand, howling and furious, perhaps reflecting Medea's own temperance. For every step they took, another blast of wind pushed them back. It felt long long, arduous moments before they found shelter: a cavern that opened up from the sand to welcome them.

"Ah, make sure our guests are well secured." The Head Priestess watched carefully as the prisoners, the Hunters were bound, before proceeding down the corridors. The path was well-lit now, a strange hollow whoosh as they continued to move deeper and deeper until-

- A large cavern unfolded in front of them. Everything was made out of sand and if not sand then the crust of the earth, hollowed out into a hundred intricate rooms, holes, caverns. There was a large structure in the center, currently empty, round, built like an archaic roman colosseum.

Two Famine colony soldiers hurriedly rushed forward, greeting the Head Priestess as she nodded towards the entourage behind her. "Please, take our guests to their chambers." More Famine clansmembers joined them as they pulled the Hunters away.

Medea was talking to someone else now, an elderly Famine sage who simply nodded, smiling, at the new arrivals. At last she returned to the assembled. "The clan elder of this Lair welcomes you. This is our Lair now, and more, our base of operations, where you can hide away from prying eyes, where you can see for yourselves the true motives of these Hunters, fight with us against those who oppose us, those who threaten us creatures of Fear, and grow yourself" A shrewd glimmer. "Grow enough to finally protect everyone and never feel helpless again."

She nodded. "Now, we are horsemen here, but in this Lair, as a symbol of trust, we do not differentiate between horsemen and students. Everyone is part of the Lost Clans, each of you willing to fight and to place your trust in us. All power, all Fear, will be distributed equally, to those who earn and deserve it. And there will be chances, you will be called. Look to the mark I have placed on you, this is your calling, your path. When the sigil calls to you, and you will know when, come find us here. There is a secret entrance here, from the Weeping Forest, your mark will guide you to this portal here. I warn you now, those who seek to find an alternate path, who shirk from working hard. You cannot step back from this point. The sigil is your guide. Those who seek to betray us, in words spoken or written, even pure thoughts, you will find yourself in a compromising position. The sigil will quench your thoughts and strip you of all your Fear. You will become powerless and immobile. Now, I do this not as a threat but as a precaution: we cannot be betrayed and we cannot stray from our path. We continue forward, warriors, those noble in cause, who fight. Now, step forward, all of you, and I will bestow upon each of you a gift for your victory and victories to come."

OOC

- Horsemen and students who arrived can post reactions as they please!

ALL HUNTERS QUOTED FOR KIDNAPPING YOU ARE NOW HERE

 

[xoxomenai]

For a single moment, Kiwi thought himself to have passed into a sweet dream as the warm gust of sand blew across his face.

It couldn't be real. It just possibly couldn't. He squeezed his thumb and forefinger into his arm and-

OW-he wasn't dreaming. They were really, truly in a desert. An underground desert. And as the group made their way forward, the sight of Famine colonists ahead nearly brought tears of joy to the horseman's eyes. Whether some remnant of the Famine Isle or not, whether a dream or not, this place was a living, breathing echo of home. Whatever business they had here, he secretly hoped they would not be leaving anytime soon.

Kiwi listened intently, fresh and alert in this beautiful cavern oasis, as Medea explained the purpose of their visit. So Medea did indeed intend for them to have a lair of their own, a place to collect and grow their power. He exchanged a long glance with Eisheth. Perhaps, even for a priestess, she was not so terrible. Of the clan sigil, he was not entirely certain how he felt. He knew very well it was an ancient and powerful symbol of the clan. And staring to his own, he felt an odd gentleness, much like the calm feeling he had experienced only moments earlier. A certain union, and oneness with the clan itself, even his beloved ancestors, the dear Queen rest their soul.

... How could he possibly betray the clan?? ... He only wanted what was best for them. And here before him was not only a sweet, beautiful echo of his former home, but a chance at obtaining the power they need. If this path would earn them that, then he would follow. He glanced up to his cousin, wondering if she felt the same ...

santime

 

[Yayoi]

Mei was taken by surprise at what awaited her on the other side of the portal. The warmth of this place and all the sand. There was so much of it. She had never seen so much sand in one place. Dusting her clothes off seemed to prove futile as there was just more and more sand.

The ghoul had followed close behind the group of Horsemen who were in turn following Medea. Lingering in the back of the group, it was easier to not draw too much attention. She knew her presence would be unsettling for some of them as was evident with a few who eyed her suspiciously. But all in all she had come of her own volition, no tricks or dark plots motivated her. On the contrary, she was curious. Though she did have on particular motive of figuring out if Eisheth had made it, her intentions were not negative.

It felt as if she waited a long time before Medea addressed the group once more. Listening quietly, she rubbed absentmindedly at the mark on her left thigh. It was almost similar to what happened when the scroll on her forehead was removed. Interesting.

Well, it was too late to change her mind. But she had no real intentions of doing so.

santime

 

[demon_pachabel]

It was rather nice to see that their decisions were starting to look rather nice in terms of the rebirth of the Lair. It sort of flourished, and if those they had brought with them were to be trusted keeping their mouths shut, it would prove to be a good resource to have... at least in regards to what was happening when the people of Halloween couldn't sustain their own as well as they thought they could.

No, it was up for the Horsemen to take care of their own - and he had all intentions to do just that.

Still, Medea was now offering power to all of the students present - would they take it? He was waiting to see who would actually be interested in this sort of thing; especially when they were more of less holding them hostage now that they were marked by the symbol of the lost clans. He knew there were some who would fuss. In fact, he would have been more surprised if they hadn't, but still, he kept passing a look over the lair, then the students.

He was sure some of them were smart enough to know what would happen there.

But for now, to observe would be his best bet: After all, this was all about to get rather interesting.  

[demon_pachabel]

The mark on the inside of her wrist burned, to be honest. Was this what it felt like to have a demon mark? Perhaps she would have to ask Jericho about it later - Jericho? Why did she feel like something was leaving a void in that thought...like she'd both witnessed and forgotten that something had happened....... and yet, it seemed like Medea had nothing but praise for them at the current moment. She pursed her lips as the priestess spoke, folding her arms behind her back as she considered just what was being offered to them. The pain of humans in exchange for strength: Strength they were currently doing without by being sustained on the screams of children who were trying to sleep soundly in their beds.

That seemed to be somewhat expected.

However, the note of a reward caused her brows to furrow ever so slightly. If they were to become a part of the lost clan - and at this point, it was as though those who had followed Medea had no choice but to work hard and not be snuffed out, as it was - they would lose their freedom to some end, would they not? But, she had not earned anything, so she did not make any effort to step forward.

At least, not in the way one who was to receive a gift would, anyways. She was now in a position where she could not speak of what she now knew. Did she want to?

Did she have any other options? She would wait and see. She still needed to find out what had happened on the island, after all...  

[Syusaki]

On the other side of the portal Jay was met with a furious gust of sand and warm wind. It caught her off guard. Squinting eyes peered through the storm of sand while she pulled her scarf tighter around her mouth. She mindlessly marched through the sand until they finally found shelter at last. Jay breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a cavern. By now, she recognized the structure as a Lair. The sight of sand and earth was comforting, although not as comforting as she would have wanted it to be. She grasped an arm while she fondly recalled the thick foliage and bird calls of the War jungles, a far off memory she sometimes still saw in her dreams.

She didn’t even bother to look at the hunters as they were taken away. There might have been veiled disappointment in her eyes, but Jay was confident the horsemen would have their opportunity to play with the humans eventually. Now, it seemed, was not the time for such matters. A pointed gaze at the few students gathered in the Lair. Jay had only somewhat interacted with the students. There had only ever been one student she could say she enjoyed being with, but she hadn’t seen him at all during the invasion. Had Isra chosen not to participate? Who knows. The warrior would have to find out later, but not now.

Jay stayed back. What Medea said made sense and sounded reasonable, as hesitate as Jay was to be buddy-buddy with the students. The priestess knew what she was doing. The war horsewoman had faith.  

[medigel]

Mort might have some issues with memory, but he knew instinctively that he was not a fan of sand - something about a beach and heat and trials and an overlarge crab mount for some reason. It was shaken off with a small frown as he stepped into the coliseum, shuffling off to the side as more came through.

He didn't know what to say honestly. Or what to think, other than it was grand, secretive, and a sign that the horsemen would soon be leaving the Weeping Forest hopefully; it wasn't as if they looked on their lot of land there with fondness.

So their mark did come at a price: stay loyal or be cut off from FEAR. not illogical, but unsettling all the same. The zomboil rubbed the swirled marking atop his right hand as if to ward off a phantom ache, brows knitted. One of the Lost? He wasn't sure how to take the idea . . . Coming together was something of an ideal that had seemed beyond their grasp, if in their sights at all.

But Medea promised power. Victory. A calling. Things he couldn't ignore. And so the zomboil cross his arms lightly and awaited for further instructions, lips pressed together in a thin line.

~ ~ ~

A blast of warmth and sand was very much welcome - it picked at his eyes and forced him to focus on reality rather than what had fallen over him from before. Sparing no looks to the captured prey as they were carted off, Shikoba all but crowed from the welling of satisfaction deep within from the results of their assault. Violence and the strange peace from crystallization had created a sort of euphoric zen, and the normally stoic horseman was now sporting a feral sort of grin as he made his way to one War-Sister. "It isn't a bad haul," he commented casually as he turned to listen to Medea's speech.

He didn't care one lick about the students' involvement. One footsoldier was as good as the next, and if anyone was weak among the mark, they would find out quickly enough.

Syusaki

 

[ramenli]

As they trekked through the sand memories kept filtering in. Hunters had taken him and several others. Step. They had questioned them. Step. That huntress...Miss Sasha. Step. Miss Israfel...he faltered. Miss Israfel had been weaponized. Step.

Finally they reached their destination and now more than ever he wanted to go home. But no, he had promised Alexander he would go with him, he had to stay with him, keep him safe. Make sure....that the hunters would not get to him. That was it, the files. He had to protect him, why had he even considered staying behind?

The High Priestess of the horseman was talking now, speaking of the power that she could offer them. But somehow it felt tainted, images of massacres, battlefields dancing before his eyes. Something was wrong here. It was not until she spoke of betrayal that he remembered being tagged. No, he would betray them. Fear clutched at him with the realization that he already had. But he had no sigil like she spoke of. It was confusing, but he knew he could not continue here. He would betray them and the power she offered...normally he sought out how to be stronger. Now he questioned it. If he was stronger and the hunters took control...he was a more powerful weapon for them. And this strength did not feel right for him. Who would he be fighting? Why? For who?

He looked toward Alexander but could not quite meet his eyes. "I...I do not feel this is right for me. I...I might betray them. I cannot guarantee...there are things you do not know. About...about me. Do not let me hold you back though. You said she helped you, do what you feel is right." he tried to offer the zomboil a smile as he began easing back. He should not be here. He just wanted to go home.  

[Seussi]

Alex's already normally slow form of trekking along was made even more so when they had passed through the portal and into the sand. Sand. He hated the stuff. It reminded him of something unpleasant, but the memory of why currently eluded him. More current memories were still presenting themselves slowly as he moved along. His mission to go to the infirmary and save Yin, his failure to do so as he was tossed through the air like a ragdoll by an explosion. Perhaps if he had been stronger....maybe none of this would have ever happened.

Medea's offer was becoming more appealing by the second.

More memories now, hatred towards those who had taken Yin away from him. The desperation he had felt when he had sought out the priestess with the help of the famine sage, Sal. The mark on his hand...

He clenched his right hand into a fist, staring at it, remembering Medea's words. This was right. He owed her this for the help she had given. But not only that, no. Now he actually felt for once that he wanted to fight. He wanted to be stronger, to work towards making that possible for himself. He wanted what Medea offered.

As they stopped, he shifted so that he was facing Yin, his face set in grim determination, though that look was shattered when his bonded spoke. His eyes widened slightly, just before narrowing, his expression one of confusion. "W-what do you....?" he didn't really understand. He could understand Yins hesitations towards trusting the horsemen, sure, but not the rest. What was it that he didn't know? Why was Yin speaking about betrayal? He had so many questions, but he felt that now was not at all the best time to ask. And...well, Yin surely would tell him, in due time. So instead of pressing the issue further, he stopped, and gave his head a small shake, watching as Yin backed away.

"This feels right for me. It's not something you need to do as well, though. I appreciate your support." A small return smile, and an urge to hug the other boil though he kept himself from going through with it, but he did step a bit closer just to murmer,

"We will go home soon. Together." before turning back to Medea and waiting for whatever came next.

ramenli

 

[Carhop Cavalier]

Medea...never to be truly trusted, the Doppelganger now knew. If it weren't for Medea, this whole mess wouldn't have happened. They would have just gone to the underground lake and ended up stumped, like their predecessors. Medea decided to do things though, to churn the waters with her ideas of revenge.

Yes, Gene had wanted revenge; just not Medea's kind. A warning shot was all the Doppelganger asked, not a fatal one. And now...now they had killed someone; a man who was trying to protect his own. She hadn't realized that fact in her battle frenzy, and she sorely regretted it.

No more, though. None of this nonsense.

Riding on Frost's back, the mounted duo soon found their target through the Wolfos' sense of smell, and Medea's own unique FEAR signature. Dismounting to face the dainty priestess at eye level, Gene cleared her throat to speak.

"Medea, unmark me. I don't want any more of this, of your path." She made a sweeping motion with her arm, ending at the Hunters. She looked at the captured ones, and grimaced when her eyes fell on the Huntress with the strawberry blonde hair. "My path differs from yours, Medea. I don't seek death or destruction, I only want to be left alone to pursue my unlife - I realize now that retaliating only invites more annoyances, more bothering and irritation." She stroked Frost's fur, chewing on her next words. "I will not betray your secrets, or conspire against you. Just let me walk a path of my own making."


((I have Vamps' consent to use Frost in the post.))

Zoobey

 

[santime]

Following Medea through the portal Eisheth slowly started remembering the late events. Night call, lake underneath Amityville, chalice, students and horsemen together, portal, Deus Ex island, a siege, attacking the barriers and rescuing students, Mei's lost, crystal shards, crystal ooze covering the entire island, thoughts of regret, and... Death? Stupid, she really hoped it could mean the beginning of Apocalypse. The power which seemed to be tremendous, proved to be not so powerful after all.

Now they were... in the human world again. And the massive cavern they entered, guarded surprisingly by some familiar Colony Soldiers, was very, very specific one. Eisheth would never mistaken a proper Lair, since the existence of the lairs was the reason she's still alive, in the first place. Looks like Medea was faster, and they already organised a proper Lair, but at least it was good to know her thoughts during the humans world raid were on the right track.

Mei! The aclhemist finally noticed the Jiang Shi standing silently in the corner. Her first intention was to hug her pulling breath away from the student, but she managed to calm herself, at least a bit. "Mei! Thanks Queen, you're alive!", she shouted. "Where, where in the world have you been? I was following you in the Jungle zone, but... but you disappeared", she sighed, now a bit relaxed: the student seemed to look normally, two arms, two legs, hair, and a scroll were on their proper places.

"Please", she complained. "Don't you ever do it to me again. I can't act normally, if I don't know where you are... I won't be able to protect you, if you go on your own".

Now she could smile, at least, and did what she really wanted to do during her lecture: hugged the student pulling breath out of her.

Yayoi

smile

 

[Yayoi]

One minute she was standing by herself, the next she had Eisheth nearly on top of her. Lecturing her about not running off on her own and all that stuff. It was certainly a reaction from the Clanswoman she hadn't expected. Merely scratching at her cheek bashfully, this would draw attention she was sure.

"Eish-" But before she could explain what happened or at least what she could remember happening she was caught in a sudden embrace. She would have flailed her arms if they were free to do so. It was so sudden and so public.

Lucky for her she didn't need to breath.

Eventually she wiggled her arms free and slowly wrapped them, all be it awkwardly, around Eisheth. Giving her a hug in return. "I'm sorry...." Was all she could manage to mumble with her face smooshed into her chest before placing a hard on her arm and pulling back a little from the crushing hug. I pained her that her action had caused Eisheth so much grief and a frown threateningly tugged at the corners of her mouth. But she pushed it aside and instead replace it with a simple smile. Having wished she had stuck to her side as vauge memories of pain and then nothing then snapping awake and instantly becoming crystallized began to slowly seep back to the forefront of her mind.

"I won't run off again, I promise. But..." The ghoul fiddled with the Clansman's cloak idly. "I'll make it up to you later. I am glad you are ok." She glanced about for a second, spotting the new arrivals and those that she recognized. Alex, Yin even Mort had come along. Looking up, her smile grew just a bit more sheepish.

"At least it seems you have a new place to dwell?" It was more of a question than a statement. She was unsure really what exactly one did in a Lair, but the mark on her thigh would allow her entry to here. She itched at it randomly for a couple of seconds now that she had a hand free. A hoped her choice wasn't something she might regret.

santime

 

[ramenli]

Sand was not something that he was familiar with, but the Death Horseman was not about to let that slow him down. It was more akin to Famine's territory, but they were all together now. The cavern was still a welcome sight to behold as they neared.

Other horseman seemed to have the hunters under control, though he willingly would have assisted them. As it was he moved forward to hear the Priestess' instructions. They had a lair again. He had no interest in hiding from eyes, merely in regaining the strength that Horsemen deserved. Returning to their rightful place. He did not like the idea of treating students equally though. They were nothing more than scarelings. He would be nice enough, as nice as he was to any stranger, but he simply could not see them as more than fillies and colts. He would have to trust them to not betray them, but the Priestess had made that not an option, which was a distinct relief.

He looked around the room, his height giving him a fair vantage point. Over there was Lifen, looking for others. Perhaps Lan, perhaps Mengyao. He had no doubt the Conquest horsemen would appear. Lan and Lifen had both proved strong, collecting Fear, adding to their strength. He respected him. These were the Horseman he was in a clan with. They would take power, Fear, and they could wreck more havoc. He stepped forward willingly, easily, ready to receive from the Priestess.