The Hateful Meteor

[Tyrian]

Welcome to the Maraholm Woods, a forest of tall, thick trees with dense canopies which have grown very close together. Large roots grow and twist all over the surface, with plants that grow tall. A majority of plants have taken up growing as vines, in order to wrap themselves around the trunks of trees and grow up them, in order to reach sunlight. Speaking of such, sunlight rarely shines through the trees, causing plants to have needed to grow and develop to make up for the lack of sunlight. Animals have taken advantage of the trees, using the large roots as houses along with the dense canopies. Rumor has it that deep within the Maraholm Woods lies the Lonvern Grove, a beautiful location of a fresh water lake and exotic plants which develop delicious fruits and vegetables. Where, within this lake, fish of various sizes and rich in texture, color, and nutrients reside. The Lonvern Grove was named after the man who reported the existence of such a place, providing a fruit of large, juicy, and brilliant flavor, who passed under mysterious circumstances before he could reveal the location of the Lonvern Grove. Many hunt for this area, though it seems no one has yet to find it.

Though, the story is not around one of these Grove Hunters, not one bit. Instead, it is around a meteor, the one falling from the sky. A large object that was heading straight towards the woods, appearing to be a meteor, followed by a trail of intense fire. Though, any observers of this meteor would know that the meteor did not come from the sky. Instead, it appeared to spontaneously appear. After all, it was no meteor, but a demon.

The demon fell with great speed from the sky, trails of fire following the descending individual. Blood followed the trails of fire, dripping from the many wounds the individual had. This individual was Araphi von Velvine, who fell from the sky after being blasted down by bolts of fire. She was covered in blood and deep wounds, her wings themselves being torn apart. Her thoughts were clouded and distorted, barely able to get a grasp on the world around her as she plummeted. All Araphi remembers last is escaping her captors and flying away, before pain overtook her body followed by immense heat. Her body was full of unbearable pain, and she was barely conscious.

'This is how I am to die? Not by combat, nor by torture, but a fall?'

Araphi felt tired. The pain was too much, and she felt lightheaded and cold. A new sensation took over her body as she finally slammed into the Maraholm Woods, burning through the canopies of trees and setting them ablaze. She felt the branches cut her body and tear her already ruined clothing, before feeling the painful impact when she hit a cluster of tightly packed roots. She now lay in the middle of a decent sized crater, covered in dirt, boiling mud and blood. Everything was blurry, and the area was hot. She heard the crackling of fire, followed by branches falling to the ground with violent crashes.

The demon was surprised she had survived the fall, though was almost certain her injuries would end up being the death of her. Slowly, Araphi began to prop herself up onto her elbows, her body surging with pain and her whole mind screaming at her to stop. Her thoughts were full of hate, calling herself pathetic, and weak, not even being able to get back up after such a """small""" fall.

'I can't even get up? How weak am I? I didn't survive 20 years of torture for this death. This is not a true death. This is nothing. If I am to die like this, then I hope to whatever gods out there that exist that I am forgotten.'

The sluggish figure looked back at their wings, to see the most gruesome sight. The fire was entirely gone, and the wings were almost pouring out blood, covered in heavy, harsh burns. They were ripped all over, being barely held together, only a few bones and some tendons preventing them from falling into piles of smoldering flesh. Araphi looked at her forearms through the blurry vision, seeing nothing blood, cuts, dirt, and burns of varying degrees. If she survived this, she would be looking at such bad scarring, and her being lucky if her wings ever worked again. She was out of breath, and felt pain all over. For the first time in a very, very long time, Araphi wanted to cry. The pain was indescribable, something that could only be experienced. There was only one person in the entirety of the universe that Araphi would ever wish this sensation upon.

It took Araphi what felt like hours to her, but what was only a few minutes, to get herself up on her hands and knees. She was shaking and wobbling, and her mind kept begging her to stop, and that it could not handle anything more. Smoke was everywhere from the burning trees and flaming roots. At this point, the sensation of adrenaline had taken over. She could not feel anything except for intense tingling all over her body, and she could barely think. Araphi coughed from the smoke, before falling back over onto her side, trembling and shaking. All she saw was intense fire and dark, cloudy smoked followed with the intensely dark forest behind the fires.

Araphi looked to her clothing to see what she could even salvage for some sort of bandages, to maybe, if anything, get the bleeding to just stop, even if for a minute. Though, all she saw was dirt and smoldered, charred clothing. There was almost nothing that remained, and as such, nothing she could use to help her injuries. All that was left was less than half a shirt, stained with thick layers of dirt and blood, that was barely being held together. The back of the shirt was entirely gone, having been burned away by the bolts of fire, only bits of sleeve kept it actually on. Her bottom half was covered by perhaps 1/10th of the original clothing, and it was full of holes. None of it was suitable for makeshift bandages.

She looked around the crater for her makeshift chain-whip, and sees it far off to the side, covered by burning wood from the trees. Even if Araphi managed to make it over there, she would have absolutely no strength to get it free. She had only one thought in the mess of the chaos.

'I'm going to die here.'

Araphi's form has been updated!

[[God] - Nocturne]

Shrouded by dense forestry, Nocturne was simply taking a stroll in a grove about as strange at the Underdark. Well, as strange as the surface layer of the Underdark went. The time of day could easily be lost with how dense the canopy was in blocking out light. Despite how dim the grove was, it wasn't too big of a hassle to navigate. Plants and some small bugs or animals let off a little glow, illuminating the area around them so it was easy to see the ground and shrubbery surrounding oneself. The forest and the inner grove both had a lovely chill in the air, a soft haze slinking around the trees and further catching a soft blue light from the luminous life within it. All seemed well and it was quite serene.

Well, it was serene until there was a soft roaring that grew louder. Through what few cracks of sky that can be found within the canopy's leaves was a bright orange. A loud sound of snapping branches signaled panic with the fauna began, sudden bursts of larger animals leaping away from what was now a raging fire. Out of the gods, Nocturne knew this wasn't Pyreon or Fulmen's style for burn control. Willow would have chewed them senseless for a few weeks if they caused such a ruckus like this. So it was something else. Ember wouldn't cause a disaster like this if she could help it, and all seemed too serene in the general area for it to be a fight with her or anyone with firepower. So, by all means this was a time to investigate.

Her body turned to smoke, racing through shadows that the smoke would cast on the trees. Ah shadow travel, such a lovely way to get to where you wanted. Nocturne halted near where the fire itself seemed to calm, but ash and embers still flickered and threatened life. Wisps from her form lagged until it was gathered into a more solid appearance of a pale body with silver eyes and obsidian hair, neatly trimmed and dawning a black gown that flowed softly. The goddess peeked around from behind a burning trunk, hand on the hilt of her blade and shadows flowing over her fingers and solidifying into ebony talons tipped in obsidian. Black smoke flowed over her gown and solidified into armour, something more suitable in case whatever it was wanted to fight. She stared at the thing for a few seconds, making out a body coated in blood, rags and soot.

Wait... This being is not of this plane. Nocturne immediately stepped around into view, a strong stride and a dangerous glare. She stopped a step away from Araphi, looking over the broken body but still keeping her blade pointed towards the demoness' throat. Should she try to make a sudden move or try to attack, Nocturne would just end her suffering here and now. [smear:#ac75ff]"You. You are of the Fire Realms, are you not? State your business. Why are you here?"[/smear:#423159:1] Of course, as the lord of the domain of fire, Pyrion would need to know about this, regardless of if it's his business or not.

[Tyrian]

The sounds of crackling fire as it began to fade away and terrified animals were the only sounds Araphi could make out. Being barely conscious, her only ideas at the moment were to either just lay back down and die, or try to get up. Her mind settled on the second option. Although, Araphi had no idea how she was going to muster up the strength to get up, let alone leave wherever she is.

"A death in these conditions it not a death I want." were the demoness's thoughts. To die like this was, in Araphi's mind, a complete failure, and implied her life was worth nothing. She would be lucky if she could get away before whoever was after her now, whether or not it be her captors, got to her. She had to move, with or without that chain whip, and with or without her body's consent. Every part of her was screaming "NO! NO! DON'T MOVE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!", though Araphi's stubbornness and edge beliefs kept telling her to keep going.

Everything was a battle. The smell of charred, melted flesh and burned wood. The ash in the air and the dense smoke. The burns that coated her body, making every bit of contact a flaring mess. Araphi began trying her best, putting forth everything she had, to getting herself to move. At first, she tried to prop herself up, though soon realized there was no way that was going to happen. There was a good chance most of her was probably broken. So, she needed a better plan.

Araphi's next idea came from the trees. If she could drag herself over to a large chunk of tree that had fallen, she can use it to pull herself up and use the trees as structure to lean on. The issue was gaining the strength to drag herself over. It was life or death, and as such, Araphi began the very slow process of dragging herself across the dirt and hot mud.

It was beyond agonizing, beyond anything she had yet to experience. The so-called baroness had barely dragged herself across the ground upon Nocturne's appearance. Araphi had only gotten a small portion of her fingers out of the crater when the goddess came to the site. Not having noticed Nocturne right away, Araphi only stopped her attempts to move when she noticed a blade pointed down towards her, and a voice asking her a question.

The Fire Realms? That was the place Velvine was from. At least, that's what Araphi had been told, and overheard. Some rationality was going through her head, mostly thinking about what she knew. Banished. Velvine. Nearly killed. Torture.

"I... Was." Araphi started, coughing on the smoke, continuing in a somewhat spiteful/hateful tone, "That place is no... no longer home. Never was." She began to press her arms into the ground, moving them a bit to get a small spot of flat dirt as Araphi ever so slowly propped up her body. "Unless you... plan on helping out... I suggest you... you... move." Araphi finished, almost entirely out of breath. The sharp blade was in her way of moving forward. Sure, she could keep moving forward, but that'd end up being her actual last time moving around.

[[God] - Nocturne]

[smear:#ac75ff]"Move?"[/smear:#423159:1] Nocturne stared down at the demoness, mildly amused. [smear:#ac75ff]"You can barely even get up and walk, moreover crawl one pace forward."[/smear:#423159:1] There was no reason for her to move. It was more than apparent that Araphi wasn't going to be able to try something stupid. She was too physically crippled at the moment, at least that's what Nocturne thought. 

The sword stayed out, readily available if Nocturne needed to use it on Araphi or any other body that showed to be a sign of danger. [smear:#ac75ff]"Explain what you intend to do."[/smear:#423159:1] She moved the sword out of Araphi's face and stuck it in the ground, soft amber flickering and glinting off the obsidian blade. Shadows danced, but more due to Nocturne's presence than any remaining fires in the area.

[Tyrian]

What she intended to do, huh? Araphi had a long list of what she intended to do, but that would take hours of excruciating, graphic detail for just the list of ways Araphi would hurt Velvine. "I'm going to break into fire realm... And kill my mother. That's it." Araphi answered truthfully. How she was going to break into the fire realm? Well, Araphi hadn't thought out that portion yet. There's probably a gate somewhere or something... right?

Even if there isn't a gate, Araphi would find a way. Her entire list of goals right now just consisted of shoving whatever weapon she has down Velvine's throat and that was it. Her fingers dug into the dirt and mud as Araphi looked at the blade, then back at Nocturne, "Now, I have a realm to break into..." she said. Araphi looked once more at the blade, how the amber looked within the dark capsule of a blade.

"If you're... not going to help me... I suggest you move." Araphi said once more, trying to catch her breath from the smoke and pain, as her attention maintained on the sword. That sword does look pretty nice... And it would probably look nicer on her quest for revenge. Though, in her state, would it even be possible to grab? Even if she did, whoever this was would probably fully cut her wings off, and she kinda liked them. Or maybe just kill her, and that'd be a pathetic end to this whole thing.

[[God] - Nocturne]

Nocturne raised a brow. This broken thing was plotting revenge?[smear:#ac75ff] "You're going to break into the realm like that?"[/smear:#423159:1] Araphi seemed determined enough for such an assumption to be made. If Nocturne didn't have any self control, she'd have laughed at Araphi. Her gaze followed Araphi's to her sword. The demoness seemed insistent that Nocturne move but barely moved anywhere herself. It was pathetic to watch. 

[smear:#ac75ff]"You're not going to make it far like that. And if you do just so happen to make it into the fire realm in that condition, your quest for revenge will fail immediately."[/smear:#423159:1] Nocturne said, staying as she was and just watching the demoness. She wasn't very smart from the looks of it, or maybe she was just too in the moment of hellbent vengeance. The goddess let out a sigh. [smear:#ac75ff]"Are you planning on doing this alone? And as soon as you can actually stand?"[/smear:#423159:1] If Araphi could stand, Nocturne would just nudge her back onto the ground to make a point.

[Tyrian]

Was she going to break into the Fire Realm in this condition? Well, if she was able to, yes. "I don't see why not. I'm still alive, and killing her in this state would only embarrass her." Araphi responded, seeing absolutely no problem with that. "I need to break in first, and by that point, I'll be able to hold a weapon. I'll kill her in any condition. I'll take my last breath when she takes her's." She added, struggling to keep herself propped up on her arms, "My condition is no matter, she'll die if I'm healthy or if I'm crumbling to dust." Araphi was more than certain she could easily take down Velvine, even in her condition, though what slipped her mind was the fact that Velvine was probably 3x as strong as Araphi on a good day.

"I made it this far in this hole, I can make it further once I figure out a way in." The "baroness" replied to the goddess, adding "I made it this far in my life, surely I can make it further in the one place I hate most." Araphi turned her attention back up at Nocturne. She was curious why this goddess was not budging from her spot. She knew she had limited time here, if those captors of hers are going to pursue, though perhaps they thought her to be dead. That was a chance, but not on Araphi wanted to take. Right now, she was certain whoever this figure was would leave her if the captors came forth... Although, maybe this person was working with her captors?

These thoughts put the demon on edge. If this person was working with her captors, or even just alongside Velvine, could this person be trusted? Araphi had no way to tell, though, she knew she was in no condition to fight this individual to find out, whoever they are. With these thoughts, Araphi chose her next words carefully, in case this person was with Velvine, to maybe make Velvine think Araphi had more up her sleeve. In reality, Araphi's next words were a complete, total lie, and considering the current circumstances Araphi and Nocturne met, if Nocturne could easily tell if someone was lying, then it was super obvious.

"Of course not. I have made a couple of friends, and they're nearby. Coming for me, in fact. The moment they show, I'll be out of here and finding my way to the Fire Realm." Araphi, just in case this was a person aiding Velvine, decided to add the next couple of words. Perhaps the idea of friends coming and Araphi knowing who they were would chase them off? Well, that was Araphi's idea. A stupid one at that, but, her mind was focused on a lot of other things at the moment. Like staying conscious. "You can tell Velvine that herself once you go back to her. Or did she send you to finish me, and like the coward she is, decide not to show her face?"

[[God] - Nocturne]

[smear:#ac75ff]"You're not likely survive your journey as you are. As I see it, right now, you wouldn't even get close to any entrances like this. Maybe not even out of this forest."[/smear:#423159:1] To prove her point, she simply stepped over next to Araphi and hooked her boot under the demoness' chest and flipped her over on her back. She placed her foot on the demoness and kept her firmly into the ground.


[smear:#ac75ff]"It's rare for realm creatures to leave and re-enter between here and there. I doubt you have any connections here outside of the stray cultist or two."[/smear:#423159:1] Her glare was burrowing right into Araphi's eyes.[smear:#ac75ff] "I don't know who this Velvine is. The fire realms and domain are not in my territory. I'm the Lady of Shadows."[/smear:#423159:1] It was apparent this demon knew nothing. 

[smear:#ac75ff]"If you're so sure that you can walk straight back into the fire realms, please do show me by freeing yourself from me."[/smear:#423159:1] Nocturne watched Araphi closely. She was more than sure Araphi wasn't going to give up easily and pressed her boot only slightly on her chest whenever she tried to move to send a shockwave of pain through the baroness. [smear:#ac75ff]"I'm waiting."[/smear:#423159:1]

[Tyrian]

"I care little if I survive the journey. I'll kill Velvine even if it means killing myself." Araphi spat, coughing and wheezing in pain as she was turned onto her back. "I can make it out of this forest. I escaped my captors, I can escape this too. There's always a way." The baroness insisted, grabbing onto Nocturne's ankle with both of her hands. She strained as she tried to lift the boot from her chest, though her singed arms and charred body could not muster the strength.

"You're right," Araphi started, letting go of Nocturne's ankle, "I don't even have any connections to that damned realm. I'll find one, and I'll get my way in, no matter the cost." The baroness could only just match Nocturne's glare, her best tactic at the moment just speaking in an aggressive, harsh tone of voice. After all, Araphi knew she did not have the strength to fight this individual.

There was a pause from the demon as her hands crackled faintly with fire. Battling her way through surge after surge of pain and agony from everywhere on her body, Araphi grabbed Nocturne's ankle once more. Her plan was to burn away at Nocturne until she backed off, though, the fire would just not stir. She let go once more, panting. "If you are so concerned about my presence, then why don't you just let me go? You clearly don't want to help."

[[God] - Nocturne]

Nocturne wasn't going to repeat herself, even though Araphi had such stupid determination. Stupid in that she was going to die even trying to enter the realms. She stayed as she was, Araphi's attempt to injure Nocturne an obvious fail as fire just slipped off obsidian and softly warming ebony. Slight pressure down from Nocturne's boot into Araphi's chest would put enough of a shock of pain to make the demoness dispel her flames and let go.

[smear:#ac75ff]"If I didn't want to help you, I'd have left you to rot in this sad little crater of yours. You lack decent sense for even a basic warrior. You have the determination, but that alone will not let you get to your goal."[/smear:#423159:1] Even Araphi should know this. Perhaps she's in denial? She released pressure from her boot to let Araphi breathe and recover from the pain. [smear:#ac75ff]"At this rate, you might as well be food for the Wilds."[/smear:#423159:1] Funny, the goddess almost seemed disappointed with Araphi.

[Tyrian]

"Ggh..." Was Araphi's only reply as her arms slumped down onto the ground, the embers fading from her person. The demoness only felt rage and hatred towards this individual at this point. Why were they just toying with her? "If you do want to help me, then, why are you impeding me? What help am I gaining for this?" Araphi asked. With the release of Nocturne's boot from her chest, Araphi fell into a fit of coughing and spitting, gasping heavily as some of the pain released. Though, she could still feel the charring of her flesh and the bloody remains of her once mighty wings.

"You claim that if you didn't want to help me you would've left me. What are you here for then? To mock me? To harm me before you do leave me here for food?" Araphi asked in a rather demanding tone of voice. The foolish demoness was too wrapped up in the idea that she could still succeed on her own, when in reality, she'd probably make it a couple of steps before blood loss took her out. Araphi could only stare at the goddess, having given up on moving.

[[God] - Nocturne]

[smear:#ac75ff]"You lack the most basic rule for anything. Knowing your limits."[/smear:#423159:0] It's an obscure way to teach things, but hey how else are you going to teach someone dumber than a rock? [smear:#ac75ff]"You can keep pushing yourself until your body can't move, like you are now, but a deadly glare isn't going to kill who you're seeking revenge on."[/smear:#423159:0] Araphi should know this, or is she too hellbent to care? Nocturne could honestly do this for hours, days even, until Araphi broke. The Goddess' eyes kept contact with Araphi's, reading far into them while her own kept a cold silver gaze. She saw Araphi still thought she could do something. Then do it already. [smear:#ac75ff]"If you can't even remove me off you, then what makes you think you can take someone who banished you from your home realm?"[/smear:#423159:0]

[Tyrian]

"My sincere apologies," Araphi spat in a sarcastic tone, "I was busy being kept a prisoner and being tortured for most of my life to focus on the training exercises." With that grumbling out of the way, Araphi shakily raised herself up as much as she could, putting her weight onto her severely burned elbows. She sharply inhaled from the pain, "I know a deadly glare will not kill. I will find a weapon to kill Velvine with. I will make sure the weapon causes her nothing but great, agonizing pain, like what I am in right now." Araphi answered, her gaze falling towards her makeshift chain-whip that lay underneath the collapsed tree. Returning her attention to Nocturne, she said, "You truly think I plan on going after Velvine like this? I'm not even sure if my wings can recover from such damage and my best weapon is a chain I stuck sharp metal into. I, of course, would immediately die. My goal is to get stronger, get a group of people, get into that realm, and to slaughter her." Her vision began to go blurry, Araphi falling back onto her back as her elbows gave out from how barely propped up her chest was.

[[God] - Nocturne]

Aside from limitations, she lacked another rule that many tend not to follow themselves unless it's necessary for survival. Self care. She was about to lecture but her attention was redirected to Araphi's weapon that she pointed out. It could easily be a trap for a sneak attack, but Nocturne was more than confident to test that. She walked away from Araphi to the whip, but made sure her back wasn't towards the demoness. That's a fool's move. She crouched down, her side facing Araphi so that she could keep an eye out for Araphi pulling something while inspecting this weapon. Of course, she heard Araphi finally letting it set in that she wasn't even able to move and in her current state, was absolutely hopeless.

With her blade, Nocturne cut through the tree as if it was nothing. It wasn't even like cutting butter, it was somehow more seamless than that, as if her sword just phased through the tree. Twice. She kicked the cut away to free up the whip, plucking it up with the end of her obsidian-tipped talons. While Araphi was still conscious enough to hear words, even if they got a little fuzzy, Nocturne spoke,[smear:#ac75ff]"Gathering a force of your own here and bringing them back to your realm is only asking for trouble on multiple grounds. Very few make it to and from the realms, no matter how hard they prepare and how grand at magic they are."[/smear:#423159:0] Regular mages travelling to realms often is an invitation to die.

[Tyrian]

"Then what do you suggest I do? Give up the entire quest?" Araphi asked, no longer attempting to get up and move. At this point, she understood it was entirely pointless to make such an attempt. "What do you want me to do? You make this out to be an impossible task. I get it. It's a horrible plan and I am more likely to die trying than to succeed. That doesn't mean I can just let her get away with what she has done to me and what she will continue to do." The demoness said in a more defeated tone of voice. If she died trying, well, Araphi did not really have much of a life to begin with, so it's not like she had much to lose. "Here I am, laying in the molten dirt with most of my wings destroyed, no weapon, and stuck here. Unable to go anywhere. Unable to access the fire realm. There is no possible way, that at this time, I can beat Velvine. Is that what you want to hear? Because I already know I can't win like this. My plan altogether is to get out of here, get patched up, make allies, find some powerful weapon, train up then break into the fire realm. The earliest I intended on getting into the fire realm was months from now." Araphi explained, her tone faltering to a much more defeated one. She could feel the injuries and blood loss getting to her, her vision and thinking getting more distorted and fuzzy. Hard to comprehend. The intense ringing in her ears didn't help either, which she couldn't tell was from the impact or injuries. Perhaps both.