" So, someone with the caliber such as myself has been sent to a land naught more than a faint wind? What trust is this? What manner of trickery does thou play? So... I shan't be the cleanser of the great Avalon? So be it.." Amongst a lingering breeze waltzed the slyest of vocals; deep enough to gain anyone's attention, smooth enough to swoon and keep said attention. It appeared he was entwined in an argument of sorts, but the compatriot in verbal combat was not to be seen... As a matter of fact -- Neither was he. " Hush now, Fate.. We. The Faith, believe you, and only you, can save this dreaded, sordid, inhuman place. " As suspected, a voice would arise as stealthy as the nightly embrace, coiling about the 'lobes of the other worthy opponent. But, surprisingly, the voice was combined with several others, volume and depth ranging from to a soft, gentle purr to a boom able to make sound itself tremble. " If you think clever word placement and false adoration will win me over.. You are correct. " ' Fate ' , As the man appeared to be addressed, chortled slyly, resonating a radius of about 3.7 feet; it drew slight attraction.
" Go now, my loyal confidant.. Allow judgement to be passed on those in dire need of it. Let the Goddess of Balance have her night tonight.." " Let Fate grasp hold of the faulty." " Let those truly corrupted.. Tremble in your wake. " Just as soon as they appeared, the voices vanished into the star-strewn raven night. Most assuredly... That was not the last of them. ' Fate ' remained silent as his presence was now abnegated of the voices, it was now time for him to embark on his quest as an envoy to those weary of the unjust. To show those in need of correcting the just desserts awaiting them in the wings. It was now... Time to begin the massive quest.
" Into the abyss shall dive.. To Purge this land of ever-waking shadow.. May the light guide me in my quest. "
If one would focus just hard enough, they would hear the cry of the spirits. If one were to austerely gaze into the night, one would see the stalking of predators. Such would be the whiffling of wind for the arrival of Fate. slowly, a cyclone of spirits began encompassing a small area, the speed increasing with each passing moment. With each inclining moment something of a physical aspect appeared; first starting with an outline. After a moment, a scintillating glow announced as a prelude to an elegant, haughty vesture donned upon an enticing mesomorph. This magnificent creature had tresses of alabastor as white and prestine as the fresh winter snow. Optics of crystalline brilliance and radiance like a prism, able to reflect any emotions.. Even apathy. His visage was tender and boyish, flesh texture silky like the finest of wears.
After a moment of regaining composure in the physical aspect, he smirked with mendacious intent, labial flesh contorting to increase the wickedness of the smirk. " Just as expected... You cannot change fate; you cannot elude destiny. " Mindless babble? Doubtful. As his sentence ended a man sauntered afore him as he shuffled in his stance, equidstant to him.
" And who, exactly, are you? " The man inquired, eyeing him catiously. " I am... Ivan Yggdrasill VanGuard of the Elite. You may address me as your superior. " His retort was quick like the flick of a whip, and just as harsh as the whip itself. " Hmmm.. I think you're mistaken.. YOU are the outsider here.. We normally enjoy vagabonds, but you with your fancy majicks and whatnot.. You blantly disrespect us commoners. " The man began fiddling with the handle of his dirk, digits dancing with refined prestidigitation. He appeared to be quite skilled with it.. For many things.
" I am sorry my friend, I haven't a clue to what it is you speak of.. I have merely walked to the enterance with a bright lamp, I can see how it might... bemuse you. " Ivan's gaze began to shuffle about, seek refuge to a more personal area. " Say, why don't we take this over there. I have a game I wish to show you.. " Ivan folded his hands behind his figure before strolling towards a group of trees, two fallen ones, and a stump; the fallen ones astride the stump. He lowered himself to one fallen stump, folding his legs as his hands unwinded. Quickly, he grasped a deck, shuffling the cards and cutting them before placing the deck upon the stump and awaiting the man. " Come now.. Let us begin. "
"... Fine. But, let us put a wager on this game.. Shall you lose, I shall take every piece of clothing you have and sell it for top dollar.. Ehehehehe! " Ivan glanced way-wardly at the man, shaking his head slowly. " This isn't that type of game, my friend.. It's more.. Future based. Allow me to tell you of your past.. And future. " Ivan grasped the deck and tossed it willingly into the air, grinning mischieviously. " Hmph! You're deluded.. " Ivan's ebon brow arched as he jumped from his seat, time itself seemed to be at the mercy of his calling. His right arm sprawled out, allowing his hand to grasp a card, slipping it into his palm. As he enclosed the gap amidst them, he thrusted his hand into a stiff position. No sooner later his hand met the man's chest, leaving an imprint behind. Though, the force boasted immensly, no sound derived from the man, he merely remained silent. Slowly, he removed his hand revealing 'shadow of night', the card obtained from the others, which all seemed to have disappeared.
" Just as you haunt the minds of those you have hurt, shall you now receive. You shall relive each moment in amplified fear, driving you to the brink of insanity.. You will not be able to speak, cry, or feel anything but this. You shall contemplate suicide until you build the courage to do it.. And then, I shall be waiting.. I shall make it so you never die in that way. But, you can be saved.. You can repent.. But, only when you truly mean it.. I am sorry. "
Ivan shifted on his back heel and strolled into the village, the man remained as lifeless as a statue. " I sound like a Priest.. I hate salvation missions.. They bore me to tears. " His head inclined to the heavens, optics studying them earnstly.
" Thy will shall be done.. "
"And who's will would that be? Maybe it's someone I know." The voice came from a cat, Adsero's favorite form. Her fur was red and yellow, odd colors for an odd cat. She was lying happily on a thick brach of a nearby tree, gazing down at the man through slinted eyes that glinted the same color as her fur. "But then again, maybe I don't know them. Either way I won't know unless you tell me. Or are you one of those secretive types who'd rather be shrouded in mystery then give a straight answer?" She cocked her head to the side and continued to stare at the man. There was something odd about him but she couldn't tell what. She supposed it was possible that she was meerly over reacting, but she decided she would like to know more about this person anyway.
Ivan ceased in his tracks the moment the vocals called out to him, soothing, calming vocals at that. It maintained such sleek, imploring features, how could he not reply to such a calling? " 'Tis the will of The Faith, my child.. The will unfaultered like the creatures of this dreaded world. I am secretive about naught pretaining my existance, for my existance is naught more than living in a shell... Will there be anything else you wish to inquire me of whilst we dwell upon matters adjacent to the one currently at hand? .. To be honest, I am surprised you did not call me a monster and shriek or condemn me for my actions. " He shifted his weight upon his back heel and swiftly turned his figure about, gaze now settling upon a cat, slight scoff departing his slitted labial flesh. " Then again, some cannot disprove of others. Since you have taken the liberty of asking me such a question, I shan't hesitate to do the same. That man there.. " He gestured at the man still paralyzed by the fear-enduced tactics of Ivan before continuing on with his inquiry. " You seem to hold an abundance of energy, yet you remained silent when you could have saved his life... Why is this? Did you, too, know of his horrid background? The things he did without a care?" He canted his head upward, laughing boisterously. " A monster, I dare say.. " He sighed softly in content, 'lids sealing.
" But, in the end.. I shall become the same. To catch a monster, you must think like one. To think shall lead to believe... And I, too, will become which I hunt with limitless passion.. My ending is pre-destined. " Ivan glanced at the cat once more before clearing his throat, afterwards taking a half bow. " I apologize for my abhorrence and blatant disrespect, I haven't introduced myself. I am Ivan Yggdrasill VanGuard... You may address me as you see fit. May I ask of your name, or have I over-stepped my boundaries? " He watched the cat silently with an unfaultering gaze, awaiting a reply for each inquiry.
"I didn't know of his background but the way I saw it, he was attacking you, if verbally, first. Anything that happens to him after that is his own fault." She yawned and stretched, popping her ears in the process. "I'm Adsero, pleasure to meet you." She hopped down from the tree, appearing in her normal form when she landed in a crouch. She straightened and smiled. Adsero looked over to the man and then back to Ivan. "What you say makes sense though it's sad to think you would become a monster. I would not condem you for your actions sir though I have to disagree with your remark about the world being dreaded. Misguided perhaps, filled with flaws as we all are, but not dreaded. I like to think the bad can change and redeem themselves, even if they seldom do. No one's perfect after all." She yawned again and streached her arms out before clasping her hands on the back of her neck. "Did you come here to try and clense Arda of her evil or are you meerly a traveler trying to do a little good when you can?"