curseresistant | 001st Forged Devil: Like a Fallen Angel [Action, Voice]

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001st Forged Devil: Like a Fallen Angel [Action, Voice]

[The journal picks up a glimpse of the sky as it falls to the cold dirt, followed by a skewed view of the forest. Things are quiet -- almost eerily so.]

[That's when, with a horribly heavy-sounding thud, a pale-skinned, white-winged, and white-haired man unceremoniously drops into view, faint wisps of breath barely visible from his mouth. Were it not for that, he would certainly appear to be dead.]

[The feed cuts off not too long after that, the journal closed by a strong gust of wind.]

[Much later in the afternoon, before the shops close for the evening, Hector busies himself with finding his belongings. He lingers in the smithy for a while, browsing armor and weaponry before moving along to the plaza.]

I am told that these 'journals' can send my voice to others. If there are others listening, I am Hector. I have only recently arrived here in... Luceti.

Would any of you know where I could acquire [...] raw materials? I would like to... work on something.

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[As the dazed look vanishes from his features, it is immediately replaced by one of panic, anger, and confusion. Hector's blue eyes glance up at Saleh just long enough to realize that he does not know this man; within moments, he has backed away from the sage, wings pressed painfully against the trunk of a tree as he rises into a defensive position.]

Who are you?! Where is Julia?!

[The mention of Julia's name in such a defensive way startles Saleh as well. He steps back to give the man some space.]

Julia...? Do you mean Julia Laforeze?

[He can't say for sure if this man is from the same world as Isaac and Julia. They could be common names, after all.]

[The mention of Julia's whole name makes Hector tense up, confusion giving way to anger in his expression. How does he know...?!]

How do you know that name? [His voice is threatening and cold, blue eyes aglow with an accusing rage.] Who are you?

[The man's anger causes Saleh to tense up as well, but he forces himself to keep his calm. Showing of any of his own emotion would only cause the man's anger to get worse.]

I am Saleh. I'm a sage from Caer Pelyn, a mountain village in Magvel.

As for Julia, she was here for a short time, but she has recently returned to her home world. We had become friends during her time here.

And this place? Where is it, exactly? I should be in Valachia.

[Hector keeps a wary eye on Saleh as he rises. That twinge in his back is most definitely disconcerting, but he doesn't want to risk turning his eyes away from the sage.]

And how do I know you are telling the truth?

This place is called Luceti. We are in a world entirely separate from our own.

[Though it's not too surprising that the man doesn't believe him. The situation is quite unbelievable by normal standards.]

To know whether I speak the truth, just look into my eyes.

[And his eyes are sharp and sincere, whereas the eyes of a liar would wander, lacking confidence.]

I have seen many that could stare a man in the eyes while thrusting daggers into their stomachs. [Comes with the whole 'having your former comrade-in-arms' trying to get vengeance on you thing.]

Still, had you any will to attack me, you would have done so. I will believe your words - for now.

[Hector folds his hands behind his back, looking over Saleh simply.] This world is called 'Luceti', you say. Do you know more about it?

...Have you? Regardless, I don't believe I would look the type to even wield a dagger.

[Even to a complete stranger, Saleh's robes and staff should give away the fact that he's a magic user. Plus he had already mentioned that he's a sage.]

We are trapped within a large, impenetrable barrier, subjected to experiments by the Malnosso. Their reasoning is that they are trapped in this world as we are. They did not bring us into this world initially, but they placed us within this enclosure. The barrier keeps us trapped, but it also protects us from outside forces who wish to destroy us.

[Hector just... gives him a look. Really, he didn't expect you to take that so literally. It was a figure of speech.]

[The barrage of information just serve to irritate him a moment, and he attempts to process everything Saleh brought up.]

... You speak of too many things at far too fast a pace, sage. What manner of experiments do they perform?

[Really, Saleh doesn't know how else to take it.]

...I apologize. It is even difficult for me to swallow, despite the years I have been here.

The experiments...they vary. To put it simply, they range from alterations of mind or body, or alterations of the world around us. The experiments typically last for about one week before things revert to normal. Literally anything can happen. Anything you may think impossible, it is quite possible here.

... There is very little that I would think impossible at this point.

[Now that he's at least partially assured that Saleh won't attempt to attack him, he glances over his shoulder to see what that pain is.]

[...the sight of snow white feathers doesn't startle him, but instead gives way into a fit of bemused chuckling.]

Though this... t'is certainly a thing of fantasy. Wings, on me of all people.

...Is that so?

[A remark like that, plus what Julia had shared about her home world. Was it really that terrible?]

Fantasy...it may seem that way. But I assure you that the wings are quite real. You must care for them, for damaging them will lead to weakness and illness, while losing both wings will cause immediate death.

[Oh, Saleh. If only you knew.]

I know that they are, as they bother me fiercely at the moment.

[A humorless laugh escapes him.] Still, there is irony to be found here; me, versed in arts that others view as a sin against God, with wings white as an angel's.

The pain will pass after a day or so.

[But the remark on the irony makes him curious.]

How do you view those arts?

[Hector is quiet at first, letting his eyes close. His face is the very expression of stoicism, not betraying a single hint of emotion once he does begin speaking.]

When I was first learning, it was simply a means to an end. It was a power with which I could grow; I believed that it was neither good, nor evil.

But now... [He laughs dryly.] Knowing its origins and what its original purpose was, I see it as the cursed strength it truly is. I wish this power on no one.

[There's a pause as Saleh takes in the words, contemplating their meaning.]

Hmm. I would also believe that magic alone could be neither good nor evil, but it would reflect on the wielder. But if one possesses a truly evil power...would it have the ability to corrupt the wielder?

[He has heard of the dark-based magic in his own world corrupting its users, hence why he hasn't studied it.]

T'would indeed. T'is a result of Dracula's dark curse upon the land.

[He knew all too well about that, having almost been corrupted by it himself.]

"Dracula...?"

[There was that name again...]

Julia had mentioned a "Lord Dracula" when she arrived here, but...who is he?

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001st Forged Devil: Like a Fallen Angel [Action, Voice]

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