06-13-2017, 11:34 PM
"I'm glad to have you on my side, Malon. Here, let's exchange Communication information." Tearen said, holding out an upturned palm. Malon tilted her head back slightly as a small green mote of energy began to swirl over his hand before resolving into a list of identity data. Malon held out her own comms device, and the gleaming hologram seemed to jump into her communicator. Satisfied, Tearen withdrew his hand before casting a sharp look at a Prime who was lingering at the threshold of Malon and his personal space. It was easy for Tearen to ignore most of the ambient psychic buzz in a public space, but when someone was specifically focusing on him, it was the equivalent of a fireworks display.
Speaking of which, thunderous blossoms of color began to bloom in the sky, much to the cooing and cheering of the Abyss spectators who were just finishing dinner. Splashes of blue and red flooded across a hundred faces, gilding the foliage of the trees in every color in the spectrum. The time was approaching, and there was still something Tearen wanted to do, but first, he had to plant an idea in Malon's head.
"You know, Malon, despite being binding in many ways, Syntech cannot force you to compete. If you truly fear this competition, then you should leave." Tearen said, standing up and casting a narrow, coy stare down at the girl. She blushed slightly and stammered.
"I...I didn't know that, so-"
"But I think..." Tearen interjected, "...you actually want to. If that's the case, I swear I will ensure your life with mine." the elder Prime said, clutching a fist over his heart.
"Count on it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some loose ends to tie up". the eldritch human hummed, turning on a polished heel. Malon nodded absent-mindedly and went back to her preparations. The Shadow waves to The Sage as he approached, startling the bookish Prime, but only to a minor degree. What was slightly more unnerving was how Tearen greeted him.
"The Humble Sage, pleased to make your acquaintance." the ex-enigma gushed, shaking the Sage's hand enthusiastically. Reynold nodded slowly, choosing not to question Tearen's basic knowledge of his identity. The Sage had, after all, filled out that daft registration; it stood to reason that his information would have circulated in some fashion at this point.
"Indeed, Master Wover. I heard your warning of the Underverse." Sage said in a grave tone. Tearen nodded solemnly.
"Ah, good. I was beginning to fear that would be a footnote. The ferocity of a proclammation cannot be considered when falling on deaf ears. I was presumptuous." the elder Prime said with a note of embarassment. The Sage found himself being ushered back towards the main hallway, where there had been some kind of commotion recently. Tearen noted that it had been centered around Gildarts, to his complete lack of surprise. What was more surprising was the person Gildarts was (attempting) to talk to.
"Illidan Stormrage..." Tearen muttered, after consulting the contestant ledger in his mental computer.
"The Scourge of Darkshire? I heard the stories; how is he here?" The Sage breathed.
"I believe that question could be extended to all of us." Tearen said, straightening his tie. It had been his intention to get Gildarts' attention before the competition began, but Illidan's presence made this prospect tenuous.
Well.
He would at least try.
"Walk with me?" Tearen asked of the Sage, striding steadily towards the Strongest Prime. Reynold complied, but was undeterred from his original inquiry.
"You said you had emerged from the Underverse, and that Diablo was at out doorsteps?" the Sage asked, trying to read Tearen's expression. The elder Prime had adopted a faraway look on his face.
"Approximately, yes. There is so much to that story, and our time is short at the moment. Seek me out in the Abyss, and I will tell you everything." Tearen said in a hurried tone. Once again, he conjured a physical manifestation of his contact information and casually tossed it at the Sage. Continuing his brisk stride, the ex-enigma triggered his transition back to his black-glass body. Green eyes flared, and flowing brown robes wove themselves aroud his body from coalescing black mist.
In the next moment, Tearen had crossed the threshold into the hallway proper, and the golden, garish lighting of the marbled palace reflected off of his smooth face in undulating strips. The Shadow could see a miasma of pain swirling around the Strongest Prime's head, a mental cloud so thick and heavy that it was a wonder Clive was connected to this reality at all. There was also something...more. A gratuity of violent underthoughts that seemed to grip and nip at the wizard's head. It was the same malevolent presence Tearen had felt at death mountain.
The Shadow had originally been planning to approach Gildarts in the interest of forming a truce, if not a partnership, but now he genuinely feared for the integrity of the Strongest Prime's mind.
"Gildarts Clive! It's me, Nealaphh, from Death Mountain and Nippur." the Shadow shouted over the crowd. The wizard and Illidan turned slowly to regard the latest intrusion on their silent contest, and the latter was certainly unhappy about it.
Well, he could butt the hell out. Tearen needed a minute with the wizard.
Speaking of which, thunderous blossoms of color began to bloom in the sky, much to the cooing and cheering of the Abyss spectators who were just finishing dinner. Splashes of blue and red flooded across a hundred faces, gilding the foliage of the trees in every color in the spectrum. The time was approaching, and there was still something Tearen wanted to do, but first, he had to plant an idea in Malon's head.
"You know, Malon, despite being binding in many ways, Syntech cannot force you to compete. If you truly fear this competition, then you should leave." Tearen said, standing up and casting a narrow, coy stare down at the girl. She blushed slightly and stammered.
"I...I didn't know that, so-"
"But I think..." Tearen interjected, "...you actually want to. If that's the case, I swear I will ensure your life with mine." the elder Prime said, clutching a fist over his heart.
"Count on it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some loose ends to tie up". the eldritch human hummed, turning on a polished heel. Malon nodded absent-mindedly and went back to her preparations. The Shadow waves to The Sage as he approached, startling the bookish Prime, but only to a minor degree. What was slightly more unnerving was how Tearen greeted him.
"The Humble Sage, pleased to make your acquaintance." the ex-enigma gushed, shaking the Sage's hand enthusiastically. Reynold nodded slowly, choosing not to question Tearen's basic knowledge of his identity. The Sage had, after all, filled out that daft registration; it stood to reason that his information would have circulated in some fashion at this point.
"Indeed, Master Wover. I heard your warning of the Underverse." Sage said in a grave tone. Tearen nodded solemnly.
"Ah, good. I was beginning to fear that would be a footnote. The ferocity of a proclammation cannot be considered when falling on deaf ears. I was presumptuous." the elder Prime said with a note of embarassment. The Sage found himself being ushered back towards the main hallway, where there had been some kind of commotion recently. Tearen noted that it had been centered around Gildarts, to his complete lack of surprise. What was more surprising was the person Gildarts was (attempting) to talk to.
"Illidan Stormrage..." Tearen muttered, after consulting the contestant ledger in his mental computer.
"The Scourge of Darkshire? I heard the stories; how is he here?" The Sage breathed.
"I believe that question could be extended to all of us." Tearen said, straightening his tie. It had been his intention to get Gildarts' attention before the competition began, but Illidan's presence made this prospect tenuous.
Well.
He would at least try.
"Walk with me?" Tearen asked of the Sage, striding steadily towards the Strongest Prime. Reynold complied, but was undeterred from his original inquiry.
"You said you had emerged from the Underverse, and that Diablo was at out doorsteps?" the Sage asked, trying to read Tearen's expression. The elder Prime had adopted a faraway look on his face.
"Approximately, yes. There is so much to that story, and our time is short at the moment. Seek me out in the Abyss, and I will tell you everything." Tearen said in a hurried tone. Once again, he conjured a physical manifestation of his contact information and casually tossed it at the Sage. Continuing his brisk stride, the ex-enigma triggered his transition back to his black-glass body. Green eyes flared, and flowing brown robes wove themselves aroud his body from coalescing black mist.
In the next moment, Tearen had crossed the threshold into the hallway proper, and the golden, garish lighting of the marbled palace reflected off of his smooth face in undulating strips. The Shadow could see a miasma of pain swirling around the Strongest Prime's head, a mental cloud so thick and heavy that it was a wonder Clive was connected to this reality at all. There was also something...more. A gratuity of violent underthoughts that seemed to grip and nip at the wizard's head. It was the same malevolent presence Tearen had felt at death mountain.
The Shadow had originally been planning to approach Gildarts in the interest of forming a truce, if not a partnership, but now he genuinely feared for the integrity of the Strongest Prime's mind.
"Gildarts Clive! It's me, Nealaphh, from Death Mountain and Nippur." the Shadow shouted over the crowd. The wizard and Illidan turned slowly to regard the latest intrusion on their silent contest, and the latter was certainly unhappy about it.
Well, he could butt the hell out. Tearen needed a minute with the wizard.
And, we dream of home I dream of life out of here Their dreams are small My dreams don't know fear I got my heart full of hope I will change everything No matter what I'm told How impossible it seems We did it before And we'll do it again We're indestructible Even when we're tired And we've been here before Just you and I
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued