Fable - Ask Retaliation

[Liliana]

Vel Innis

Perched upon a large boulder, Liliana Lorel inspected her nails. "Honestly."

Her tone was about as disinterested and listless as possible, the lack of enthusiasm almost so grating that it was hard to listen to. She paid little mind to the man that they had bundled on the ground. His hands tied behind his back, mouth filled with a gag. A massive bruise had already flown to the surface of his skin just beneath his eye from where Jaxan had struck him.

"Why don't we just kill him?" She asked, frowning as she noticed that a bit of the lacquer had slipped away from her thumb. "It's not like we need him."

She glanced over towards her companion. "Proctor Ellis is too stupid to even remember we had a prisoner in the first place."

That probably wasn't true, but Ellis was enough to convince of new truths. As long as you whispered the right things in his ear anyway.

"What good does an architect do us with getting a city under control? He's already given us the plans. He'll just slow us down now." Liliana continued to complain, apparently not having grasped the plan that had been plainly spelled out to them before leaving the Academy.

Vel Innis was a city in rebellion. An island fortress that had been built in the last century, a bulwark against pirates. The city had gone into revolt after the change of government back in Vel Anir. It was a stronghold of sorts, and thus the new Revolutionary cowards had decided that an all out assault was not the way to regain the cities allegiance.

That was why they were here.

Sent to retake Vel Innis quietly. Convince the local government, one way or another, to rejoin the greater Anirian sphere of influence. "Really, we'd be doing him a favor."

She looked up from her nails finally, glancing at the others.

"We all know Ellis is going to fail." The Good Proctor had elected to venture into the city, intending to discuss a more diplomatic solution to all of this.

Idiot.

Liliana already knew how all of this would end, and it was most certainly not through diplomacy. Even if neither the Proctor, nor the 'government' that had sent them here would admit it.

 

[Ignatius Voll]

"Then we'll let him fail."

Ignatius was crouched down beside their captive, and his fingers were dancing along his vial belt, looking for the pouch in the back. Proctor Ellis. Well, not every Proctor was going to be, hmmmmm, of sufficient caliber. Dear Liliana was wondering why in the sugary hells they were keeping this fool architect captive, but surely, she, Ignatius--all of them--ought to be wondering how Proctor Ellis even graduated the Academy in the first place. And here Ignatius concerned himself with the folly of the Revolution and the dilapidation of the Academy standards, when, aughha, even those of that dalcop Zana's generation had its share of failures.

"Maybe we should grade him on how well he performs his mission."

There it was. Ignatius found the pouch he was looking for and took out a pinch of pepper. Never hurt to carry a little seasoning around. Especially when it was a multi-purpose tool. He sprinkled it into the eyes of the architect, causing him to release an agonizing moan into his gag and to flop around helplessly.

Ignatius spoke in a low and intimate tone. "Ah, there they are." And to the architect. "My little peach, calm yourself."

Enticing movements of his fingers, and the tears brought forth from the pepper in the eyes floated up through the air and funneled into the open vial Ignatius had ready in his other hand. Once full, he corked it shut and placed the vial back on his vial belt.

He glanced up to Liliana.

"Wouldn't it be a thorough shame if something were to happen to good Proctor Ellis? Through no fault of our own, of course."

Besting a Proctor, seeing him embarrassed as his diplomatic mission went to tatters, oh now that would be something.

Liliana

 

[Jaxan]

Jaxan stood over the bound architect, turning his head to answer Liliana’s question, ”there ain’t no fun in just killing him Lil.” In truth, there was some strategy to having a blood bag to draw from for his magic. Not to mention all the useful bones inside the prisoner.

But the reality was Jaxan simply reveled in seeing that primal fear. Eyes filled with terror, knowing the bastard standing before you has your life in his hands. It was fucking exhilarating.

”When Ellis fails seeing this bloke tortured to death might intimidate a few of them into a truce,” and if it didn’t they’d at least get to take turns poking holes into the whimpering man.

Jaxan stayed silent as he watched the roundest member of their posse play with his vials and chemicals. The guy was like a savant with that stuff. Just off the cuff, in the moment he’s able to whip out some mysterious dark powder and it’s causing their prisoner’s eyes to burn? Amazing stuff.

The taller initiate’s face lit up at Voll’s suggestion. ”Ah, that’s a genius idea! We come home as heroes and Ellis comes home in a box.” Or an urn if things got too carried away. ”Besides,” Jax turned and focused his gaze on the reclining blonde girl, ”I reckon if anyone could reach a ‘diplomatic’ solution with these idiots it’d be you.”

And if Liliana couldn’t talk some sense into the rebels then the three of them would have the stones to do what Ellis clearly couldn’t. Hard to lead a rebellion if the leaders are all dead.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana smiled. "Well, I suppose you are right about that."

It was said that flattery could get you anywhere, and with her that was certainly true.

She lived for the truth, and the truth was of course that she was the most beautiful, intelligent, and important member of this little missions. Proctor Ellis had gone on his own because he was the most senior, but a former Second Level Dreadlord? Well they might as well have sent a baboon on this mission.

That was the real problem with this new government. They valued those who were loyal to them rather than those of status. If they had really wanted to take this city back they would have sent her Cousin Elise. Vel Innes would have buckled at the knees if it had been her sitting upon these shores.

Liliana was sure of that.

"Jaxan, when our dear leader returns." She began. "I think it would be best if you drew his attention."

Her gaze then flickered to Ignatius. "Then, I think. A little accident might befall him."

 

[Ignatius Voll]

Ignatius slowly stood, his great mass extending out as he lazily stretched his arms and cracked his neck. Oh those delightful little pops. How did some of those other fool initiates put it? Really hits the spot. Sometimes even dalcops could strike upon a useful and insightful phrase by accident.

Jaxan was right. Liliana might be concerned with efficiency, which was admirable of course, but in this case--and at least for the time being--having their architect prisoner alive rather than dead provided more options. Even if it ended up being solely for entertainment. Entertainment and resources, always resources--it went without saying. Jaxan and Ignatius had an unspoken agreement between them; Ignatius left the blood and bones of victims alone, but got the rest. Both benefitted. And that was efficiency Liliana could be proud of.

I reckon if anyone could reach a ‘diplomatic’ solution with these idiots it’d be you.

"Agreed," said Ignatius. Liliana, even putting aside her being of noble birth, was the best speaker among them. She knew how to play the game, where Ignatius didn't care for it, and Jaxan absolutely didn't care for it. She would be the best spearhead for negotiations. All the little peaches in Vel Innis would be wrapped around her finger, once all of the appropriate pressure was applied, of course, and they were in absolutely no position for defiance.

A shame. Ignatius would have supported the rebellion here in Vel Innis, but as it happened, they were now standing in his way.

Ignatius grinned at Liliana's suggestion. "Yes. A little accident seems appropriate."

He took out one of the vials from his belt, the liquid inside clear--indistinguishable from water, and poisonous to anyone but him. "I'm sure Proctor Ellis will be quite thirsty after such efforts in the city."

Though a fool, Proctor Ellis was still a Second Level Dreadlord. Like an ogre armed with a tree trunk, stupid, but not to be trifled with. They had to be smart about this.

A look to Jaxan. "I'll just need a teensy moment with his waterskin."

Liliana Jaxan

 

[Charon]

Charon stood a ways away from the rest of the group. He had to. All this talk of torture and murder was making him shake. The others were patient. Charon was not. That uncomfortable feeling of prickling skin would already be washing over anyone that was within a few feet of him.

Most actively avoided Charon. Most were completely confused as to why this group kept him around. Charon never questioned this himself. He didn't mix with most people, and the only reason he followed Liliana and the others was that it usually got him what he wanted, and kept him out of trouble.

"A-are you guys...s-sure we couldn't hurt this guy j-just a little right now?" He stammered out, trying his best to stifle the desire to just walk over and start carving away, as well as the manic giggling that came with the idea.

"D-don't know if I can wait until after Ellis is dead, unless the diversion gets a bit violent. Is whatever you're feeding him at least gonna make him s-suffer a little, Ignatius?"

This mission had been boring so far. They'd hardly been allowed to maim anyone at all. Most everything that had happened so far was pretty much a blur, the only excitement coming in the form of Ellis threatening to beat Charon for stepping out of line. Shame he hadn't, at least that would have made him feel a little more lucid.

 

[Jaxan]

"Right-o Lil, I'm real good at attention gettin'," Jaxan cracked his knuckles and grinned at the blonde de facto leader of the little group. There wasn't any secret that Jax or Iggy or even ChaCha could've easily murdered the frail little girl ages ago but she spoke real nice, she weren't a bad looker, and her family ties got them out of loads of shit. Especially after the revolution brought on all these terrible changes to the academy.

The sturdy initiate gave the morbidly obese student a nod, "that's top Iggy, we can just watch him gurgle to death. I love it!"

Now, the broad shoulder student held a special place for each member of their gang. They had to look after one another while stepping on everyone else at the academy. But ChaCha gave him the creeps and sometimes he wasn't really sure why Liliana kept the kid around. Maybe House Lorel wanted some sort of torturer in the future. Whatever, he wasn't the thinker of the group he just hit stuff until it stopped breathing.

"Here ya go ChaCha, just go easy on 'im, eh? We want him conscious for later." With that he grabbed the architect's bindings and chucked him over to Charon. No sense to give the kid any excuses to come nearer to the group.

---

A bit more waiting and Proctor Ellis approached the four students. He looked pathetic. Like a miserable little dog that had lost its toy.

"Oi, Proctor Ellen, we getting out of here soon or?"

Ellis face cast a frown and the wrinkles on his forehead grew deeper and darker. "Initiate Jaxan, I have told you to stop calling me that. My name is Ellis." This was looking good, the Proctor looked like he might try to actually fight Jaxan.

With a smirk the dark-skinned student crossed his arms and upped the volume, "oh, sorry about that Proctor Ellis, slipped my mind. Won't happen again," he beat his chest and added, "probably."

 

[Liliana]

Liliana still sat perched upon the boulder, her demeanor making it more of a throne than a simple rock on the beach.

As Proctor Ellis approached she paid him absolutely no mind, so absorbed within the stand of hair she was playing with that he might as well not have existed. Her gaze flickered up only briefly as Jax began to speak to the man, his disrespect obviously rankling their teacher.

A small smile plucked at her lips.

Briefly her gaze flickered over towards Ignatius. Was he ready? Lips pressed together, and then finally her hand pulled away from her hair. Fingers twitched ever so slightly, movement's barely perceptible as she began to weave the strands of her magic.

Then with a flick of her wrist she cast her net over Proctor Ellis.

There was a brief gap, a moment, and then the man's face contorted slightly. He seemed to go from annoyed to angry, his lips breaking out in a wide grimace.

"Listen here you little shit. Disrespect me one more time. Push me one inch more, and I'll fucking drown you in the sea."​

His voice was tinged with a seething rage, his attention utterly focused on Jaxan.

Not even for a second did that concern her. The thought that she might have pushed him too far not even in the corner of her mind. After all, even if the Proctor did attack, she could still sic Charon on him.

 

[Delaney Lennox]

Delaney had been drug along with Proctor Ellis for diplomatic talk with some Vel Innis's government entities. She, honestly, did not care for any of this and she suspected that he had chosen her because she knew how to be quiet. The well lit room made her uncomfortable and she withdrew into her mind during the meeting as she stood against the wall with her arms crossed.

Once the meeting was finally finished, she followed Proctor Ellis back to where they had left the other initiates. Immediately, Jaxan started being a dick and Delaney chuckled at Ellis' rage. She could see that the four others had planned something fun in her absence and she immediately started to pull some strands of darkness around her. They weaved around her legs like snakes, waiting for their master to command them.

Delaney cause Liliana's gaze and smiled slowly. Her smile and her glowing lavender eyes would tell the others that she was down for whatever suffering they were about to inflict on Ellis.

 

[Ignatius Voll]

Liliana was a virtuoso of her craft. Ignatius knew his own formidable talents lay elsewhere, that he'd no time to suffer bringing together and maintaining a party such as their own. Managing the very best that the Academy had to offer--namely, those present, every other initiate spoiling the Academy's air, wasting the actually competent Proctors' time, and depriving the local worms of food--took no small amount of skill. Yet Liliana made it look easy.

Charon was the proof. Oh yes, that Charon. The one of whom every single rumor was indubitably true. Even Proctors, see Ellis, struggled to contain him at times.

Ignatius smirked, enjoying Charon's enthusiasm. He laughed in his heavy, throaty way, "Aughha, aughha, he'll suffer more than a little. But you may get your wish. Our little peach is a Second Level, after all, and though poisoned, he may require some extra convincing to politely die."

A flick of his eyes over to their darker skinned comrade. "Just leave some of the blood and bones for Jaxan."

* * * * *​

Everything was going swimmingly. Ah, Proctor Ellis, a dalcop of a Proctor if there ever was one. Proctor Kellmir or Proctor Pallatrix would never have let Jaxan's antics slide in such a manner, and thus, the chinks in Proctor Ellis's armor had been exposed for the longest while. He'd grown too comfortable with his position, with his "authority." Authority alone couldn't save you.

And, well, if poison and Charon proved not to be enough against whatever waning power Ellis still possessed, he'd made the mistake of including Delaney in this little excursion to Vel Innis. All of this was to be his downfall.

Jaxan prodded Ellis with disrespect, Liliana got to Weaving, and Delaney prepared those fascinating strands of pure darkness.

Now, to "spike" Ellis's drink.

The Proctor's attention was entirely on Jaxan, focused beyond even the capacity of mundane lividity. Ignatius had one of the vials on his belt uncorked. He sauntered casually behind Proctor Ellis. Unstoppered the waterskin dangling from his belt, the stopper with a tiny fwup sound as it came loose. Ignatius's fingers danced a subtle dance, and his concoction flowed in a thin stream through the air, spiraling from the vial on his own belt into the waterskin of Ellis's belt. There. He slipped the stopper back onto the waterskin, feeling quite like the accomplished pickpocket. And then he stepped back, pretending to differentially watch the "reprimanding" of Jaxan by Proctor Ellis.

All that was needed now was for Ellis to take a hearty drink.

Liliana Jaxan Charon Delaney Lennox

 

[Charon]

"Here ya go ChaCha, just go easy on 'im, eh? We want him conscious for later."

Charon didn't even register the nickname. He was far too excited by the gift that had just been thrown at his feet. His eyes began to redden, and those wickedly sharp teeth peaked through in a flashy grin. He loomed over the bound architect, barely restraining himself from the living he was about to do.
"Oh, don't worry. It's no fun when they faint." He assured Jaxan, not even looking in the direction of his compatriots.

The only thing that kept him from digging in was Ignatius' promise. Ignatius seemed to enjoy indulging Charon's sadistic streak. Charon liked Ignatius. He started to giggle a bit, the idea of inflicting such wonderful pain upon a proctor just too delicious to pass up.
"Here's hoping he's stubborn, then..."

---

Well the downtime had at least been entertaining. Charon had spent the better part of it squatting in front of their captive and making him believe that his skin was being gnawed apart by rats. In a marvelous display of multitasking, the initiate had been whittling a stick down to a point with one of his karambits. When the false pain began to get boring he'd jammed the stick beneath one of the architect's fingernails and pried it off. Watching him cry and try to scream through his gag had sufficiently whet Charon's appetite.

While he barely acknowledged Ellis' actual return to the group, he began to pay attention when he heard the well-built proctor begin to lay into Jaxan. Such anger! Charon giggled gleefully to himself, rose to his feet, and tucked his arms behind his back. Out of context he looked like he was trying to be respectful while enjoying watching his classmate be chewed out. In context, he was gripping his karambits behind his back and waiting for the cue to dig in.

 

[Jaxan]

Seeing the fury on the Proctor's face filled Jaxan with an odd sense of pride. Watching anyone start to lose their cool was always a good sign that you were getting the better of them. Far more pleasurable when it was one of the Proctors at the academy. People behaved... erratically when they got so pissed off.

It was often far easier to kill a raging bull than a calm and composed lamb.

"Listen here you little shit. Disrespect me one more time. Push me one inch more, and I'll fucking drown you in the sea."

"I don't much feel up for a dip in the sea, gonna have to pass on the offer sir," the initiate could tell that the others were raring to go. Even if Ellis didn't glug down his canteen he liked the odds that the five of 'em had against one lonely teacher. But, maybe playin' it safe was the best option.

He saw Iggy back away, the job presumably finished, and he took in the shadows that began to swirl around Del. Now, how in the worlds did they get him to drink from his waterskin? The brutish teen wasn't sure if he could deal with Ellis' continued badgering much longer before he threw a punch.

Cocking his head he pushed down with a single open palm in as soothing a manner as he could stand. "It's ok Proctor Ellis, just feeling a little on edge. You won't get any more disrespect out of me."

Jaxan reached down to his waist belt and pulled out his own drinking gourd. He uncorked it and pressed the vessel up to this lips, letting the cold feel of the refreshing water trickle down his throat. Eyes zeroed in on the idiotic teacher that had bungled this whole thing up. Sometimes seein' a person commit an action like yawning or adjusting their cloak would cause a man to replicate it. At least, Jax was pretty sure that was how it worked.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana leaned back on her perch, smoothing her tunic with a lazy hand as she let out a yawn.

The sound seemed to catch Proctor Ellis' attention, his gaze flickering towards the scion of House Lorel. A scowl pulled across his lips, before his attention slowly drew back towards Jaxan. For a moment it seemed as though he would say something more, offer another rebuke, and then Liliana crooked her finger.

It was a slight touch of her magic. Not another weave, but a small adjustment to the one that had already been cast.

"You're the worst crop of Initiates I've ever had."​

Ellis said with a scowl, turning his back on Jaxan and Iliana.

His hand went low, snatching the waterskin from his belt as he turned to where Iggy and Delaney were now standing. His gaze swept over them, and he simply shook his head as he pulled the cork from his waterskin and threw the bag to his lips.

"And the last." Liliana mused to herself, the man instantly whirling around.

Water dripped down his chin as he spoke, his eyes going wild.

"Wha-"​

Before he could even speak Ignatius' concoction began it's work.

 

[Delaney Lennox]

Delaney sneered at Proctor Ellis when he turned to face her and Ignatius for a moment before he took a drink. She watched his eyes go wide as he spun and a wicked smirk crossed her lips. He looked like he was about to try to spit out the water so she sent one of her waiting tendrils of darkness towards his now struggling form.

The tendril slithered up his body and wrapped itself around his mouth for good measure. She had seen some of Iggy's poisions do their work and she loved it every time.

Delaney slowly walked around to where Liliana was sitting and smiled at her friend. "I see you all had some fun while I was being bored to tears." She crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for Ellis to accidently die.

 

[Ignatius Voll]

Ignatius had seen it happen before, and in great detail. Slow at first, the poison, but exponential from there. What started as unnoticeable slowly gave way to a minor tightening of one's chest--and that's because the poison attacked the lungs, their ability to draw in air to revitalize one's body. With subsequent breaths, the pressure increased, like a vice affixed about one's torso, or a draft animal being made to sit with more of its weight on one's ribcage.

And all that huffing and puffing Proctor Ellis was doing, thanks in large part to a little covert prodding from Liliana, made the poisonous concoction course through him all the more rapidly.

He barely got a word out. Delaney even provided a little goodnight assistance whilst chatting with Liliana, cutting off what little air Ellis was able to draw--

Proctor Ellis, in a defiant burst of willpower, even as his skin was paling and his lips and fingernails were turning blue, threw out his arms to his sides and summoned his magic. Tethers of Sapping shot out from his palms and ensnared Ignatius, Liliana, Jaxan, Charon, and Delaney about their necks. Debilitation struck each of them, their magic being siphoned from them and along the ethereal Tethers and into Ellis--it felt as if all of their senses, their entire being, was being sucked through a straw.

Ignatius toppled down to his knees. Tried to look toward Charon, but all was so heinously distorted. Blast! So this was the power of a Second Level, even for a dalcop like Ellis! They wouldn't have more than a precious few moments!

To Charon, through gritted teeth, "Now...is a good time!"

Liliana Jaxan Charon Delaney Lennox

 

[Charon]

Pointed, pearly whites flashed and quiet giggling became untamed laughter as Ellis' expression shifted. Frustration turned to abject horror in a mere instant, and gods was it satisfying to watch. He couldn't even force himself to wretch, what with Delaney's shadows keeping him gagged!

Ah, but then...then! The good proctor, like a cornered animal, decided to show some signs of resistance! Some kind of magic binding shot out in an instant and wreathed each of the initiates throats. What a debilitating power! Such that it brought the others to their knees! Not Charon, however, no. This was far too exciting to take lying down.

Charon heard Ignatius demand for assistance, and he'd get it. Charon had been waiting all day for something like this.
"What a...unique sensation...you've shared with us, Proctor Ellis..." He jeered at their teacher between pained grunts and breathless laughs. "Allow me to...return the favor!"

Charon's eyes burned bright red, and suddenly all of the uncomfortable static from around him was focused solely on Ellis. Every ounce of that sickening, draining feeling was reflected onto the proctor, and then some. As Charon drew his knives and began to step forward in spite of the sapping magic that curled tight around his neck, he saw Ellis' face shift once again, this time from defiant rage to shock and confusion and...oh, how adorable, was that fear? Those lovely tethers were already beginning to waver.

The initiate lunged in, blades seeking flesh. Ellis raised a hand to catch one of the incoming strikes only for Charon to promptly make him experience the sensation of his radius and ulna being shattered and his fingers going numb. Even still, the proctor caught one of Charon's arms, dropping half the tethers in the process. Such life! Such passion! Charon's other knife buried itself in the man's shoulder, then Charon began to drag the blade through flesh and sinew, down towards the chest.

Ellis muffled screams could be heard from beneath his shadowy gag. Charon's laughter drowned it out. It all begged the question: which would break first, Ellis' body or his will?

 

[Jaxan]

"What the he-" was all that Jaxan managed to get out before a scream of rage erupted as the magical tendrils began to drain his life force.

Proctor Ellis was such a waste of space that the old man couldn't even die properly. For someone like Jaxan, whose magic relied on manipulating the life-giving substances of blood and the life-sustaining framework of bone, the draining chains that Ellis employed were severely debilitating.

Or, maybe, the Proctor was especially pissed off at him. That probably made more sense.

ChaCha was the first initiate who stepped forward, his blades whirling out and cutting into the Proctor. A smile came to Jax's face as he saw Lil and Iggy become freed from the ethereal tentacles but he wasn't quite as lucky as those two. Another shout of anger screeched from his lungs as his hands tried to wrestle with the intangible wrapping around his throat.

Maybe the others would be disappointed but Jaxan wasn't playing any further games with the Proctor. He summoned as much of his magic that was still available and with Ellis distracted and dying he called on his abilities to reach outwards, targeting the elderly teacher's spine. In an audible crunch his spine expanded and shot upwards, impaling the downed Ellis through his cranium and ending his life.

The rest of his tendrils vanished as the deceased man's blood began to stain the cobblestone. "Fuckin' hell..."

 

[Liliana]

Liliana buckled forward, clutching at her throat as she violently coughed.

Lips turned to a scowl as she struggled to breath, her eyes forced shut as she finally sucked air into her lungs. A low growl escaped her throat as she managed to pull herself together, hand clutching at the boulder she had been perched upon when Ellis had nearly torn her free from it.

Peasant filth. She thought, allowing herself the very unladylike gesture of spitting onto the floor besides the Proctor's corpse.

The deep scowl on her features remained as her eyes flickered open, head shaking violently. A seething rage drizzled within her mind, and she stared at the now dead man like a cobra might stare at a rat. Her fingers balled into fists, and slowly she pulled herself up fully.

A long breath left her. "Seems you didn't miss all the fun, Del."

The flicker of emotion was already gone, the seething rage that had all but consumed her washed away in the composure of a Queen.

Her gaze flickered to Proctor Ellis' body once again, head shaking from side to side.

"Perhaps something a little faster next time, Ignatius?" She said, offering a disapproving gaze for her portly myrmidon.

Of course, the achievement of what they had just done was not entirely lost on her. Ellis, despite all their protestations, had been a powerful Dreadlord in his time. The man had dozens of missions under his belt, and his life had just been unceremoniously ended by a bunch of Initiates.

Talented Initiates, mind, but still just students. That was something to be celebrated. "Charon. Would you like to dismember him? No need for anyone to see what's become of our dear departed Proctor, after all."

She said with a shrug.

 

[Delaney Lennox]

Delaney was quietly waiting for Proctor Ellis to die when she felt something akin to her own shadows wrap around her neck. Unlike her shadows, these tethers dug into her body and started to steal her life away from her. What the actual fuck?! She managed to think her herself as she struggled to breath. She sent her own tendrils of magic to pry his away from her neck. The darkness took care of her.

She growled once she could breath again and a sneer crossed her lips. She watched as Jaxan finished off the Proctor and her shadow slithered back over to her and wound its way up her legs with the other tendrils.

“Apparently,” Delaney said as she rubbed her neck for a moment. She did not like the feeling of not being in control of her body and she was very glad that Ellis was dead. One less weakling in the world.

 

[Ignatius Voll]

The Tether about Ignatius's neck dissipated, and Ignatius shook his head and his arms and his hands and strained as his senses reordered themselves and his magical potency within settled back into a calm rest.

Charon did what Charon did best: destroy, with extreme enjoyment. It was satisfying. Beautiful, really. For every purpose, a tool. A saw, a scalpel, a hatchet, many implements for many jobs. Charon, as it happened, delivered torture upon flesh and sensation such that if the Proctors had truly taken notice they might rightly fear him. This hadn't escaped Liliana's notice, however, and the decision to keep the wild initiate around paid dividends here.

They'd done it. Five initiates--"lowly" initiates, as they were so often reminded--had taken down a Proctor. Ignatius poisoning him, Liliana weaving him into foolhardiness, Delaney choking him, Charon filleting him, and Jaxan impaling him (with his own spine too, a delectable touch).

Ignatius, giddy and triumphant with excitement, didn't even mind the prod from Liliana, and just returned a satisfied grin. With better refinement, more potent discoveries, who knew what was possible with his magic. Oh, Ignatius knew, but he wasn't going to tell anyone.

He stood up straight, brushing off the sand from his pants, and remarked while leering down at Ellis's corpse. "How's that for diplomacy, fool?"

Relishing the moment...was so delicious.

Liliana Jaxan Charon Delaney Lennox

 

[Charon]

Sigh...gone too soon. While the other students were likely glad it had been so easy and that they'd all gotten away relatively unscathed, Charon was moderately disappointed. That could've been prolonged much longer. Oh well, at least he got a new sensation out of the deal, and he got to watch a proctor's spine slide out of his body. That wasn't to be forgotten any time soon.

The unstable young man heard Lili's offer over the sound of his own panting and cocked his head at her.
"Why? He's a corpse. Corpse can't feel pain, there's no point." All the excitement had drained out of Charon's voice almost immediately. Dismember a corpse? Ew. "Better to just burn it or toss it into the sea. Unless..."

Now there was a fun little thought. His gaze shifted back towards their still-living captive and a sharp-toothed grin flashed once more.
"Unless that offer extends to our dear architect over here." Charon growled, hovering ominously over the poor man. "You don't need your legs to function to do your job, do you?"

 

[Jaxan]

Proctor Ellis sucked. But damn it if the most important lesson he taught the group wasn't his very last lesson. The truth that they were all still students, that they all still had so much further their abilities could take them. Even with a lethal dose of whatever Iggy had slipped him the ol teach had nearly brought a few of the students down with him. Wild stuff.

"We might still need 'im," Jaxan mused aloud as Charon spoke of the captive architect. "'Course I suppose its Lil's call." He craned his neck to glance at the little blonde thing that barked out orders.

No matter what the decision ChaCha did have a point about the guy's legs. "Del might enjoy a crack at it too." Jaxan added with a nod towards the bonded man.

In truth, he wasn't sure what the group should do now that the Proctor was dead. Maybe it'd be easiest to go back to the council, let Lil work her magic, and if that didn't work they could just murder them all. No clue why Ellis hadn't just come back with the councilmember's heads in the first place. Would've saved them all a lot of trouble.

 

[Liliana]

Liliana reveled in the decision foisted onto her, seized it with all the glory of a commander on the battlefield.

This was what she lived for.

Not the petty missions that the academy gave her. Not the tutelage she had undertaken at the hands of her family. Not even the games she played with her peers minds. No. She enjoyed pulling the strings, drawing things the way that she wanted them and no one else.

There was something lovely about making it all go how she pleased, and whats more, seeing it end just as she desired. A smile touched her face for a moment, a real smile, the first in what seemed like an age. "You can have the Architect, Charon."

She purred.

"But you have to take care of Ellis too." Liliana said as she pushed herself away from the rock and slid passed Charon. "Then we go into the city."

Liliana turned to the others. "And succeed where our wayward teacher failed."

Of that, she was sure.

 

[Delaney Lennox]

Delaney would let Charon have his fun with the architect. He had been so patient and his chance to play with Ellis had been taken away. Delaney threw Charon a smile to let him know that he could take care of the man, she was alright with sitting this one out.

"Good," Delaney said slowly. "That meeting was painful and I feel like we need to repay them for the pain they caused me." She chuckled darkly as she thought about all the ways she would torture the officials.

Delaney couldn't ask for a better group of psychos to be by her side right now.

 

[Ignatius Voll]

Yes. Ellis's troublesome corpse. Even in death he was a fly in one's soup. So how to deal with the annoyance? Liliana tasked Charon with disposing of it, but he, in wonderfully predictably manner, was far more interested now in the man who still had a heartbeat. Well. It was an established fact that Charon's predations were oftentimes pointless. Beautiful and satisfying as it was to see him work on Ellis, the presence of purpose tied it all together. The least Charon could do was fashion some experiment out of the architect and his legs.

Oh. But Ignatius was getting off track.

Ellis's corpse.

Ignatius strode up beside Charon and laid a thick hand on his shoulder. "I'll handle Ellis." Then he stepped over to the corpse, adding, "I've got just the right brew."

Ignatius's fingers hovered over his vial belt and wiggled eagerly. Where was it...ah. There. The mixture of mucus, bile, and saliva, diluted a little with mundane water--the first time proved too potent for Ignatius to handle. He pulled the vial out and uncorked it and drank the concoction in one pull, replacing the empty vial on his belt afterward.

This one took a moment to take effect. But, when it was ready, there'd not be a trace of Ellis left. If Jaxan wanted to keep some of the blood for his own benefit, he'd best take it now.

In the meantime, some strategizing would bear fruit later. "Shall we have a close look at those plans our friend provided?"

Maybe it was a good thing the architect was still alive. He could clarify features of the layout and answer their questions. Ooo, oh, there. There was the purpose for Charon's predations. Making sure the architect answered them truthfully.

Liliana Jaxan Charon Delaney Lennox