The timer keeps ticking… and eventually he becomes aware of a sobbing. The boy staggers into view, a youthful frame marred by cuts and scrapes; his gait crippled with desperation.
Disheveled hair clings to a sweat-drenched face, and fear is etched into his features. He seems so small, so frail, as his eyes dart, scanning the surrounding shadows… a mixture of trepidation and wild hope.
He survived? How the hell?
Each laboured breath is punctuated by a pained whimper; and as the child comes into proper sight, Caau sees crimson streaks of blood, now dried and caked upon his clothing; moving with a instinctive stealth… as though he were a wounded beast seeking a hole to die, but refusing to be devoured even now.
He’s bloody determined… I’ll give him that. Kid must be running on fumes. Wait… I could…
Caau looks inward, seeing if [ Spark I ] is recharged, and to his surprise, it is!
[ Spark I ]
A small flash of light pours forth from the ritual bowl at the small stone inset at the base of his body; a quick illumination of the scene.
Caau’s stone runs cold… for behind the boy is a horrifying manifestation of malice; a grotesque creature that seems to wear the shadows as cloak, moving with absolute silence.
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1022054419510075402/1170926057029894286/zlo3097_a_horrible_abyssal_eldritch_creature_in_a_dark_cave_med_3ccc9b9f-1d43-4fa6-8e91-cc5c36c7a3f0.png?ex=655ad0de&is=65485bde&hm=c4f71951adc75fdd3ae2256c6a9ab3e5efb4431dbd7b65a0f76f5d77e20fc228&]
Their body contorts and twists in an unnatural way, limbs elongated and joints bending with silent snaps; sinewy tendrils licking the surface of the stone around, trapped darkness writhing and slithering beneath their translucent skin.
Eyes void of light and life fixate on the prey… and the hunger within is insatiable; surpassing the need for mere physical sustenance.
As the spark of light runs over its skin it blisters with large pustules, only for those same pus-filled things to pop and eat the small flash of light in the briefest moment of a second.
The boy starts to run; trapped in the limbo between absolute fear and desperate hope. He doesn’t look back, scrambling on the stone; the very last flickers of his ember of determination burning bright in a fierce sprint. The abominations reaches out an impossibly long claw that seems to stretch for miles until it comes to rest around the boy’s frame, crushing the vitality from the smallest squeeze. Caau only has one option. He sparks the light once more, wrenching the grip open; the child putting his hand out — his finger touching the blue runes and being wrenched away to safety.
[ Sanctuary - 1 Occupants ]
The creature screams in a vile, evil language; it’s tongue lapping the stone around Caau before lowering itself to look straight at the thing.
“You…” speaks the thing, it’s voice echoing with an eerie, disembodied presence; a thousand screaming voices coalescing to form nearly indecipherable words. “You are fortunate, Obelisk, that we dwell in realms apart; where my dominion does not extend.”
The words hang heavy, as if the planet refuses to let them bounce from it’s stone; dripping with a menace beyond chilling. “I lack the power to annihilate you here… but do not mistake it for mercy.” It hisses, putting a finger on the glowing runes.
[ WARNING: ABYSSAL CREATURE ATTEMPTING TO INVADE SANCTUARY ]
The word’s blaze like lava in Caau’s mind, and terror rises in his mind despite the solidity his mind had once held. Where once he was stone; this creature made him feel like rapidly freezing water.
Okay, what the fuck do I do!?
It speaks again; fury dripping from it’s words like a snake’s fang drips with venom. “That boy… he will be mine. I shall ascend to this very place if I must…”
It pushes the Obelisk further; only to rip its hand away a second later and let out a ethereal growl. “Prepare yourself for my inevitable return… no matter how interminable the wait.”
[ An Abyssal Creature has declared a proclamation! ]
It is as if the air begins to tremble around it; the very fabric of reality quivering in fear. Caau feels a pain rush through him; agony beyond count… and then it fades just as fast as it came.
With the utterance of those words, the creature dissipates into the air; but the presence lingers like a festering wound; an indelible mark upon his soul. If he had a heart, its beat would be described as tachycardia.
The surface of the stone remains unmarred… but Caau did not know if he could say the same of himself.
What the fuck was that? I don’t want this shit; absolutely miss me with the lovecraftian horrors, please.
That would be an Abyssal. Horrible creatures born from malevolence. I am… quite surprised it was so far from its realm.
The boy hadn’t heard any of it; either from the void-space’s protection or from the fact he had slumped against the wall and immediately fell asleep. His hands clench and release, as if trying to grasp onto a semblance of control… the world ripped from his under his feet.
Why in the absolute hell would you bring a kid down here? What were they thinking?
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Beneath the tattered clothing, the body betrays the strain of exhaustion. His muscles ache and twitch, his lips are cracked and bleeding and his breath rises and falls in tiny gasps for air.
I’ll bless him… and hope it’s enough.
[ Bless I ]!
O', you who seek solace, divine grace bestowed, Satiate the hunger, thirst no longer owed. O', spirit sated, nourished by celestial touch, In the depths of abundance, cravings we detach.
Caau’s words touch the boy’s soul, and seep in like moisturiser applied to cracked skin. Either he did not need to accept; or the boy did it unconsciously. There is no way to know.
Rest… kid. You’re safe for now.
——
The boy wakes with a start; then looks around as if he is surprised his is alive. He puts his hands down his body only to flinch as his nail catches a scrape on his side. He feels around his mouth then puts his hand on his stomach.
Caau nods, or at least makes the action of nodding in his mind.
If the kid’s awake… that means the blessing worked, at least. It sounds like he doesn’t need to eat, nor drink.
As if a thousand memories come flooding back, the boy begins to cry. It couldn’t have been more than a few seconds… though that could be a few hours to Caau.
“Mommy… how do I get out of here?”
The voice is so… fragile, but there’s only really one answer to his question. He doesn’t. He can’t. It’s not possible. Caau can bless the kid with everything he’s got, but at the end of the day…
The boy places his legs under him, resting on them, and puts his hands on the wall, whispering into it. Caau can barely catch the words.
"Please... help me. Please, oh please, I'm begging you," his voice trembles. "I don't understand why you chose to bless me... You blessed my mom too, but it wasn't enough. The Gorakhin... they took her away. Please, I'll do anything... anything at all.”
[ You have received a Follower ]
[ Follower count now: 1 ]
[ Your rank has increased… You are now: Personal Belief ]
[ 1/10 Followers to reach next threshold ]
A single person holds you as their chosen object of worship, regardless of if they know who or what you are.
[ Blessing Limit increased: 2 Active Blessings allowed ]
[ Expeditions Unlocked: Assign followers or Guardians to explore the Underground; gaining new skills and items. ]
“Mom was so tired… yet she carried me so far… please... I want to survive. I want to find my way back home. Whoever you are... whatever you are... I beg you, I need to go home! I want to see Grandpa... I need to tell him. Grandma... she's gone... Mommy... Daddy... they're gone too...”
He slumps down onto the ground, and the tears seem to have gone. They aren’t flowing.
There’s nothing for it. Maybe the blessing of insight would be better? Perhaps guidance gave them the fastest possible way to get out… and led them right into the grave.
Or maybe… Blessing of Protection?
Actually, that sounds the smartest… but what if he can’t get out? How much does my power actually extend?
He knows the answer. That creature would not have cared for some small blessing. There are things that are stronger than him, no doubt.
So I’m stuck between three probably right options. That said… I’m striking guidance out. I’m not omniscient and I have to assume my blessings aren’t either — it clearly was not strong enough to save her.
That just leaves Protection or Insight. In a way, I suppose Insight is better… if it can help him avoid a fight. It’s always better to walk away than get curb-stomped, eh?
What could be more commendable than allowing him to skulk away like a frightened mouse?
What if there’s no way to avoid a fight? Would Insight even help?
[ You have lost a Follower ]
[ Demoting… ]
Caau’s eyes, if he had them, would light up as he snaps his attention back to the boy… but he’s fine. He’s not dead, at least. Wait… how long as it been.
A fucking week? Just thinking takes me a week? What am I, a sloth?
Fine, you know what, fuck it — it’s not my kid, it doesn’t matter if the little shit lives or dies… but… god damn it.
O', seeker of shelter, 'neath unfurled banner's grace, Guardian's mantle descends, protecting every place. O', behold the hidden shield, where safety finds its hold, Within the guarded fortress, hurt and harm unfold.
The boy’s head snaps up, and he looks directly in the centre of the ceiling. The cuts and scrapes upon his flesh sink back into his skin as a layer of stone seems to cover him from head to stone before it too is absorbed. He then smashes his hand into the void-stone next to him, only to smile. No blemish lands on his hand, no mar on his surface.
[ You have received a Follower ]
[ Follower count now: 1 ]
[ Stopping demotion… ]
“Thank you. I’ll leave here… but I’ll come back. I have the feeling… that I’ll make it. I’ll go to grandpa… but I’ll come back.”
The boy stares at his hand. “I’ll stand at the pinnacle. I’ll be untouchable by any within these lands. Nobody will perish to the underground again. I won’t let it happen. I won’t.”
[ A Follower has made a Proclamation… ]
[ Grant Favour? 0/1 ]
I do not know what that means?
By bestowing your precious favour, you get the pleasure of knowing that your blessing are permanently trapped within their pitiful mortal bodies until they eventually — like all mortals do — die.
Yeah, fine, why the hell not? He probably won’t even make it back up anyway.
By all means, continue to ignore my insightful words. It’s not like I possess an intellect far superior to yours.
A strange radiant heat starts to fill the room; cascading upon the boy like liquid gold pouring from a heavenly plane. The air shimmers not with heat but with luminescence, and the boy is raised from his feet, smiling widely; embraced in a gentle hug.
It is like the child’s spirit is set ablaze, ignited with a fervent flame of destiny; becoming a living vessel — an embodiment of principle — and golden threads stab through without causing harm, tying the boy to the void-stone around him.
When the light releases him, the boy has undergone a metamorphosis, innocence merged with purpose — and reborn as conduit of faith. His eyes seem to shimmer with strength.
He takes large, confident steps out into the darkness, glimmering with the faintest of lights, and disappears into the darkness; back the way they had originally come.
[ Sanctuary - 0 Occupants ]
What the fuck just happened?
[ You have created a Champion ]
[ Champions are living representations of your core tenets ]
[ You have progressed your Patronage: Patron of the Lost and Damned 1/2 ]
[ Core Tenet: Safety / Champion of Safety: Arden Lockwood. ]
You are the light in the darkness, a beacon of hope amidst endless shadows, destined to be found by those who have wandered astray. In your embrace, those lost discover belonging, and their shattered pieces find healing.
Your presence brings solace to despair and purpose to uncertainty. Your Light banishes darkness and redeems weary souls.
You are compassion and empathy; a guiding star and a refuge. You illuminate the path for the forsaken… they should only need to grasp it.
I am what?
[ You have unlocked a new ability ]
[ Guide I ]
[ Accept another champion to complete Patronage ]
[ Threshold for next champion: 100 followers ]
Oh wow, that’s not happening.