The search for help

Gorandis' mind was racing. That memory... it gnawed at him... He-- He couldn't believe he had actually done that. Just what had come over him. Oh sure, he was having a blast, it was his first real adventure and he was enjoying it immensely. It had turned his life around and he actually felt useful... Powerful even. It was a glorious feeling.

But it went to his head and then he brewed terrible thoughts and before he could even argue with himself he had killed a man... Violently to boot. To think, he had snuffed out a life on a whim. It was a terrifying though and he couldn't even look at his own two hands anymore. Whenever he did they were just caked in that burnt blood.

Hell, he couldn't even stay in Nostvale really. It was all just a terrible reminder. So, he'd gotten on the first ship out of the city, to the other capital, New Alteros. He had always wanted to visit and at least the new sights would distract him, at least for a little while. He strolled through the streets in his heavy garb, still adamant that the book on occultism was right.

He did have to look the part.
(Gorandis Fester)

The Oscuri returned from the Bygonegrove- Her experiment had been successful and it meant her studies were nearing the end. A good thing indeed, for it was certainly the only reason she had worked hard in the first place. For the reward.

Well, she was still in the Bulwark nonetheless, so despite being rather exhausted she still had duties to attend to. The hooded man who mysteriously waltzed around New Alteros with a heavy garb? He certainly fit the description of an Ookami in hiding.

Hoods weren't allowed, in fact anything that could hide Ookami traits were not allowed within the city. And as such, she approached him.

Sapphire blue eyes were laid upon him as she approached from behind, her voice calling him out, "Hey you!" It was stern and filled with authority, confidence something the Oscuri certainly did not lack, "Hoods are not allowed within the city, remove it immediately and state your name."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Ah?" He stopped dead in his tracks, letting his surprise out in an instant. He quickly recovered, putting on his best voice. The one he had practised oh so long on. The book was very firm on both looking the part, and sounding the part. But he wasn't about to get arrested over it. "My apologies young lady. I will do so right away."

His voice was slick and well oiled. And practically oozed into the ear. It was the voice of a master politician, someone who's words alone could grease the cogs of the world. Which was entirely at odds with his actual face. He pulled his hood back to reveal the most boring and average looking person to exist. No stand out features whatsoever.

He was someone who could get lost in a crowd simply by walking through it. The only defining feature was his hair which was long and lank, and stuck up quite oddly in a bad case of hood hair. "I was not aware of the new laws in effect. Once more I give my sincere apologies." The voice rolled on again as he bowed. It was quite concerning to have such a mismatch between face and voice.

"May I ask your name young lady?"
(Gorandis Fester)

She gave him a once-over, sizing the man up. Quite average looking and by no means an Ookami, so all was good, no? Except he did not state his name as she had ordered. Perhaps he forgot it? But it mattered little.

Arms crossed and her gaze quickly turned into a glare- "Celeana Feuer, Avenger of the Bulwark. Now state your name." Her voice escaped her lips once more, she clearly annoyed for one reason or another- Perhaps because he had the audacity to call her 'young lady'.

Her head tilted and eyes averted but momentarily to glance down at his book- He held onto it like it was his dear life, something which she certainly could understand given her reason time spend reading and studying the depraved magic of Rifting.

"The law was put in place to avoid any Ookami hiding among the citizens. We wouldn't want a rebel running around freely in our cities after all."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Ah, yes of course, of course. I had heard all about the rebellion and everything back home. A nasty business they seem. But, they seem to have gone languid after we showed them what for, eh?" he smiled, it seemed rather genuine despite how obviously put-on his voice was. "Ah, yes, apologies once more. My name is Gorandis Fester."

He inclined his head in a small bow. "Citizen of Nostvale though now I've started travelling a bit. Can't stay at home forever after all." He laughed awkwardly and shifted the book in his hands. Seeming to tighten his grip and the spine of it before gently, if not reverently placing it in a small back that lay on his hip. It seemed to join another far more tattered looking book.

"Well, I can assure you that I am no Ookami... If you are a member of the Bulwark, could you be so kind as to give me a brief layout of the town? I'm afraid I have no idea where anything is and I would rather like to not spend a lot of time being lost." He smiled at her again, it was plain, just like his features though there was the smallest hint of sincere gratitude.

"And might I add it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Feuer."
(Gorandis Fester)

How did one handle a human who was obnoxiously well-mannered? She had no idea. A sigh escaped her lips and her arms fell to each respective side once more, the cloak doing quick work of hiding her arms within it once more.

Should he pay a glance inside of the cloak for but the few moments it was open, he would see the entirety of her body covered in the characteristic green-coloured armour that the Bulwark tended to adorn.

"Gorandis Fester..." A moment was spend on trying to remember whether the name was part of the known rebels or not- But quickly she gave up. First of all she couldn't remember the list and second of all... Why would a rebel openly state his criminalized name? He didn't seem that dumb after all.

"But of course- Is there anything in specific you seek or?"
(Celeana Feuer)

"Well, most of all I was wondering there was anyone in town that could help me with my research... Recently I--" He took a moment to pause and gather his thoughts, seeming to leave something on the tip of his tongue for a moment before apparently finally deciding to press on. "Recently... I came across an old tome dealing with spiritmancy."

"The summoning of spirits both human and otherwise. And so I wonder if there is possibly anyone in town who could assist." Of course he wasn't expecting the guard to know everyone. But any direction would surely be appreciated. Especially considering he was practically lost in this new town all on his own. At least he seemed to be making a good first impression.

Or so he assumed. The book might not have contained any information on how to specifically act but it had mentioned to try and be courteous around other occultists... and, since he could never actually tell if someone was an occultist or not, that just seemed to extend to everyone. "Sorry if I am bothering you by all of this. But I would rather like to get some help."

"I've only been a practicing magi for a few weeks after all..."
(Gorandis Fester)

"Spiritmancy?" What an odd word- Truly she had never heard about it before... Or had she? Was the thing Calliope was known for also Spiritmancy? She knew not, but it involved ghosts from what she had heard. Apparently the city in which Calliope ruled was hunted by these ghosts.

"Well I know not of anyone who possess such magic in New Alteros, sadly... But I believe Calliope, the ruler of... Loranthis? Whatever the city is named, she possesses something that could sound like what you are looking for. Here though? It is mostly scholars who have yet to truly master their studies." Like herself.

Eyes once more sized the man up- So he was a Magi after all, even if an amateur one. Well it was never too late to start... Or so they said, but this one was quite... Old. At least in his twenties as she was. It meant he would probably have to spend many years trying to catch up to those who was born into the environment of magic.

"Oh? A practicing Magi? Impressive. I remember when I first started- It is quite hard without someone to guide you."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Yes, I don't think I ever would have picked it up myself if it wasn't for this book..." He patted the outside of his bag gently, smiling just a little. "A merchant in Nostvale sold it to me. The absolute guide to occultism he called it. It has been quite helpful and the man was quite persuasive... even if he did seem to not get too many buyers..."

"Still! Still, it was good purchase even if it was about a years salary but now that I have it, I don't need that desk job anymore and I can go and explore the world and all of that." He smiled again and revealed his naiveté. He had bought a book from a shady merchant in one of Nostvale's backstreets... revealing him to not exactly being the brightest man.

"It was quite informative on the magic side of things and it turned out I did have the aptitude for it. For lightning magic too and, for what the book dubs 'Hellstorm' magic. It has proved quite... handy..." He trailed off, staring at his gloved hands again for some time, trying to get the image of his blood stained hand out of his mind again.

His face only barely revealed his distress. "Uhm, Calliope you say? In Loranthis. That's quite far unfortunately... perhaps I should try around this area a little longer... you never know after all."
(Gorandis Fester)

So he was an Occultist? He certainly didn't seem like it- Granted his odd choice of clothing did make sense now. Trying to appear scarier than he truly was, was a trait commonly seen amongst those of lower calibre. Granted there we some exceptions such as the Lich King.

"Ohh? Occultism? How nice." A smile curved her lips and her arm once more rose- With a single finger extended upwards, a bright flame would appear- Soon enough corrupted by the Darkness which flowed through her. As her magic was used, the sword which rested by her side began to resonate, releasing its own heinous aura of sheer Darkness, something which was perhaps only eclipsed by Durendal itself. Should Gorandis be a novice at controlling his magic, then certainly he would feel the Darkness trying to tear on his mind once more.

"I too am an Occultist- A powerful one too, if i may say so myself." Little to no care was given to whether the man reacted negatively or not to the blade, yet it slowly faded regardless. There was no point in making a scene out of a simple demonstration, no? "If you require help, I would be more than willing to aid you."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Ah, you're an occultist too? Oh a shadowflame user how.. how..." He trailed off as the blade released its dark energy. And once more Gorandis looked down at his hands. It had felt so right in the moment. To tear ter into his flesh and burn the man to the very core. To strike him out, silence him... end him. It felt right it felt good...

Even now, the red sheath of lightning returned to his hands and it began to cloy oddly, like running blood though still with its arcing and normal electrical behaviour. But to Gorandis' eyes his hands were once more covered in burnt and blackened blood and it felt so right once more. So very good to destroy to kill... to end...

But, soon it faded and he looked at his own hands as if he hadn't seen them before, shaking out the red lightning, letting it disperse into a fine aura around him. Should he tell her? Tell her what he was going through. She did say she would aid him... "Do... do you ever get dark thoughts. Think things you never thought you would? Imagine destroying those that really don't even deserve it?"

His voice had lost its usual craftsmanship and Gorandis sounded every bit like the rather scared clerk that he was. "Have you ever... have you ever gotten lost in your own power so much that you killed someone without meaning to?..."
(Gorandis Fester)

The two adorned entirely different perspectives in life- Whilst it was true that the Oscuri were more resistant towards both the effects of Occultism and Depravity alike, they were not completely without it. She, however, had not once been corrupted to the point where she had done something she would regret. Because there is nothing she can do that she would regret.

Booming with confidence the Oscuri once more adorned a smile, a little chuckle escaping her lips but moments after, "I see, I see. So it is taking a toll on your mind, huh? Well you see... I am a true Azraelite. There is no innocent mortal. Everyone should die for lord Azrael, so even if I had ever lost myself in madness and taken a life, it would matter little."

She tilted her head, eyes remaining on him like a hawk watching its prey, "What you need is to accept those thoughts- There is no getting lost in your own power, because... It is yours, no? It is simply a projection of your innermost thoughts and desires. You wish to serve Azrael if you have those thoughts, that is a fact."

"What you need is to understand lord Azrael so that you can find a true meaning in 'life'- And a target to destroy."
(Celeana Feuer)

Ah, a zealot... he had hoped to avoid these kind of people but an Oscuri was an Oscuri... he should have anticipated this sort of thing... It wasn't as if he was a non-believer. It was hard to be an atheist when the gods had left a very real mark on the world. but he didn't want to follow their dogma. He found it rather... repulsive really.

Kill in this life so that you may be raised gloriously in the next. It was so... barbaric. Of course, these thoughts had always been kept to himself, especially considering who ruled the world at this time. "I do not wish to get lost in the madness, because that would not be me. Not really be me. I do not want my actions attributed to another."

"And I especially don't want to be controlled by... dark thoughts. I cannot accept these..." His fists clenched again and the red lightning forked to the ground, dispersing harmlessly. "This madness... nothing good can come of it. It has taken control once already... I got overwhelmed in the moment and I took a life. The life of someone you would consider an Azraelite."

"He was a Necromancer in the Trystle caverns. And I hollowed out his chest... I cannot let it happen again. You say that doing this will serve Azrael but not if it makes me slaughter his servants."
(Gorandis Fester)

Oh? He had ended the life of a fellow Azraelite? And a Necromancer to boot? Had it perhaps been any other than Celeana, then he would have found himself handcuffed and perhaps on his way towards execution for such a act, however... She cared little. If someone died to a novice? Then they certainly were no good Azraelite. At least not one of use.

"We all die some day- If we fail that is." She had all the intentions in the world to become immortal and her adventure to learn Rift? Merely a stepping stone for her. "But alas, if you wish not to get overwhelmed by madness then that is understandable."

A smile once more curved her lips, eyes laid upon him again, "But... It is a part of you now, escaping it will be... Nigh impossible. Though it has been done before! I encourage you to seek out the story of Konaa Hirano- He created a sword which allowed the wielder to 'control' their Occult desires. Perhaps that can help you? Granted there is this one thing... I believe it was called Zero Occult? Though I believe such... Stupid magic should remain forgotten."

Little to not comment was given on him slaughtering someone- It was almost like she deemed it an ordinary act.
(Celeana Feuer)

He listened in silence... this was not going anywhere. He would not find the help he was after here... Not from this woman at least. Oh sure, she had interesting propositions, but she was just... insane really. A woman who sees slaughter as inconsequential... is this what the world has become? And yet, there was a little bit inside of him...

A small piece, he had thought it to be where his dark thoughts had come from... but no, this was very much a part of himself. And that part had enjoyed doing what he did. That part had relished in watching the life fade from the man's eyes. Watching him burn and falter and die. The small part that didn't want control to be brought back.

Because that was what his whole life was. Boring, controlled. A life you could schedule. It didn't want that, the corner of his mind didn't want that. And so, he couldn't disagree... not really. "To control the desires?... Perhaps. The Hirano family are quite... numerous in Nostvale and I did help out Arcadia on a little journey of his..."

"Perhaps that will be of use... To tame this, control it. That would be..." His voice trailed off. "Thank you for the help Miss Feuer." Gradually, his voice had regained its oiled naunces and tone. Apparently he had at least regained his confidence.
(Gorandis Fester)

Well it truly was a sad sight to see an Occultist wish to remain in control- Life became so much easier once you simply gave up. Who cared if the world would burn? It was meant to burn because of Kraus- Once he was removed however? Freedom and immortality for everyone and by extension eternal happiness.

"Well I wish you the best of luck then, Gorandis- May you find whatever it is you seek..." A lack of sincerity was definitely present among her words, yet she hid it well behind a smile. It mattered little to her whether he embraced the Darkness or not, for had he not the confidence to do so in the first place, then truly he was not destined to be part of the greatness that was to come.

"Truly, there is quite a lot of Hiranos... And Kyros..." And Fildegardes. There were far too many of all of them, it was obnoxious really. Almost unfair. Why was she the only one born outside of royalty and nobility? Unfair.

"I bid you farewell then, Gorandis. Remember, no hood."
(Celeana Feuer)