6/1/2018 - 6/2/2018

[17:11]
There is nothing that can possibly prepare her own being for the weight of soul transference. And although she is quite deft within her ability and thorough with her procedures...It always comes at a heavy, heaving price upon the soul. The woman finds herself beginning to shift in place, opening the door to reveal The Weeping Willow. At first glance, it is just as macabre was one would have expected.

Bodies are everywhere. Their throats are caught and pierced open by the bramble- thorns and vines spiral around their rotting figure, absorbing and ripping apart leylines alike, feeding into the very essence of not just the tree...But Cho as well. As she moves closer, the amethyst pulse upon her chest flutters, signifying her deep rooted connection with the tree itself.

"...So, you've made your decision. If you will, can you please sit upon the bed?" She questions. "All of your clothing, please discard- I'll need access to all major points of your circuits." It seems that she already had the comatose Nerzan prepared...

"I'll let you know that this experience is a painful one...Almost akin to dying within itself. Whatever you do, please-- do not panic. The calmer you are, the easier it is for me to control your soul.." It is a harsh experience, but one that must happen regardless.

"When you are ready, I'll begin accessing your being." She adds, extending her hands for the assortment of alchemical ingredients.
(Cho)
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[17:20] Peacekeeper's approach to the Weeping Willow is one of equal doses curiosity and apprehension. The bodies everywhere are -

in just a few words, disgusting and macabre, but to someone so familiar with death it isn't all too bad. He's seen and done far worse things than the results of what looks to be sadistic slaughter. Once upon a time, he was little more than a slurry of flesh and bones upon a pile of other similarly-immolated bodies.

This is merciful, compared to that.

As Cho asks him to sit, Peacekeeper's response is delayed, but he follows suit soon enough. As he moves -

"Lotlhuitl's runework should make accessing my circuits easy enough. She drew a diagram on my bare bones in her blood."

It doesn't take long for him to remove the robes atop his armor -

the armor riddled with wounds, riddled with holes; the largest of them being the one Cho dealt herself.

"I suppose I might not need this anymore."

He reaches in and peels it off of himself with an awful, awful screech. His runes flare with intensity as the damaged armor gives up its last legs.

He takes his seat on the side of the bed and focuses his gaze upon Cho proper - quite a bit less clothed than he was prior, with mythril and orichalcum lines detailing the lines of his mana circuits.

"I am not afraid of death any longer, Cho. You need not warn me; however, I am thankful for the advice. I trust you."

After which, he lays himself out onto the bed for her work and examination.
(Peacekeeper)
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[17:30]
She has only killed a select number within the room, the rest of them were piled together in preparation to bring about a strange fruit- both mysterious and succulent, holding voracious power that could possibly, change many, many things within this world. The tree itself seems to shiver and breath- roots and brambles flexing, whispers and promises echo carefully- and although the leaves shimmer and shudder within the room, the strangest thing is that there is no wind. It bids for Peacekeeper to come closer despite his position- the cold chill, the promise of more beckoning him.

But despite these things, the woman would have continued her work. "...That makes my job much easier then. I'm grateful, at the very least.." She says while pulling up a chair, several mana needles appearing within her hands. "I would like to apologize to you, Peacekeeper.." She says softly, her lips pressing together, her gaze drifting elsewhere in thought. "I am not perfect...Infact, I am far from it." She says, terribly aware of her fault and fallacies.

"This world has a way of toying with the minds of people, changing them for the worst- making matters appear to be harsrher than what they've seemed. And I attacked you- not just out of my hatred for Tarquin, but the Brubeck family entirely. You did not deserve that." Despite her soft words, each press of the needle is actually painless. It isn't until she turns them, that the elements of his being would soon come to life.

A sharp wind, malignant promise of death- the threat of poison. She accesses the very depths of his being before doing the same to Nerzan. "When someone hurts one of my own- I find that I become blind within my pursuit, ignoring everything until I feel as if they are safe. And that isn't right- nor particularly fair to you when you've done nothing to me." HEr hands are gentle, careful. What he might feel is a bubble fire in what would be his 'heart'. And his limbs? Terribly cold from her own manipulation- the contradiction of the Willow pressing forward.

"I am a damaged woman who loves too hard and does not know how to let go. And because of that- I find that I hurt those around me, even when I may regret it earlier." Slowly, would she raise, however...A knife dipping into her flesh...Creating a runic circle.

The herbs and plans that were haned over are scatterd amongst her blud to be a safe haven. A means to further protect him in the event that she does fail.

"But as long as you are willing to forgive me, then I will protect you as if you are one of my own." A simple nod is offered, followed by a gentle smile.

"In any case, are there any last words before you disappear, Peacekeeper? I'm sure you'll enjoy the new chapter of your life in your new body soon enough."
(Cho)
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[17:41] Peacekeeper remains still as he listens to Cho, and as her first preparations begin. His eyes slowly dim to little more than faint lights deep inside his skull, and his mana circuits dim as he allows the light of the moon to dissipate into the air, leaving only a silver glow that reinforces his bones.

The bare skeleton has a wound, near where his hips connect to his spine. The two parts are entirely separated, and stitched together only by what seems to be a hissing mass of corrosive gas that continually pours from it. It can be stifled, if only for awhile, but there's little need as it's exposed to the open air. If he were alive, well...

he might be paralyzed from the waist down.

His voice hisses from that wound, rather than from anywhere else. It's weak and unfocused compared to his normal status - unclear.

"After all the smoke cleared, you know - I never held any of it against you. It was clear it was little more than a misunderstanding. Little more than each of us doing what we thought was right, with the best of intents.

... maybe a little more murderous, in your case, but you definitely had your reasons."

He allows her to work without so much as moving. He's certainly not the type to interrupt a doctor's professional attentions.

"We'll have more time to talk later, Cho. And if we don't, well...

Tell Eiphraem that I love him, and that I wish him the best. That my soul is at peace.

I hope that it doesn't happen, but if it does...

tell him I said that."

After which, the undead seems ready to proceed to the temporary state of nothingness. He drops into a deep meditative state, barely conscious, as his lights fade into their container.
(Peacekeeper)
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[17:57]
"Ah...Love."

In this case, the woman finds herself beginning to smile briefly. "I figured that such a thing existed between the both of you." Although forbidden in all truths, she always knew that there was a part of Eiphraem that held Peacekeeper close. Closer. Nevertheless, the woman wouldn't have said anything more after his final words. With the both hands outstretched, she would have soon begun the ritual for soul transference. The first thing that the two would feel is an impending sense of doom and death- the dropping of hearts, the vibrating of walls and foundation as she outstretches her hand.

"The things that we do for something so trivial." Her head tilts back carefully, her words beginning to hang upon the winds themselves without leaving past her lips. The vixen seemingly dances in place- the stamping of a foot, the flexing of her arms, the gentle swivel of hips and body. Around the three, those that were captured by the tree scream in impossible euphoria and pain. Their beings are evanescent, her medium serving t's purpose as the dead comes to life only briefly- their dancing spirits fading in and out of reality amongst the shimmer leaves of the Willow..

Until the soul of Peacekeeper and Nerzan hang above overhead. It is not, where she begins the swap...No longer would peacekeeper be within the realm of the living. Instead, he would be confronted by the willow once more. It's beckoning limbs to draw him to the body of Nerzan.

If he walks closer to the bramble, he would find that in the same manner as those that hang from the tree- the vine would viciously grasp him by the very neck...In an attempt to anchor him to the world and mercilessly shove him into the body of Nerzan. It is, in all essence, angry and overbearing- but perhaps, true to the tree's nature.

It forces life, where there is death.

(Cho)

(had to postpone scene due to war, the next log is 6/2/2018)

[20:34] He's waiting outside.

Nervous. Pacing. There's little room for him in Cho's workshop with such a delicate business, but he IS standing guard. Who would be so foolish as to come?

Well.

Too many, truth be told.

With a hand on the weapons upon his waist, the demon's breaths try to remain steady, out beyond the doorway. All that he hears is murmurs. He insisted- He preferred to wait outside, nervewracking as though it was.

He wouldn't want to risk ruining the kitsune witch's delicate work.

But occasionally- He's peering in.

Anxiety is a literal, palpable force from without, the demon's instincts keeping him on edge and ready for combat; or intervention. His telepathy broadcasts unease.
(Eiphraem Kang)

[21:01]
For a woman that has known nothing but pain within her life- she often gives love impossible chances to reign supreme within the depths of her being. In the past, she believed that pain was more honest- that the void within one's heart could never lie, could never leave, could never disappoint. But in the strangest way, she finds that love is so similar to the thing that she had felt. Everything that she had done was for the sake of others- giving up her sanity, her being, her safety for the sake of seeking perfection...Not within herself, but within those that she held near and dear to her very heart.

I love you. To the lights within her gaze that burn like the fireworks back at home within Sheng. To the lights that guided her within her past- that still do. And to the ominous, green that pulsed within Dylerun on the latest of all things. If only for the moment, did she wish that she could express the same thing to Tranen. To thank her. To love her. To hold her for giving her not just an extra chance, but a future with someone who meant more than just the world to her. The dancing of the spirits continue in an evanescent manner...The shuddering of the tree based as her medium..

With the extended branch taken, Peacekeeper is painfully and violently shoved within the body of Nerzan in the worst way. His soul damaged from the placement but despite all of these things, the vixen's dance never stops. Not until the lights are gone....Within the moment, the soul of Nerzan is also shifted, tossed into the older body of peacekeeper...In which, the slow drawl of the tree comes within the form of moving vines. They drift carefully, wrapping around the throat of the undead's body...The light fading, leaving nothing more than Nerzan's form residing upon the body.

Heat and Ice.

They both cling carefully tohis being, the markings of the willow riddling upon his body, obsidian markings of the Kitsune's presence etched into flesh temporarily. For now, he would be terribly, terribly hurt...But it's nothing that a simple potion could not fixed.

"Eiphraem.." she says between panted, ragged breathes...Stepping aside.

"You can wake him up now." She finds it'd be romantic for the Kang to be the first one that he sees. In a strange way, it makes her think of Olander....Oddly enough, she misses her messy little neighbor. But to digress, her attention- although terribly weak, is all upon Nerzan. Waiting to see if the man once known as Peacekeeper will awaken once more.
(Cho)
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[21:19] It's just like dying all over again, but without the promise of oblivion to soothe his wounds.

Every impulse, every compulsion Cho's actions seem to spurn him towards, Peacekeeper follows to the best of his ability. Though the call of oblivion hangs heavily upon his soul, the necromancer's tools, techniques, and prowess are more than enough to keep him anchored to this world.

This is all little more than one step, one transition towards being a more ascended version of himself. One more step towards being human - perhaps even the last step he'll ever need to take towards it, if all goes well enough.

Who knows what the Spires can do that necromancy alone cannot?

In any case, as he feels the wool be pulled over his eyes -

the wool of another perception pulled over his eyes, and the brutal and violent forcing of new sensations overwhelming his entire being -

Nerzan's body convulses in an agony only partially subdued by the comatose state it had been in prior. His soul has to take time to accustom itself to its new body's control - having been absent of such duties for all so long now.

Likely, having been damaged from such a connection to such an undeserving host.

Each inch of flesh -

each inch of being reclaimed -

experiences its first sensations as all-consuming pain.

But it's no big deal, because he's been here before.
(Peacekeeper)

[22:01] The demon was always falling further into debt.

There was little he could do, besides wait outside, akin to a pining

When the door creaks open and his name is called, the serpent's head whips inside.

Ah.

For a moment, he fears the worst- Irrationally. Cho had just assured him that he needed awakened but there is something incredibly primal, visceral about seeing Peacekeeper's limp bones, devoid of that light and flushing, glimmerous reflectivity that animated it. Those sockets that sparkled did so no more-

He can't help it.

When he sees the skeletal remains dangling from the tree, he goes dead quiet, not looking to the correct direction for a moment. His massive, disproportionate butcher's hands tense, staring for a moment without breath as the vines hold him swaying softly, almost hung amidst the deathly willow's branches.

Only slowly, now going from 'nothing' to 'too much' as his pulse quicken, his breath fluttering out the sides of his neck too fast as he tries to reassure himself, quietly, mentally, that it would all be alright-

He tersely nods towards Cho, moving for a moment, to offer her a hand. To squeeze it, to hold it, to silently offer a deep, abiding appreciation. His eyes are overtightly held by the membranes underneath, protecting him from breaking down-

Before he slithers over to the body of what was once a hated foe. It's everything in his power not to scramble over to the discarded bones.

... And certainly, as the undead had said himself, he was not simply those animated remains.

Softly... Those hands try to lift up tender, long comatose body, purged near from death of his toxins and prepared for this moment.

The touch likely burns, to someone who has been so devoid of sensation.
(Eiphraem Kang)

[22:24] Lifting him up isn't difficult. His body is convulsing, but not in any particular direction, and not with any serious force. It's merely a mind and a soul becoming accustomed to muscles that neither quite understand, and muscles foreign to the form they had been so accustomed to -

but the heartbeat is unmistakable. The presence is unmistakable. As their auras collide, Eiphraem can feel Peacekeeper's soul deep within its new mortal coil, even if it's not quite as intense as the Archon is used to.

As his new body begins drawing breath, it's violent, vigorous, and seemingly agonizing. His lungs fill with air before forcing all of the air out of them, hyperventilating as the need to breathe finally registers with his soul. His pulse spikes to an unhealthily-frantic pace, and his voice -

scratchy, unsteady, uncomfortable, from the vocal cords that laid in rest for so long, and from the soul that barely knows how to pilot them.

"It hurts so much, Eiphraem.

It hurts so much."

As the convulsions find their way to his fingertips, he's finally able to throw himself forward and hang his arms around Eiphraem's shoulders, squeezing as tight as his body can currently handle -

which is to say, it's ridiculously weak and fragile compared to what Eiphraem's used to from his favorite human.

"It's amazing, Eiphraem. I can feel it pulsing through my veins. I can feel every ounce of agony.

I feel so fucking alive."
(Peacekeeper)

[22:37]
She needed to confirm that he was still alive before she continued the process. But at the very least- the woman was allowed to catch her breath- the obsidian markings that were upon her being swelling with corruption and necromantic prowess…The trees is quick to consume the dead body of Peacekeeper as not just a means of sustenance, but as a way to give her yet a second wind. The audible, macabre sound of bones crackling and mana circuits being ripped apart could be heard amongst the sound of Peacekeeper's voice. In the end...She would have gotten up once more, pulling the very shard from her satchel as she moves forward, a smile appearing upon her features.

"At one point...I used to think that pain was the one thing that made me feel alive. I used to think that without it, I wouldn't be able to survive but I think that this is good- at the very least. That you can feel. That you can breathe...That you can touch." Her gaze grows solem as she presses a gentle hand against the back of Pacekeeper.

"Eiphraem, if you could let go...I'd like to bind his soul to the body." It was a rough fit for him, but with divine magics, she's almost certain that she'd be able to give him a second chance at life. "I'm still not done yet and...I'd like to be able to revive Peacekeeper if the worst were to happen." With his soul still being undead, she needed to make it claim this new body as it's own without bringing Nerzan back.

"It'll take some time to get used to but ah...After this, I'll let the two of you be."
(Cho)

[22:51] Eiphraem's hands embrace him, for a moment, as the weak figure clings.

It's too eerie hearing it from the voice of the man who tore him down, spitting defiance at him in his last. The serpent's tail lashes in distress, and the creature inadvertantly stiffens- Almost rejecting the new scent, the soft, velvety skin embracing him, tensing as though those arms that so helplessly hang off of him were about to catch fire or show a sudden burst of strength in reply.

But he holds. His subconscious QUAILS, shrieking and thrashing with dismay over 'Nerzan's' presence, his entire body shuddering, earfins twisting towards the cracks and snaps as the remains of Peacekeeper.

The words.

The words themselves put him at ease. Every muscle deflates from tension, bit by bit. The demon's nasal slits flare, coming so close as to let the cold, humid breath of the water demon take in a snuffle-

Eiphraem smells firmly of rain. More than even the ocean's salt or marshy bogs, he has the soft, gentle scent of rain all about him, poured over rock and dirt alike. It's probably a sensation too faint for the undead to have ever truly known about, previously.

Hesitatingly, he stops, trying to relinquish him to Cho.

"Yh- It. I-" He seems a bit tongue tied, mouth almost stoppered shut. His fangs bite into his lower lips, and his throat is thick as he holds back the urge to just- Bite, once more, and follow a familiar path to maul the remnant's of Ardent's council.

Stiff and shaking, he tries to detatch Peacekeeper from about his neck, whispering softly-

"Stay that way, this time. That's an order."
(Eiphraem Kang)
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[23:02] He takes in a deep, loooong drag of air, filling his nostrils with sensation. His mind is so accustomed to amplifying every sensation that it can, and while all of it will likely normalize to something more comfortable, every single kind of stimulation he's receiving is lighting his nerves aflame.

The sounds, the sights, the smell, the taste of air upon his tongue. The feeling of his heart thrumming, of his arms about fall off from this all-consuming, burning pain of his new body seemingly putting up its last resistance.

"It's so wonderful, Eiphraem. I'm alive.

I'm truly.

Truly.

Alive."

That last word is spoken with all the force that he can manage, and a gasp to fill his lungs quickly follows it. When Eiphraem seeks to detach him and lay him onto the bed, Peacekeeper is most certainly in no position to resist.

Even if he were, he probably wouldn't.

The movement comes with a groan as a new set of nerves sets themselves on fire, followed by a resonating, exasperated, maddened cackle that slams against its confines with every forceful exhale.

His body falls against its support with a soft flump.

"Victory. This is what victory feels like. Fuck that bitch who killed me.

Who's laughing now?"

His body lies motionless as he celebrates his late victory with another series of laughs - distinctly weaker this time.

He's already figured out that people can laugh too hard.
(Peacekeeper)
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[23:18]
She finds that the words of Peacekeeper are rather endearing. It holds true to the regular Valmasian standard, loitered with vulgar, crass speech. It all reminded her of Dylerun within the worst way- but perhaps, not as colorful as she would have imagined. In any case though, the woman would have son positioned herself infront of the newlyfound Sarradian- her hands beginning to press forward, causing the spire shard to rise steadily within the air.

"I find that life is a strange thing. You are the first person that I know who would give up immortality for the sake of becoming human once more. You truly are a magnificent being, Peacekeeper. And I am happy to be the one to give you your mortality back." Just as any necromancer should....She is capable of not only taking life, but bringing it back fully. Anew. Moreso than what anyone else within this realm could possibly do..

In any case, the woman would have soon prepared the very binding of Peacekeeper. After extracting a dagger- she would have begun writing the essential runes upon his being. Perth, Mannaz, Daigo, and Laguz. Each of them signifying something else- each of them, predicting the flow of the spire shard in flooding the leylines for a tighter, most comfortable fit.

"Just stay with me for a little longer.." Freedom. She knows thath e's been waiting for it. She knows that he's been dying to move...But just a little longer.

The chilled presence of the woman comes within the form of the oasis- her grip upon his soul is intense and hot. As the incantation begins, the energies of the spire shard would be directed- solidifying his presence, sealing the soul along with the body, aiming to re-tether and anchor him down to the realm.

The sand themselves would creep carefully into the room, the elements appearing around her body, orbiting steadily as if channeling the piece of divinity through themselves as an easier method. And just like that...

It is done.

"...There are a few things that you should be careful of." Spoken between ragged breathes, warnings spilled forth. "While his soul is getting used to his body, he is not to fight. He should not do anything that forces him to use his mana..And I believe that resting, atleast for a month or two might be good enough. But as of now, in fear that this might not work, I want him to do as little as possible." 'Doctor's' orders.

"And reintroduce him slowly to others. Hooded at first with subtle hints...So that people warm up to him and are not shocked when they first lay eyes on him. It's to avoid sudden attacks from others like Lucan, who have history with Nerzan." More rules and regulations, but with that being said, the woman struggles to get to her tree- taking a simple seat.

"The both of you are free to go. I'll head back to Crafthold in a bit...I just need to gather myself and rest." With that being said, she plops down at the base- her head resting against the bark.

"Please, be careful."

(Cho)
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[23:27] As Eiphraem moves to the side, his lips upturn in a hopeless little smile, eyes half lidding at long last, breaking the demon's usually cold-cast expression.

He keeps his hands off of him, but she works. The impressive runework with the ritual athame sings through the air, as the divine essence would be rebinding him--

Rendering his chains shattered at last.

Truly free.



... free of myself, as well? An insecure wobbling of telepathy slips out, unintentionally audible.

"... Are you certain, Lady Cho? Is there nothing I can give you- Provide for you?" His voice is quiet, pensive, choked by toxins and pangs of emotion- Fingers gently claw through the paled hair, curling a strand about his finger for a moment, utterly dwarfing the strands curdled by shock into colorlessness.

Slowly, he attempts to once more reach out, and lift Peacekeeper off of his feet. Arms, strong, thick, and musclebound hold the svelte form of the smaller male effortlessly, holding him close...

"I'll see what I can do to keep him off his feet," The demon's voice, so strained, can't reach above a whisper. He can't help but keep smiling even as self doubt eats away at him, at the spasming adrenaline of Peacekeeper in his hands as he breathes once more. "He tends to be problematic. I can see him shrouded in Gaiar."

"I will... Do what I can."

"Will you- Will you be alright? You seem exhausted."
(Eiphraem Kang)
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[23:41] "This is just one step closer to what I should be, Cho. Don't think that I'll stop here.

I can feel it in my bones. There's more for me."

He doesn't move, except for the rising and falling of air rushing into his diaphragm, and for the lips that get more and more accustomed to the flow of air through them.

Each rune is taken with a solid grunt, as he accepts burning pain to cut life and meaning into his body. As the tether shifts from one anchor to the next in those few moments, his entire being swells with the purest joy he has ever been allowed to experience. His fists clench and thunderous little twitches pull his arms upward, bouncing up off of the bed in what looks to be restrained joy.

His gaze slowly, agonizingly, wonderously turns to the Archon, eyes full of emotion they were never allowed to feel by his body. Hot tears pour from his ducts as he attempts to reach up, attempts to touch -

but his arms simply refuse. It's okay -

Eiphraem knows what he meant to do.

"Free to choose, Eiphraem. And you know that I've chosen you."

With what little force he can muster he tilts his head to the side, into the little touches, and when he's finally picked up, his body drapes into Eiphraem's form as limply as it always has.

Fuller. Warmer. And certainly, squishier and fleshier. Neither of them is used to this.

"Is this what this is supposed to feel like? Fuck.

I don't think I'm going to bother to walk at all."

He can't squeeze. It's just not there.

But the attempt to cling closer is obvious.

"And I'm not problematic, you big goof."
(???)

There are a lot of things that can be provided for the Kitsune- but she is rather reluctant to say. Perhaps, it is because of her relationship with Eiphraem that made matters that much more different. She cares for him, much moreso than she would for someone like Zaruma. In the end, the woman finds herself beginning to msile- a soft, tired chuckle spilling forth from her lips as she nods briefly. "There are a few things.." She says while leaning slightly against the tree.

 "I'm not sure if Dylerun has told you- but ah...I'm looking to become a Lich. And in order to make my phylactery safer, I would like arcanium." She isn't sure how much he might have or end up possessing within the future, but it's all that she could really ask for. "Three or five should be fine enough for me.." She planned on going through an expedition for the sake of it.

 "But other than that, I'm afraid that I've no need for anything else outside of rest. These rituals- they...They take a lot out of me." Exhaustion settles. And she smiles at their interaction. "Aha. Love is a problematic thing- and I almost believe that Peacekeeper gets himself into more trouble than he expects. I side with you on this one, Eiphraem." She says while waving her hand within the air.

 "Now now, go on. I'll do the occasional check ups on Peacekeeper to make sure that all is well."
(Cho)