Chaos Dev #2

Kuhn takes a seat on a purple bush, allowing his backend to sink into it as various critters skitter out in different directions. Despite the atmosphere, he doesn't seem bothered at all, for once.

"This is the part where you guys tell me how you've changed over the last month or so, and I evaluate whether or not you're fit to proceed to the next part of all this."

There was more he could say, for certain, but he wouldn't.

Part of freedom was giving others the opportunity to claims theirs.
(Kuhn)

Not unlike Kuhn, Hatsu's expression remained impassive as they traversed deep within the sun-blotted forest. Devoid of natural light, the presence of Demons was an almost suffocating miasma to those unaccustomed to such. Clearly, this was not the case for Hatsu, who appears quite at home as his eyes drift toward Kuhn. Slight bags had formed beneath his eyes as his hands remained stifled within his pockets, an illuminating aura surrounding him allowing him to navigate.

"I've severed myself from those who would hold me back. I've spent a month within these forests training, and preparing myself for what is to come. I've also taken some literacy from the library to further acquire guidance."

A weathered, occultic tome is procured from his person, holding it out for the others to witness. He's followed it's outlined words with great care, going through lengths to follow in the half-angel's footsteps as he ripped himself free of burdens and those who not of like-mind. Naturally it isn't the original, but one that was merely a rough draft acquired in Dawn.

"He was right. I cared too much about people, and their problems had become my own. I won't be pitied, nor vulnerable anymore. My goals are my only focus, and I won't hesitate to remove anyone in my way."
(Hatsu Wvelven)




Deep in the Dreadwoods

You feel the presence of demons in the distance..



How she had grown in these past months? She didn't really note any remarkable change, though most of her time was spent in deep thought; quiet as she was, the dryad sure had an active mind. Being in such a dark place would only help her, even if said place reeked in some ways or another.

"I don't think there's much of a way for me to change, Kuhn. I am free, aren't I? I can do whatever- whatever I want or whatever we want. All it comes down to is just having the power to do it, but-" Her own hesitation annoyed her, as made visible by the growing scowl on her features. "...I really am reserved; I've spent all this time just thinking about... things, rather than doing it."
(Tonantzin)

The Book of Naberius.

Text that, as far as he knew, was forbidden knowledge. Hard to find, and even harder to understand. But who was he to question it? Kuhn was not a scholar by any means. If Hatsu had gone through the book and actually found something inside of it that could help him reach his freedom, then so be it.

"He's going to tell you that Chaos is all about ripping what you want from the universe. From the world around you. That has nothing to do with others and how they react, and everything to do with what you are willing to do to achieve it. With or without adversity."

He places both of his hands behind his head, grinning a bit.

"Malentine was willing to betray his blood and kin. To erase all of Baukdengrad for it. I'm ready to wage war with the entire sea if I have to. You say that you severed your bonds and that you are no longer vunerable.. but is that really true?"

His eyes jump to Tonantzin suddenly and his grin increases in size.

"You're not free right now. You're the most chained out of all of us! I can see it in your eyes every time we speak. You have walls up to defend yourself, don't you? Lies and secrets that you tell and keep in order to lead yourself to believe that you aren't vunerable at all.

If that's the case, you need to be honest with us and yourself right now. Because if Malentine is the one to discover this and tear those walls down, it's a fucking wrap for all of us." He seems overly interested at this point, leaning forward a bit to show it as he stares her down like some sort of predator.

.. But they were all friends here, right?

"So.. that's my next question for you, Tona'. What's your biggest secret?"
(Kuhn)


Kuhn says, "Kehah.."
The dryad had decided to try and get as comfortable as possible in the dark forest. Sitting down with her legs crossed with her hands resting on her knees, Tonantzin watched Hatsu produce a particularly strange book that only mildly caught her interest. She wouldn't question it, though; if he went to literature for his help, that was perfectly understandable... though with Kuhn's analyzation, it still seemed he needed work.

Perhaps she would be spared critic, right?

Of course not.

Pink eyes light up when Kuhn sets his sights on her; his first words clearly shaking her right to the core, even if they were so simplistic. After his response is complete, Tonantzin does not respond. Her hands find themselves near her ankles as she, somewhat frantically, looks around and surveys the forest, taking solace in looking anywhere but directly at Kuhn.

There was truth in his words and they both knew it.

She was the worst when it came to direct confrontation. She opened her mouth slightly, failing to let out sound. Even if his question was clear and the facts where laid right before her very eyes, it was so hard to respond -- she was choking on her words.

Her fidgety hands rest on either side of her, grasping idly at the dark soil. In a quiet voice, she clarifies:

"My biggest secret?"
(Tonantzin)

Boar: Grr....

"I've forsaken the one woman who bothered to understand me. Who helped me awaken my abilities, and someone that I loved more than anything else. If I severed my ways with her, there's no one I won't remove from the equation if it's necessary. My aspirations have led me to this point, it is too late to turn back." He states with absolute conviction.

 He would see the world set ablaze for the sake of his quest, and he would remove anyone that got in his way. The greatest obstacle was Vee, but with her out of the way, why would he care nearly as much about anyone else? Even his look upon Kuhn and Tonatzin was apathetic at best, seeing the Dryad clearly being shaken to the core. Whether this was a façade or not was up to them to decide, but his words did hold some weight to them..

 If he valued that woman more than anyone else, why would he hesitate to sever further bonds, at this point? He felt unburdened by the severance, and he could only wonder what else needed to be removed to truly feel that elusive sensation.

 Freedom.
(Hatsu Wvelven)


"Keh.." It sputters out of his mouth like an uncontrollable cough as Tona responds, but he seems able to control himself to an extent.

.. Until Hatsu replies as well.

The Siren erupts in laughter, falling backwards out of his bush and onto the purple grass, where he continued to cackle.

"Kehahahah!"

Howling laughter was the only way to describe it. Though it does not last forever. He spends a few moments collecting himself, then steps around the bush to reveal himself to the both of them.

The worst part of it all was that he wouldn't even bother explaining what he was laughing about. Perhaps it was Tona's near-silent reply as the pressure and weight of it all sank down upon her. Or perhaps.. it was Hatsu's belief that a woman could possibly hold him back on his journey to greatness. Sirens functioned so much differently with their love affairs, after all. Whatever the case was..? They were moving forward in the conversation now.

"Yes. Your biggest secret."

A hand reaches out to nudge Hatsu for a moment as the dryad is given to floor to tell her tale. For some reason, there seemed to be red eyes around them in the trees and darkness standing at various heights, also listening.
(Kuhn)

The young woman cringed from the atmosphere. Was it the toxicity? Was it the feeling of ridicule after hearing laughter when she clarified the question? Maybe; Tonantzin's glare sharpened on Kuhn, though it softens into her usual, thoughtful demeanor. Hatsu is given a minor look as well, but when Kuhn indeed asks her to spill her biggest secret, well...

She couldn't just run away, there was no reason for it.
She couldn't not answer or deflect the question; she knew why she was here.

Hell, she asked to come here in the first place.

Steeling her will, the dryad closes her eyes and inhales through her nose. The semi-defensive posture she held had boiled away, giving sight to a more relaxed looking Tonantzin. They were all friends here, after all, and friends weren't supposed to hurt each other.

So without further ado, she spoke simply.

"Sibri was my father."
(Tonantzin)


Kuhn says, ". . . ."

Kuhn says, "K-"

Hatsu Wvelven says, ":O"

Kuhn says, "Keh--"

Hatsu Wvelven says, "Don't."

Kuhn exclaims, "KEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Hatsu Wvelven says, "Fucki- God dammit."

Tonantzin says, "..."

Tonantzin says, "Stop laughing."
"Why only mention this now, Tonantzin? Were you ashamed, or was this for your odd form of protection? I don't see the similarities in the least, to boot. Unless your hair is secretly purple, and your mom had some fine, chocolate skin." He nitpicks, folding his arms over his chest as he squints at the Dryad with skepticism.
(Hatsu Wvelven)



Kuhn's head tilts dramatically once he calms down.

That was the best answer he could have hoped for, honestly. He wants to clap, but once he understands the reasoning behind it.. he can't help but sigh.

".. That explains why you wanted to get the Wraith back. And why you were so hurt." He lets his words sit for a bit before he continues. "You've been sitting on the greatest motivators of them all, Tona! Keh.. Loss. Pain. Lonliness. Your path to power.. to FREEDOM, is simple: making others feel what you felt when you watched your father die. The sacrifice that he made and pain that he endured to get Gehenna back on the right track-- you should take that. Reflect on it. Harness it. Weaponize it! Let that wild will of his flow through you."

By the time he finishes speaking, the Siren is on his knees before Tona, gripping his hands oddlyand looking her over with wide eyes.

"Perfect! So perfect! Yes, yes, yes! We can go to HIM with this. Are you both ready?"
(Kuhn)