Sin in the Making

Lucan says, "Zaruma."

Lucan says, "Somnus was looking for you."

Somnus Illarian says, "That was for the raid."

Lucan exclaims, "... Oh!"

Somnus Illarian says, "Seems we'll be doing that later."
Zamara's eyes quickly snapped to Zaruma, who was on the ground below them.
(Zamara)


Zaruma asks, "Where's Soliael held as a prisoner?"

Lucan says, "Tinkerer had him last."

Somnus Illarian asks, "Lucan. Where did you and Tinkerer take them?"

Lucan says, "No idea."

Zaruma says, "I intend to exchange him for oath of two Sarradians to never fight for Ardent's sake, and for Arielle to raise her weapon in my name."

Lucan says, "He took the collar and booked it."

Lucan says, "..."

Lucan says, "Zaruma."

Zaruma asks, "Yes?"

Lucan says, "I will say this now, I intend to crush Little Mame."

Lucan says, "It'd be pointless..."

Zaruma says, "Ardent is attempting to recruit them in their ranks. If Arielle raises her weapon in my name, that will not be possible."

Lucan says, "Tsk."

Zaruma says, "We're on the brink of war, Lucan. I need manpower."

Somnus Illarian says, "Speaking of which- "
Zamara slowly said "Za... roo ma.." She seemed to be studying him, not directly speaking to him.
(Zamara)


Lucan says, "So long as you can assure after the war, it does not interrupt what I have planned for them."

Somnus Illarian says, "Adara has passed."

Lucan says, "... I won't whine."

Zaruma asks, "Adara-- what? How?"

Lucan says, "Ardent forces, supposedly."

Lucan says, "Tristan claimed as much."

Somnus Illarian says, "Tristan came in, coated in blood, burns and scars from electricity."

Zaruma says, "..."

Zaruma says, "Tristan killed her."

Somnus Illarian says, "Passed out before I could question him."

Lucan says, "... Oh."

Somnus Illarian says, "That's what I'm assuming."

Somnus Illarian says, "I can't shove a truth potion down this throat, without him being awake and aware."

Zamara says, "Is... awake... with... Artimus Black... and mother..."

Somnus Illarian says, "..."

Zaruma says, "You don't need to. Adara wielded electricity, and Tristan was jealous of Adara."

Zaruma says, "The burns of electricity are an evidence."

Lucan exclaims, "... Oh!"

Lucan exclaims, "Oh!"

Lucan says, "Suddenly everything makes sense."

Somnus Illarian says, "Jealous enough to kill-"

Somnus Illarian says, "I wonder.."

Zaruma asks, "What, do you think he's a Sin in the making?"
Zamara turns to the south and takes a few steps.. she then quietly says.. "Who.. am I.." her voice hardly audible to those around. She seemed to be a bit confused.. or perhaps was still determining who she was.
(Zamara)


Somnus Illarian says, "If he's awake."

Somnus Illarian says, "Then we deal with this /now/."

Somnus Illarian says, "No need to assume anymore, not when we can /confront/."

Zaruma says, "Indeed."

Lucan says, "Hum..."

Lucan says, "Murderers..."
Zamara fell silent and began to follow again.
(Zamara)


Zaruma asks, "Is he currently in prison?"

Somnus Illarian says, "I fail to see how her death benefits the city. I fail to see how it benefits /me/. Adara was my primary source of..."
Somnus grumbles.
(Somnus Illarian)


Somnus Illarian says, "In the fort, with the healer."

Somnus Illarian says, "Hestia. Lucan. Accursed."

Somnus Illarian says, "Come."

Zaruma says, "Very well."

Ezra says, "Still. A memorable first for me"
Tristan walks about three steps outside before an entire squad shows up. He's covered in bandages and shaking.
(Tristan)

Zamara can smell blood in the air, as such, her gaze quickly shifted from the ground, to the people in front of her, she slowly looked around as if she was searching for something.
(Zamara)


Hyde says, "I am sure we will have many memories from here on out."

Ezra says, "I just hope to become stronger and less useless."
The Archon floats into the city of Aetherius, followed suit by his troops, Warden and other people; his gaze immediately settles upon Tristan in the distance, to whom he decided to float closer.

He wasn't amused. The news he heard earlier? They were almost infuriating, and yet, there was something else, something entirely different that rested in the Archon's mind. There was retribution to face for one's actions.

Much like approaching hurricane, the winds were howling, threatening to snuff out any and all life around the Tempest- and that hurricane was headed straight at the pink haired man.

Suddenly, he appeared behind him. A pair of hands that were losing their transparency grasped upon his shoulders, and leaning in, he spoke out.

"Tristan..."

"Why did you decide to kill Adara?"
(Zaruma)

Hyde whispers something.

Lucan has exited Gaiar Alata.

Ezra whispers something.

There was an entire story he had parroted out to others. It had shifted based on who was listening, tailored to fit the audience. Calie Marie would have heard the story of three attacking him and Adara, of how he cared for her so...

And it was that tale that Tristan had prepared to tell the others when he saw them, to tell Somnus and Lucan of the tragedy that had befallen them in Ardent. Instead, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a figure appeared behind him, the winds suffocating.

When the Archon's hands rested upon his shoulders, Tristan would flinch, fear palpable in the air. His lies dripped through mind, failing to grasp any of them in a cohesive story.

"I...I..." He gasped out, the feeling of choking and drowning encompassing his mind. To face the reality of what he did... his irises shattered, bits of emerald floating in goldens.

"I wanted to be her." Forced out in the public, the truthwas laid to bare. Sinful energy swirled around him in a miasma of green.

What a twist! ... that everyone but Adara could see coming.
(Tristan)

Zamara slowly tilted her head as the winds kicked up around everyone, though her head now faced the group, her gaze was still slowly drifting around as she took deep breaths in through her nose.
(Zamara)

-- Again.

The sinful aura that had come to envelop Tristan once more felt all too familiar. These actions of a man who had grown envious of those who had achieved the affection of others before him. Crimson irises peering forwards in silence as all he could do now was wait for this order to be given by the powerful figures all surrounding him.

"Such a pitiful existence to hold. Constantly looking towards those around, envious of what they have gained over grasping it for yourself." His words finally spilling outwards as illusions from beneath his cloak had begun to swell. Illusions all beginning to pour outwards and seep into this ground beneath him as his mind was set on but one goal.

Judgement.

Those who hindered their pursuit of power for their own goals, needed only judged all the same.
(Lucan)

Calie Marie has exited Gaiar Alata.

He tried.

Somnus makes an earnest attempt to keep his temper in check at all times. Despite his ever changing views upon the world, the bovine demidemon had finally settled upon something to look upon with scorn.

Eternia.

This hate gave him purpose, it gave him a reason to exist, it gave him drive. It allowed him to grow closer to discovering his true self- the self that lies underneath the events of this previous life, the self beneath that tainted soul that twisted and tainted his psyche.

The self that is separate from the ego.

To become the epitome of selfishness, he must seek progress unlike those before him.

Progress that is continuously hindered. His distractions, petty desires, and various hindrances died off one, by one, but there is always an outside factor he fails to consider.

The foolishness of man.

From out outside perspective, one may believe that Somnus is rather calmabout Adara's death-- this couldn't be further from the truth. She was a valuable stepping stone that he'd been using to ascend.

A stepping stone that had been forcefully removed from his path.

Snap.

He didn't want to believe it, but when the words spill from Tristan's mouth, Somnus endless fury, because boundless fury. "You slay our soldiers during a time of war?!" Somnus begins to shriek. Every word that spills from his lips sounds inhuman. As if he vocal chords strained to force the words.

"You slay Adara? Do you know what she did? Do you know how much her death hinders this city? Do you know how much it hinders me? I-" When he opens his mouth again, the creatures breath becomes tainted with a thick miasma. Pure darkness spills from his lips.

"I told you to handle her- within the confines of the law, but you, you--"

The next time his mouth opens, a cacophony is what replaces the words. As his screams reach their crescendo, manifested rage radiates from Somnus' frame.






(Somnus Illarian)

Almost instinctively, Zamara's body covered itself in occult magic, the air around her throbbed, and for the first time since she had began wandering, the expression on her face changed. Normally blank, her expression now appeared to be slight confusement. She slowly looked down at her hands, as the darkness rolled over her arms, jumping freely into the air due to her lack of both awareness and control.

After a few moments she looked back towards the group, still remaining silent, now though she was studying the group. She was trying to figure out what was going on. Being kept away from people for so long had... limited Zamara in her understanding of things.

Though the flames had now calmed down, Zamara was still trying to figure out what exactly it was, to this point she had nearly no interactions with magic. One hand slowly brought up to feel her own arm.
(Zamara)

Zaruma saw it coming all along.

For Tristan to be this envious of Adara, for him to desire to be next to the Lord, so much that he would go out of his way to kill her, only because he desired to be like her?

It was infuriating. He needed manpower, as much as possible too, and Adara was part of the army for Aetherius- yet, at the same time, he felt... flattered. To commit such heinous act without a second thought and to act on his desire like that?

Truly, that was a remarkable trait of Chaos. Zaruma realized this much.

"Very well, Tristan. Your wish will be fulfilled."

"You will take Adara's place."

The Archon floated past him, throwing the sort of glance to the likes of Somnus and Lucan that suggested to hold it off; Zaruma wished to handle this matter on his own, personally. As a Lord that has lost one of his most loyal servants, it was only fitting so.

"Come, Tristan."

His voice rant through the air, almost soothing, unnaturally so- considering the tension in the air, to have their heart and mind invaded by this calming voice? They'd likely be cautious rather than affected by it.

"You will take her place, just as you wished."
(Zaruma)

Sin against Sin, the sickening feeling of those who had given in had flooded the square. Too absorbed in his own feelings of Envy for Adara, it would take the Wrathful energy for him to be shook out of it.

His hand dug into his bag, squeezing something. Fingers would be coated with blood, the scent of flesh and death lingering in the air. And although he was reveling in the glory of victory...

Well, Tristan was still absolutely fucking terrified of Somnus. His head dipped low, his lower lip nibbled.

"The confines of the law did little to help me. She didn't care, never did, for what I did to hinder her." His head snapped to Lucan. "And you say to grab what you want, to take it-- And I did just that."

With that, he would attempt to slip past the malice-infused lord, his goldens focused on the Archon.
(Tristan)

-- Idiocy.

His idle gaze had suddenly shifted to a glare as the voice of Tristan had been allowed to enter his mind. He spoke of how he climbed to power while all the same being consumed by this desire to become like those beneath him. That seed of hatred planted in his mind forcing a single step forwards, flames tainted by the touch of occultism following this stride.

"You did nothing... Don't act like you accomplished a thing more than hindering our plans. Fall back in line as you are meant to, sheep. Do not act without the guidance of the shepherds." His words spilling outwards as fingers curled around the hilt of his blade. Vile atrocities were these sins when not put into place, when unable to understand that they were lessers.

"You went against Somnus. You went against his power, you rejected it. That, is what I hate more than anything."

Vile, untapped rage fueled by the hatred towards the weak.
(Lucan)

"You piece of shit. She was helping me build a projection pad!" He shouts, he screams. Adara's death had crippled his next steps. "Rebuilding the docks, creating a means to make more-- like me! Helping me become a demon."

Well, that little detail slipped out.

"The law stops this entire mother fucker from crumbling, and you--" Everything was going fine, up until these last few months has passed. Ardent steps out of line again, and now this?

He is livid.

Zaruma's glance isn't ignored. He simply didn't see it. Once could say that he is blinded by rage, but that wouldn't be accurate either. Rather, he has tunnel vision.

"I. Hate. You."

Ohno.

...

Take her place?

Take her place.

These words, and these words alone provide him with some semblance of pleasure within the maelstrom of pain. To say that he is in complete control would be a lie, but despite his shrieking, despite his trembling, and despite his undeniable hate- he doesn't strike.

For one reason, and one reason alone.
(Somnus Illarian)

Somnus Illarian whispers something.

Zamara remains standing there simply staring at everyone. Her gaze quickly darting around, something seems to have excited her. Her breathing a bit more rapid now.
(Zamara)

The Archon remained with the neutral expression as he led Tristan after himself. There was, however, a visible hint of disappointment - all because Adara died. After all, she was making a good servant for Aetherius, if anything...

And Tristan took her away. Now, what's there to do? To make him replace her efforts, of course. In his mind, Tristan would take up his place as a servant, as a close one at that- someone to do his bidding on daily basis, someone to faithfully follow Zaruma's orders no matter what.

Perhaps it was his mistake. Perhaps it was Tristan's ignorance to wish for this, or perhaps he wished to have Zaruma's blessing in the long run.

Nonetheless, Tristan likely had no idea what he just signed himself for.

"Your desire to serve me as close as Adara did can be commended, truly. But--"

"The fact remains a fact, Tristan. You took her away from me. For that, you will bear the mark that she did- and you will do everything that she did."

"Should you fail to do so... you will follow her to afterlife."

The wind was howling. The Tempest was languid, disappointed and frustrated, and soon, he became the embodiment of it.

"Now, you'll be passing the first trial. I'll see your own worth in blood."

"Prepare yourself."
(Zaruma)

Sheer delight played on his features as he obediently followed Zaruma. Finally, one of the targets of his affections had noticed him truly... he would be where Adara had once been. This only fed his jealousy more and more as he realized something far too dastardly to admit...

It wasn't enough to just be Adara… he wanted to be MORE.

"I understand." He remarked, a sly smile upon his lips. He'd pull something from his bag, a scrap of skin dried out. Though it lacked the decay due to his time magic, the mark of the Gryphon was readily apparent on its form.

"I've already got her mark, ehe." He tucked it onto his jacket pocket, the visceral remains of the Drakanite pinned like a badge of honor.


Occultic energy intermixed with the green, violet fire forming beneath his footsteps. His twitchy form only added to the uneasiness, though... it was not intimidating to any of those present.

"I'll show you that I'll be better than she ever was."
(Tristan)

The battle between those two wasn't long-lived; truth be told, Zaruma was clearly superior in combat, and that much was obvious.

With overwhelming strength and speed alike, Tristan was brought down to the heel rather quick. No matter where he went, the Archon would appear right next to him, delivering yet another blow that'd crush his defences with ease.

He was omnipotent. Wherever there was air, Zaruma could appear there in any moment. How could Tristan possibly fight the power like that?

He could not, obviously. With the sudden phantom strike from nowhere, he was taken down, left at Zaruma's mercy.

"Ah... this almost brings back memories."

"You wished to take her place - so be it."

Zaruma leaned down to Tristan, forcing his hand over the man's chest; the Archon's crimson gaze sparked up, fuelling Occult upon the Envy's body, if only to engrave the markings of Gryphon, both on his chest and back alike.

The pain was excruciating. The torment that he was a subject to was unfathomable. Perhaps it would give Tristan a thought to reflect on - after all, this is the same thing that Adara had to go through, something that he had to go through as well.

Soon, not only his body, but his mind was pierced with the crawling Occult sickness, leaving him in a state of being reduced to nothing but a shrivelling victim of irresistible suffering.

Such was the price to become her. Such was the price of taking her.

"Tristan."

"From this day on, you will dutifully serve me directly. You will follow my word without any question, you will fulfil any request of mine, and you will devote yourself to me entirely."

"I am your Lord. And as your Lord, you shall obey to me."

"Do you understand?"
(Zaruma)

With his newfound power, it was expected that he was... unused to the powers of Envy. Winds would whirl around him, as if to mimic Zaruma's powers, but failed to come to his command. And though he fought with his full power, Occultic flames and Time itself bending to aid in combat...

… Tristan would fall, landing harshly on his back. The air was knocked out of him as he wheezed, tears welling in the corner of his eyes. He'd stare up at the Archon with a hint of fear, his gaze leaving once the Occultic marking began.

Calie had seen how much of a wimp he was when it came to a needle, and he had never, ever, sustained an injury in battle before. So, like the time he had fallen in grief before Somnus, Tristan cried.

But it didn't wholly seem to be pain. At this moment, Adara's words reflected upon him. She had apologized for failing him, had said she cared for him... it was at this moment, he realized, she wasn't so bad after all.

Fractured pupils stared up Zaruma as his mind was invaded with Occult. Perhaps, if the Archon stayed a bit longer, he would notice something... odd, another magic that had effected his brain. An Occultic presence, but one that lacked the emotions of the norm. Strange...

Either way, his head would tilt to the side, not looking his Lord in the eye.

"I understand, boss."
(Tristan)

The Archon stared down upon Tristan as he answered. There was no expression upon Zaruma's face until the very end, only betraying a sign of disappointment. Even though Tristan took what he wanted, and it was indeed the teaching of Chaos, there was one thing that was irredeemably wrong with this.

It was another soldier for Aetherius gone.

Zaruma floated away. He left Tristan to his own thoughts, to reflect on what he just did, the pain he experienced and what he just felt. After all, he could only push the drowning one to the shore--

But whether they would survive, that's on them.

"I will retreat to my chambers."

"This has been... a long day. I shall rest."

Speechless, the Tempest soon disappeared.
(Zaruma)