Betrayal + Shen is dead

[22:25] Shen drifted closer to Ethan. The flame on the end of his cigarette seemed to flicker like it was a lightbulb in a haunted house. It felt a bit cold, all of a sudden.

".. You've figured it out by now, right? I'm sorry." the melancholy ghost spoke to the Hawke from behind. "You must have known me, Ethan. I can't seem to remember, though."
(Shen)
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[22:26] Nasu Ixis Kimyona says, "I want it to end.. I hope it does.."
[22:26] Nasu Ixis Kimyona asks, "Why.. can't we have more doctors..?"
[22:27] Sera Elisheva says, "Home."
[22:27] Sera pops his wings right out of his back!
(Sera Elisheva)
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[22:27] Ren Shi says, "Don't know."
[22:27] Ren Shi asks, "And isn't your home up north?"
[22:27] Sera Elisheva says, "Yeah."
[22:27] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:27] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:27] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Cheska Railen says, "Becoming a medic is a long process, Kid. Most people don't have the interest in learning it."
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:28] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:28] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:29] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:29] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:29] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:29] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:29] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:29] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:29] Sera Elisheva says, "I-"
[22:29] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:29] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:29] Nasu Ixis Kimyona says, "I guess so.."
[22:29] Nasu Ixis Kimyona says, "It is pretty boring.."
[22:29] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:30] The older woman waited patiently as Dhyne worked. A single finger is held up to Ethan as a gesture to wait through the sharpening process. When it ends and her blade is handed back to her, Mei grabs the weapon by the handle and sheath, then pulls them apart so she can inspect the blade herself.

A little spark of blue flames forms around the blade, which seems to startle the woman a little. "...forgot it did that," she mumbles, before sheathing it and tying it back onto her waist.

When everything is all in order, she bows at Dhyne. "Thank ya."

When that's done, she turns to look at Shen and Ethan. "Don't tell me ya went 'n died somehow, Shen."
(Mei Xiang)
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[22:30] Dhyne bows her head slightly, resuming her absentminded staring across the way.
(Dhyne Railen)
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[22:30] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Nasu Ixis Kimyona asks, "I'm too.. tired and in pain, I might try and sleep.. if I can.. I'll be so cold, how am I suppose to sleep?"
[22:31] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Ren gives Sera a bag.
(Ren Shi)
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[22:31] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:31] Ethan felt a crippling cold crawl up his back. His eyes grew wider as his heart skipped a beat. Shen's proximity brought a familiar feeling, though not one that most would know of. This wasn't straightforward at all. It was a gut-feeling of sorts, though one he was certain of. Between conscious and subconscious knowing just where he had felt something like that.

The young man turned around, his body facing away from Mei's legendary weapon being worked with and towards the floating, ethereal man he knew as a friend. Wide eyes went half-lid. Confusion. Following quickly by a thousand questions. A frown eventually came as teeth came to a grit.

It shouldn't have made him this emotional to lose a friend - at least not outwards - but with what had recently happened near Crafthold a lack of stability was unstoppable. His lips parted, his fists clenched up slightly.

"... Why? How?" He asked, only to pause, wait a few seconds and ask the same question again, though towards something— someone else.

"Why?"
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:31] Sera Elisheva says, "...."
[22:31] Sera Elisheva says, "I-"
[22:32] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:32] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:32] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:32] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:32] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:32] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:33] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:35] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:35] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:35] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:36] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:36] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:37] Sera Elisheva whispers something.
[22:39] "Ethan," he started, before falling silent. This was someone he felt like he needed to remember, but everything was too hazy. The sense of dread that permeated from Hawke only made the spirit feel more guilty. Shen felt as if he owed it to him to remember, but there was nothing.

The least he could do was answer his question.

"There's a man named Zeriel who told me.. roughly, what happened. By his account, I died dealing the decisive blow against a Nethradin demon. This allowed them to close a portal made by someone named Malentine. It saved a lot of people, I think." he explained. He really didn't remember much, if he couldn't recall who their Shogun or the vampire who had been terrorizing their people even was.

It made it all the more strange why the situation hadn't been explained to him in more detail. Oh well.
(Shen)
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[22:41] Cheska Railen whispers something.
[22:41] Dhyne Railen whispers something.
[22:41] Dhyne clearly hasn't been paying attention.
(Dhyne Railen)
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[22:42] Cheska Railen whispers something.
[22:42] Cheska Railen whispers something.
[22:42] Dhyne Railen whispers something.
[22:42] Cheska Railen whispers something.
[22:49] Ren Shi whispers something.
[22:59] Kitani Tatasuki exclaims, "O-oh!"
[23:00] It was rare for the young one to feel ill-will towards others, but Shen's words would have brought that - if only circumstantially. The frown on his features grew deeper as his head came to a shake. He hadn't given out any emotions towards what had happened to him earlier in the same day, magnifying his reaction greatly in a moment like this.

"And you didn't bring me?! Nobody thought it'd be a good idea to?!"

Anger directed towards those who had organized such an expedition. What laid beneath his emotions was an immense feeling of belonging; he felt as if he should've been part of that force, part of those who had risked their lives. While it may only have been something in his head, Ethan felt as if his destiny was intertwined with Malentine's own.

"I came here to get away from them. Totake back control of my life and stop them from inflicting any more pain that they already have! Are years of recovery not enough for you guys to trust me?!"

One who tore down his own enthrallment. A vampire who's powers were nothing short of historical.

"I worked hard! I studied! From the day the Nethradins attacked Dawn I've been trying to find a solution— and I did! A goddamn angel came down and helped me find a way to deal with that stupid rift! You didn't have to go out and die like that— Why?!"

One who tore open a rift to Helheim. A young man who's life goal had been nothing but to close it shut.

The emotions that afflicted him were more than just sadness; occult madness had began affecting him despite him using it sparingly. Paranoia had taken control of his life and this feeling of betrayal coming from people he thought he could trust pushed against his mindscape. A heart crushed by the loss of an important friend, the loss of someone he thought he could save, and the undermining of his efforts in the grand scheme of things.

An outburst like that wasn't surprising. His right hand reached out as mana flared up from his person. For a moment it may have looked like he was about to do something that would harm others— but those emotions had lead to no other than a place that Shen's spirit self would be well-aware of.

Five magical circles appeared in succession, their green glow brighter than ever before. Glyphs were directed by a single, straight gesture of Ethan's arm off to the side, gesturing towards his very creation. The sixth circle came to life nearly instantly after the sub-commands had fallen in place. It grew from the center, expanding and engulfing each and every single other circle within itself.

A portal opened forth. The lifestream made itself known as a peek through the spirit world was given for a brief moment - only for the destination to be... Pulled forth. Or at least, an image of it. The second magical circle of the lot that had been cast forth was burning bright, its limits being pushed.

Before everyone a hazy image of snowy mountains made themselves known. The peaks of such embracing anyone who dared peer through into its cold grasp. The image showed...

Nothing.

For it was the place where Malentine's rift used to be.

"I could have helped with this!" He yelled out, at last.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[23:02] Mei Xiang says, "..."
[23:03] The woman takes a few steps backwards.

"I... will probably find ya later, Shen. Seems like ya have..." She clears her throat. "Some business."
(Mei Xiang)
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[23:12] Shai Oshura says, "Um..."
[23:12] Shai walks up to Ashera with so, so many burns. And cuts.
(Shai Oshura)
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[23:12] Ashera Ixis says, "Shai..."
[23:12] Ashera Ixis asks, "By Kraus what HAPPENED?"
[23:12] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:12] Shai Oshura says, "Um..."
[23:12] Shai Oshura says, "U-um..."
[23:13] Shai Oshura says, "I might have... Maybe... Possibly fought a, um..."
[23:13] Ashera Ixis says, "Dear."
[23:13] Ashera Ixis says, "Spit it out."
[23:13] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:13] Noctis Beoulve says, "Hmm"
[23:13] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:13] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:13] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:13] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:13] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:13] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:14] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:14] Ashera Ixis says, "Come, we need to get you treatment....."
[23:14] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:15] Cheska Railen asks, "You know your son was attacked by a thrall, right?"
[23:15] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:15] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:16] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:16] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:16] Ashera Ixis says, "Ah, hello there."
[23:16] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:16] Shai smiles meekly...
(Shai Oshura)
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[23:16] Mei Xiang says, "Oh."
[23:17] Mei Xiang says, "Hello."
[23:17] Mei looks between Ashera and Shai.
(Mei Xiang)
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[23:17] Ashera Ixis asks, "Do you have Access to the Library of dawn?"
[23:17] Shai Oshura exclaims, "Eh?!"
[23:17] Ashera Ixis says, "You seem to have quite the power."
[23:17] Mei Xiang asks, "The Library of Dawn...?"
[23:17] Noctis Beoulve says, "..."
[23:17] Ashera Ixis says, "Yes. I am in search of the book of Kraus."
[23:17] Mei Xiang says, "Can't say I've been there-"
[23:17] Mei Xiang says, "Oh."
[23:17] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:17] Mei looks to the ground in thought.
(Mei Xiang)
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[23:17] Ashera Ixis says, "But need someone with high enough rankin-"
[23:17] Shai Oshura whispers something.
[23:17] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:17] Shai Oshura says, ". . ."
[23:17] Shai Oshura says, "Whoever named that library is stupid."
[23:18] Ashera Ixis whispers something.
[23:18] Mei Xiang says, "...never been, but I do have one of those books on me, now that ya mentioned it."
[23:18] Ashera Ixis says, "......."
[23:18] Mei Xiang asks, "Got it about... what? Twenty years ago?"
[23:18] "I don't-.." he stopped himself.

'I don't remember.' That's what he wanted to say. But, was it appropriate given the circumstances? This was someone who felt like they had all of their efforts undermined by his own actions. The last thing that Shen wanted to do was make him feel that away again. He didn't want to make Ethan feel like his words fell on deaf ears.

The anger that was building up inside of Ethan was enough to bring the ghost to silence, a frown marking his features as he listened to his outburst intently. His gift of enhanced empathy was crippling him in this moment, as Ethan had plenty of grief to spare in this moment.

It brought the spirit to question himself. 'Did I do the right thing?' A question that he didn't have the answer to. Events that he couldn't recall, no matter how hard he tried. Yet, questions rose to the surface. Evidence that he was subconsciously behaving a certain way because of these memories. That they existed somewhere deep inside of him.

The portal that Ethan opened forced Shen to look straight into that scene, where the ritual took place. Relatively peaceful from the day of his death, but his mind filled in the blanks.

. . .

A pitch black scene, one involving four other shadowy individuals that couldn't be made out. A fragmented memory, yet it told Shen what he needed to know in this moment. Tar raining from the skies, a black moon overhead. The rift.

"So disgusting.." he heard himself speak. It was his voice. A revolted Qilin trudging through the oppressive black tar. It was filthy. An image of a man who didn't quite know what he had gotten himself into.

"I'm remembering now." he said abruptly. Shen held his head, grimacing. He had been trying to find a memory such as this one ever since he first got summoned, but actually laying his eyes on that place helped substantially. "Ethan - I don't know if I can give you the answer that will make you happy, and I don't know if I did the right thing back then. But.."

He peered into the portal, drifting closer to it. "I feel like if you take me to that place, I'll remember everything. Can I go through?" he asked, awaiting Ethan's permission.
(Shen)
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[23:19] Ashera Ixis says, "You....Have the gospel...Of Kraus?...."
[23:19] Shai Oshura exclaims, "...!"
[23:19] Mei Xiang says, "Mhm. It's a lil' beat up, but the place I found it in was war torn."
[23:19] Ashera Ixis asks, "Do you know where it is currently?"
[23:19] Mei Xiang says, "Surprisingly? None of the pages are missin'-"
[23:19] Mei Xiang exclaims, "Yes...!"
[23:19] Mei Xiang says, "Somewhere in my attic."
[23:19] Ashera Ixis says, "Please."
[23:20] Shai Oshura says, "C-can I read it..."
[23:20] Ashera Ixis says, "Take me there."
[23:20] Noctis was listening to the conversation next to him and when he notices Izabell wake up. He'd throw a wave of his hand towards her with a smile.
(Noctis Beoulve)
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[23:20] Ashera Ixis says, "Yes Shai."
[23:20] Mei Xiang says, "Ah..."
[23:20] Ashera Ixis says, "I will read it to you when we get patched up."
[23:20] Mei Xiang says, "If ya really want to, sure, I suppose. No harm in takin' a peek."
[23:21] Shai claps her hands together sorely!
(Shai Oshura)
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[23:22] Noctis Beoulve asks, "Sleep well miss?"
[23:22] Izabell Mouren says, "I did."
[23:23] Noctis Beoulve says, "Me and Layla has been gathering more resources. We left it in the guild's bank."
[23:23] Noctis Beoulve says, "Other than that you haven't missed much."
[23:24] Sera Elisheva exclaims, "Hmm..!"
[23:24] Sera Elisheva says, "To Crafthold."
[23:24] Noctis Beoulve says, "Koume doesn't seem to be done with her affairs regarding what we asked her."
[23:24] Mikhaila Elisheva says, "Oh-"
[23:24] Mikhaila Elisheva exclaims, "Okay...!"
[23:25] Daiyu Bavmor says, "....Hello"
[23:25] Kitani Tatasuki exclaims, "Oh! Hi!"
[23:26] Kitani Tatasuki says, "It's so quiet here, I hate it."
[23:26] Daiyu blinks for a moment.. Not who I was talking to, but hey.. Friend potential.
(Daiyu Bavmor)
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[23:26] Noctis Beoulve says, "I also sparred with Layla. She's strong."
[23:26] Daiyu Bavmor says, "..Me too though there's not much to do here"
[23:26] Daiyu Bavmor says, "-Well aside from studying."
[23:26] Noctis Beoulve says, "Hey Airgenald."
[23:26] Kitani Tatasuki asks, "Studying? For what?"
[23:27] Sir Airgenald Spudnicus Ixis says, "Hello Izabell, Noctis. I come baring ore."
[23:27] "Of course you can, you idiot."

Heightened empathy may have clouded Shen's judgement of the case, especially when he didn't quite remember who Ethan was and what he had done for him, even against a whole settlement's wishes. In the end their aspiration had been wronged, their trust in Aspen was off and the reality became obvious. The paranoia he had previously felt towards the thrall-again was only confirmed by her actions earlier.

Ethan's left hand reached out to grab at the ethereal Shen, holding onto him like it was normal—

That's what that familiar feeling was. The lack of physical form from the Qilin was something close to Ethan's heart due to the place he'd be stepping towards next. The portal that stood before them both would fall shut shortly after the pair would step through.

If it weren't for the fourth circle calculating and determining Shen's origin he most likely would've been consumed and trapped into the lifestream rather than brought along its path. The young wayfinder was gone, his physical form being converted into one that felt and looked like his friend's own.

Pure energy.

Ethan wasn't even looking behind himself to see if anyone was going to try and hitch a ride towards adventure, no matter how crazy that may be.
(Ethan Hawke)