Revenant
12-07-09, 05:36 PM
Closed to The Reborn
William Arcus once again found himself at the entrance to the Citadel of Radasanth. As always, the shadows cast by the ancient structure reminded him of the lure of a great beast trying to draw in its prey. With a shake of his head to clear the hypnotic effect, William quickly mounted the steps, disappearing into the belly of the beast.
Inside, William only had to wait a moment before he was greeted by the familiar sight of a short Ai’Bron monk. The same monk always accompanied William through his Citadel visits, and William had never thought to question why. The two men weren’t exactly friends, but the monk had come closer to that title than anyone else since William had become a revenant.
“I had not thought to see you again so soon,” the monk commented after his traditional greeting. “It has only been a week since your last visit.”
“Tell me about it,” William snorted before heaving a deep sigh. “Each time I come here, I hope that I’ll learn to control the demon’s urges, thinking that by controlling the demon I can make my violent desires go away.”
“But that’s not the case.” It was a statement and not a question.
“No,” William agreed. “It just seems like they come back quicker now.”
“Then perhaps the Citadel is no longer what you need to help you,” the monk ventured.
William’s body tensed at the suggestion, telling the monk that even though William agreed, the honeyed voices whispering in the back of William’s mind relentlessly urged him on, and the power in his veins begged to be released. To his shame, William longed just as much to feel it surge forth, unable to resist any longer.
The look of pity on the monk’s face was plain as day.
“Just show me to my room,” William said in a voice heavy with self loathing.
The monk shrugged, as if to tell William that he was not being judged. With a wave of his hand, the monk beckoned for the revenant to follow. As always, the monk’s path swiftly led William through the Citadel’s dizzying labyrinth.
William murmured his thanks as the monk departed, leaving him alone in the small preparation antechamber. He stripped the heavy wool cloak and bandages that hid him from prying eyes, opened the iron-bound chamber door without hesitation, and stepped inside.
The Citadel’s magic activated and the world around William became dark and cold.
“Damn!” William cursed aloud at the fog of night that clouded his vision. Squinting to make out the indistinct shapes in the dark, William concentrated on processing his surroundings.
Something is touching me, was the first thing that came to mind. Coldness lightly poked William’s body and his mind raced, trying to come up with a reason.
Of course, he thought, coming up with the answer, it’s snowing.
Soon enough the snow became visible to the revenant, and he could see the flakes, thick and heavy, floating lazily through the breezeless air. The snowfall blocked his vision past a couple of feet and had the added effect of muffling sound.
It’s like the world is only ten feet wide, the thought came to him. Knowing that his opponent might already be watching him, William tensed into a defensive crouch.
William moved forward slowly, ready to summon the molten power in his veins as he noticed the dark shaped which resolved at the edges of his vision. When he realized that the shapes were trees, William’s wariness increased.
It was easy for a practiced hunter to sneak up on prey in a forest at night. And the snowfall that covered the sound of approaching danger made it even easier. The first combatant to find their opponent would be at an advantage in these environs.
Setting off as quietly as he could, William hoped that the advantage would be his.
William Arcus once again found himself at the entrance to the Citadel of Radasanth. As always, the shadows cast by the ancient structure reminded him of the lure of a great beast trying to draw in its prey. With a shake of his head to clear the hypnotic effect, William quickly mounted the steps, disappearing into the belly of the beast.
Inside, William only had to wait a moment before he was greeted by the familiar sight of a short Ai’Bron monk. The same monk always accompanied William through his Citadel visits, and William had never thought to question why. The two men weren’t exactly friends, but the monk had come closer to that title than anyone else since William had become a revenant.
“I had not thought to see you again so soon,” the monk commented after his traditional greeting. “It has only been a week since your last visit.”
“Tell me about it,” William snorted before heaving a deep sigh. “Each time I come here, I hope that I’ll learn to control the demon’s urges, thinking that by controlling the demon I can make my violent desires go away.”
“But that’s not the case.” It was a statement and not a question.
“No,” William agreed. “It just seems like they come back quicker now.”
“Then perhaps the Citadel is no longer what you need to help you,” the monk ventured.
William’s body tensed at the suggestion, telling the monk that even though William agreed, the honeyed voices whispering in the back of William’s mind relentlessly urged him on, and the power in his veins begged to be released. To his shame, William longed just as much to feel it surge forth, unable to resist any longer.
The look of pity on the monk’s face was plain as day.
“Just show me to my room,” William said in a voice heavy with self loathing.
The monk shrugged, as if to tell William that he was not being judged. With a wave of his hand, the monk beckoned for the revenant to follow. As always, the monk’s path swiftly led William through the Citadel’s dizzying labyrinth.
William murmured his thanks as the monk departed, leaving him alone in the small preparation antechamber. He stripped the heavy wool cloak and bandages that hid him from prying eyes, opened the iron-bound chamber door without hesitation, and stepped inside.
The Citadel’s magic activated and the world around William became dark and cold.
“Damn!” William cursed aloud at the fog of night that clouded his vision. Squinting to make out the indistinct shapes in the dark, William concentrated on processing his surroundings.
Something is touching me, was the first thing that came to mind. Coldness lightly poked William’s body and his mind raced, trying to come up with a reason.
Of course, he thought, coming up with the answer, it’s snowing.
Soon enough the snow became visible to the revenant, and he could see the flakes, thick and heavy, floating lazily through the breezeless air. The snowfall blocked his vision past a couple of feet and had the added effect of muffling sound.
It’s like the world is only ten feet wide, the thought came to him. Knowing that his opponent might already be watching him, William tensed into a defensive crouch.
William moved forward slowly, ready to summon the molten power in his veins as he noticed the dark shaped which resolved at the edges of his vision. When he realized that the shapes were trees, William’s wariness increased.
It was easy for a practiced hunter to sneak up on prey in a forest at night. And the snowfall that covered the sound of approaching danger made it even easier. The first combatant to find their opponent would be at an advantage in these environs.
Setting off as quietly as he could, William hoped that the advantage would be his.