City of IF

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

Chapter Nine

The stones around us morphed—each became less grey and less rigid. Faces formed from solid rock, and the boulders eventually stood upright as arms and legs became chiseled. Annabelle, Raish, Hiergo, and I were surrounded by strange men and women covered in solid grey robes.

I didn’t know what to say. So I didn’t say anything.

“We are sorry if we surprised you,” one said, stepping forward. His face was as carved like a stone. Prominent steel blue eyes jutted outward and stared at all of us. “But we cannot trust anyone anymore.”

“May I ask who you guys are?” Annabelle began, backing up slightly behind Hiergo and Raish.

“We come in peace in the name of Elysia,” one whispered.

“We are the People of the Earth,” another added, “and we have pledged to destroy the gem before anyone can abuse its powers again.”

“It is unnatural,” the one who had spoken first concluded. “And we will not let it threaten us.”

I looked to Raish who, though flustered, was still beautiful. I looked at Hiergo. I look at Annabelle. We all nodded in silent agreement that this was the only way to stop Ezekiel from defiling this planet. Again.

“How?” Raish asked, frowning slightly. Ever since that electrical shock, any innocence she had was gone. Raish did not smile anymore. Especially not to me. Even her simple question sounded hard and echoed off the cave like stones against flesh.

“We will show you. Please, come with us,” the leader said. He stepped sideways and pushed his hands backward, revealing an extension of the cave the dipped downward into the earth.

On the walk down, three of the Earth People walked with me and Raish while the remainder fell back and talked to Hiergo and Annabelle. Our companions introduced themselves as Ergga, Rok’jaar, and Vinos.

We climbed down a firefly-lit tunnel that seemed to have no end. The Earth People navigated us around spiky bends, occasionally touching their hands against the stone walls and seeing the entire maze like a map before them.

“What are your names?” Ergga asked us. She was beautiful, but not in the same way as Raish. While Raish had once a spunky, girlish flair, Ergga was composed of brute strength. Her body was powerful in a feminine way. Hot, but not my cup of sterlig juice.

“I’m Dendrin.”

“I’m Raish.”

Rok’jaar lifted up his head at the sound of our names.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, unsure.

“Uh, no,” he began, stammering. “It’s nothing. Your names just sound familiar to me for some reason.”

As we continued on our hike, Vinos told us a little about his people. He was taller than Rok’jaar and Ergga and had spiky black hair covered by the hood of his robe.

“We have mostly secluded ourselves underground recently,” he began, “because it’s just too dangerous Above. We have some Earth People who live in the regions of the forest, but they are frequented by Fire and Lightning and Weather… so we have mostly lost communication with them.

“The Earth People of Underground is a race devoted to humility and peace. We will not kill people unless we absolutely are forced to in order to save more than one life.”

“That’s a good philosophy,” I butted in.

“Who is this Elysia you guys mentioned when we met you? You mentioned peace in her name,” said Raish.

We stopped for a moment for Ergga to place her hand on the stone wall and feel her way back to base. She motioned us to the left of the crossroads. Rok’jaar looked at us, dumfounded.

“She’s our goddess,” he explained briefly. To our blank stares, he added, “Sorry, I thought everyone knew about her. She’s the force of the Earth People. We draw our energy from her, pledge our lives to her, and become part of her when we die.”

“Where… is she?” I asked. Hey, I hadn’t heard of anything like this before.

“Part of the reason why the world is so forsaken,” Vinos offered as we ducked under a stalactite, “is because Elysia has vanished. We have a shrine to her though, and we think we know how to bring her back.”

“And we think she will help us destroy the gem,” Ergga added.

“But never mind that,” Rok’jaar quickly said. “We have to hurry and do whatever we must be Ezekiel and his Wind People capture the Gem in every Realm. If he does, we are done for.”

We continued to climb through, and luckily the tunnel funneled out at a less intense angle so the walk was a little bit more manageable. I thought it was smooth sailing until I heard something heave and buckle.

“Care!” Ergga said, pushing me and Raish against the floor. She flung her body over us like a blanket. Her skin against mine was warm at first, but it soon felt grainy and cold. I stared at her as she transformed from woman to sub-creature boulder statue.

Rok’jaar, on the other hand, grunted, “Rev!,” the Yurnic word for Earth. He brought his hands upwards and pushed his palms outwards. Pebbles cascaded around him like a harmless water fountain. Gently, the fell to the floor as the other rocks slipped back up into the ceiling of the tunnel.

“Everyone okay?” Vinos asked, turning his head around to Annabelle, Hiergo, and the others behind us. Once it seemed like everyone was ready to continue, and once Ergga morphed back into herself, we pressed forward.

“We’re almost there, guys,” Ergga said. “Sorry it’s taking so long.”

“These tunnels are not as they used to be,” Rok’jaar said, sighing. He motioned to the bleak, narrow walls around us. “Since Elysia left, the state of the Earth has been decaying.”

“How did she leave?” Raish wondered.

“Ah,” Vinos breathed as he bent down and picked up a single flower that had somehow made its way into the cave. “She was killed.”

My eyebrows arched.

“Her essence was destroyed by a greedy power who sacrificed his one lost love himself in order to gain an upper hand on the Earth People,” Ergga said sadly. “And to this day he rules the tyrannical realm of the Earth People of Above.”

Raish breathed quickly. “What is his name!” As if that would help solve anything.

Rok’jaar dropped his head low. “He is my father, and is name is Edenio.”

We walked in silence before I offered, “Maybe Raish and I can help remove him from power.”

Vinos, Rok’jaar, and Ergga looked at each other and smiled. Hey, maybe we could help them.

But for now we would not mention it, for we had arrived. The tunnel opened up to a grandiose city atop an enormous cliff in the middle of an even larger crater. The sky was solid rock covered in millions of fireflies to grant the inhabitants enough light.

Raish and I walked slower to reposition ourselves with Annabelle and Hiergo. Together, we all traipsed over the bridge which kept us above the swirling moat that filled the ditch and surrounded the kingdom.

Vinos looked back at us and winked. “We’re here!” he said.

It was time for us and the Earth People to destroy the Gem before Ezekiel got it. We were safe at their kingdom, and Ezekiel still had to find the copies of the Gem which had been severed among the three Realms. It seemed like we had the upper hand.

I stared at Hiergo, strongly standing with his chest inflated as if he were the happiest person in the world. And Annabelle, her red hair flowing gently onto her peach shoulders. I smiled at them because for once, I felt safe.

That is until Annabelle shrieked and flung her head backwards. Her feet lifted off the ground ever so slowly, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head to be replaced with simple glowing brilliance.

“Earth People of Underground,” she bellowed, a feminine voice filling the entire kingdom.

Decision Point: What is happening to Annabelle, and what does she say?

I’m so glad to be back guys! Sorry about my long hiatus! Tell me what you think. Miss you guys a lot. Soon I’ll be back full swing. School’s almost over for me. Then it’s summer! Wohoo!

The Meaning Of Fear · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 1:38 am Post subject:

Many cheers and hurrahs! So happy that this is back. Really loving it.

Quote: Hot, but not my cup of sterlig juice.

This was hilarious.

The DP's pretty open for choices here. She's almost certainly being possessed, so then it goes to who is it and what do they want.

If we're to pick someone we know of, then it's probably Elysia, corrupted, or perhaps someone impersonating her. Of course, she's dead.

So I'm kind of out of ideas here.

Alegria · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 11:58 am Post subject:

I say Annabelle has become Elysia's avatar, a human glove that will convey her messages.

How does this differentiate from Meany's suggestion? This Elysia is still benevolent, but can only inhabit a human body, and since Annabelle is one of the first humans to arrive in so long...

She's just doing what she has to do, and although this may occur again, Annabelle will always get control of her body back.

Or, Annabelle could be Elysia, in hiding...

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

The Meaning Of Fear wrote: Many cheers and hurrahs! So happy that this is back. Really loving it.

Quote: Hot, but not my cup of sterlig juice.

This was hilarious.

The DP's pretty open for choices here. She's almost certainly being possessed, so then it goes to who is it and what do they want.

If we're to pick someone we know of, then it's probably Elysia, corrupted, or perhaps someone impersonating her. Of course, she's dead.

So I'm kind of out of ideas here.

Thanks for the post! :) I'm glad someone got that joke, haha.

I know it's a hard DP--but the thing is I have this all planned out, and I really need to have it go according to plan haha. Remember, being dead means nothing in the world of the Weatherwarden--because no one really stays that way haha. Keep readin'! :)

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

Alegria wrote: I say Annabelle has become Elysia's avatar, a human glove that will convey her messages.

How does this differentiate from Meany's suggestion? This Elysia is still benevolent, but can only inhabit a human body, and since Annabelle is one of the first humans to arrive in so long...

She's just doing what she has to do, and although this may occur again, Annabelle will always get control of her body back.

Or, Annabelle could be Elysia, in hiding...

Thanks for the post! I'm going to put down these as two different suggestions:
1. Annabelle has become Elysia's avatar
2. Elysia is hiding in Annabelle

Because they're quite different.

I think to add to your explanation: Annabelle is a Realm Keeper, meaning she is a way between worlds. If Elysia is destroyed, she will be in the Realms of Never, and could possibly have enough magical energy as a deity to portal herself through Annabelle. Then again, it's up to you guys :)

Crunchyfrog · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 3875

Welcome back, Fath!

And a good read it was, indeed. Fine piccy, too!

Well, I can't think of it being anything other than the goddess... or at least something to do with her.

But surely things can't go right for too long. I'm going to suggest that it is a deity, but it is not Elysia...

:grin:

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

Alright! So far we have

1. Annabelle has become Elysia's avatar
2. Elysia is hiding in Annabelle
3. Another deity possesses Annabelle

Poll closing soon! Keep suggesting! :)

tayfinch · Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 59 Location: "Amyeerika"

I've managed to squeeze a quick visit here to see how you're doing, and I wasn't dissapointed! Welcome Back!

I totally agree with the poll choices. I think any others would distract from the story.

Quote: We walked in silence before I offered, “Maybe Raish and I can help remove him from power.”

Vinos, Rok’jaar, and Ergga looked at each other and smiled. Hey, maybe we could help them.

I was thinking... maybe it would be cool if this look they gave each other stemmed from a secret understanding? Maybe there have been prophecies of people from above coming and bringing peace, direction, but most importantly a way to reclaim their godess back to the earth people.

Perhaps there have been lots of these possessions as the time of decision comes upon the Earth people: their goddess has tried to do all she can to prepare them to recognize the path 'she has prepared for them.' She wants more than anything else for them to NOT be decieved, but to find the right 'guides.' Thus, she has given them several signs of the true 'guides.' Uniting the earth peoples is one of them, etc.

This slow fulfilling of prophecy and earning the earth nation could play a part the whole book through.

Just an idea : )

Lots of love to all!

tayfinch · Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 59 Location: "Amyeerika"

Ah...

I guess that means I DO have another poll option: it's but a TEMPORARY possession of the earth goddess, as has happened over and over recently.

(eh... maybe not. I'm not sure I agree with that being another post option... maybe just an idea for you)

The Meaning Of Fear · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:42 am Post subject:

Tay, there's a little button to the top right corner of your post that says "edit". It helps prevent double-posting and makes for easy navigating of the thread. ;)

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

tayfinch wrote: Quote: We walked in silence before I offered, “Maybe Raish and I can help remove him from power.”

Vinos, Rok’jaar, and Ergga looked at each other and smiled. Hey, maybe we could help them.

I was thinking... maybe it would be cool if this look they gave each other stemmed from a secret understanding? Maybe there have been prophecies of people from above coming and bringing peace, direction, but most importantly a way to reclaim their godess back to the earth people.

Perhaps there have been lots of these possessions as the time of decision comes upon the Earth people: their goddess has tried to do all she can to prepare them to recognize the path 'she has prepared for them.' She wants more than anything else for them to NOT be decieved, but to find the right 'guides.' Thus, she has given them several signs of the true 'guides.' Uniting the earth peoples is one of them, etc.

This slow fulfilling of prophecy and earning the earth nation could play a part the whole book through.

Just an idea : )

Lots of love to all!

How do you know I haven't been hinting at a prophecy ;-). Haha! Love the idea though--you expanded on it in a different direction.

Just to tell you all: Weatherwarden is about to get VERY REAL. And very dramatic. And possibly sad. Remember all the little things that have happened along the way. They're going to add up. THE SHOWDOWN IS ALMOST HERE.

The Meaning Of Fear · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject:

Tie between first option and author's choice, peoples. ;)

Tiebreaker? :lol:

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

Poll winner: Annabelle has become Elysia's avatar.

FatHairyApe · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 118

Get ready for Chapter 10 soon!

Crunchyfrog · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 3875

*waits with baited breath* :D