Horizon Walkers (Game Thread) Dead

[Josh123914]

After several more moments, Dalrel dropped his arms and joined the others on the other side of the barrier, as a torrent of people rushed out of the stadium above and around him, with a bit of thinking, he came across a few familiar faces inside a tent with an old man.
After making a noise between a grunt and a cough to announce his presence, Dalrel ignored the old man and asked the others present, ''So what is the plan? Personally I'd like to find the nearest Horizon before we're found by the authorities.''
Dalrel wasn't one to be wary of other cultures, but when one willingly drags strangers off to be part of a bloodsport, that is when his self-preservation instinct kicks in.

 

[Lunar Templar]

She made her way past the Lion, leaving it to its rampage as she followed the others out and to where they had gathered, a shop of some kind, though found a spot to conceal her self for the time being since she stuck out to much. There was talk of the armor and something called a 'horizon'. "My aim from here is going home, if this horizon thing will do this, I'm all for it." she said, adding her own thoughts on it.

Truthfully she was tired of the humans, all of them. Her contact with them had not been a pleasant one and even these ones who'd helped her, only did so after she'd agreed to help them.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

"You have a good eye, funny story about this piece, and that fascinating history is complementary when you pay a reasonable price."

Damn, he had been caught, he could only guess how, maybe he's a wizard considering the walking armour.

He made his tone as stern as possible and spoke
"What do you consider a reasonable price for someone who's been forced into slavery and blood sport for about four years?"
He pulled a bag of coins from his pack and set it down on a nearby table.
"I'll pay you after you tell me where you found it."

"So what is the plan? Personally I'd like to find the nearest Horizon before we're found by the authorities."
"Make a run for the horizon, using the armour as cover I think."
"My aim from here is going home, if this horizon thing will do this, I'm all for it."
"It's a portal, it should get us away from these people." he had a brief thought about how he was captured "That's all that really matters here."

 

[Terratina.]

The Lion-Id tore up everything in its wake, revelling in the carnage.

The imperial civilians met its maw and their flesh was torn to sheds, the sharp tang of blood reaching the Lion's tongue. Its teeth rended bones and bits alike to ribbons - who cared about half-heard shouts and strange people touching your mind when you could send a hundred men to their graves with a single swipe? It was intoxicating, the bloodlust, the bloodshed... Id's mind was assaulted by the Lion's sensory input. Endorphins leaked across the two minds and soon enough Id and the Lion were drunk with blood and rage. Even the blurry vision from the half-formed eye added quite a bit to the experience as both entities saw smaller ones panic and run away only to be cut down by a swipe of a paw. Yes, this was why Id was a Walker, to hijack other beings and make other experiences its own - a morbid sort of collector. But let not it be said that Id was unkind to its toys.

After all, it was giving its current one exactly what it wanted, even as Id calmly sunk back down into a cold, machine-like, mentality.

Now where was that Horizon?

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Vaerys hurried outside the stadium after the lion decided not to eat him for once. Outside, he was greeted to a lovely sight of the lion attacking the citizens of the city. Vaerys couldn't help but chuckle as he scanned the area. The streets were packed with people retreating from the arena and often, they were just trampling over each other to get out. The packed streets meant that the local soldiers would have a hard time getting to them but either way, he had to get away fast and towards the next horizon which drew memories of initial moments in this world. Sure, he woke up in a cell but he could smell the decadence through the cracks of the wall. This city was nothing but luxury and pleasure with this arena being its largest testament to that or so far he'd seen. Now that he was outside of the arena, he breathed in the air deeply only smelling the burning wall behind them.

After a few moments, he spotted the gladiators that helped him back in the arena. They were gathered around a shop nearby. He wondered why they were doing such a thing when they should be trying to get out as fast as possible. He strode over to them, walking briskly as he was anxious.

"Oi! Thanks for the help back there. Any of you know the way outta this pisspot?" Vaerys grunted as he finally got a good look at the group. Varied was the first thing that came to his mind.

 

[IFS]

Alex watched, disappointed but not surprised as the others ran off to the outside. The lion itself had left anyways, removing much chance of him trying to persuade the cloaked thing possessing it or to try to steer it into the barrier himself. He shook his head sadly and muttered a short prayer to the healers before heading outside after the others.

"You know," he said as he joined them "If we leave the barrier then they will simply take others and force them to fight as they did to us, even if it isn't controlling them, and if it is then you have simply killed the slaves of the one to blame for our plight. But if I cannot convince you then I will have to seek an exit to this place, as I suspect you are."

They seemed to have gathered in a shop, why the shopkeeper hadn't fled as any sensible person would have he didn't know, but he had no need of further supplies nor any real money to spend on merchandise. The merchant didn't even seem phased by the screams, blood, fleeing, or the fact that he was speaking with escaped arena combatants. At least the others hadn't decided to blame and slaughter him as well he supposed.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

He hadn't expected this.

"Thankyou, I thought you had- I assumed you were... Nevermind. Thankyou."

He moved his coins back into his pack and raised his hood again.

"I trust you, I'm ready."

 

[hiei82]

Out in the streets, the chaos had begun to settle down. Whether this was the result of the Lion and other escapees moving on or being captured or killed was unclear; only the lack of audible signs of trouble. The Vigiles Urbani were out in force, cleaning up the mess and hunting those who escaped late into the night.

As night fell however, they had their chance to move. Being led by the merchant/retired soldier, the group slowly made their way out of Liem and into the countryside. The escape was difficult; evading capture only by the barest of margins and losing their snow elf to Liem pikes in the process. Eventually however, they were out of the city.

Several more hours brought them to the "Unused Portal", though unused was hardly the best term. The portal itself was in a deep pit and pushed on its side to slow anyone trying to make their way through. Around the top of the pit dozens of ballistae were pointed down, maned at all hours of the day. For about a mile around the pit, tents and permanent military building has been set up as a training ground for new recruits to Liem's 15th Legion.

Now came the fun part.

 

[DarkRawen]

We can set out as soon as whoever is coming is ready."

Seeing as there was no reason for Des to wait around, he had quickly agreed, and followed the mortals, setting the female ice-user down as he did, and letting her move on her own. Of course, even then they still couldn't move ahead, as some of the mortals were busy chatting.

Feeling that he was in need of more vitae, he had asked her, while they were waiting for the rest to get ready, if he could have some of hers, explaining it quickly and in terms that would appease a mortal. Whether or not it was fondness, kindness or just her sense of honor, she had allowed it, making a small cut on her wrist so that he could access her veins. A short moment later, he'd taken what he could without harming her, he'd be safe for a while now even if he did use his ability to paralyze more.

Then, they escaped, though the woman didn't make it out. Des felt a little regret, even wondering if it could be because of his influence, but it was probably not so, it was nothing but bad luck. After several hours, they were close to the Horizon, it could be seen as a deep pit, surrounded by ballistae and training grounds. However, even so, it wasn't difficult for them to get in, and Des was the first to climb down, and through the portal.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

A fresh Horizon, the most beautiful sight that he had ever seen.
He began to weep at this new freedom of his, in all honesty he had began to think that it wasn't going to happen for him.
All the failed attempts, beatings, and killings. Much longer and he probably would have given up.

But he was free, and in a desert, his favourite type of land, the type of land he was born and raised in.
He loosened his armour a bit and checked his cloak, it had been awhile since he had lived in one and it might take some time to get used to it again.

Pink sky, orange sand, constant heat. This was nice.
The others began to move, should he follow them?
They escaped at the same time, the armour and the woman led them out.
It couldn't hurt, he didn't know where he was.

"GET OVER HERE NOW IT'S NOT SAFE OUT THERE!"
Locals usually know their lands better that he did, so that's not good.
He rushed to follow the armour to the tents.

 

[IFS]

Alex followed the others, he wasn't reassured much by the man's promises to handle the problem but there wasn't much else he could do. They reached the horizon, losing the snow elf along the way, gaining the cloaked figure who he resolved to keep an eye on, and quickly made it through into a new world. The first two things he noticed were the heat and brightness, his black clothes absorbed the light all too well and as he squinted and blinked to make his eyes adjust he noticed the odd shade of the sun. Blue. Well you see something new every day.

Serragish unclipped something her clothing becoming a robe, and her skin beginning to sparkle oddly. From her words and demeanor of familiarity it was clear this was her home. She seemed quite pleased to be back, and Alex had to admit it was already nicer looking than the arena though he didn't much care for the heat. The scenery was interesting, a large chasm giving a clue how the place got its name, large bones giving an idea of what wildlife to keep an eye out for, and a tent city that Serragish seemed confused by.

"Wait when since when was that there?"

"Tents are hardly permanent structures, so likely not long," he remarked "But then I've never been here before."

"GET OVER HERE NOW IT'S NOT SAFE OUT THERE!"

A figure yelled from out of the tent, Alex wondered if his warning had anything to do with the similarly dressed man sitting on a column and chanting. Could also be a trap, only one way to find out though.

"When is it ever?" he said with a mock shrug, he smiled "I don't know about the rest of you but I could go for some shade."

With that he moved after the armor, walking at a steady pace and keeping his eyes and ears open for signs of trouble.

 

[Josh123914]

Dalrel hazily remembers the past hour or so, something about armour, and the nearest Horizon being guarded. Regardless, he didn't really care about an old man's troubles, and Dalrel's learned how to hear people, but not necessarily listen.
What he did know while his brain switched back on was that the Horizon led to a world of searing heat, and as the group shuffled into welcoming shade, he made his way into a surprisingly civilized dining area.
Savouring the relative peace, he sat on the nearest chair, slouching.
''Hello everyone, my name is Dalrel, pleasure to meet you all. Who's next?'' He asked to anyone and everyone, hoping for some sort of reaction. As he scanned the room, he noticed the unconscious Snow Elf was no longer with them, probably for the best, he thought, she'd be baking in this heat.

 

[Lunar Templar]

She simply walked along with the others, apparently they planned to fool the people there into letting them pass by dressing like they do, she did not understand this, but went along with it, by remaining silent as well as beating back the urge to bury a claw in the head of one of the humans that tried to lead her away, to where other beasts where kept.

The pen she was put in, was a marked improvement over the cell she was in, which she found amusing, so, for the time being she simply lay down and wait for 'the plan' to get going.

 

[hiei82]

Kes barely noticed the heat; there was little in the way of environment the world could throw against her or her people. That said, she had to admit the world had a certain beauty to it. Though it lacked the same abundance of life that her homeworld had, the world felt like home; wild, untamed, brutal, and deadly. She liked it for that.

After several minutes, the group drew the attention of a robbed man. After being waved in to a tent. Evidently, the man thought they were Liemian soldiers. Kes remained quiet though inside she wanted to tear the man to pieces for what Liem had done to her.

Eventually, he lead them to an eating area of sorts. "Dig in and don't be shy, these people are in the same boat you are, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. I assume you've seen our little garden gnome." Despite the words, Kes remained distrustful of the man; did he really think they were soldiers? She waited until she saw others partake of the food before she took her own portion.

Hello everyone, my name is Dalrel, pleasure to meet you all. Who's next?' one of the former gladiators said. Never one for words, she said one word - "Kes" - than continued to eat.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Vearys was weary and a bit tired of all the travelling but when they reached the camp, his senses told him to stay alert. The place looked dangerous with all the battlements. One wrong move and the whole place could erupt with activity. Vaerys didn't mind at all since it would certainly wake him up and get his blood flowing. He saw the Horizon as well but it was well guarded. He followed the group inside the tent axe at the ready but there was no need to use it just yet. Just holding his axe made him feel safe and confident. There was food that was being served and that was a good thing. Vaerys carefully took a slice of bread, sniffed it then ate it. The bread certainly didn't taste like poison but what would he know anyway?

"Hello everyone, my name is Dalrel, pleasure to meet you all. Who's next?" One of the ex-gladiators said. He eyed the man up and down before answering.

"You can call me Vaerys or dwarf... doesn't mind me much. I've been called worse." He grumbled.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Liemian's, of course there had to be more Liemian's. His eyes started to glow a bit as he looked at them, anger boiling under his skin.

"You know I'd given up on help coming, you're the first troops we've had through in ages. Glory to the empire. Sir you'll want to speak with our senior officer, Pragma will escort you. Yes sir. This way."

Images flashed in his mind of him being captured again, here and now. He began to draw energy into himself.

"You've probably got a lot of questions, chances are the higher ups failed to mention exactly what you were in for. The empire appreciates you're being here. You're lucky in one respect at least, it's meal time and the foods not been better in a long time. If you'll come through with me we're just setting up."

He sat down with the group as Images flashed in his mind of him doing their work again.

"Dig in and don't be shy, these people are in the same boat you are, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. I assume you've seen our little garden gnome." He pauses for a second catching himself "don't tell her I said that, she looks all tranquil and meditative but when she's not chanting she knows how to shout."

Images flashed in his mind of being in their damned arenas again. He began to focus himself for what he was to do.

"Hello everyone, my name is Dalrel, pleasure to meet you all. Who's next?"

He stopped as he realized there were others in the room, he doubted he'd be able to stop them from burning to death.

"Kes"

Killing them would be wrong, for all he knew they were in there as long as he was.

"You can call me Vaerys or dwarf... doesn't mind me much. I've been called worse."

If they can manage restraint for now so could he.

"I'm Kyras."

He allowed the energies to flow back into the Ether and Earth around him, slowly and carefully so that it wouldn't take shape.
He watched as the others took food and carefully picked from the table, taking some pieces of fruit and slices of bread.

 

[IFS]

"Dig in and don't be shy,"

Alex smiled and sat down, quickly inspecting the food before beginning to eat and drink what was available. Mostly drink, he could tell from the heat that staying hydrated would be important here. They seemed to think they were reinforcements, something Alex was willing to play along with for now, though he wasn't sure he liked where it might lead.

"Hello everyone, my name is Dalrel, pleasure to meet you all. Who's next?"

One of the others started introductions, Alex swallowed what he had in his mouth and looked up to reply "Alexander Ginshell, Inquisitor of the church of the Healers," he said cheerfully, then paused for a moment before continuing "But please, call me Alex, I know your names already, or at least how you were announced."

The others seemed to be doing fairly well so far, though he couldn't help but notice how tense Kyras was. The glowing eyes certainly made it more obvious than it was with most people. He suspected it was the Lieman's around them that were making him so ready to strike, though these ones had done them no harm. Alex remembered the arena though, and doubted that mattered to Kyras. Yet another one to keep an eye on, wonderful.