Author Topic: Submersion  (Read 1481 times)

Uloim

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Submersion
« on: June 04, 2005, 07:24:51 am »
---------------------------------
Timeline
Chapter I: All was silent...
Chapter II: Remembering the Past
Chapter III: An Unexpected Meeting
Chapter IV: Conversion
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Chapter V: Submersion
-Prologue-


Two figures, a human and a dwarf, escaped Hydlaa through the northern gate.  Who were these creatures?  The dwarf, of course, is Uloim Oakenshade and the human\'s identity has yet to be discovered.  Both hidden in their shrouds, the two figures followed the path into the woods.  The destination?  Unknown, as of yet.

The two cut through the path, and headed into the deep wood.  There, they walked for miles and miles.

\"Where exactly are we goin\'?\" Uloim asked, his tone of voice obviously indicated that he was quite tired and just a bit bored.
\"To my old, and your new home.  Home of the Aeleshni.\" replied the human.  Aeleshni?  We\'ll find out what it is soon...

And so their trek continued for quite a long time, until the two reached a small, open field.  In the middle of the field was a large boulder, some old writing encrypted on its side.

\"Yliakum is... a large stalactite in a cave so enormous, that it is impossible to measure, you see.\"  the human spoke, stopping just infront of the large rock.  \"As you know, to remove wastes and bodies, the object is put in ducts that lead out of the stalagtite and are never seen again.  Here, just infront of this rock, is... or was, one of these ducts.\"
Uloim took a step closer, and could make out a hole surrounded by weeds.

\"Mining expeditions were planned for this area, and this duct would be used for various wastes, but it seems the miners never returned to start their expedition!\" the human smirked, bending down.  He ripped the weeds from the ground, revealing the hole, which was quite large compared to what it seemed when covered by weeds.

\"You see, we found this duct and dug into it.  Out of the stalagtite we dug, and found a large chamber in the stone.  A cave, just about half the size of Hydlaa city.  Not the cave in which Yliakum hangs as a stalactite, of course.  Only a small air pocket in the rock base which creates the wall of the cave.  And now, we go to this place.  If you seek answers, then you must follow me, Uloim.\"

The dwarf nodded slowly, nervously.  The human jumped into the hole, making not a sound.  Uloim followed, slowly submerging his body into the hole, feet first.

And darkness surrounded them.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2005, 05:46:29 pm by Uloim »

Uloim

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Submersion (Part I)
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2005, 03:53:23 am »
Part I:  Through the Tunnel

The hole was unusually shallow.  But nevertheless, the dwarf could barely see a thing.  Orriginally, at about a fourty-five degree angle, the tunnel slowly grew more and more steep, and it became a struggle not to slip and slide.  Uloim was sure to keep close to the human, his trust in the man failing.  Somehow, the Ylian seemed to notice and spoke.

\"The name\'s Tobias.\" he said, the voice echoing throughout the long, dark tunnel.  \"I\'m... what you\'d call a Seeker in the clan Aeleshni.  You probably don\'t know what the Aeleshni clan is, or where we got our name, so listen closely.\"

There was a weak crumbling noise.  Some loose rocks slid down the tunnel, bouncing off the two bodies as they slowly continued their way down the narrow duct.

\"The Aeleshni were creatures of ancient times.  An animal so beautiful, swift, strong, and intelligent, that anyone who saw such a creature would believe they were staring at an angel.  The mere blood of this animal could heal the strongest ailments, and Aeleshni bones were smelted with metals to create almost indestructable, yet extremely light, weapons and armors.  A race, you could call them, for they were definately smarter than the beasts that wander the forests and hills of Yliakum.  So skilled were these creatures that hunting was not a problem.  The beauty of the Aeleshni distracted the prey, and just at the perfect time....\" the human stopped, feeling around in the darkness.  \"Snap!  The prey was slain instantly, and feasted upon.  We know so little about these magnificent creatures, though, and they suddenly disappeared ages ago, before either of us were born.  We believe that they found a way to the surface and began a new life there.\"

\"An\' why are yeh called the Aeleshni tribe?\" Uloim asked, almost slipping.

\"We are the Aeleshni.  Silent strikers.  We hide deep below the ground, hidden, and wait for the perfect time to strike at our glory.  Some would call us scum, being... \'assassins, thieves, and brigands.\'  But we are much different.  We want the same thing that everyone else wants, power, and we will get it soon enough.  Now that we\'ve found you, Uloim, a light brightens our path.\"

\"Meh?\" asked the dwarf, \"Why meh?  Also, yeh don\'t sound like the Aeleshni creatures at all.  Yeh are jes\' a bunch o\' -\"

\"Here we are!\" the human stopped suddenly, and brought something out from his bag.  A key!  The human inserted the key into a section of the tunnel wall, and turned the key.

CLANK!

A door was revealed, and it was opened, revealing an eerie green light.

Uloim

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Submersion (Part II)
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2005, 12:01:25 am »
Part II: The Templar

\"Welcome.... to Utopia.\" the human grinned, his face glowing green.  The man entered the doorway, and Uloim followed.  And he saw it.

Four layers, a stadium at first sight.  Buildings, streets, alleys, all carved and built into the rock.  The air smelled of fresh running water, and the sound of many people speaking filled the air.  Looking up toward the ceiling of the large city, Uloim saw great emeralds lining the ceiling.  So beautiful were they, that the dwarf could keep his eyes nowhere but on them... until he was jerked along.

The human pushed the dwarf aside, weakly, so he could close the door.  When the rock door was closed, it disappeared into the wall, as if no door was there in the first place.

\"Yes, we act like scum these days.  We are skilled with the way of the sword, and not much else, sadly.  But soon, now that you\'re here, we will become a much different clan!\"
\"But why meh?\"  Uloim asked the question once again.
\"Yes, yes, it\'s time to explain.  You don\'t know why your father killed your mother and attempted to kill yourself, I suppose?\"
\"N....nay.\" the dwarf whispered.
\"I know not why your mother was slain, but I believe I know why your father attempted to kill you.  I believe he wanted to kill you for one reason.  Greed.  He was the strongest fighter of our clan, but his love for you killed him.  Udan wanted to keep himself on top, and, knowing you fit every aspect of the prophecy, knew you would eventually become stronger than him and much more.  You see, his strength and swiftness was all he had, but you have much more than that hidden in those veins of yours.  Sad to see such horrid things happen to such great men.\"
\"Wait... Prophecy?  What prophecy?\" Uloim interrupted.
\"An ancient prophecy, it is.  As far as I remember, it goes:
 
It began in the Red Month.
Created in the Noise of War.
From Rags to Riches.
From Loneliness to Glory.
The Templar.

A Birthmark He Carries.  A Scar Upon His Face.
The Shroud Wears He, Hiding the Insight.
In the Streets He Will be Found.  Scum, like You.
He Seeks Purpose.
Give it to Him.
The Templar.

The Skills He Hides Deep Inside.
The Aeleshni are Needed to Retrieve Them.
In an Odd Package this Lord Comes.
But Nevertheless He will Rule.
The Templar.

The Strongest Shall be Slain.
The Most Powerful will Fail.
From Rags to Riches.
From Loneliness to Glory.
He will Escort You if You let Him.
The Templar.

Seek Him, But it is You who will be Found.
Teach Him, and Soon the Student will be You.
Worship Him, for He is the One.
Your King.
Your Templar.

According to your very own father, and from what we\'ve seen so far, you fit this prophecy very well, master Oakenshade.  Of course there have been few before you who fit some of the prophecy.  But you, you... Uloim, fit this description the best.  And there is just... something... about your presence...?
Tobias leaned toward Uloim, glaring at the barely visible scar on the dwarf?s right cheek.
?I believe you are... or will be, this Templar.  But you?ll need some training, of course, before you can live up to your role.  Well, more like... a lot of training.?
The dwarf stayed silent, he was full of confusion and excitement.  Unsure if he believed any of this yet, the dwarf followed the human, who had begun walking down the streets of this green city.
?Of course, there are few in our clan who do not believe the prophecy.  It is them who brought the... ?Heathenism? to our clan.  The two Ylians who died at your own hand... (more or less) were examples of such people.  They wanted to prove our Prophecy wrong, and wished to slay you.  But we have you now, Uloim, and you will become a power greater than any of us can imagine!?
Uloim smiled slightly.  \"How will we b\'sure that I am truely this... Templar?\"
\"Well... first we must visit the Seer.  The Seer is a... \'caretaker of the throne\' until the Templar is found.  There is the House of the Seer.\" Tobias pointed to a large, emerald covered, rounded building.  The two came closer and closer to the building, and Uloim, once again, began to feel something.

Purpose.

Uloim

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Submersion (Part III)
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2005, 02:29:24 am »
Part III: Of Seers and Tests

Two large, creaky doors were opened.  The two figures entering through the large open doorway, one figure much taller than the other.  They were greeted by a blue, hissing mist and an old, shakey voice.

\"I welcome you, Aeleshni.  No... no... a powerful, free vibe.  This can\'t be... the Chosen can it?\"

An old figure, hunched over, walked into the round room through a doorway hidden behind hanging cloths.  The man (Man?  Yes, he was a man.  But it was very hard to tell, even by his voice!) was hidden behind a red cloak, which made deep flowing motions as he moved toward his seat.  Say, why is everyone cloaked in this chapter?

\"I sense something inside this one... perhaps you did truely find the One this time, Tobias.\"

\"I\'m certain I found the correct one, good Seer.\" spoke Tobias.

\"You know, if this dwarf truely is the Templar, you\'ll ascend in rank and become his mentor.\" the old man seemed to smile behind the robe, none of his face could be seen in the dark tint of the room.

\"Yes, thank you good Seer.\" Tobias bowed slightly.

\"And what is your name, lad?  Oh..... Ohw...... U.... loim.  Uloim.  Then that means...!\" the Seer sat down, motioning for the dwarf to sit on the opposite side of the small room,  \"Son of the great Udan you are.  Oh, marvelous.\"

The Seer removed his hood.

\"Aye, Udan was me father, sire.\" the dwarf spoke, his eyes moving not from the Seer.  The man before Uloim was a Lemur, his skin greenish blue.  His hair, which was obviously falling out, was ice white, and what hairs remained hung low beyond the Seer\'s ears.  Leaning closer, he looked at Uloim, deep in thought.

\"Born in the red month, yes.  I heard such from your father himself.  Created in the noise of war...\"

\"I was born jes\' a few feet away from a battle.  Not sure what th\'two sides were fightin\' fer, or over, but it was jes\' outside th\'walls of th\'building which I was born in.\" the dwarf replied.

\"I see!  Hmmm, scar upon the face... You wear your father\'s shroud.  Interesting, Line Seven in The Prophecy is both literal and symbolic.  An odd package...  Well, that all depends on the eye of the beholder.  Lines twelve through sixteen deal on the future, after we\'ve found you.  You\'re to defeat the strongest of the Aeleshni warriors to prove your skills.  That is, after you find your skills.\"  The Seer smiled, \"As far as I can see, you match the Prophecy very well, although there are some tests which you must pass to be sure that you are the Templar, or at least a grand candidate.  Uloim, tomarrow you will be tested.  Until then, meditate.  You are not to ask advice of Tobias here, or speak at all with any other member of the Clan.\"

\"Yes, sire.\" Uloim bowed, and stood.

\"Until tomarrow, farewell.\" the Seer stood as well.
\"Farewell good Seer.\" Tobias spoke, and left the building, bringing the dwarf with him.  And after the very short encounter, the two walked down the streets, toward a small hut.

Tobias opened the door to the home, and walked inside, Uloim following.  It was a small, round hut, but large enough for the two to stay.

\"Welcome to my house, Uloim.\" Tobias said, motioning to a bedroll in the corner of the room.  \"That\'s yours, and I\'ll use mine.  I\'ll be in my room, leaving you to meditate alone in silence.  The best advice I can give you, is to clear your mind completely and be ready for anything.\"
« Last Edit: June 10, 2005, 02:29:47 am by Uloim »

Uloim

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Submersion (Part IV)
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2005, 11:46:16 pm »
Part IV: A Vision

White wings.  They flapped so elegantly, silently.  
Two beautiful, large blue eyes.  They explored the world around them, missing not a detail.  
A cry.  It echoed in the endless light surrounding the creature, many tones combined to create one magnificent voice.  
A creature so beautiful, having features of beasts and men.  Something Uloim had never seen before, so beautiful and so precious.

The creature landed on the ground, right next to Uloim, who gazed upon the magnificent being with awe.  This creature, covered in feathers; hair; skin; even scales here and there, stared back at the dwarf.  A smile seemed to form upon the being\'s beak, it took a graceful step toward the halfling.  The creature bowed in a flowing motion and, although it created not a noise, Uloim instantly knew what to do.  The dwarf climbed atop the bird-like creature and it took flight.

Suddenly, the two were flying above the Hydlaa plaza, crowds were gathering as they watched the beautiful creature soar in resplendent circles, flying higher and higher, toward the Azure Sun.  Uloim watched the mammoth crystal grow closer and closer... until he could see nothing but pure, white light.

The dwarf did not need to squint in this ocean of light.  He looked around, seeing things he\'d never seen before in his life, nor heard of from tales and legends.  Looking up and around himself, Uloim realized there were no boundaries to this alien place.  Was this it?

Was this the surface?

........

Uloim awoke in the darkness, he was back in the yurt-type building deep beneath the ground, home of Tobias.  He sat up in the bedroll, and thought to himself.  
Perhaps he was this Templar, and he was to change many things to save this uncivilized clan.
« Last Edit: June 13, 2005, 10:33:55 pm by Uloim »

Under the moon

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« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2005, 09:46:30 am »
Interesting twists. I never would have given a thought to Uloim fulfilling prophecy. He is going to get into so much trouble. :D

Uloim

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« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2005, 10:35:14 pm »
We\'ll see, we\'ll see.  :)
« Last Edit: June 13, 2005, 10:39:41 pm by Uloim »

Uloim

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Submersion: Epilogue
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2005, 06:42:25 am »
Epilogue

\"You\'ve returned.  Welcome, my two Aeleshni.\" the voice of the Seer echoed in his own House.  The same two figures from the day before sat, each across the room from the old Lemur.

\"Oh...\" The Seer looked directly at Uloim\'s eyes, staring into them as if staring into the dwarf\'s soul itself.  \"There is something...  You were visited, and your judgement is clouded.  A vision, oh... this is quite strange.  Uloim, what did you dream of last night?\"

\"Ehh... I....\" the dwarf began to reply.

\"Be honest.\"

\"I saw... a beautiful creature.  A bird-like, magnificent bein\'.  The thin\' flew around meh, an\' landed.  I mounted the creature an\' we flew off int\' th\'distance.  Suddenly, we were flyin\' above Hydlaa City, an\' we flew upwards, higher an\' higher, until we flew into th\'Azure Sun.... an\' there was nothin\' but white light.  Then, I saw many thin\'s I ne\'er saw before in meh life...  I\'m not sure, but perhaps I left the caves an\' found meself on th\'surface!\"

\"Really...\" the Seer replied, his emotions hidden.  \"This is very confusing, for such a vision could mean many things.  Perhaps you are the Templar, or maybe the complete opposite.  Maybe we did not read the Prophecy correctly, and something is much different than we expect.  In all my years...  There is a reason for this vision, but I can not see it yet...\"

The Seer rose to his feet, and began pacing back and forth, mumbling to himself.

\"This is not good, not good at all.  I\'m sorry, but I think you may need to rest another day, Uloim, until you are completely able and focused enough for my final tests.\"

The dwarf nodded slowly, \"A\'right...  Wha\' should I do in th\'meantime?\"

\"Well,\" the old man replied, \"There is a library here in Utopia which holds the ancient texts and manuscripts of past Aeleshni clans.  Perhaps you\'ll read up about the prophecy, and the clan itself.  You are unfamiliar with them still.\"




....
And so the dwarf headed off to the library, guided by Tobias.  The Ylian brought the dwarf to the building, and told Uloim to go in alone.

\"I don\'t like libraries, reading is too boring for me.  You know where my home is, drop by when you\'re done.\" Tobias said.  He turned and walked home as the dwarf entered the old building.

The place was quite large, and as Uloim entered he began to smell a musty scent.  Filled with scrolls and books and other writings, this place seemed to be falling apart.  But something seemed to call to the dwarf.  A large book, hiding under one of the shelves, was barely visible.  Something shiney on the binding bounced light into the dwarf\'s eyes, and he took a step closer to the object.  Bending down and picking the thing up, the dwarf blinked at the book.

\"Hmm.\" he said, and began to read.

Uloim

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