From Solitary Confinement to Life

[*Barmy Sod]

*Already written* Masquerade Ball

*Already written* Masquerade Ball Song Contest




Eleven Years Old S.I.G.I.S. article

[b][u]Murder in Clerk's Ward![/u][/b] It was just another day in Cage for most of us, a Cage Carnival was on going while at a lone apartment in Clerk's Ward a bloodshed of five had occurred. Only a lone child survived while there had been seen a bloody fight that resulted to death of her parents and the three assaillants. Motive is thought to be robbery, but it would seem something went wrong. There is two stories going around, first one is the heroic death of parents killing the assaillants with their own lives. The other story is that there was yet another assaillant whom killed the outsiders to keep all the loot, however the Harmonium notifies that most valuables are still in-tact which makes them lean towards the first. The lone child Coristia Merkoven was given brief medical treatment after the physical harm she had suffered of the assault, no relatives were found so the Bleak Cabal orphanage accepted to take her in. Three assaillants were identified as the nefarious Skullclub gang members that resided in alleys of Guild and Market Wards tells the latest records. Why they made their way to Clerk's Ward is uncertain, the Measure Three Herx Jubile of Harmonium leading the investigation promised that all involved would be brought to swift justice for these atrocities. Herx however refused to comment on the investigation any further. [/li]

Citizen Records

[b]Citizen Full Name:[/b] Caderus Merkoven [b]Brief Description:[/b] Human, Male, born 89Ha. [b]Location of Residence:[/b] Clerk's Ward; Thistlewind Way 15 b [b]Occupation:[/b] Painter, art dealer. [b]Faction/Sect:[/b] Society of Sensation. Rank: Factotum. [b]Origin:[/b] Unknown, suspected prime. [b]Status:[/b] Married-Elaine Korvak-Merkoven, Father of One-Coristia Merkoven. Update: 116Ha; Dead. [b]Citizen Full Name:[/b] Elaine Korvak-Merkoven [b]Brief Description:[/b] Human, Female, born 93Ha. [b]Location of Residence:[/b] Clerk's Ward; Thistlewind Way 15 b [b]Occupation:[/b] Art dealer. [b]Faction/Sect:[/b] Society of Sensaton. Rank: Namer. [b]Origin:[/b] Unknown, suspected prime. [b]Status:[/b] Married-Caderus Merkoven, Mother of One-Coristia Merkoven. Update: 116Ha; Dead. [b]Citizen Full Name:[/b] Coristia [s]Merkoven[/s] [b]Brief Description:[/b] Human, Female, born 109Ha. [b]Location of Residence:[/b] [s]Clerk's Ward; Thistlewind Way 15 b[/s] Hive Ward; Gatehouse [b]Occupation:[/b] Bleak Cabal Namer. [b]Faction/Sect:[/b] Bleak Cabal. Rank: Namer. [b]Origin:[/b] Child of Caderus Merkoven & Elaine Korvak-Merkoven. Clerk's Ward - Sigil. [b]Status:[/b] Update: 116Ha; Transferred to orphanage of Gatehouse. Update: 126Ha; Joined Bleak Cabal-surname renounced. [/li]

Public Bleak Cabal Records

[b]Name:[/b] Coristia [s]Merkoven[/s] [b]Gatehouse Wing:[/b] [s]Orphanage, Asylum, Solitary Confinement[/s], Bleaker Wing [b]Direct Contact for Further Information:[/b] Factotum Fhadove [/li]

[*Barmy Sod]

*A few new sketches are added to her sketch book*

[color=olive]In this picture is large crowd of masked people, a female in red gown and black mask holding a trophy in middle of stage getting a thundering applauds from the crowd. A single empty potion seems to be on the floor near picture, on one of the corners a small female can be seen crouching, but it is a small detail in the overall picture and is easily missed.[/color] [color=blue]This page seems to have been splitted to two, on the left side there's a male gnome drawn, though its face is mostly blank. On the right side there's an ogre made with a friendly expression and demeanor. The background is a mess of colour and mystical patterns.[/color] [color=teal]This depicts a rather indistinguishable female with horns, bat-like wings curled around her, scant outfit, her skin a hue of tan-to-red, tail curled around her waist. She has a thoughtful expression while lying down on a bench with her hands under her head.[/color] [/li]

She was excited when Aeron showed her the beaches of Thalasia, the vast pool of clear water spreading as far as eye could see and the salty clear odor under the night sky. The excitement lasted for only so long, but the gratitude persisted as she chipperly thanked Aeron. A flute, flute which he had given her as a gift was the key... as a spur of moment she lifted it to her lips and started to play a soft tune to explain her gratitude. FIIIIiiiiiiuuuUUUiiiWWwwiiIIIuuuUUUU! emitted the dreadful sound, much akin to a dying bird, from the flute as she placed her fingers randomly to fill the holes...

Aeron grimaced at the sound I don't... think that's how it's played. even Coristia had noticed the sound was less than graceful she had intended, she had never played a flute before, but she was adamant she was not to blame. I.. I t-think i-it i-is b-broken. she stuttered her objection, adamant on not taking the blame. A smirk came to Aerons face and he admitted Well to be fair, I never did test it. a short silence, then Coristia still felt like she should try to express her gratitude... she took awkward step closer and spreaded her arms towards Aeron - she was going to hug her - but at last moment she chose against it and instead flailed her hands around as if to try to rid herself of insects... she sighed and turned her gaze away.

Aeron gave a comforting smile and took a step closer, then swatted a imaginary insect to comfort her further. That seemed to soothen Coristias expression a bit and draw a mildly amused expression to her face Y-you d-don't n-need t-to... w-we b-both k-know t-there's n-none.. b-but t-thank y-you... f-for s-showing t-the .. mmh... l-large p-pool. as lack of better word for the sea. She looked towards it again, then Aeron asked I have been meaning to ask... why are you here? Coristia blinked and looked at him dumbfoundedly Y-you b-brought h-her h-here. she stuttered, which got a slight chuckle out of Aeron Good answer, bad question... I mean what brought you in Sigil?, she gave him a prolonged thoughtful expression as she pursed her lower lip... S-she w-was b-born i-in S-Sigil. mmh.. a thoughtful hum emitted from her lips and she looked at Aeron again, then murmured.. I.. I have a confession to make. this time no stutter..

A music to fit the theme

Aeron was a good listener, he didn't judge which helped Coristia to tell him of her past, and how three intruders had come into her house when she was young. She got to the part when she was violated and about to get further until a twitch... the trembling and weeping child was gone as the tormenting apparition from her subconscious took over once more. A grin came into her face as she turned to look at Aeron with the new fearless, deadly intent, she told in calm cold tone Coristia... don't go on to tell rest of the story. her cold glare casted at Aeron as she continued The bitch really likes you to tell this. a snarl and cackle emitted from her.

Aeron thought a moment as he looked at Coristia I like her also he said and observed the reaction. Another snarl from the tormenter I'm trying to decide whether I should let you live or kill you... I so enjoy seeing her suffer, but would I go too far if I killed you? Choices.. choices.. a brooming chuckle as she leaned closer to Aeron, petting him and nearly hugging him. Her head tilted forwards giving a more menacing glare despite her demeanor.

Who are you? asked Aeron while still trying to study the new person before him. The tormented Coristia casted a dark and wide grin, rather than answering she started to hum a mildly melancholic tune she had hummed so many times before, a tune possibly familiar to Aeron, once more a hollow dark song emitted from her lips Don't you worry child... don't you fear at all... your father died, so you may live... don't you worry child... don't you fear at all... we will kill them all a dark cackle from her ended the song and she darkly admitted I've made my choice. she shoved Aeron roughly whom was forced to take as step back, the female stronger than at first glance might seem.



You need me. Aeron tried, but that only got another grin out of the tormented Coristia Let us play. she said coldly and drew her rapier from sheath, preparing to strike. Aeron managed to chant a single spell before she attacked, his bones cracked and snapped as the physical form was forced to alter into the new shape of Gargoyle, Coristia attacked with a fast pierce towards the chest, Aeron tried to step back to avoid, alas the spellcasting had taken too long to avoid it anymore a loud growl of pain hurled out of the creatures throat, the shape was forcefully removed and Aeron forced to his knees holding his chest in the sand. Coristias blade had only barely avoided vitals on the strike, but that mistake might not have persisted as she seemed to strut closer...

She halted, the pain on her forehead once more booming, as if head was going to explode. She was forced to her knees as well and the grip of the hilt of rapier loosened, it dropped to the sand. Last angry glare casted at Aeron, her grin widened of a grim fate promise. Then she twitched and the skittish girl had returned, she trembled and shook her head N-n-no.. n-no! she hadn't want this to happen... much to her surprise Aeron remained understanding, using a pearl of power to patch up the wound, she whimpered and weeped, nearly jumped forwards to hug Aeron and weep on his shoulder.

The situation lasted for while longer, Coristia slowly calming down under Aerons compassionate attitude. She stuttered P-please d-don't t-tell a-anyone.. o-or t-they w-will l-lock h-her a-away a-again... her expression one of begging. Aeron promised. After that she however admitted quietly M-maybe C-Coristia r-really b-belongs t-to S-Solitary C-Confinement... b-but s-she d-doesn't w-want t-there... to which Aeron simply replied Nobody belongs to solitary confinement.

None the less Coristia needed some time alone to think, so they parted their ways.

*After the incidence she made another sketch*

[color=crimson]A picture which depicts a light silver-blue hued short haired woman weeping on a shoulder of a man in dark robe embracing her in return with a genuine expression of compassion. Background is on a beach with a single bloodied rapier lying on the sand... and empty sheath on the females hip.[/color] [/li]

[*Barmy Sod]

*Once more a couple of sketches are added*

[color=tomato]This picture depicts an elven female whom is wrapped to a white web all over, a bloodied hole on her back and begging expression on face. A female in light blue tinted elegant dress stands nearby with a bloodied rapier on her right hand and both hands on her temples with mild shocked expression. A man in dark clothing is kneeled by the dying female with a white mask on his hands and thoughtful expression.[/color] [color=silver]An elegant booth on comfortable red tinted cushioned benches and a silver tinted table containing pie and couple of drinks. On the bench there sits a dark clothed man, and a female with short hair and elegant light blue hued dress on his lap, on the females cheeks a strong blush while being fed by the male*[/color] [color=crimson]A grim scene depicted in this, the picture seems familiar from Bazaar. In the center at distance there's a bright lit fire with four black figures sunk within in agonizing positions. Around large crowd is either covering their eyes or their ears from the seeming explosion.[/color] [/li]

It was a calm day by the Gatehouses yard, just beyond the soothening garden in a small pathway, around a campfire. She sat there comfortably with Aeron, murmuring of things from past and of things to come, but their attention soon gained by nearby rustling in the long vegetation We're not alone murmured Aeron calmly which caught Coristias attention like a snap. She looked around warily, she slowly got up as did Aeron. Aeron had time to cast a single spell which was to conceal Coristia behind invisibility, not a moment later did the assaillant wait as the winged and masked creature leaped from its cover to strike the now only visible "victim" Aeron, he managed to avoid the strike by dashing down only barely.

The assaillant was about to continue the attack, when Coristia came out of her cover with a stab of her rapier. A growl of pain emitted from the creature and it stepped back trying to disarm Coristia, she pulled back the weapon but her fingers hurt of the sudden yank... just enough time for Aeron and Coristia to take positions around it. Who are you? asked Aeron, the creature didn't seem intent to wait, having noticed it being in bad situation, she tried to take the way up as escape route... However Coristia was too fast and leaped to take a grasp on the wing closest to her, barely managing to keep a hold of the wing and her rapier. Alas for the assaillant as she was held, just long enough for Aeron to finish the next spell.. a web which wrapped around her into a near perfect and helpless cocoon.

Coristia looked at the victim now and stepped closer... a voice in her head "Do it! Kill her now!" it was not the usual voice... it was something different... she lifted her rapier and placed it on the females back, sunk it barely an inch and halted, shaking her head of the effect... no she was adamant she wouldn't do it... not this time. She might have answers reminded Aeron, to which Coristia replied A-attack u-us w-with n-no w-words... to which Aeron nodded slowly. T-take o-off t-the m-mask... w-wants t-to s-see. she stuttered. Aeron removed the mask, which dropped to the ground, the figure altered greatly into an elf, she spoke words that Coristia couldn't hear... the voice again.

There is great hate in you... kill her, you want to do it. Embrace it. her eyes darted around, emotions mixed... but the hate within her won... the sudden rage and she thrusted the rapier with all her strength through the elf, blood pouring out of the wound in front and back... as the rage passed... she let go of the rapier... slight tremble.. step back.. and another... Aeron seemed surprised and tried to step closer N-no.. s-stay b-back. she stuttered and he complied, drawing out a pearl to attempt to ease the pain of the dying victim... too late for the internal damage was too great even for the healing power granted by the pearl... she weakly told her last words to Aeron, but Coristia was occupied with the voices again..

Well done.. we might use you again. The voice went quiet, no source was there to be seen... then she finally could turn focus on the corpse and Aeron, whom now seemed to study the mask that was dropped and stashed it to a sealed locker. Much to her surprise, Aeron seemed to help her to dispose the corpse and not reveal what was done. The corpse shoved into one of his magical bags, and the blood on the scene covered with both water and dirt. Later that day they dropped the corpse to a river of fire within the ever raging war of Blood in the Abyss.

So ended the journey of the Athar elf, victim of not only the mask, but also of unstable and abusable mind.


((I'm paraphrasing since I can't remember everything word to word =) ))

[*Barmy Sod]

She sighed. Yet another exhale of disappointment in the thing called existence. Of course he had another, even if past life. Disappointed and frustrated she took her satchel and tossed it at her own rooms wall, the satchel opened and spread its contents on the floor. Another sigh... she pouted for while, nothing ever seemed to go right, but at least this time there was no one laughing.

She got up from her bed and walked to gather the contents back in the satchel, many odd things within it, but one was unlike any other. A box she had got from Aeron just earlier that day. A box which held within a white mask they had collected from her victim. Coristia looked around the room cautiously, for she was curious... what was so special in the mask? She was about to open the container until the familiar headache ensued... to Coristia it was a blackout, once she woke up, the box was gone... she tried to look around, but it wasn't there.

Her queries from other bleakers seemed to result in nothing, but philosophical breakthrough of depicting her actions ultimately futile. She sighed again. This always happened to her... and she was getting sick of it.


Behind the Scenes:

The tormented one within Coristias subconscious woke up, with unseen vigor it striked to assume control and now clutched the box. [color=crimson][i]Come now Coristia... you're mine, and I'm not in sharing mood.[/i][/color] huffing angrily and looking around. [color=crimson][i]Things you do not understand shouldn't be within your grasp...[/i][/color] The tormented one made sure to hide it. [color=crimson][i]Maybe when you're old enough, I'll let you find it again...[/i][/color] a dark cackle again and let Coristia take over in entirely puzzled demeanor. [/li]

Earlier That Day:

Edges of her lips curved upwards. Aeron was in the Great Bazaar again doing her business. Tilting her head she looked at him dealing with the customers curiously. It took a while for Aeron to spot her, a smile appearing to his face and waving at her in friendly manner. She strutted to his side and once more looked curiously at the dealings from close by. However unlike usual... something was different. Aeron was distant. Spacing out. While the customers were trying to make deals. Coristia observed thoughtfully at first, but at first moment of peace Aeron explained. He was hearing sounds. She got concerned and frowned. The mask, it was her first thoughts. More customers came and kept him occupied, she fidgetted and waited impatiently for time to talk in private. Finally came the words she wanted to hear [b]"I've kept the lady waiting long enough."[/b] he turned towards Coristia [b]"Shall we?"[/b] he smiled. She nodded and together they left to private. They sat down together on the beach, her head resting on his shoulder while glancing towards the horizon. She learned more of the voices Aeron had heard, and of things she didn't want to learn of, or rather she did but had hoped to not be. This woman D'Orr. A spark of strong emotions ran through her spine... envy, jealousy, hatred. Woman she had not even seen. A woman she already wanted dead... or was it the tormented one that wanted D'Orr dead? She pondered, but no. This was all Coristia. First things first. [color=teal]"Maybe... um.. it's best I keep the mask?"[/color] Mmh.. a thoughtful hum and she continued [color=teal]"So we'll know if it's the source or not."[/color] after a moment of consideration, Aeron passed a warded box containing the mask to her. [/li]

[*Barmy Sod]

Coristia looked at her sketch book, a frown. It had been some time since she had last touched it, after she had seen the talents of few artists. Her only highlight of being capable to draw being surpassed by people whom wrote, read and calculated at ease, and she couldn't do anything as well. Once more she sighed. She didn't feel like painting anymore. Strutted to a mirrored desk on her own room, next to it there was a small statue which depicted Coristia herself and Aeron holding hands. Edges of her lips curved upwards at that, but then a sound.

"You're going to kill him eventually. Even you must know that." Coristia turned to look at the darkly grinning image of herself in the mirror and frowned, which didn't seem to appear in the mirror... or did she frown? Something so small had never puzzled her as she knew her own feelings from those of her tormenting ones. "D-don't h-hurt A-Aeron... p-please." she stuttered in nearly begging tone at her own apparition. "Me? Hurt him?" cackle "You're the one that will do all the work. I will just watch.", this got only a deeper frown out of Coristia, then annoyed huff "She won't hurt him! And neither will you!" she took a defiant and childish pose infront the mirror, now glaring at it.

"My you do really like him. Is it the kisses? The hug?" a wry grin "Or something more you're expecting? Even after all the crimes commited on you by men." the apparitions eyes flickered with mischief on them. "But don't you worry child, don't you fear at all. We will kill them all.". Coristia pursed her wavering lower lip hearing the all too familiar lullaby, averted now eye contact with her reflection. She tried to change the subject "Where's the mask?", turned to look at the mirror again with intent expression. "Safe. Unlike your..." reflections eyes squinted. ... boyfriend. And his real girlfriend." a dark grin once more spreaded on the reflections lips. "Oh you don't really think he'd get you to not kill her if he didn't care of her? You're the one being toy-" a burst of rage on Coristias behalf ended the conversation abruptly as she broke the mirror...

The shattering shards clittering and clattering on the floor and table while tears ran down on her cheeks and she sobbed, sniffling. A knock on her door, another Bleaker coming to see if she's fine. She took a moment to wipe her tears off and let the other Bleaker in and lied that she had fumbled and broke it accidentally.

She wasn't going to risk having to be shoved into the solitary confinement again...

After the scene, she looked again at the worn sketch book... now opened it and drew a new picture. Depicting herself...

[*Barmy Sod]

Coristia strutted out of Civic Festhall trying her new gloves. She was content, they matched her suit well. She just knew it that this was going to be a good day. Happily she strutted towards the Bazaar, already knowing what cousine she'd get Aeron to buy her. Hairs on her back got up, a nagging feeling. Soon a laughter, children laughing which brought a slight smile at her face. It echoed and she couldn't see the source just yet.

Though what had been laughter, started to gradually turn to screams surrounding the laughter. She frowned and looked around, didn't seem like anyone else were reacting. Coristia strutted towards small alley which seemed to be the source, and to more private. The screams were just ahead... she gulped and tried to hide herself, getting closer to see what's the source of voices.

((Warning! Gruesome content ahead! If you read forth, don't blame it on me. =) ))

Finally she saw several children. Several children feasting on the corpse of a dead man. Sharing the guts and flesh of the brutal sight, splattering and drumming the insides like it was any common toy. The expression of the dead man one of sheer horror - one which was quickly adopted by Coristia as well. She shook her head and tried to disbelieve it, it couldn't be real... stuttering audibly [color=teal]"N-no n-no n-no..."[/color] she wanted to look away, but she couldn't. The brutal sight haunting and taunting her. Children kept ripping the man apart with teeth, hands and fingers. The stench and the sounds turning stomach upside down even on Coristia whom had seen many gruesome things before, but she had a strong stomach so she managed to keep her stand. On closer observation she noted that all the children were girls, giggling and playing around. Soon one of them noticed Coristia. [color=tomato]"Have you come to play too?"[/color] the girl asks, the rest of the girls follow and surround her. Coristia was alarmed, her hand darted to hilt of her rapier and she tried to stutter at the children. [color=teal]S-stay b-back.. p-please?[/color] it didn't prove very succesful way to get the children away. They laughed and giggled while starting to circle around her, push her and toy with her instead. One of them said [color=tomato]"Come on! Join us! Let us eat you next..."[/color] the other girls chanted same rhyme together producing eerie mood. A malevolant grin with flicker on their eyes appeared. Coristia was finally pushed to corner and the children chanted together [color=tomato]"Join us!... Join us!... Join us!"[/color] They descended on the fragile minded woman, leapt towards her like a swarm... [color=teal]"D-d-don't e-eat C-Coristia!"[/color] she yelped while frightened, tears ran down her eyes on her cheeks... but a sudden snap was to turn the tide. She stood there calmly. A dark grin slowly produced on her lips as she glared towards the children. [color=crimson]"My.. what cute little children."[/color] It seemed to confuse the children a while and they stepped away of the suddenly calm mature woman and one of them stated. [color=tomato]"You're scary..."[/color] The tormented one kneeled down, her cheeks still wet of Coristias tears, but her demeanor entirely different. Cold. Deadly. She cackled at the remark and then started a hollow lullaby [color=crimson]"Don't worry child.. don't you fear at all... don't worry child..."[/color] she continued, but now halted the lullaby and stated instead in cold and promising tone while her rapier was unsheathed and prepared [color=crimson]"We will kill them all."[/color] she darted to assault, slashing the girls brutally without hesitation, weeping, begging or yielding resulted only to being killed first by her rapier. The children provided no real resistance to the seasoned killer, now it was the children on the run. Blood splattered to the streets, blood splattered on her clothing, on her face... she had become death of the girls. Only one girl remained that tried to flee, crying and in utmost terror she was. Tormented one darted after her using her trained reflexes to cut the distance off fast. Before she could finish a new sound erupted from within her mind an exterior source. [color=maroon]"Feast on fear... tear flesh and devour your desire... release yourself"[/color] the voice shadowy said with maddening caress. The voice was put off from tormented ones mind, first ensure no one leaves. She cut the heels of the fleeing children to force her on ground. Then casted her gaze around to see the source of the earlier voice. [color=crimson]"Someone else wants to come to play?"[/color] she asked with eyes squinted. [color=maroon]"I am not here to play... but I do see you are enjoying your entertainment... now feast... feast and show what you are inside... take control."[/color] The girl now tearfully screamed in pain as she stared up at Coristia in sheer horror... Tormented one wasn't sated, there could come more... she adjusted her demeanor again, a calming and soothing one [color=crimson][i]"Oh shh shh... there there now.."[/i][/color] She kneeled down on the girl, smiled empathetically... then started to sing the hollow lullaby once more [color=crimson][i]"Don't worry child... don't you fear at all... we can't forget... and we won't forgive... now I must go.. can you hear the drums?... we will prevail whatever comes... don't worry child.. don't you fear at all... don't worry child... we will kill them all"[/i][/color] the girl turned to face tormenting one, seemingly dulled by her lullaby, but at the last syllapse she was twice as afraid as before, eyes trembling the false hope faded. [color=maroon]"Kill them all..."[/color] Tormenting one ruthlessly carved the chest and stomach of the last child. Making sure the innards of the little girl poured on the cobblestones of the alley. Blood filled her clothes. She was very different woman than what most knew her as now. The screams of agony of the children only got more vigorous cutting, but not too fast.. she was sating her hunger to kill after all. Soon nothing but limp dead stare of horror remained of the girl. Corpse tossed like trash on the streets she looked around again and the voice in her head boomed once more [color=maroon]"You have done well... you will be the replacement necessary... yesss... in time... you... will be the chaos needed."[/color] [img]http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/Barmy_Sod/Coristia4.jpg[/img] [size0]Ignore the long hair! Otherwise fitting.[/size] Despite the earlier actions, tormented one didn't play for others desires and stated coldly. [color=crimson]"You're next.. if you'd like to show yourself."[/color] - [color=maroon]You will know in time... but I need something from you for now... this was a test. A test you passed. There is potential in you yet. - I will... observe. A while longer... and when the time comes... you will know me. - For now... rest... you have earned it.[/color] Tormented one didn't play like that and she spat the words annoyedly [color=crimson]"Get your own mortal to torment weakling. She's [i]mine![/i]"[/color] - however a sudden force she felt begged for difference and the tormenting ones was pushed away, she couldn't maintain control any longer. She held her forehead during the shift back to Coristia. Now it was Coristia standing there holding rapier. Rapier which had slain large group of children. Blood of them all over her, she was paralyzed, wept, stunned, confused. There was too much to feel to feel only one thing. The closest word to desribe her current feelings was [b]insanity[/b]. Her rapier dropped on one of the corpses and she paniced, stuttering incoherently trying to will it all away, but the nightmare seemed real, a final cry of despair launched at Sigil sky and... [/li]

She woke up. She was lying on the alley, except there were no corpses, her rapier was never pulled off, there was no blood... she simply had... fallen asleep? She was still breathing unevenly due to the terror she had just witnessed before, she wasn't sure... it had to have been real... but... drip... drip... drip on her hat and on her palm dropped small droplets of blood. Gravity had brought them down from something. She knew she'd have to look up. But she also knew she didn't want to look up. She took few steps away of the place they dripped... then forced herself to look.

A human child. Girl which looked much like herself. Crusified. Several nails impaled in the flesh. Message written on blood below her. "The light in the darkness is coming". This - was - real. She knew it... no longer a nightmare.. no longer a dream. She started to run away in panic once more, but halted... there was first one thing to do... she took out her sketchbook and quickly stored the scene into it. Tears flowing down her eyes, she was afraid, she hated herself, she wanted to leave... but also she couldn't read and it could be important... Aeron would know better. Quickly she sketched it and rushed away, not a moment too soon, for Harmonium flocked the scene after a moment.



What had started as a good day, ended in a nightmare, that had not yet ended...