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The Slip (Cheshire Smirk and Vivid)

Vivid Fizz

Vivid Fizz

Supernova
Joined
Oct 17, 2009
The day had been fairly boring. Piano forte lessons and singing lessons in the morning. In the afternoon she took tea with her father and his stuffy, overbearing friends. The ones that would pat her thigh and tell her how much she had grown while their eyes were locked on the cleft of her bosom. That evening was dedicated to a walk around the estate that encircled the beautiful and elaborate mansion that rested just outside of town.

Twilight streaked the sky; hues of pale turquoise that faded into sensual oranges near the mountains painted the borders of the horizon. The flowers were powerful and their scents mingled together to make a truly heady perfume. Any woman with a sensitive system would likely be brought to faint. Thank goodness that Lydia was a much more sensible girl than most of her gender. At least with that aspect she was. It was popular for a woman to be perceived as delicate and sickly. Most had even learned how to faint on command but Lydia had refused to learn. Though her father did make her learn a pathetic, dainty cough so she could use it when suitors were around. It seemed so false to her.

A wind blew and ruffled her hair. The long, silky black waves billowed softly behind her as she strolled. That evening she decided to wear it down, freed from the normal restraints that it was forced in to. This was a small act of defiance towards what was proper. No one would see it and it felt good to be completely unrestricted. This was her little world and no one could puncture it. These few minutes before dark were simply beautiful. She stood still and looked to the rolling hills, bright green eyes sparkling with the sight. The little light that was left was reflected on her pale skin and made it appear gold.

“Completely gorgeous,” she whispered. Her voice had a lyrical quality to it and had the faintest English accent in her soft tones. “I would not change this view for anything.”
 
"Yes...That one fits the master's description." Came a hushed whisper.

Sadly, this breath-taking view the young woman was enjoying would be her last on this plane of existence. A pair of wicked crimson eyes watched her from the nether-shadows between worlds. Another routine venture into the Inner Worlds, to abduct another fair lady. For but a brief second both predator and prey were transfixed by the dying shades of daylight, Earth truly did have the most beautiful sunset of all the cosmos.


With a shake of the head the demon returned to his senses and the task at hand, looking down to it's rather noisy companion. Barking, baying, and growling an infernal hound stood, both of it's mottled brown and red heads slavering intensely in anticipation of what was to come. Each head only one large, charcoal black eye and one long, broad curved ear. The front half of it's body was covered in shaggy, rust colored fur, it's hind quarters bright azure scales. At the top of each shoulder ran a row of long, thick bone white spikes. The ridges of the hellish beast's spine, barbed and bulging quivered anxiously as it's dinner-plate sized paws beat against the weathered stone of the narrow walkway the two stood on. A few eldritch words escaped the lips of the human sized demon.

A rift was torn between the spiritual crossroads and the Inner Worlds, invisible except to the trained eye. With a baleful howl the hound pounced out of the rift, landing snarling in front of the girl. As it landed dark green fire erupted along it's spine as great drops of a sticky, molten-red substance flew in specks from it's shaking jaws. Every bit of ground that was stained with the fell secretion burst aflame, leaving the girl surrounded by hellfire.


As the hound did it's work, the master went about setting the tethers. With a wave of the hand a long metallic shaft was conjured, a glowing silvery loop hanging from the top end. The demon worked the staff in great circles above it's head, that glowing silver rope stretching with every pass, almost like some kind of twisted shepherd's tool. Gradually the loop widened, though the ethereal tether was not quite strong enough to secure the girl yet.
 
Everything had happened so suddenly! A moment she was watching the sun setting and contemplating what the future held for her (probably some old, perverted husband and a sprawling estate very much like this one) and the next a beast of unbelievable appearance and ability appeared before her. It had shimmered from thin air and jumped towards her, causing her to fall backwards and throw her arms over her doll like face. Too terrified was she to scream, she could scarcely move because of this fear, however when a blazing heat surrounded her she dropped her arms. Fire! Instantly she pulled herself up, her heart was caught in her throat and beating madly. Pillars of fire surrounded her but, as they burnt and crackled, they threw off no other light; their radiance did not push the shadows of the garden away. It would not catch any attention.

Lydia was trapped! Large green eyes were even wider as she looked around desperately. There had to be a weakness that she could break through! There had to be a way to get away from this beast. Oh! Her father was right! She was of the devil and now he has come to pay his due! Well, Lydia thought as her eyes darted around, he won’t get her that easily! She faced all of the pillars of fire, trying to find a place she could bust through the flames.

She had not even noticed that there was a second beast there, lurking in the mists that connected their two worlds, ready to strike when he was ready. All she knew was the demonic dog and the raging fire around her. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face and she found the smallest of openings. If she rolled, she would surely get caught with some of the flames, but she would be free. In a desperate move she threw herself on the ground and rolled towards that small hole, wheezing because of the restrictive corset that kept her bound. Damn it!

Without being able to get to the small opening she pulled herself up and began shouting at the beast. She bent down and picked up some rocks, tossing them with as much strength as the slender girl could muster. “Get away from me!” she hollered. “Get off of my father’s land! You ratty little bastard!”
 
The demonic beast exhaled a gout of fire, cunningly aiming it so that the base of the cone would catch the projectile, but it's edges would go over Lydia's head. It knew very well that the Master did not appreciate even the slightest burn on it's pets. The rocks were reduced to small puffs of ash, leaving Lydia standing defenseless. The waiting hunter smirked as it looked up at the otherworldly tether. Now the cord was thick and sinuous, ready for use.

With a precise motion the demon whipped the staff forward, casting the tether into the other world. Like a lasso the loop went around Lydia's waist, and with a jerk it was pulled tight. The lurking demon gave wickedly forceful tugs, each motion shortening the rope and dragging Lydia closer to the portal.

When Lydia was under the sway of the otherworldly device she'd be able to clearly see the portal, and the creature that waited behind it. Whatever it was, it stood at about 6'3, it's body covered by a wispy black shroud that was as opaque as the darkest of nights. It's face was hidden behind a featureless ivory mask with a diagonal gash for a mouth and two sunken holes for eyes. It's haunting crimson eyes burned from behind the mask, reminding any who looked that the being behind the dead, gloomy mask was very much alive.


Meanwhile the hellish canine howled triumphantly as it continued to pounce forward and then retreat a few steps, doing it's best to provoke Lydia to fall so that she'd be easier to drag away. How did it feel, to be able to look at your captor, to be able to watch as you were dragged away from everything you'd come to know and love?
 
It did not feel very good at all. A scream, sharp and shrill, came from her as the fire was shot over her head and obliterated the rocks that could be used as cover. Thank goodness it hadn’t hit her! Black dots swam in front of her eyes and she let out a soft groan, placing a hand to her forehead. She felt as if she could faint! For the first time in her life she felt the urge to just black out. Yet somehow she kept her wits about her and managed to keep herself from darkness.

A second later the wind was knocked out of her; something had attached itself to her waist and pulled tightly about it. Each tug drew her further back and, as she came closer to the source, she let out another scream. What was that?! It looked like a human wearing a mask but she knew it was not. She fought desperately to be free of the tether but it did not work. The beast then charged her and she fell once more, easily being tugged the full way into the portal.

With a groan she landed close to her second tormentor. Now she was in that realm she could see the thing that had been used to corral her into that abyss. It was a silver loop which was connected to a silver pole that the masked beast was wearing. He towered over her and she attempted to scramble away but she was held fast. She kicked and thrashed, attempting to free herself but it was useless. Again she was stricken with the urge to faint but pushed it far from her; she needed her wits and she was not like most silly women.

“Let me go!” she snarled. “I don’t have any business with the Devil! I am a good, Christian girl!”

This had to be the work of Satan. Who else could it be? The fire, the demonic looking dog, this… this… thing had all looked as if they were strait from Hell!
 
"Satan...Christian? How delicious. You speak of non-existent powers little one."

Though the lips behind the mask moved, the creature made no sound. Lydia would hear it's whisper of a voice, like the lightest breeze over a grave inside her very mind. As the creature spoke it began to walk, dragging her along the smooth stone pathway. Should Lydia decide to take in her surroundings she'd find that the mysterious stone pathway they traversed along was simply...Floating. Floating amongst darkness and stars. Occasionally a flash would radiate forth from the darkness, temporarily illuminating some still-life mockery of life on another plane. The Pathways, that was where they were. The barren, empty space that separated the cosmos. The stone itself was feet thick, easily as tall as a man, the path wide enough for four horses to ride comfortably abreast. The stone, though polished along the edges was worn by millenia of traverse, scorch marks and claw marks, remnants of previous passersby.

"There is no escape, I've got your very soul until the master chooses to release it."


In a burst of black sparks the demonic hound that'd been trotting beside the two dissipated, leaving nothing but ominous, acrid fog in it's wake. Obviously the duration of the masked demon's summon had elapsed. Now, just two plodded along the pathway unto eternity, heading towards a distant land, a new world. However, for all it seemed the two were not alone. There were those who had learned to traverse the Pathways unseen, to lie lurking in wait until something, or someone of value passed by. Though of course, neither captor nor captured would have any way of knowing just what stalked in their footsteps.
 
All the way down the path Lydia struggled. Her long, black waves became a mess as she pulled and twisted. Once or twice she had landed on her backside and was dragged until she could regain her footing. The small, restrictive boots were killing her and her ankles were nearly broken every time he twisted her around. The leather tied so tightly gave her no give; she was lucky that she managed to pull out with just sprains. Her eyes closed she muttered something between her breath that would cause most sailors to blush.

“My very soul!” she exclaimed. “My soul does not belong to anybody. Least of all a demon who is trying to convince me there is no such thing as Heaven or Hell. ‘The devil’s greatest trick was convincing the world he never existed’.”

Did she really believe that this was the work of Satan? It was true that she did believe in the Bible and God to an extent but she had always thought that it was too easy to pin problems on a fallen angel. She imagined that Lucifer would have better things to do with his time then try to snatch up a little girl trying to steal cookies. Then again, here she was, being dragged along by something that was completely and utterly evil. She was sure of it.

“My father will notice I’m gone!”

While having sway on Earth, her father was no match for the beings of the Underworld. What sort of pull could make a beast stop in his tracks? Money and women were out of the question. This thing probably did not even have a discernable gender. Bright red spots stained her creamy complexion almost as soon as the words flew out of her mouth.

Then she felt something… odd. She looked around, tripping on her two feet as she did so. Nothing was around her but darkness but she had a distinct feeling that something was watching them.
 
((I'm feeling a little bit like a horror show right now, hence the intro. I do hope you enjoy it :> )

A second voice spoke from the back of the creature's head, A high, screeching sound almost like howling wind over jagged mountains. The ethereal sound hovered in the air, echoing out to a whisper before flowing back, the same sentence repeating over and over. With each word the shroud twisted, writhing as if thousands of snakes dwelt behind it's shade. Out from the depths of that strange garment came a second, bald head with a gaunt sunken face and a mouth that was not more than a diagonal slash hiding cracked and fragmented teeth. A pallid, scarred torso and eagle feathered wings came next, the half-being jutting out from just below the demon's shoulder blades. It's eyes were covered by a blood-stained cloth, though the indentations were eye-sockets would be were clearly focused on Lydia's face. With every syllable the creature thrashed, cackling wickedly in between words.

"Father? Your father! The mortal should be thankful that we only took his daughter!"

Then, as abruptly as the protrusion had appeared it vanished, that sinister shroud hanging as still and quiet as an ancient mire. If Lydia looked back she'd realize that she could only see about five feet behind her, anything past that point was completely obscured by swirling mist...Mist that had surely not been there just moments before. Intricate magics swiftly woven, hiding those that had been lurking outside of the pathways.
 
A sharp, shrill scream escaped her lips. She attempted to reel back to get away from the sight before her. A monster! This being was a monster and it was laughing at her! What else could that horrid sound be? Lydia had never seen anything like the creature before and it terrified her. For moments she merely cowered and let herself be pulled along by her captor. All of the color was drained from her face and, when she finally snapped out of her utter terror, she realized that tears were streaking down her cheeks.

In silence she walked, casting a look behind her every so often. That mist… it wasn’t there before. She wondered if the demon was paying attention to the world around them. Faster she padded so she was walking right beside him. Frightened eyes continued to scan the pathway.

“How long are we going to be on this path?” She asked. Her voice was such a pitch that it was likely painful to those with super sensitive hearing. “I just want to get where we’re going!”
 
"Does the unknown frighten you so?"

Now, the masked demon began to laugh. A low, deep rumble like moving earth. The masked face turned to look at Lydia, those smoldering pits staring straight at her, looking her in the face. Her fear, so tangible, so real was delicious. The thought of leaving her here to wander the pathways in horror for eternity was a tempting one...But no, the master would not allow that. He wanted this one, and it was this one that he'd have.

That fell mist darkened to conceal five bodies that lurked within it's depths. With every second that passed the lurking party came closer to being ready for the ambush. One amongst the five began to weave a second spell, one that would further the distractions. A disorienting incantation, one that would certainly better mask their approach.

A great cacaphony burst forth from the nothingness surrounding the Pathways, the thundering sound of a thousand hoof stampede. The noise came from no where and yet from everywhere, an echo of another realm rippling through the silence of the Pathways. The demon watched and waited, anxious to see how Lydia would adapt to this surreal limbo.
 
She screamed again. The sound of whatever was coming caused her to run but was kept fast by the damned silver loop. Without mercy it dug into her skin and she fell to the ground. It was with great difficulty that she pulled herself from the ground. Her eyes were wide and her body was shaking. Didn't that monster care that they were about to be attacked by those other horrid creatures waiting in the mists. She knew that something was waiting there!

Breath came in sharp and desperate breaths for her and soon no air could be pushed into her lungs. Black dots swam in front of her eyes. No. A hand came to her chest and she forced herself to breathe deeply. She would not succumb to her own emotions. Lydia Valencourt was not going to faint. Not now when it could mean her life. What if she was brought here as dinner for the beasts that had yet to show themselves?! This could have been some elaborate ritual and she was the sacrifice!

"What are you waiting for?!" she screamed at her captor. "Move! Before they are on us!"
 
(( I thought, since they were moving towards them at a hurried pace, they'd be visible. My mistake. Also, couldn't this have been PMed? Seems kinda useless and cluttery to do this here.

Edit: I edited the post to make sure they are still hidden.))
 
The demon roared with laughter at her fear, finding it delicious. Mortals, so pathetic, so easily shaken. Slowly the demon turned to face the encroaching mist, raising the staff it held as it turned. A few words barked in it's native tongue, an invocation of some sorts. As suddenly as the fog had appeared it vanished, revealing what looked to five humanoid figures. Two of the five were tall and slender, with fair skin, elongated ears, and faces hidden from the nose down by thick black mufflers. The third was short, it's head coming maybe up to the chest of your average height male, though it's body was stocky and barrel-chested. The fourth was perhaps the oddest of all five, a four-legged creature with the torso of a human male, but the body of a black stallion. The human body was covered in thick steel plating, face hidden behind a thick heavy iron helm. The centaur's legs were covered in black plating as well, aptly smithied to fit it's long, powerful legs.


But, it was the fifth that proved to be the aggressor. Just what the creature was couldn't be discerned as it's face was hidden in the depths of of a drawn hood, though a pair of smoldering topaz eyes could be seen glowing just above the fabric of a dark gray cowl. Height In one swift, practiced motion it raised a crossbow and loosed two bolts. The laughing demon couldn't react fast enough, and both bolts landed true.


A piercing screech split the air as the demon staggered back, shaking it's head fiercely to and fro, clutching at the staff that Lydia was bound to. The demon thrashed blindly, howling in a confused rage at the sudden pain. Though, there was one positive to this situation. Lydia would find that the silver cord had grown slack, and that she'd be able to distance herself about fifteen feet from the chaos, rather than find herself at risk to be thrown off balance by the twists, turns, and jerks of melee.


The demon's mask fell from it's face onto the cold stone of the Pathways, hellish artifact crumbling into dust almost immediately. Beneath the mask the demon was not but swirling shadow, except for those two piercing crimson eyes. It lunged forwards towards the attackers, propelling itself swiftly through the air with that staff raised high. A spike of bone burst forth from the staff, distorted spectral energy radiating out to the very tip of the spike so that the device now resembled a scythe.
 
Lydia ran as far as she could, only about fifteen feet, until she was met out with that mist again. She reeled back slightly, knowing that even putting a foot inside could be the end of her. A lump rose in her throat and she looked at the scene playing out. Five figures came from the mist and the her injured captor let out a horrid scream, using the staff as a weapon. A sickly blade grew from it and all she could do was watch in wonder.

Her emotions were torn about this new conflict. Part of her wanted to see that thing get torn limb by limb by those other monsters. He had tormented her and with him gone, she may be able to make some sort of mistake. But she knew that if they did she would likely have to face the five new adversaries and that would not end well.

The raven haired beauty could only watch and wait.
 
"SUFFER, MORTALS!"

The screech was otherworldly, erupting into existence from abrupt nothingness. The source of the voice was quickly revealed as the demon's other half slithered out from it's back, pasty corpse-pallid torso stretching as it rose and twisted like some nightmarish serpent until that ghoulish visage was staring down the newcomers. Both massive eagle-feathered wings were spread wide and pumping, giving further speed to the rushing demon.

A burst of vivid green flames spewed forth from just below the demon's right wing, hurled towards the opposing quintet. A lone arm, withered and sickly could be seen just behind the feathers of the right wing, working what was obviously the somatic parts of rapid incantations. All five victims hurled themselves out of the way, covering their heads as the fireball exploded, sending angry green sparks in all directions.

Two bolts flew back in response, both piercing through front half of the twin-demon's body before being engulfed by it's strange core of infernal shadow. The demon merely laughed at the retaliation, unable to be harmed by such mundane arms. With an echoing roar the demon lashed out with it's scythe, spectral blade slicing through the air just inches from the neck of one of the five combatants.
 
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