A Dark Pact (DonVoltonus and Dublin)

[Dublin]

The temple had seen better days. Crumbling ruins, hallways smothered in moss and grime. Even the faintest misstep would cause something to break away, and Leto was well aware that he'd need to tread lightly if he didn't want the crumbling temple to become his tomb. A young boy, only just barely sixteen, the mage slowly crept his way through the dank hallways. His robes, tattered from much travel, trailed behind him all the while he clutched a flickering lantern in his left hand. The light only just barely burning away at the thick darkness, dark blue eyes slowly flickered about as he went deep and deeper into the temple.

If he was caught, the punishment would be severe. Entry into the Temple of Yise was forbidden to all but the most prestigious of mages. Hidden deep within the southern forests, it was nearly impossible to find in the first place. Those who tried generally lost their way, or were devoured by the vicious beasts. Leto himself had reached the temple only through a stroke of luck, and after disassembling the wards that'd been put in place he'd plummeted into its depths. The rumors of what lurked within the temple were quite curious. Some spoke of a magical artifact, others of a literal mountain of coin. And while they may have bore little truth, it was impossible to doubt the fact that something incredibly lurked within the depths of the ruins. And Leto would find it, whatever it was.

A stray hand pushed the slightly smudged spectacles further up his nose, brushing away a strand of dark brown hair afterwards. He had to be close, he'd been wandering for what felt like hours.

Sure enough, just as the thought slipped through his mind, the young man would find himself slowing to a stop. Before him, the hallway would break away, revealing a massive chamber. The floor sloped downwards, the chamber floor bathed in a pool of water. Nose wrinkling, a small sigh would slip onto his lips. Well, his robe was already dirty enough...

With a slight splash, he'd lower himself into the pool. Wet clothing clinging to his lower half, the pool going up to his waist, he'd begin to wade forward. "Where are you..." He'd mumble beneath his breath, lantern held out. "Wait..."

Something caught his vision, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Moving forward a bit more, he'd hold out the lantern and watched as the dim beams fell across what laid in the center of the room. Gaze widening, heart skipping a beat, he'd nearly stumble back. "What in the world...!?"

 

[DonVoltonus]

In the center, suspended just above the pool, feet just shy of breaking the water, was a young man. He was dressed in ornate grey and black robes, with small areas of golden runes and trim. He wore matching grey gloves, of indiscernible material, and those two articles were all he wore. His smooth, ashen skinned chest was bared, and certain things could be seen in one looked up from below him, his non-magical undergarments having long since withered to dust with time. His black hair hung long down his back, and beside his face, appearing almost soaked with moisture. His crimson eyes still held life, though glazed over, and tilted slowly in the young mage's direction. Around his neck were two simple silver necklaces, very feminine in design, though they seemed fitting on his slender body.

He hung from chains, coming from the walls, the ceiling, even the floor, binding his wrists and suspending him in midair. Through his chest, and certainly through his heart, jutted a massive crystal, a deep ruby shade. It was obvious by the deep color, this was of magical origin, ancient blood magic, though certainly a crystal that size would require a sacrifice, every drop of blood one had would be needed for the massive spike through his back.