Inferno: the endless night outside of XS

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:: Brenthon continued on down the hallway, peering into different rooms, which seemed so eerie. If this was a scary movie, Brenthon would be the guy who had to go look for the person who left, only to find them dead and then be killed himself. He hoped this wasn't the situation. Titania was tough and a ball of fire, she could handle herself, but he wanted to make sure he didn't lose HER tonight if he had to lose Darkchilde. Brenthon didn't know Christy all that well, but since her ascension to Wraithood, he began to treat her just like family, and he didn't let go of family without a fight. ::

:: He continued down the halls until he heard undescribable noise coming from an excessively misty area of the hall. It sounded like metal on metal and began to grate Brenthon's hearing. He followed the sound, pacing along with the wall's to find his way as he came to a closed door with steam pouring from under the doorway. Brenthon tried to open the door, but it was locked. How typical. He cursed to himself in Romani before screaming out in rage and bashing through the door with his fists as the door. He was relieved to see the extremely pissed off but beautiful face of Titania. He reached his hand around and opened the door and winked somewhat, trying to keep his cool ::

"Nice to see you too, Christy!"

:: He looked at Christy's hand and saw one of her Darkness Athame's. She was ready for battle, but Brenthon couldn't figure out why, he tried to coax Christy out of it ::

"Christy, would you rather die alone or have a fighting chance with a bunch of people. Let's fight fire with fire Christy not Vengeance with Rage! Come on, we need to get out of here!"

:: Brenthon hoped that she would listen for once, even though she always seemed to do her own thing. If there was ever a RIGHT time to listen to Brenthon it was now ::
 
Ikaris stands firm as the branches attack Ororo and try to drag her out of the window.

"Ororo, its all an illusion, nothing here has the power to harm you if you refuse to submit to it. The Wraiths only have the power here that you are willing to give to them! They are trying to play to your fears. They don't have the power to truly do anything against you while still maintaining the psychic attack against Farrah. If they relent for even a moment, she will destroy them and they know it! Your will is the deciding factor here, don't give in to them if you want to live! Watch!"

Saying this to the mutant sorceress, Ikaris picks up a shard of the broken glass and runs it along his forearm. Where the skin should have been torn and bleeding, it remains unmarked. Ikaris hopes that he will get through to Ororo and that the others will understand as well. He sends the same information telepathically, trying to reach Ti, Brenthon and Karen as well but unsure of whether or not they would hear him.

Ikaris sends a broad telepathic message knowing the Wraiths will pick up on it.
**"Stupid Hags! Do you really think that after 7000 years, I would have learned nothing about the astral plane? I know the rules here and the only way you are going to be able to take me is if you stop the attack on the Darkchilde and the moment you do she will tear you into free floating atoms. Quite the dilemma you B!itches have here? Continue to attack Farrah and I will hunt you down, leave the attack to join against me and she will get you! Life's full of hard choices now isn't it?"**

Ikaris' tongue flicks out of his mouth to lick his upper lip almost as if he is tasting the air for the scent of the Wraiths. Gesturing almost absently, he sends shadows out seeking his foes.
 
<< Ororo began to panic.......trying to pull back from the choke hold of the writhing mammoth branches.......violent winds began to whip out through the first floor of the house as old, sheet covered chairs and other loose objects began hurling at the branches......but to now effect......she was being dragged....closer and closer to an oblivion outside the window.......as she shut her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth....she heard the strong voice of Ikaris.............hearing his words.....she had to center herself...she began to concentrate......thinking of her garden in LImbo and tranquility............after a few frightful moments.....the branches and gnarled tree simply vansihed...Ororo stumbled back a bit after resisting so hard.....and coughed as she rubbed her throat>>


Ororo: many thanks Ikaris.........this environment has unsettled me.......the manifestations are so...dark....so forbodding.......the wraiths are relentless in their assaults. they KNOW we are here.....as does Darkchilde....and they are playing on our deepest fears........this very house.........a warped version of Darkchilde's childhood home is a symbol of the perversion they have attempted to wrought in her mind......but she is strong....having resisted them thus far.

<< the house continued to make terribly loud, drawn out creaking sounds...as though it were slowly shift........the foot steps they heard earlier were drawing closer and closer....and for the moment..the environment seemed to settle as the dust and mist flowed around the old oriental rugs and the cob web ridden, sheet covered furniture..........>>

<< Ororo , Morpheus and Ikaris look at each other for a moment as the foot steps draw closer and closer.....coming from the hall way along the bottom side of the stair case that brenthon and titania had dissappeared up. the door from the side flings open........and the sound of a distressed woman.....trying to catch her breath and coughing can be heard.........its Karen.....her blouse had been ripped a bit but she seemed physically unharmed......she staggers down the hall and turns to her right .....looking through the arch way and seeing Ororo, Morph Ikaris...........she had a look of confusion and fear on her face ....as she ran to Ororo......and hugged her........Ororo embraced her>>

Karen: oh my god........Ororo.....it was awful......i ran into the house...and immediately fell through the floor and found myself in HELL..........it was like a boiler room......many levels....howling screams.....steam...a group of hell hounds spotted me.......i fought two of them off...but the other one seemed to phase through my attacks........i barely escaped him. ........this house..its where i raised farrah.......but it was NEVER like this. there was no boiler room......this area...it seemed never to end.........but i think i saw your friends......Titania and Brenthon as i was running. they are still there.......and I think Farrah is there too................i found this!

<< Karen holds up darkchilde's eldritch armour headdress......it has sorch marks on it and appears chipped in certain spots.....there is the faintest gleam to it even still>>

Ororo: ..........we saw her armour........falling down the stairs moments before titania rushed up. I do not know what has become of titania and brenthon....but if you saw them in the boiler room as well.......then all door ways in this house must lead there........everything we see is either some manifestation in Farrah's psyche that has been perverted by the wraiths.......or illusions. .

<< a sterephonic....incredily evil voice rings out in the air>>

Wraiths: meddling old hag.......you will REGRET trying to oppose us.......you and ALL your pathetic striplings that you have brought for us to slaughter. We have already killed Titania and Brenthon...........and we will enjoy sucking the marrow from your bones ..........once we destroy the Darkchilde and her world..........

<< a black writhing cloudlike manifestation begans to flow from the kitchen...........travleling through the dining room covering the large buffet table and all therein as it comes toward Ororo, Ikaris, Morph and Karen>>

suddenly........with a large, sound of moving rusted metal.......a large metal door appears.......in mid air.........and slowly opens.......revealing an enclosed area with a grated spiral stair case.....orange flickers , and the sound of steam, rushing water and pipes settling indicate this is a path to that same boiler room......


Darkchilde: help me..............please...... help me!

<< it was DC's voice to be sure..........the tone was the same but it was so weak......she sound hurt....exhausted..........audible sounds of her voice could be heard.....along with the sounds of bubbling liquid....it sound as though she were drowning.......>>

Karen: thats HER.....thats my baby! she's given us a path to her.........

Ororo: then we must go. may the goddess protect us all.

<< she takes Karen's hand...and sweeps her cape back.....with her other hand...she raises the hem of her dress slightly as she steps up onto the landing.......with Karen along side her....followed by Ikaris and Morpheus....and once inside.....the door slams shut..........one scene gives way to another as they are now in the large, seemingly endless labyrinth style boiler room.........the rusted large pipes.....the steam blasting out from random places......the rushing water....and other sounds of movement within the massive labyrinth began to form a sort of machanic rhythm..........as the four individuals look down the stair case and look out upon the endless expanse........they realize they are now truly within the lair the wraiths set up in DC's mind.........their presence is all around as sounds of screams can be heard.....the screams of those murdered by the wraiths in years past.........there are audio replays of Darkchilde's screams and sounds of her battle with the wraiths from years past and present.........>>

Ororo: ..........look what they have done to her mind.......look at the pain they have caused.....

<< she shakes her head and snaps out of her maternal feelings.....seeing that Karen has her hand over her mouth as she looks out into this industrial hell with disbelief. >>

we must make our way down the stair case........everyone be cautious......and stay together. the subtle ominous rhythm of the steam spouts, water drops, mechanical movements and such continue to play the beat of doom in the air as Ororo cautiously leads them down the long spiral stair case. far across the way .....on a higher level still. Titania and Brenthon realize they are trapped in the boiler room.......but Brenthon now can sense Karen and the others clearly........they are now all in the same environment..........just incredibly far apart. He realizes now...that the shadow that Titania saw when she first arrived...was that of Karen running past.......and that the massive wolf that came barging out of the door.....was one of the monster hounds that she had fought off...........things were starting to come together......and at least they were all OUT of that hellish house.>>
 
Ikaris smiles grimly as Ororo is freed from the tree's branches and helps her to stand. Things begin to come back together as Karen is returned to them, now they only need to find Brenthon and Titania. He stands ready as the dark portal appears before them, ready to turn any attacking spells back upon the Wraiths. As they enter the boiler room, Ikaris knows that time is running out for everyone. Ikaris' power is continuing to fade, Farrah is slowly losing her battle against the Wraiths and should she lose, Ikaris was unsure whether or not the others would be able to retreat from the recesses of Farrah's mind before being consumed. If they weren't able to then at best, the Wraiths would render them all brain dead. At worst, they would have control of some of the most powerful members of the MoE.
 
:: As the group made their way down the spiral staircase to the massive labyrinth-like boiler room, the many different screams throughout the lair begin to unnerve Morpheus as he grows more impatient with each passing moment. It sickened him to know that as long as he could not find Darkchilde, that she would remain in pain and it only further fueled his rage. Electrical shards of energy began to surround his body, showing an outward manifestation of his growing anger. Morpheus gritted his teeth as he looked around at the nearest open path... ::

"That's it, I dont have time for this shit! Farrah, Im coming!!"

:: Just as Morpheus began to charge right into the labyrinth, a massive hell hound, one of the largest ever encountered by the group, phased out of nowhere and delivered a massive tackle from Morpheus' right side, landing on top of him as the creature began to claw at him. Morpheus struggles greatly but still managed to get hold of the creature's claws. As the creature attempts to bite him, Morpheus manages to slightly slide to his left under the creature, as it just misses biting his neck, only to have it's massive fangs sink into Morpheus' right shoulder. He screams out in pain and anger... ::

"AGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"

:: Morpheus grits his teeth in pain as the creature rapidly shakes his head around, attempting to rip the titan's massive arm off. But the titan determined to keep his limbs, lets go of the creature's claw in his left hand and delivers a sharp punch to the hell hound's temple, forcing it to let go of it's lockjaw on his shoulder. Then all in one motion, he grabs it's throat with his left hand and concentrating through the pain, Morpheus delivers a massive punch with his right fist, sending the creature flying back into a large pipe, bending it and sending steam in multiple directions. Morpheus' springboards to his feet, a look of primal rage in his eyes, his shoulder screaming out in pain as his own blood flows down his arm. The creature begins to recover, shaking the effects of Morpheus' punch off. Morpheus knows that he would have to be careful for he didnt have much space nor lighting to have a straight-up fight with the creature. Morpheus wanting to end it quick, sends two massive blue-glowing electric bolts at the creature. ::

"Yeah, get your ass up big ugly, I got some more where that came from!! You wanna chew on something, chew on this!!"

:: The attack is impressive as the creature leaps at Morpheus covering the short distance between the two, phasing through the lightning attack... ::

"What?! Impossible!!!"

:: Morpheus realized he has no time to ponder why the creature was unaffected by his attacks, leaps backward, intentionally landing on his back with his hands slightly above his head, pressing on the ground, readying himself to spring back up as his legs fold up, pushing the creature over his head, flipping it onto it's back. Then Morpheus' with his deceptive agility, springboards back onto his feet and quickly whips around to face the creature. He sends more electric blasts at the creature as it struggles to it's feet. But the creature still remains unharmed... ::

(This is bullshit!! That would've fried anybody to a crisp!!)
 
::Ti turned quickly at the sound of a door being BROKEN IN... she yanked her Athame free of the pipe... and crouched slightly in wait... as soon as Brenthon enters, Ti springs forward, clipping him in the forehead with the handle of her Athame, forcing herself into him, her elbow connecting solidly with his larynx... she kept moving, making him move backwards until the hit the wall, which isnt really a wall at all.... just a barricade of pipes big and small... her hand to his forehead, she slams the back of his head against the pipe behind him so hard, they BOTH had the sound ringing in their ears, though Brenthon was the only one seeing stars... Ti has a delirious smile on her face, as she pinned Brenthon against the 'wall'.... a wild look in her eyes, as she stares straight into his... her nearly orange hair is slightly sticking to her head, in a disheveled manner, a little damp from the humidity... her entire appearence is haphazard... she's still in her clubbing clothes, which are both dirtied and torn in some places....::

"Well HELLS BELLS! lookie who we have here... didja REALLY think i was that dense? give me some credit ladies.... so, which one are you? the no-so-bright one, obviously, being the first one to pop in and visit me... Now. Before I kill you.... a question... why Brenthon? I mean, of EVERYBODY you could've chosen from... why him? Granted, he's a hot son of a bi+ch.... but i'm seeing someone, so that's void. He's a nice guy, really, but we aren't that close.... why not Farrah? Paris? Julian? Riana? what? you think because i'm a hot-blooded woman i might be hesistant to kill Brenthon? Haha... watch me! get out of here? you want me to leave? come with you? let you lead me away somewhere? SURE.... lets go.... hell, i'll even BEND OVER fo' ya... HA.... show some intelligence.... the REAL Brenthon would know that i won't leave without Farrah... WHERE IS SHE??"

::Ti began to apply pressure with her elbow, strangling Brenthon, waiting to be answered... it never occurs to her that this might be the real Brenthon...::
 
:: Riana was trying to come to grip with everything that was going on around her... she felt so much it was almost over powering her, looking around she tried to focus on Farrah.. she knew she was around here she felt her in every fiber of her body, looking at the others she took a deep breath before turning to Ororo ::

"Okay tell me what can I do.."

:: Her eyes glowing a bright blue the elemental could feel the strenght of the water inside her build, she was ready to face whatever was coming and no matter what she would fight to save Farrah even if it mend she would be killed herself ::
 
:: He thought for a moment Christy would listen to him, but he should have known better. After his ass got royally kicked by the Rage Demon as he was pressed against the wall, being choked, Brenthon had to think of how to get Christy to know it was him ::

:: Christy was being a raving lunatic. Screaming and yelling and acting all tough. She definitely was the Ghetto Wraith of the group. As she pressed on his neck with her Elbow, Brenthon grabbed hold of her wrist, releasing a blast of psychic energy. She was weak in the mind from the night's events and if there was anytime to use your mental powers to your advantage, it was now. As Christy staggered back, he raised his Empathic Shield ::

"Christy, honey, don't take this the wrong way but your being a lunatic.. I mean seriously come on... your right, why would a Wraith be so stupid to send ME after you? Maybe because it ACTUALLY IS ME? I mean get some sense girl"

:: The words were a little harsh but Brenthon could go all night if he had to with Christy, they needed to be together for the sake of Darkchilde. He would knock her out and drag her kicking and screaming if he had to, whatever he needed to make sure that his "dire" premonition did not come to life ::

:: Brenthon stood grounded. He was ready for the Demon this time, if she chose to fight him. ::
 
Ikaris sees the hound attack Morpheus and watches as it shrugs off his attacks. He makes a movement as if to attack the creature himself before realizing that following his instincts is playing into the Wraith's game.

"Morpheus! Remember this is the astral plane, not reality. Your will is your greatest power here. You aren't damaging this thing because it doesn't believe you can! Your belief has to be stronger than its. The hounds are little better than dogs, it thinks that its mistresses will protect it. Show the mongrel just how wrong it is! If this thing can beat you then you Don't deserve Darkchilde! Stop playing around and kill it! "
 
<< Ororo watched with intent as Morpheus lost himself in frustration and rage...........knowing that Ikaris was right. if Morpheus COULDNT make the critical adjustment needed to triumph over the monsters in this astral plane...he would be utterly useless in the battle to save Darkchilde.....she knew that Ikaris could reach Morpheus.......prodding him in his "unique" way.......to bring out that part of him that was needed in order to triumph of this creature.......she held back her response as she held Karen's hand.................Karen was reaching out...trying to sense her daughter..........amidst the errie rhythm created by the spouting steam....large machine movements....and other sounds in the boiler room, there were orange flickers of light far off in the distance...it was truly a labyrinth...an industrial hell........and the temperatures reflected that. Ororo and Riana would be the ones least affected by the humdity... and "inferno" that broiled all around them........>>

<< Karen continued to concentrate.....ignoring the commotion of the fight between Morpheus and the hell hound................she finally gasped with a start and seemed to be electrified by a jolt of energy>>

Karen: I've found her..............she's badly hurt.............but i've found her!!!

<< she began to rush down the stairs.....slightly pulling Ororo with her......as Ikaris and Riana followed closely behind>>

Ororo: Dr. Victoria....are you certain? this scene before us could change at any moment. If you have found your daughter...the Wraiths proably sense it too.

<< believing Titania and Brenthon had been lost............Ororo breathed deeply as she allowed Karen to lead them forward.........down the stairs and to the level where Morpheus was battling the hellhound......>>

<< Karen wasted no time in blasting the Hellhound with a "chaos blast" of wild elemental energy.........>>

Karen: Morpheus.....i've FOUND her. now HELP ME......help me rescue her!

<< Karen ran with such speed....with Ororo right behind her and the others following.......they seemed to cover much ground turning corners....descending more levels...moving deeper and deeper into the heart of the seemingly endless boiler room....spouts of steam startled them occasionally...............soon they were deep within the lair....on the ultimate GROUND level.........where the ground was wet...with puddles.......mammoth pipes that stretched high and curved ....pressure machines of all sorts.....and blast furnaces that shot out black flames......all of them....even Morpheus were dwarfed by the immense industrial structures that towered high above them all around them...........growling sounds could be heard in the air...........Karen looked around frantically..........there was a path....that seemed slightly enclosed by warped pipes...they were jagged with spikes jutting out all around them..........she looked back at Ororo who nodded......Ororo motioned for Morpheus to bring up the rear...with she and ikaris right behind Karen and Riana in front of Morpheus>>

Ororo: Lead us to her, Dr. Victoria.....her salvation depends on you finding her......Goddess grant we have the power to free her from the hold of these vapid creatures.

<< they begin the journey through this...narrow....darkened path.......a cold feeling washes over them all.....as the sound of low rumbling thunder is heard........the sounds othe boiler room began to fade as an eerie silence is now the only thing in the air..............the journey is a long one.......Karen lights the way with a flare from a halo around her hand. Ororo......begans to feel the closeness of the path and the nature goddess begans to show sings of discomfort.............her claustrophobia.....such a primal part of being that even her time in Limbo could not erase that deep seeded fear.>>
 
:: Looking at Ororo and the others for a moment, Riana followed closely behind, her blue eyes aware of anything going on around her.. the air was hot and humid but this didn't affect Riana very much her own cool body temperature quickly adapting to this ::

"Karen.. I can sense her too.. she's close but indeed in pain.. we must act quickly Farrah needs us badly..."

:: Riana's eyes began to glow a bright blue as she walked on behind the others.. ::
 
:: Morpheus who had been in a great struggle with the hell hound, delivers a jumping roundhouse kick to the creature who had leapt at him, sending it flying back into a large structure, before hitting the ground with a sickening thud. As the creature slowly recovered, Morpheus let the words of Ikaris sink in, to believe in himself and that he could defeat this creature. Morpheus calmed himself and breathed in and out, concentrating on summoning his inner energy. The pain in his shoulder seemed to subside a bit with his concentration. He waved both hands slowly in a circle, each going to opposite way until the met in the center where he brought both hands back. As he brought his hands together at his right side, a blue glowing energy blast began to charge in his hands. The blast began to glow white as he was going to put more energy than usual. The creature recovers to its feet and sets to attack Morpheus once more, as he stands ready to fire his blast... ::

"Yeah that's it, come on. It's over for you...

:: The titan recalled a technique called the Kamehameha Wave made famous by one of China's greatest martial artist, Kame Roshi, he thought this would be the perfect time to use it... ::

"KAAAAAA MEEEEEEE HAAAAAAA MEEEEEEE...!!!!!

:: Just before Morpheus fired the blast, the creature all of a sudden was struck by an elemental blast from behind as the creature exploded into vanishing sparkles that lit up the small area. ::

"What the...?"

:: Morpheus lowered his blast as he realized it was Dr. Victoria who was responsible for the attack. ::

"Well thanks a lot Ms. Victoria, I was just about to finish that... "

:: But she interrupts him informing that she had a lock on Darkchilde and that she needed his help in rescuing her. The titan's mood changed quickly to that of urgency as Ororo had him bring up the group's rear. Morpheus backpeddled behind the group, making sure no future surprises from the wraiths would get the jump on them as he held out his hands, palms out and glowing with blue electrical shards of energy. Morpheus could not help but to become a bit edgey in the midst of the dark narrow path they began to head down. He noticed Lady Ororo's obvious discomfort and turned to her... ::

"Lady Ororo, are you alright my lady?"
 
Originally posted by Brenthon
:: He thought for a moment Christy would listen to him, but he should have known better. After his ass got royally kicked by the Rage Demon as he was pressed against the wall, being choked, Brenthon had to think of how to get Christy to know it was him ::

:: Christy was being a raving lunatic. Screaming and yelling and acting all tough. She definitely was the Ghetto Wraith of the group. As she pressed on his neck with her Elbow, Brenthon grabbed hold of her wrist, releasing a blast of psychic energy. She was weak in the mind from the night's events and if there was anytime to use your mental powers to your advantage, it was now. As Christy staggered back, he raised his Empathic Shield ::

"Christy, honey, don't take this the wrong way but your being a lunatic.. I mean seriously come on... your right, why would a Wraith be so stupid to send ME after you? Maybe because it ACTUALLY IS ME? I mean get some sense girl"

:: The words were a little harsh but Brenthon could go all night if he had to with Christy, they needed to be together for the sake of Darkchilde. He would knock her out and drag her kicking and screaming if he had to, whatever he needed to make sure that his "dire" premonition did not come to life ::

:: Brenthon stood grounded. He was ready for the Demon this time, if she chose to fight him. ::
Click to expand...

::Ti felt a sudden sharp head pain... it reminded her of earlier when they were outside XS... she gritted her teeth, releasing Brenthon and clutching her head, stumbling backwards and groaning... when it subsided, she looked up, listening to his words.... she was growing too weary to be her normal stubborn self... she was hot and sweating... her clothes were sticking to her body and it made for a most uncomfortable feeling... and she wanted more than anything to find Farrah and go home...it crossed her mind that perhaps he was lying... when she thought about it... of COURSE they would disguise theirselves as Brenthon... he was the most unlikely character... Ti was about to speak up... but she stopped herself... she could sense a burning desire in him... she could feel that he wanted to save DC as much as she did... she ran her fingers through her damp hair.... looking at him...::

"Ok lets just pretend.... for a fraction of a second... that you are who you say you are... can you take me to Dr. Victoria? She's the only one who's going to be able to find Farrah..."
 
:: Brenthon was rolling his eyes at Christy's lavish and intangible thoughts. She was literally going crazy. He looked at her with sincere eyes and spoke in an eloquent manner, hoping the Demon would listen for once in her life ::

"I had a premonition when we came here but before I could do anything, Karen was gone.. Darkchilde was in some kind of black vortex thing and Karen was trying to pull them out. I saw them die Christy. We are all key in making sure that my premonition DOESN'T come true.. because I don't know what I will do without her..."

:: Brenthon grabbed Christy by the arm, catching her offguard as halos of psionic energy appeared around Brenthon's hand, Christy was pulled into the same Premonition as Brenthon was at their arrival. She was beginning to see everything, the vortex, Darkchilde, Karen and their deaths. As the vision ended Christy was abruptly ripped from it, tears streaming down her face. The gypsy gave her a stare, hoping this was proof enough. ::

"I think I might be able to sense them, figure out where they are. If I cast out my senses, I can perform somewhat of a mental radar on the area, and see if I pick up on any traces of their magick or of Ororo's or the others.. Then we can move through the shadows, it's the safest, the Wraiths can't get us there... Now are you willing to trust me, cause Christy I know we ain't close and the last thing you want is to be on an adventure with some whiny empathic gypsy like me, but you have no choice, come with me..."

:: He extended his hand awaiting her response to him. ::
 
<< Ororo pressed on ahead.....her eyes closed tightly for a moment as she took deep breaths....though this was the astral plane.....her psyche was so deeply implanted with the fear of enclosed spaces....that even after all this time....she was still effected by it............touching her head to her fore head....she began to slacken her pace...as she started breathing more rapidly..... Morpheus reached for her ...expressing concern....she slowly looked over to him...her silky , silver hair having fallen forward a bit and covered her face, she moved it back>>

Ororo: I.....i had forgotten how........uncomfortable this can be for me. but i MUST not let it stop me from forging ahead........my claustrophobia need not put you all at risk......

<< unintentionally.... Ororo grabbed hold of Morpheus' hand......she needed someone to help her through this. as strong as she was...she was NOT inhuman...and her deep seeded fear was now growing each passing moment.... Riana stepped infront of Ororo and Morpheus.....to walk beside Ikaris .....and once more they continued on their way. frightful moments passed.....Ororo was trembling....as the space seemed to get smaller and smaller.....and screams began to fill the air.........not Darkchilde's screams....but wailings of spirits of those long slain by the Wraiths......the tunnel was suddenly illuminated............they found themselves in a large circular room......it was definately extension of the boiler room.....but darker.....with openings along the ceiling...where white lights beamed through............but something far worse greeted them. Ororo was barely beginning to recover from the walk through the long tunnel.....as she saw Karen staggersbackwards in shock......chains....hung down from the ceiling.....with large hooks.....and on those hooks.....were bodies.......decayed bodies.....of the X-men.....the X-men who Ororo once lead....who died in Limbo all those years ago in attempt to save another time line alternate of Farrah.......Wolverine...ShadowCat, NightCrawler, Colosuss.....as well as the "bodies" of Titania, Brenthon, and Elektra hung....swaying eeriely in the oddly lit, circular room with the grated floor and rusted circular walls.>>

<< the Wraiths were close............VERY close...and so was Darkchilde........Ororo staggered back as well....placing her hand over mouth as an exclamation of shock and grief came from her lips..........there they were...the X-men whom she had lead......and watched die...one by one at the hands of belasco in the nighmares of Limbo.....and now.......it APPEARED as though Titania , Brenthon and Elektra had been destroyed as well.....>>

Wraiths: behold the fate that awaits you...should you continue to aid the weather witch.......she lead her supposed "beloved X-men" to Limbo once before.....to save her precious Farrahhhhh....and they DIED while SHE survived.....teaching Farrah in the ways of arcane magick......and now....she leads you all down the same path of destruction....do you wish to share the fate of HER X-men? Titania, Brenthon and Elektra have already fallen......WHO among you will be next? just let us take what is rightfully ours!

<< bodies began to writhe......as their ghostly voices began to speak>>

Ororoooooooooo........we trusted you.......we loved you.......we fought for you...beside you.......we DIED while you yet lived.....you betrayed us...abandonned us to the hell of Limbo..........there's a place for you here with us......join us!

<< they all began to reach out and POINT to Ororo......as blood began to drip down from walls around the circular boiler room cabin...........steam began to rise up from the floor as the walls began to close in............>>

Ororo: no..........NO!!......this cannot BE!.................NOOOO!!

<< Ororo was beginning to panic as she backed away....backing into the wall....and screaming with pain....grief and terror....thunder rumbled out in the air above.....the wraiths played on her deepes fears and regrets.......and it appeared the plan was beginning to work......as the steam rose up around them and walls began to make that terrifying sound of mechanical movement as they closed in............tentacles reached up from the floor and began to latch on to Karen......pulling her by her arms and legs in two directions......causing her to cry out in pain. The Wraiths laughter filled the air......Ikaris..who had become centered since before the arrived in the boiler room...could clearly sense his former pupil's presense near by. it was faint..but distinct. she was badly hurt ..and the Wraiths were getting desperate. masking their own fear with this terribly cruel attempt against Ororo and Karen. The tentacles began to glow.......the Wraiths....were now attempting to drain Karen of her own psychic energy....her life force.... hoping to render her inert and leave her unable to return to the physical reality. >>

<< Darkchilde...was nearby....just beyond the "walls" in fact....but the Wraiths would now do ANYTHING to stop them fron reach her....... the intense flash of Panic from Ororo registered with the REAL Brenthon..as did the screams of pain from Karen.....he now could lock on to them and he, along with the REAL titania could get to their friends....and prepare for the final showdown. >>
 
:: As the reached the room Riana looked around her eyes growing big, she placed a hand across her mouth and swallowed hard trying to push back the acid raising in her stomach ::

"OMG this is terible.. Lady Ororo.. please this is just an illusion it's not real"

:: Tears ran down her face as she looked at all the bodies around her, the bodies of her sister and her close friends.. she took another deep breath and reached out for the hand of Ikaris taking it into hers she squeezed it tight.. this was to much she needed the strength of another being to help her trough this ::

"Noooo this is not real.. not real.. I can tell it's not.. but yet it feels so... much pain... so much.. noooo please make it stop"

:: Riana dropped to her knees the pain in the room becoming to much for her to bare.. her blonde hair turning light blue as her elemental form took over trying to give her the strength she needed to fight this.. a thin layer of ice formed on her skin as the DW concentrated on fighting the pain inside her.. she knew she had to be strong, ice began to form all around her crawling over the floors towards the others.. covering the walls like a shield, suddenly Riana stood up her eyes glowing a bright blue she looked taller and stronger then the ever did before ::

OKAY ENOUGHHHHH, NO MORE OF THIS..

:: Rays of pure light began to form around her as all the anger she was feeling came out knocking down the walls around them, the hooks began to fall from the ceiling as the bodies froze over and disappeared beneath the ice, large cracks formed in the building showing what was outside the room.. ::

"Their near... all of them are near... we must find them NOW..."

:: Turning towards the others she began to levitate above the ground, they had never seen Riana this way.. the power was flowing of her like waves, moving towards Ororo she took hold of the other womans hands channeling her powers she looked her in the eyes ::

"I know you feel them too... I know all of you do.. it's time.. time to knock down these walls.. the walls that are hiding what is really going on in here.. not what THEY want us to believe.."

:: Turning to Morpheus and Ikaris she nodded before she once again spoke ::

"It's time... let us fight them if they want.. I'm ready no more of this BS... no more of this pain... I'm ready"
 
<< Riana's fierce counter attack worked wonders....smashing through the "walls of the boiler room" and shattering the psychic illusion.....the screams were silenced and the "bodies" of the long deceased X-men of Ororo's past disappeared........the chaos was halted for the momenet....as they were now in a dark space.....no walls.......no definable borders of any kind....just a dark...endless space...... having nearly lost her mind in panic from the walls that were closing in on her.....suddenly they were gone and Ororo dropped to her knees.....that last mental onslaught......was so personal...so cruel..that even one as strong and wise as SHE was unnerved. she wept....the memories of her beloved X-men, their fateful trip to limbo to save Farrah......their horrible , lingering and painful deaths....still so fresh in her mindafter all these years...the pain of their loss and her inability to save them at that time......as she herself was slowly consumed by the darkness of Belasco's temptation. she felt so wretched as she wept........Ikaris, Riana and Morpheus KNEW that what had just happened had been incredibly rough on Ororo.......they needed to help her back........for Darkchilde would need her....ALL of them.>>


<< Karen.....who had been freed by Riana was physically unharmed....just a bit sore from being stretched so forcefully by the tentacles. she let a small sigh of relief escape her lips as she looked upon Ororo......she felt so awful for her....KNOWING the pain of loss and regret herself as she had not been there for her daughter all these years.......though it was due to spell being placed on her by darkchilde for her protection....she blamed herself for all of this.....wishing she had been there at the start....and thinking that some how she could have averted this tragedy.........she walked forward slowly.....and knelt down beside Ororo.......and took her in her arms.....and held her.>>

Karen: Thank you Riana....you saved us!

...these creatures..they Wraiths......they know no bounds. They hurt Ororo in the worst way........opening such personal wounds in her psyche, her claustrophobia is as primal a force in her mind as FIRE is to the universe....that in combination of such terrifying and warped manifestations of her loved ones...those that died all those years back...it all proved nearly to be too much for her...................she needs time.......I know how she feels....

<< she bows her head in shame>>

I feel like this is ALL my fault. I was not there for my daughter all these years...i didnt know......but im a sorceress... i shouldve been able to sense....feel SOMETHING. I ....I wasnt there for her like i shouldve been. and all of you......risking your lives..suffering through this ....unimaginable nightmare......
We've already lost Brenthon and Titania.................

<< Karen was beginning to crack......the nightmare they had all been enduring was beginning to take its toll...they were ALL drawing on reserves of energy......but such a prolonged absense from their bodies was beginning to take its toll mentally.>>

<< Looking to Ikaris>>

I sense my daughter....she is here....on this plane of what passes for reality in her mind....but she is still cloaked.....and there are other VERY malevolent patterns here.......flowing like shadows......Do we have a chance? can we truly save my daughter and get out of this nightmare?? or are we just playing into the Wraith's trap?
 
Ikaris grows concerned as Ororo stumbles under the onslaught of the Wraiths attack. Ororo would be key to helping defeat the Wraiths, they couldn't afford to have her crippled emotionally if they expected to survive this. Deciding on spending some of his fading power, Ikaris kneels by Ororo's side, reaching a hand out to caress her forehead and to brush lightly over her closed eyes.

"As I see, now so shall you. In this place where the veils grow thin, let our vision and wills be twinned."

Ikaris' spell reaches out to Ororo, allowing her to see things as he does, the illusion of the boiler room being pushed back so that it seems to be less enclosing and threatening. It gains an almost transparent state at times as Ororo catches glimpses of what truly lies beneath the horrid atmosphere the Wraiths have created. As their wills become more entwined, Ororo also begins feeling a greater desire to destroy the Wraiths as Ikaris' desire for revenge makes itself known to the mutant as if it were her own. She wants the Wraiths to pay for all they have done!
 
:: Moving closer to Karen, Riana set foot on the ground again.. her long hair flowing around her like water she pulled the older woman in a tight hug giving her some of her strength ::

"You don't have to thank me... Farrah is like a sister to me.. her strength pulled me trough a number of times.. now it's my time to repay her.. as well as the other people around us.. we all owe her so much.."

:: Looking towards Ikaris and Ororo as Ikaris performed his spell she faintly smilled and pulled back from Karen ::

"We must fight together in this.. once Brenthon and Ti are with us again.. we shall continue and send those damn Wraiths back to the hell they came from.. and make sure that next time they WON'T be able to come out.. not as long as I am around"

:: Looking at Morpheus she smiled at him ::

"You okay hun?.. I know this has been very tough on you as well.. "

:: Placing a cool hand on his arm she began to heal his wounds ::
 
:: In the midst of waiting for Titania to respond, a flash of pain and pure panic rushed over Brenthon, he was picking up visions. The room was closing in on him. He looked up, hanging from hooks were fallen X-Men and Himself and Titania! Brenthon shook himself from the vision and looked at Christy. He rolled his eyes at her tenacity. ::

"Ok.. we DON'T have time for this.. Sorry Christy.. I will bring you back later! Forgive Me!"

:: Brenthon placed his hand on Christy's forehead, using his telepathic powers to mentally "sedate" her and placing her in a state of being that didn't allow her to make her normal struggles, in fact she was in a zombie like state. Brenthon picked her up in his arms, and fell through one of the many shadows cast upon the floor. He cast out his senses to mentally scan the area, picking up on the fear, on Ororo, whom he knew was claustrophobic, the fear had to come from her, which meant they were in trouble, suddenly from within the shadows he saw a cluster of life forces, one dark green, the rest in assorted colors. He jumped through and came through Ororo's shadow, somewhat startling her but relieving the others. Brenthon sat Christy down on the floor and pressed his hand on her forehead once more, waking her up. He looked to Karen as if he knew what she was saying ::

"I sense her too.. I think it's real, it doesn't have that sense of... falseness you know? It's too real..."
 
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