EU || A Test of Chaos

The trio were left alone after that. The haedians seemed to relish the moment, their eyes filled with glee and locked on the outsiders as they slunk away, one by one. The elder had waved them off to a little side cavern, one that was sparsely decorated. To say that it was decorated was a heavy understatement, as the most it had was a mat woven out of some sort of reeds in the corner and a tattered hide hanging over the wall. Damocles walked over to inspect it out of mild curiosity.

 “Well, that could have gone better,” Karyss remarked drily as she turned her gaze to the ceiling.

 “It could have gone much worse,” Prophet replied, her mouth drawn into a hard line, “Especially considering how full of blood lust they all looked.” She shuddered, “And I was hoping it would be a nice clan after the Keepers, too-”

 “We must make do with what we’ve got,” Damocles tilted his head as he continued studying the pelt, though didn’t turn around. “At the very least, we know they won’t kill us.”

 “I’m glad you’re so sure of that,” the red duve muttered. He shot her a glance over his shoulder, but said nothing otherwise.

 Karyss sat on the woven reeds, claws digging into them. They were worn, and had likely seen countless haedians pass through. It was likely they weren’t going to be the last ones that were thrown in here. She wrinkled her nose at them, rather lost in thought.

 “Look,” she spoke up, “I’m not happy about this whole situation, either. But if we want to do something, we’re going to need to come up with a plan.” Her eyes glinted, “I know I can take care of myself. Damocles, you can too. Prophet-” she hesitated.

 “I can take care of myself well enough,” she responded brusquely, “You don’t need to worry about me.”

 “I do,” Karyss snarled, “And you need to get it through that thick red skull of yours. Just because you went through something before that was kinda like this doesn’t mean you still got the skills! Besides, you weren’t even a fighter. You just did healing.”

 Her fur bristled, “Just.”

 Karyss looked apologetic for a single second. Just one, “You know what I mean. But it’s about strategy. Playing to what reoseans are- you know- good at. And we can fight. You can do your magic stuff.”

 The larger friese puller plodded over, looking rather contemplative, “She’s right, you know.”

 “Yes, I know,” Prophet grumbled, “But I don’t need to be happy about it.”

 He sighed, “What she speaks is truth. If we’re going to get out of here in mostly one piece, and on to meet the last clan, then we need to come up with some sort of battle plan. This isn’t like the Brutes, playing with mere stones. It’s quite possible she will draw blood.”

 “It’s a battle. It’s what we expect,” Karyss responded rather flatly, “But the problem is she’s used to this. We’re not. We need to be smart about it, you know?”

“Mm,” Damocles agreed, “ I will take offense, same as before. If it is a fair fight, either even or one foe, Karyss, I can count on you take advantage of any opportunities that arise from the side or flank?” 

 The blotched puller nodded, determined but no less uncomfortable about it. “Same as with the brutes, I’ll take my moments.” 

 “Good,” Damocles nodded. He didn’t want to utilize Karyss for battle, but he wanted to be prepared for whatever lies ahead of them. The brutes clan brushed dust off his old battle tactics, and with the current clan he had to truly be ready it felt like. No exchanging scrapes and bruises, Shira’s toothy grin was etched in his mind and it smelled of blood. 

 “Prophet, I have not seen you fight, but I trust you know your own capabilities. I don’t know how brutal the fight to come may be, but your healing will be an important aid.” 

 “You can count on it,” the red duve nodded with conviction. 

 Damocles hummed again. Karyss and Prophet exchanged some further comments on the possible encounter to come, but Damocles’ mind wandered and his eyes rose to the ceiling. It was so still here, the air stale with moisture and iron. He missed feeling the breeze on his hackles, hearing its voice travel alongside him. Now it was quiet. Maybe it was the depth, maybe it was the clan, or the lingering presence of Oris that was summoned so deep into these Haedians’ lives. Closing his eyes, he exhaled, recalling the past like it’d offer some peace to him in this time of uncertainty. Ichram had told him he was a fine fit to hear the Emperor’s call, and here he was. Back then, Damocles had groaned and argued over being set on this journey, but now he found himself ever curious, drawn to find the end. Not to mention the new company he’d grown to know and be rather fond of. To march into danger with them didn’t sit well with him. Looking at Karyss and Prophet, he let thoughts of home wander off his mind, steeling to face whatever was ahead, same as with the brutes. To protect his companions.

The quiet quickly begins to unnerve Karyss, hackles raising as she eyes the corners of the larger chamber. She only realizes something is wrong as the stone that had allowed them entrance began to close behind them, effectively trapping them in the sweltering room. It's then that she remembers the words of the Haedian before being sent their way. 

“Fuck,” she swears, erecting a shield around the group. It's only after she hisses from the heat on the ground that she covers their bubbles floor.

“A crucible.” Damocles growls, hackle raised as he looks around the chamber that slowly turned red. Karyss’ quick thinking had prevented them from literally burning alive.

Prophet sputtered as she collapsed on her behind, eyes wide as the situation then became clear. “I thought he meant a challenge. Walk through the challenge!”

“It is a challenge,” Karyss snorts derisively. “The challenge is to not burn alive—its a double meaning and we weren't expecting it. They praise Oris. While I don't like that they've put us through this, I'm not too surprised. It's chaos. It's a test.”

Damocles and Prophet stare at her for a few moments, making her uncomfortable before she groans. “I've lived on the streets long enough that Oris is occasionally around. One of his minor gods is Karma, so I had to grow up learning that actions had consequences and that everything happened for a reason.”

Karyss grunts as Damocles nods curtly while Prophet is more slow in her nod, unsure. Karyss slowly relaxes, looking through the arcane bubble and grimacing at the blue-tinged red that had filled the cavern. After a moment, she drags Prophet up, pushing her forward. “We still need to walk through. After that, we'll see where things go.”

Prophet grunts, sending Karyss a dirty look. “You didn't have to drag me up just to tell me that, you know.”

“And you shouldn't be hanging on to the words I say because I can and will speak my mind. I will offend you, but it's up to you to move on or not.” Karyss snarls, getting up in her face as her hackles raise.

“Ladies, ladies, you're both pretty.” Drawls Damocles sarcastically, eyes narrowing. “Get moving before we're trapped here because they believe we actually died.”