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Post by elesette on Dec 16, 2014 20:32:50 GMT -5
"Echoes of Pandora"
The Final Fight : Cain Vs. Vasska
As the subtle rain that fell before turned to storm, the ice surrounding his former opponent began to melt. A gentle steam rose up from the surface as the warmer sky-water continued to hit it, and the horse concealed with in it, and Vasska could only stare through the veil that had formed with a disappointed gaze. He might have been enraged, but it had come apparent to him that he was getting nowhere with the spotted Bachelor stallion. He would have to give up on his interrogation if he even dreamed of finding the new bachelor leader. The king's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "You've made a very bad choice Bachelor..." he scoffed, "Because when I find your leader, He'll know now it was you who failed him." He didn't bother finishing the semi-transparent horse off, as now, he was just a waste of time.
With that, the Olde King wheeled off in no particular direction. Whether the Bachelor leader was this way or that, he had no way of knowing. Still, Vasska had no doubt in his mind now that when he did find him he would do all in his power to bring him down. The new leader may not have started this war, but he had proved he had no intention of stopping it peacefully. He smiled a little, at the thought. If the ghostly horse had only told him his leader's intentions - perhaps this all could have been avoided, but both herds had lost lives at this point. There was no going back to fix things now. Whatever war he had started, was not the war that was playing out in front of him now.
As he raced across the battlefield, the king became painfully aware of the growing noise overhead. It seemed to match the wailing and shouting that could be heard across the blood covered plains. The darkness of the rumbling clouds made it near impossible to recognize the faces of any of the fallen, or even the faces of those still standing. Still, he could feel the difference in the Bachelor stallions around him. They weren't the ignorant pawns of Klaus's game, and he feared now something deeper was going on here. The thought had bothered him before, when Ghost had first laughed in his face that Klaus was no longer leader. Why hadn't they sent a message? Why not try to back out of the mess another stallion had created? The unknown gave him a sense of urgency, and the king pounded on forward, looking for any sign of the new Bachelor leader. Sudden as the fight had begun, a vain of lightning pierced through the sky - lighting up the figures of horses he didn't recognize. He could only hope one of them would lead him to the end of his search. Thunder followed after, deafening his aching ears, like an echo of chaos that was to ensue.
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Post by ponybones on Dec 18, 2014 16:16:26 GMT -5
As he stared into the rage contorted face of the Olde horse, Cain decided to take it, just to see what it felt like. His body filled with Arturo's warm hatred and malice, and it wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, Cain realized as he swiveled and walked away, trusting that the Olde horse wouldn't go back on his promise. Olde stallions seemed to have a better honor code than he did, or so he had to hope. Cain shed Arturo's hate as a snake would shed his skin and continued onwards through the battle, looking around at who was left. Everyone was hardly recognizable, dark and stained with blood and sod, their coats dripping wet as their conviction sheltered them from the cold of being drenched to the bone. They all looked the same, drowned rats that the sky meant to sweep away. Surely he wouldn't. He would remain standing, just to spite these fictional Unicorns and their will.
Speaking of Unicorns, where was that Unicorn wanna-be King of Olde? Lightning flashed, illuminating the red sky beyond the clouds that pressed in tighter and rumbled overhead. Cain squinted, allowing his long lashes to shelter his eyes from the deluge. It seemed an impossible task to find someone he'd only heard mention of, especially given that the hopes were that his Elites had ripped him limb from limb and perhaps fastened some sort of mock horn to his scarred face. Was he still out there somewhere, though, against all odds? The Marwari's lithe legs carried him down the rise that he and the Olde stallion had met on, and out of the corner of his eye, another flicker of lightning created a silhouette that seemed unfamiliar. When the light died away, further inspection did reveal a stallion that Cain had never laid eyes on before, that did fit the description he'd gotten of Olde's current leader, the stallion Vasska. Part of him took pause upon seeing the other horse, he was large like Cain's own elites, and full of religious fervor. Cain could never dream of besting such a stallion in combat...however, with his new gift, perhaps he did have a shot. Some others allowed their emotions to be their weaknesses, and that would be his only hope.
As he got closer, he felt the other stallion's conviction, and could only imagine that he was looking for something, perhaps for him. Had his herd protected his identity well enough that the stallion still did not know his face? It was curious, since the Olde horse that he had just escaped from had known him well, his lady love having had a vision of his face even after they had met so very long ago. Had that silly mare not shared such pertinent information with her own King? Cain shook his head, smirking slightly. It was almost enough for him to grow some affection for his new herd. Almost.
"Can I help you with something?" Cain called across the field, as the thunder rumbled again, and the lightning crackled in the sky. It seemed foolish to call the other horse out rather than try to sneak up, but whatever was going to happen would be much more satisfying face to face. And he wanted to feel it all.
Word Count:// 547 |
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Post by elesette on Dec 18, 2014 22:33:24 GMT -5
The creeping suspicion that the Bachelor leader had escaped his recognition began to envelope Vasska, and the Olde King began to loose hope. He'd had it in his mind until now that the war would be over the moment he felled the degenerate stallion, but if he couldn't even to manage the stallion - where was the sense in that? As lightning flared a second time the silver stallion slowed his pounding canter to a walk. Where was he to go from here? In the middle of the Chaos, the king couldn't help but look out towards the sea and take a moment to pray. If the Unicorns truly wanted him to win this war, they would lead him where he needed to go. 'Oh great compromiser..." he thought, "if you can hear me pray, know that I fight for you, and I fight today for what you believe in. If I win this war today, and so help me I will win this war today, the Bachelors will be no more-" and then lightning stuck again.
Vasska's eyes widened as he turned to hear the voice that had spoke to him in the after-glow. The king smiled, for he felt the horse that stood in front of him, might indeed be the horse perched on the Bachelor throne. Yet, the words of the pale stallion deceived the intentions of the bachelor stallions. It stuck Vasska very peculiar that there would be any talking between them at all, but what the pale horse had said had him stepping back slowly. Perhaps he was wrong, and this horse was no leader at all. Perhaps the unicorns had deceived him? Self-doubt rattled the stallion, and he continued to flow softly backwards. So intent, he didn't even notice the soft crack of bone under his hooves. This war had fallen many, but if it meant anything, it was that the battle came down to this moment.
"I don't suppose you could" He responded, his voice guarded and confused. He wanted so badly to believe the Unicorns had lead him to the horse he was meant to kill, but even Vasska wasn't so blinded by faith he couldn't question the motives of a stranger.
"Unless, you could lead me to the Bachelor King?" His voice shook, with an ill attempt to laugh. The silence that hung between them was strung taught as tight rope. Vasska wanted to be sure that this was who the Unicorns had shown him to be- and could only hope the answer he received from the nameless horse would ring clear.
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Post by ponybones on Dec 24, 2014 13:07:09 GMT -5
Cain watched the smile spread across the other stallion's face as his voice was heard, and smiled slightly himself in response. Both kings would retract their claws behind false diplomacy it would seem, Cain thought as he noted the crown of thorns on what had to be Vasska's head as the other stallion stopped to acknowledge him, and even took a few steps back. The Marwari's eyes narrowed on the other as he lightly approached on his dainty hooves, realizing just how small he was in comparison, both in height and in build. He started slowly and carefully, his curled ears perked to listen to the other leader's words, his Gift reaching out to sense the emotions of Cain's enemy - confusion, mixed with determination - the latter an emotion that the Olde horses felt in abundance it seemed.
"What business would you have with him?" Cain asked, chuckling cordially himself, a loose mockery of what the Olde king had offered. His pale eyes glittered with mischief as the sky was lit once more with lightning stretching between the clouds, barring the sun from encroaching on this dire encounter. He could feel the desperation in the other horse, willing Cain to be the leader of the Bachelors. Of course he was right, but Cain found it better to leave this information out. He did not look the part of a Bachelor in the slightest, with his immaculate coat tainted by only a few fresh wounds, and his almost feminine appearance. He was a doubtful candidate from the outside - indeed, he looked just as Cain thought a Loner should. Untouched by the folly of herds.
Word Count:// 273 |
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Post by elesette on Dec 25, 2014 17:44:35 GMT -5
Vasska found himself titillated by the stranger's reply, wasting time in the middle of battle with such caution. He feared the unicorns failed him, as he eyed the horse with a caution of his own. With every lightning strike that lit up the battlefield around them he found another patch of perfect, untouched skin. The stallion that had approached him was scarless and pristine. The only blood on his body had been from this day - and the thought put chills down the spine of the Olde king. It was known that the Bachelors way of life was filled with fighting... and to be so clean, it was no doubt he had to be the best. In unsettled Vasska to think, that even if he wasn't facing the Bachelor leader now, he must have been facing one of the well known and powerful elites.If there was a fight, he might not win, and so the king breathed out a quiet reply. All his power flowing in to keeping a calm face for the the mystery stallion.
"I need to speak with him" Vasska wanted to laugh again. It seemed so unnatural to be talking on the battlefield, and his blood was still pumping from his previous encounter. Regardless, the king found himself needing answers, and if this blood-boiling being in front of him was the one to give them. So be it.
"I doubt he'd rather me fell another one of his elites" the king's intention wasn't to anger the horse in front of him, but rather to scare him. "I think he'd come forward for a simple chat"
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Post by ponybones on Dec 29, 2014 0:33:11 GMT -5
Curiosity and impatience was burning in the Olde king, Cain realized as they stood with one another, their pelts dripping wet with the driving rain, pale coats illuminated by the flashes of lightning and the rare peek of sunshine through the heavy clouds, the rays pouring out as if escaping from a cracked vessel. Cain felt Vasska's eyes scrutinizing him, a bit of uncertainty creeping in, and he allowed his ears to fall back. If he was sized up and not found up to par, Cain realized that the other could wipe him out easily, one fell swoop, cutting his stilted legs out from under him with little effort.
He arched a brow slightly as Vasska expressed an interest in 'speaking' to him. Cain doubted that there would be much speaking to be done once the other knew the truth. It was better to end this quickly, or divert him in some way that would allow Cain the upper hand. The other's desperation washed over the Marwari again, and Cain struggled to keep a straight face at Vasska's thinly veiled threat. "Another? Have you bested one already?" Cain asked, genuinely curious. Who could he have defeated? Not that he was attached to them, but it was good to know these things for later, if they did indeed make it out of this fight alive. "But I fear you must not know him very well. He'd sacrifice all of them, if only for the spectacle...and to watch you tire." He added, with the slightest bit of a curve on his lips. His words were truth, these stallions were mere cannon fodder for the end game, however he decided to play it out. "What could you have to discuss? Terms of surrender?" Cain knew he was starting to give himself away, though the game was too fun and his curiosity was now driving him. He sought to curb it, but it overcame him. And in truth, he wanted again to -feel-.
Word Count:// 321 |
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Post by elesette on Dec 31, 2014 22:00:19 GMT -5
The rain passed through his body- running a shiver down the King's back despite how the warm air clung to the two stallions under the humidity. He sniffed angrily at the stranger's folly. He didn't have time for these games, he wondered if he should reinforce that fact with the tiny whelp of a horse in front of him. It was true that he physically outweighed this horse. The levels in which he could over power his opponent were one too many. Still, the words of the snake in front of him were carefully chosen, and Vasska's frustration was contained, though his patience was wearing thin.
"You could say that" He mussed, remembering then he hadn't quite finished off the other stallion. The king wondered if perhaps leaving him alive had been a mistake... but there was no time to ponder that now. Besides! The stallion had been gravely wounded from their encounter, Vasska figured he had nothing to worry about from the elite now. "..." Vasska paused as a realization hit him, and like a light bulb the lightning shattered the sky around them. This pale intruder was talking about the king far too particularly. He doubted the unicorns would fail him, but the silver horse felt comfort in the way this stallion confirmed his suspicions. His careful words made all the more sense as he continued on, with the light of truth and certainty that now shed on him in Vasska's eyes. He was angry now, kmowing the Bachelor Leader would hide behind mystery as he did. What a snake indeed. Vasska frowned.
"Yes." He concluded his thoughts with the single word. Surrender was exactly what he wanted, and if this leader would throw away his trusted elites so easily, he doubted that his grasp on the herd was much tighter. "Terms of surrender exactly... unless the Bachelor Leader would prefer to battle it out traditionally, as is custom to his herd" The crease in Vasska's unamused lips was growing, and his brows fell with a certain smugness to his eye-lids. If only this barbarian leader would show his true colors, he could win this battle... and perhaps this war for the unicorns, for his herd.... and for Bloom. The way the conversation had spiraled had already angered the king - and as his patience exhausted Vasska was sure he could not hold himself much longer. The ropes around his fury- around his desire to crush whom was before him were falling.
(Ooc://Just realized this was my second to last post O___O )
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Post by ponybones on Dec 31, 2014 22:15:07 GMT -5
The realization hit the other king as if he had been struck by lightning, and Cain watched the smug silver stallion before him become even more so, if possible. Cain's lips curled into a facsimile of a smile, and he bowed his head slightly, taking a gracious step backward in a odd mockery of a bow. Have I displeased you? Cain thought, tasting the other horse's frustration. It would be clear now even to one not so Gifted as himself, it seemed, as it strained against the other horse's very being, willing to be released in violent torrents of rage. "I can safely say that the Bachelor Leader has no interest in the customs of his herd. Any other 'interests' he maintains, I cannot speak to. So surrender now, and save the lives of the foolhardy horses you brought to this island, that you brought to die." He added, his eyes narrowing dangerously now, the snake in him poised and ready to strike. Feed me that rage... He thought, willing it to come forward. The moment it did, he could grab it and unleash whatever powers it maintained. So much of his herd thrived on it as much as they did the grass below them, and thus, he could only imagine what he could do with such a thing.
Once more, Cain stepped back, waiting for Vasska's next move, as he couldn't imagine it would be a gentle one. He trusted that all of his interest in strategy, all of his late night ponderings on the cliffs above the land that they fought in at this moment, would come to his aid. The other horse was showing restraint now, but how long would it last? If Cain could wait it out, the other king would falter, and he would have his moment, be it through words or with violence. Patience had always been one of his stronger suits.
Word Count:// 319 |
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Post by elesette on Dec 31, 2014 22:44:23 GMT -5
Vasska was not only rattled by the Bachelor's response, but absolutely outraged. If he had been angry before, the feelings that coursed through him now we're of a previously undiscovered kind. This horse continued to lie to him, even now? Had he no respect for the unicorns that granted his pitiful life to walk the lands of chevalin? Was he not taught the ways in which the horned kind had saved him? The more the challenger spoke, the more Vasska found pleasure in imagining the war's glorified end. He would not believe that he had brought his own here to die. If Cain believed that was so- the bachelor leader must be truly heartless. In all of the lies - the deceit, the ignorance and the cruelty- Vasska saw only one conclusion: the cobra of a leader had to die. Vasska felt he knew this deep within is being, but the king had never killed before - and the thought of it had his heart faltering. Even in his turbulent wrath - the king could not find stability. In a moment such as this however - he could not let the question of morals vex him. He wished death upon the horse in front of him.
"My herd mates will not die in vain!" he managed to choke out between the waves of feeling he was no aware were feeding straight into the bachelor king. This fairy tale of war he had heard of for so long would not end a tragedy. As all the ropes that held his desire to charge the smaller stallion fell from their places around him - Vasska leaped forward. His hooves made lift off - and as they did pin pricks of ice fell from the water droplets that had once kept down his legs. Vasska had thought his newly found power's wiped out - but the raw emotion within him proved enough to fuel the crystalline water from his soul. As Vasska leaped - small circles of water that had pooled between the two leader's gave way to few haphazard spears - all which sprouted with Vasska's intent. He could only pray they might hit their target.
He would not go down a fool.
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Post by ponybones on Jan 1, 2015 15:14:11 GMT -5
The anger and the hatred came rushing at him, an avalanche of raw emotion that smashed into Cain's existence hard enough to leave him star struck for a moment, however he couldn't help but chuckle. This was what he wanted, he realized, as he started drinking it in, making it his own. He needed it now more than ever as the stallion before him began turning the cold rain into little daggers at his disposal, which gnawed at the crest of Cain's neck and dove into his spine. Cain's usual apathy dissipated as Vasska's rage filled the emotionless void, and it was overwhelming. He could not avoid both attacks at once, the flying of the other King's hooves and the spikes that jutted up from the ground. In that moment, he decided to sacrifice himself rather to the give of mortal flesh rather than the unfeeling spikes of ice, and dodged them in the direction allowing Vasska to land both hooves into Cain's neck and sides.
Cain went limp and allowed the force to roll him away from the king, before he quickly lurched to his feet, now completely filled with all of Vasska's ire. "They will die in vain, for your foolishness, I promise you. Our grasses will be fed by the blood of your kin and they will sustain us." Cain snapped at him, curled ears tucked tightly against his head. "You enter a foreign land, insult the only allies you may have, and then send your starry-eyed followers to battle with those born out of death and conquest. What advantage do you think you have here? Embodying the snake that so many likened him to, Cain reared back, his neck arched gracefully, and aimed a bite at the crest of Vasska's neck, right behind his poll, while his front hooves struck out in a flash, willing themselves toward the other king's throat. At that moment, all he wanted was the other's death, a feeling stolen from the Olde king himself.
Word Count:// 334 |
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