All My Friends Are Dead (Open)

As she stepped back into Life Astareal stared hard into the distance. A Dead Hand was walking towards her, looking hungry and starved. Bringing Saraneth out of it’s pouch, the girl rang the bell with confidence. Saraneth’s deep voice boomed out of the night, and the Hand stopped in it’s tracks. “Go find a human and suck the Life out of them, then meet me back here. I’ll be waiting.” The grotesque figure turned, bones squealing in protest, and headed off into the night. How she could put up with those nasty figures she didn’t know; but she managed it all the same. They weren’t all that bad once you adapted to them.

Astareal was looking for someone to come to her and try to stop her from letting that hand stop from killing someone. If they hated it that much, she could always get the dead person’s spirit and give it a body. Then it could feast on whoever was in her way. A smirk coming to the girl’s face, she closed her eyes and emerged in Death, the tug of the river familiar on her ankles. Her body in Life was frozen over and stuck in a position where she stood with her arms folded across her chest.

In Death, Astareal looked around and listened for a moment, before quickly proceeding to the Second Precinct. There was a spirit here, she could tell. Ringing Saraneth, replacing the bell, then drawing Mosrael, the girl rang the bell and was propelled into the Third Precinct, quickly speaking a few words in order to return to the second. If she didn’t do this quickly she would be carried away by the waves… As she made it back to the Second Precinct, she replaced Mosrael and drew Saraneth yet again. She stared at the ground and avoided the holes, muttering another spell in order to return to the First Precinct. Once in the First Precinct, she exited Death and returned to Life.

As Astareal was unthawing she stretched and looked to Shadow Hand beside her. “You are to go baby-sit the Dead Hand and make sure he doesn’t fall into the water. It would be a loss if he did.” The Shadow Hand sped off and Astareal smirked and turned on her heels, enjoying the cool breeze coming from the direction of the castle ruins. This was the ideal place to summon the Dead, the presence of decayed bodies and lost spirits making it an easy access point. Perhaps she should go into Death and bring back a Mordicant? No, she didn’t need a bounty hunter right now. She needed a companion. After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Astareal approached the ruins of the castle and walked inside.

Inside it was dark and eerie, and the place seemed to be haunted. “It’s a shame that something like this had to happen to a wonderful castle.” Astareal’s voice was smooth and liquid like, making her seem sweet and able to mask what she truly was. Kicking a small rock she made it to the Throne Room, as she shoved on the doors they opened with little resistance. Wandering up to the destroyed chairs she stared at the ground and felt somewhat sorry for the King who had died here. Those people may have acted a little too harshly, but at least it had brought them some peace.

Astareal pivoted as she heard the doors close, looking around in the darkness to find the figure who had closed it. Sorcerer’s Spark brightening she was able to see a few feet in front of her. Saraneth’s power still over the Dead she had summoned, Astareal willed her companions to return to her side. As if in response to this thought, the doors opened yet again and the familiar sound of protesting bones was there in the room. Somewhere in the room the Shadow Hand lurked, for Astareal’s death sense was going crazy. There had to be more than one here.

“Is there anyone of the living in this room besides me?” Astareal’s voice held traces of curiosity and gentleness, although that could change in an instant. Not getting a reply the girl figured that the Shadow Hand had entered and closed the door behind it. “In which case, come my friends. We shall go explore more.” Exiting the room, Astareal’s hair flowed behind her and both the Hands followed her happily.

Removing Dyrim from the Bandolier, she rang the sweet, melodic bell and then replaced it quickly, then drawing Belgaer and ringing the bell separately. She had just restored speech and thought to the Dead creatures, although they were still bound to her will by Saraneth. “Tell me your names, friends.” Astareal continued walking, waiting for a reply from the Dead beings. “I was called Liam when I was alive.” This voice was raspy and quiet, sounded like a big blob of blah to the untrained ear. This was the voice of a Dead Hand. “I was called Mairha, living here in this castle and serving the King.” This voice was electric, sounding static and like it would give out anytime.

Astareal nodded in response, entering the Dining Room of the castle. This room had been almost completely demolished, one of the walls taken out. From this room you could see outside, see the moon in the sky and feel the cool breeze. The Dead Hand spoke again, seeming to be curious. “Master, why did you summon us?” Astareal turned to the hand and glared, before answering in a harsh tone. “Who are you to question my actions?” The girl looked to both the Hand and thought about using Dyrim again, but decided against it.

“If you must know, it was for entertainment purposes only.” Astareal answered the question and started up the spiral staircase, leading to the tallest tower of the castle. The
Shadow Hand followed but the Dead Hand did not. Sighing, Astareal drew Saraneth and rang the bell loudly, the Dead Hand following like a solider, marching up the stairs. ”Much better. So, Mairha, how were you killed?” Astareal asked, continuing up the stairs. “A werewolf ripped me apart. It was rather painful.” Raising an eyebrow as she reached room at the top of the stairs, Astareal was bewildered when she found it to be locked.

Astareal looked to her hands and gestured to the door, the two Hands’ strength combined knocking it down no problem. Poking her head inside the girl looked around but did not enter, due to the fact that one of the living was inside this room. Liam walked forward and was thinking about draining the life out of the character before Astareal screamed ‘NO!’ inside her mind. The Hand stopped in it’s tracks and returned to the girl before being taking downstairs and disassembled by the Mairha. Dead Hands were much to stupid to do anything with, beside let them feast freely on humans…. Not that Astareal had ever done that before, of course.

Staring at the figure Astareal felt the Shadow Hand return to her and hover there behind her. She stood quietly in the door and began to feel sympathy for whoever was up here. A ruined castle was no place the normal person would like to be. Then again, perhaps this was a Hybrid or one of the other races. It was hard to tell, for around here no one was really all that normal. Hand resting on Kibeth, she drew the bell and rang it in a figure eight, sending Mairha and Liam’s spirit’s to the Ninth Precinct. Now she may be able to speak to this person without scaring them away.

Gently placing Kibeth back into it’s pouch, Astareal entered the room, scuffing her feet to let the figure know that she had entered. ”What are you doing in a ruined castle, in the highest room of the tallest tower, for that matter? Sorry if I interrupted anything.” The girl’s eyes shined brightly in the dark, curious and excited. Someone living who she had cornered and could talk to, unless they were willing to jump out the tiny window. Astareal smirked at this idea, wondering what it would be like to jump out a window that high.

(( This can be what happens after Xander meets up with the twins and Lucien. The queen could have locked him up in the tower for punishment for failing to retrieve Lucien and telling them all about the queens plans and such. So when the time comes he will succeed in escaping from Lucien. ^_^ Try to be kind to the poor boy and not turn him into a zombie. ))

Xander was chained to the wall in the tower. His mind was concentrating on trying to find a way out. The queen was really angry but luckily she was to busy to punish him herself. Instead she had him locked in the ruined castle planning on keeping there until tomorrow night, leaving him to be exposed to the sun. It would be enough to cause him great pain for his disobedience but not enough to kill him, she still had uses for him. Although thinking about it he kind of wished she would kill him. Just then out of no where he heard the door burst open and a female voice. Fearing it was the queen he immediately jumped up from his sitting position and was about to bow and such when he noticed it wasn't the queen. He relaxed a little but backed away, not wanting to be seen. The voice was pretty but he didn't trust the lady all the same. He ignored her question, hoping that she hadn't seen him and would just go away.

((As long as Lucien is able to find the little bugger again he'll be happy. Astreal doesn't turn things into Zombies Her Dead do that for her!))

Astareal scanned the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She found a small, snow white haired boy and began to wonder what he was and what he was doing here. Offering a kind smile she folded her arms across her chest. "What are you doing here?" Astareal looked him over and decided against using his small little body as a plaything. Her bright eyes cut through the darkness and made her appear to be a bit intimidating, even though her Dead weren't with her.

Thinking for a moment, Astareal realized that she knew nothing about the feelings or habits of children. She didn't know what would scare the little bugger and what would make it happy. She didn't really care anyways, but it was always fun to trick people into thinking she did. She went into the realm of Death; it was hard for her to be scared of much. A small white cat entered the room, rubbing up against her leg affectionatly, purring. The brunette looked down and acknowledged the cat before looking back to the boy.

"Forgive me if I get annoying, but I'm afraid I had to ask. Why are you chained to the wall? And I would also like to know if you know the history of this place." Astareal raised her dark brows, her pale skin making her look something like a ghost. Yrael, the cat at her feet, sat on his haunches and began to groom his paws, happily licking away.

Xander muttered under his breath. The lady did see him. What should i do Bob? he asked his other self. His eyes narrowed when he saw the cat. He recognized it, it was the evil cat from earlier. " I don't know anything about this place." He answered. Hoping that she would leave when she heard he didn't know anything about this place.

"Ah, you don't know anything. Would you like to? I mean, it wouldn't hurt anything, and maybe after I'm done I'll be able to remove those chains." Astareal forced a smile and leaned against the wall, bangs falling in front of her round little face. If she wanted to she could go into Death right now and emerge unharmed. The little boy couldn't do anything, after all. Unless, of course, he had a few powers. Astareal was willing to see what he could do... he could come in handy.

A small little part of her mind told her that it wasn't nice to use people, but the larger part said to shut up and get over it. The small part was normally never able to show itself unless the area around her was peaceful, and normally that didn't happen. Most of her life was bang-bang-bang before even she didn't know what was happening. Unconsiously messing around with the handle of Saraneth, Astareal waited for an answer from the boy. He was stuck with her until she was done talking. That was the way it always was.

And... If he didn't want to listen... shoving that thought aside Astareal looked to the cat, kicking it gently with her foot. It would be much easier if that evil little menace wasn't around to scare the crap out of people.

Realizing that the lady wasn't leaving he reluctantly answered. "I guess, it's not like i have anything better to do." Maybe knowing about the history of this place would help him find a meaning for his life. Something he could fight for, something to believe in. As oppose to just being the queens pawn. Bob wasn't answering, he was probably still angry about what had happened.

We might as well listen.... besides, she said she might help us get out. It's a win-win situation.

Astareal smiled and searched for a nice place to start. THinking for a moment she figured that it would be easier to ask someone who was Dead and had lived through it. It would be much easier, and the boy could venture into Death. Having someone tell him the story would be an experience not worth forgetting. "If you would like to hear the story I have someone who can tell you. All you have to do is close your eyes and float away into Death. It'll be there, that cold barrier. All you have to do is push through. But don't move until I arrive to help you. If you don't want to do this, I'll just have to bring the Dead to Life."

Astareal thought about her words and decided they were correct. It wasn't that hard for her, but it might be harder considering that the boy had never done it before. Waiting to see if the boy would freeze over of refuse to go into Death, Astareal kept her eyes wide open and ready for anything. She did enjoy the cold tug of the Styx around her ankle, but perhaps that was just her. Being a Necromancer it was only natural.

Xander thought about it. "i'll try it, as long as i don't become a ghost or something." Any place was better then the tower. And he didn't think it fair to force someone back to the liven world after they had been dead for so long. He hoped the lady would keep her word and let him go.

((In which case, welcome to Death.))

Watching as the boy froze over, Astareal drew her sword and Saraneth and ventured into Death herself. Spotting the boy she offered a smile. "Stay close and resist the River's pull." Astareal walked toward the waterfall and murmered the spell, the falls stopping and froming a staircase to the next level. She would probably be able to find someone on the Sixth that would know about it. Thinking for a moment she began to approach the gate to the third, wondering whether or not to alert the boy of the waves.

"Up ahead there will be some waves. You have to outrun those little suckers, otherwise you will be swept to the final area and you will... die." Astareal managed to keep the mood light enough and murmured her words, taking off at a mad dash as she reached the third precinct. After escaping the waves and making it to the fourth she paused for a moment, catching her breath.

Xander did as he was told. The waves were tough, he nearly fell a few times. After a while he managed to catch up to the lady. The idea of death didn't bother him like it use to, being with the queen gave him worse things to fear. But he was curious as to what the lady thought of it, for she clearly dealt with it a lot. "What do you think it is like to die?"

As asked the question Astareal laughed. They were safely inside the Fourth Precinct, the calm of it a bit disturbing. The Dead around here were many and dangerous, making the girl become tense and ready. "I think that Death is a time for peace for some, a time of fear for others. It depends on the way they die. But Death itself is probably safer as a spirit than it is as a member of the living, like you and I. If you would like to know first hand you could always ask one of these spirits."

Astareal looked around and noticed a few approaching spirits. They came cautiously and were a bit freaky looking, but the girl didn't budge. Instead of alerting the spirits with the bells the sword began to glow lightly, ready to fend the spirits off if they felt like attacking. Saraneth was the safest bell and the easiest to wield, making the bell her second weapon of choice. Astareal began debating whether or not to see if any of the Dead here were from the time of the Humans, but decided that this was probably a bit too early of a level.

Xander wasn't really very satisfied with the answer because the lady only told him what other people thought, not what she herself thought. But i guess it didn't really matter since the answer was in a way right in front of him. He stood behind the lady, keeping his distance from the dead people until he was sure they were safe. He hoped they would find what they were looking for so he could get out of the tower. But of course that was only assuming the lady kept her word.

Astareal rang Saraneth, deciding to look here first. All the Dead stopped in their tracks, Saraneth binding the spirits to Astareal's will. The bell's deep voice carried around, making the majority of the Dead come into her possession. "Line up, oldest to youngest." The spirits obeyed and floating into position, the brunette smiling a bit maniacally. With this she went down to the end with the oldest of the spirits and placed her sword back into it's sheath.

A skilled hand brought Dyrim out of it's pouch, Saraneth being replaced and Belgaer also being drawn. Simultaneously she rang the bells, the Dead regaining the abilities of thought and speech. They remained silent, Astareal keeping satisfied. Looking to the oldest she stopped her smile and asked the spirit a question. "What time are you from?" The spirit paused for a moment and then spoke quietly, voice inhuman and strange.

"It was when the humans were in control. I lived in the castle, even though I wasn't a human." Astareal grinned and looked to Xander, gesturing to the spirit. "You may ask this spirit all you questions about the humans and such. I'm sure it'll answer you. Don't worry; it isn't dangerous while Saraneth holds them firmly within his grasp." The girl said this while replacing the two bells and bringing Saraneth out again, the bell gleaming in the faint light.

Xander walked up to the spirit. He wasn't sure what to ask, he never thought about the history before. He had no idea where to begin. Xander looked at the lady " I'm not sure what i want to ask." He looked down at his feet hoping the lady wouldn't be mad. She seemed to care deeply about the past and history of the castle and he worried that his lack of knowledge would offend her.

((FYI I'm making the spirit Lucien's mother.))

If I were you I'd have asked about the previous king and the Hybrids. There may be secrets in the past that would help us escape the queens.

Astareal looked to the boy, raising one eyebrow and staring quizzically. Shruggin it off before she had one of her sudden temper-fits, she looked to the spirit. "What was your name and status in the castle?" The basics were best and the easiest to remember. "I was a servant, a slave, a measley maid. They didn't look to highly of me. Thus I was given a horrid name; Latrine. I used to be a werewolf back in life." Astareal let out a light giggle as the spirit said it's name. Latrine truly was a horrible name but well suiting for a servant, especially if they cleaned the bathrooms.

Astareal began to wonder if Latrine had known Rowan Armazoma personally. Then she could get more info on how the ruler had died. Thinking of this she brought her hand up to her face and stroked her imaginary beard. She would see if the boy had thought of anything to say yet before she asked any more questions of her own.

(( Yay more fun!))

Xander nodded. Good idea. he told Bob. "Can you tell me about the king and the hybrids?" He asked. Xander looked all around at all the spirits and his surroundings. Not wanting to look the one called 'Latrine' in the eye, Hybrids like him were not thought of in a good way. He wasn't sure why everyone hated hybrids but it must have something to do about the past of the castle.