Re: Dark Eyes, Cold Hearts - Shattered Courtyard
Pollidemia slides her long exposed leg down over the armrest and plants both of her feet on the floor taking a more attentive position. She slowly raises the back of her hand to her forehead. "It did pain me so to sacrifice those who did not pass the test, however only the strong and resourceful would be able to defeat such an opponent as Media." letting her hand drop he stands and begins to descend the few steps towards the assembled group. "Now, I did mention that Media is an extremely worthy adversary, in addition I mentioned that partial payment would be given up front. How fortunate for you, my payment will be in the form of power to help you!"
She raises her hands into the air and begins to chant in a strangely familiar, yet unidentifiable language. "Quixoram dubois, Allentat sicorum, Bealtant d chansom, Quortorat nominous" You feel the hairs on your forearms begin to rise as the air becomes charged with power. The giant statues that line the courtyard act like giant lightning rods as great blue and purple lightning bolts of power leap between them. Slowly you see the great stone eyelids open and shining black orbs gaze down on you. Slowly an understanding screams in the back of your head They are alive!. Their gaze locks you in spot, as strong as any chain would, silently you struggle to do anything other than have your mind scream in warning.
"Kaloram detat, Kynn K'tal, Quixoram dubetait, Kynn K'Tal..." [Private to Hraal: One of those words, strikes a memory from your youth. You remember reading about a demon breed named Kynn K'Tal. Sadly it was only a footnote along with a Chaos Lord Gashoram.] The rest of her musical chanting drifts off though you can still see her mouth moving. Points of light form over the breast of each of the statues that line the courtyard. Blue-white swirling light slowly forms into an intense image of a heart. The glowing, pulsing, organs begin moving across the space from each statue towards each of you. Slowly, inevitably, the hearts reach your own chest and coldly slide through your armor, flesh, and ribs. A deathly cold spreads from the place where the hearts penetrated.
Pain, sharp intense pain, spreads outwards from your chest as you feel the spectral heart take it's position over your own. The pain slowly subsides, as you feel your own heartbeats slow ... slower ... till it stops.
For a brief second, you are dead.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP Kettle drums pound your ears and temples as a great coldness sweeps through your body. You feel your heart beating again, but it is not your heart. With sick revulsion you know that the spectral heart has taken over your own. The eyes of the statues slowly close, as they do the grip they held on you is released. Your body sinks to it's knees of it's own accord.
Her body slick with perspiration, Pollidemia lowers her arms, breathing heavily she laughs near demonic laugh of sensual excitement. "How does it feel to have the heart of a supernatural being? Does the power that now flows through you feed your desires!" She calmly takes a step back and sit back on her throne. "I, and only I, can remove those hearts without killing you. Return to me with my subject and the demon hearts will be removed. My servant Astralgyx will take over from here. Farewell and Good journey!"