Post #869219 in Labyrinth: Into the Underground and Beyond, a roleplay on RPG

A few hours after dusk, night had spread a ominous shroud over the enchanted forest...

A group of thieves gathered around a small bonfire, their eyes glinting with greed in the light of the fire. Each man had a bundle of stolen goods. Not anything valuable of course. The trio stole anything solely for the satisfaction that someone in the great world was upset, and they caused such misery. So not only were the tooth decay ridden, flea bitten, rotten husks of humanity consumed with want, they were also cruel. The leader of the gang sat on the highest rock, which was only a foot off the ground, and he had the most swag tucked away under his person. By taking out a small knife and banging it against a old copper pot he relinquished, he gained the full attention of his fellow brothers of dishonor.

"My friends, tonight we celebrate a.." He came to a slow with his speech, already stumped since he really had no reason to call for a celebration. To cover his folly, he cleared his throat, put away his knife, and started over. "My friends, tonight is a night like any other. We had a good run," he said with a smile, patting one of his large parcels. "And I'd like to thank you two for being my accomplices." The other robbers nodded in approval of being.. approved and urged their boss to continue onwards. As the talkative individual obliged, the humans did not notice two lumpy shapes moving on the outskirts of the firelight, keeping to the shadow of the forest. But someone else did.

A rapier found its way into the breast of both Junk People. The creatures crumpled underneath their pile of treasures, buried by the very things they loved the most. Hidden still in the shadow, the murderer wiped clean his blade with a handkerchief he produced from the pocket of his jacket. The very dark blood turned the white cotton a ruddy brown. Then Faen Diavolos stepped out into the circle of light, announcing his presence to the ignorant three before him, causing them to huddle together in surprise.

Hours ago, there was a disruption. Faen felt it in the cosmos, a domain only one of his heritage could enter, and it summoned him forth from his dark place. Disruption led to corruption and that was one of Faen's favorite things. Whatever the source was, it summoned him right to the enchanted forest of the underground, with no trace of it for Faen to catch. Except for a scent. A very human scent. That smell alone brought him to the three cowering men before him.

Before the bumbling fools had a chance to speak, with a light flick of his wrist, the surrounding shadows came to life and, at a startling speed, gobbled up two of them, leaving the leader who liked to hear his own voice. But for some reason, the crusty old man had nothing to say. Instead, he stared up helplessly at the man, who still towered over him even though he sat on a elevation. His cracked bottom lip trembled and finally, he spoke. Or begged. "Please, don't hurt me!"

This seemed to offend Faen. He put on a look of hurt and shushed the thief who started to sob into his gnarled hands. Thankfully, Faen's hands were gloved and he placed one large palm on the man's shoulder, sitting down next to the pathetic human. Being so close to the waste made Faen's insides turn but he exhaled slowly to contain his violence.

"Now I am going to answer one question and one question only. That's it. All you have to do is answer me." The old man nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks. Faen detected the growing stench of fresh urine. Disgusting. "I am fairly new to these parts. But there is something odd going on. I can tell. Where could I find the source that is making everything so peculiar?"

The dark youth gave the man some to compose himself before answering. With a wary tone, the old man began to speak of a a woman that was new as well and she was sending Junk People into his turf, whatever that meant. Yet the name Ariadne stood out. Faen smiled and while he did, he gripped the back of the man's shirt and sent him tumbling backwards into the shadow where he met the same fate as his brothers. A name was all Faen needed. It was something to go on. Becoming lost in thought, Faen called to the shadows and they wrapped themselves around his frame, taking him into the nothing from where he came.

But in his haste for information, Faen did not check the corpses of the Junk People for pulses. And one of them managed to survive. It recovered and dragged itself away to tell its mistress of the news, and possible enemy.

Snippet #869219

located in THE ENCHANTED FOREST, a part of Labyrinth: Into the Underground and Beyond, one of the many universes on RPG.

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