Threading the Needle

[Grimm]

Crashing thunder over head was not an uncommon sound after they had reached the edge of the Sands. Storms had been hitting the area for over a fortnight making things wet, muddy, and worse yet, slow going.
On the troupe pushed, there destination within a few days travel, they set down for a camp in the driest spot they could find. Letting the horses rest, and checking on the wagons for any disrepair as sun set, and fires where started for evening meals and warmth. Grimm takes an active roll in setting camp, even rolling logs into place for people to have a bench to rest road weary feet.
All while he waited for his moment to strike.

As night fell, and people calmed and slept, Grimm stood and looked at Rook, “Hey, fires low but I am STILL cold. Going to go and get some more wood and maybe find you a grub or two.” He jested as he fixed his soaked gambeson. He picks up his weapons and sets to the path, much to Rooks ire.
“No bananas!” She pointed at him as he waved off the comment.
“Kalen” He greeted as he passed. The man had been working hard in his books and notes set across what must have been the only dried space in all of the woodland. “Oh, Grimm, out for a stroll?” he took note of the weapons Grimm wore on his hip.
“Indeed, could I trouble you to take face on watch while I go gather some wood?”
Kalen nodded absently and then paused, closed his eyes and sighed, as what he volunteered for sunk in. “Yeah, but, please, I am on to something…. Soon…. Try not to be out all night”

As the dark of night and thunderheads choked the last of the moonlight out, Grimm watched himself from deep in the tree line. The man stood and walked past Rook, who had fallen asleep, to douse the last of the embers before retiring. He paused and pulled the blanket up over her, and went around the wagon, breaking sight from Grimm.

“Oi, I need a shave…” He shook his head as he turned to go about his mission.
Ryker had given him a name, he needed to get there ahead of them in time to get the work done before the troublemakers could notice what he really had. Time was short, and the contact would not wait long. Getting quite messages to the company was hard enough without traveling, during this “adventure” was damn near impossible. He couldn’t miss this window.

“It’s time we have a talk”
A soft silken voice whispered in his ear, as if almost over his shoulder. Grimm skidded to a stop and spun, swords drawn, eyes searching. He did not appreciate being snuck up on. The night was quiet, save for the rolling thunder and the flecks of rain hitting the woods. A soft breeze blew through, carrying a mocking chuckle. Confused and feeling very exposed Grimm took cover away from the sound. Pulling his swords to the side he readied a small explosive surprise for this intruder.

“There isn’t time for your pathetic games, N___”
The sound that came out hit him like a sucker punch, so much so his head hit the tree bark. Grimm stumbled out, his face scratched and bleeding, and one sword having been dropped from the shock of the blow. He turned and saw his…. Aggressor?

Standing before him was a cloaked figure, but this cloak was glowing in purple light, runes and curves surrounding it. Though not massive in size, he could feel the pressure of the presences surrounding him.

Just like the first time.

It all snapped back, and he could feel his confidence losing ground to dread.

“Nyx” His breath a soft whisper

“You abandon your contract. You leave Astrel and wear the scent of my brethren upon your return.”

The Figure moved closer, and Grimm’s Leg buckled. He was kneeling

“If it were not for the continued font of fodder sent on your behalf by that fool “Sage-in-Training” I would have eviscerated you the moment your feet touched dirt.” The softness in the voice was lined with a razor of fact. He could see the eyes of Nyx, or the glow of power where they should be, and he felt cold. The pain in his chest was white hot along the scar. “Fortunate for you, to have friends in places as high as you do low.” It…. Teased?

“I did not run! I was taken! By some crack pot of a Chronomancer by the name of Doc Vas!” Grimm swore

“Oh?” It paused “they are known to me, but why take you? And what do you have to say about the others?” Nyx pressed, the sword still in Grimms hand started to shake and crack but he could not let go…. Nyx did not let him.

“I haven’t seen them since the incident in Sorum, we are still working hard to fulfil the Con- “He grasped at his chest, it was like he was dying all over again.

“I have been patient, my darling N____. But you have taken years and have thus far yet to yield anything for it, where as I have given all of you, life. You, more so than the others.” Nyx purred softly….. and the growl that followed
“Only to have you betray me!”

“I did no such thing!”

“Lies of a silvered tongue.”

“I MURDERED my BROTHER for you! Why would I throw every thing away when I finally had some ground to stand on?!” Grimm roared as he pulled forth the pouch holding two soul coins in it and threw it at Nyx’s Feet.
The pressure dropped, and as it did, so too did the sword, in pieces. Grimm gasped as if breathing for the first time
“Oh, my, only two?”

“I have a lead on more.”

“But of course, you do, otherwise you would be dead.”

His shoulders dropped, and he felt the pressure returned what seemed like twice as strong as before. Nyx picked the coins up, revealing a slender, delicate hand, fingertips blackened with runes painted…no…. etched…. Into them. The pouch disappeared with the hand beneath the cloak and Grimm could feel Nyx waiting. Painfully so.

“A creature known as Phalex, was carrying a large supply of them, I am working to relieve him of his collection presently.” Grimm’s nose and ears were bleeding. He even felt his glass eye crack in his head.

“Phalex?!” Nyx hissed. And then paused. The pressure dropped from around Grimm and he fell over, broken.
“Oh, my loyal pet.” Nyx reached their hand out, Forcing Grimm up and off the ground but with a gentle force. Now standing before him, Nyx waved a hand over the broken blade, light shining down as black tendrils descended, pulling the pieces together and weaving together the sword anew.

“You shall need a weapon to face such a foe, especially that vexing pest, and it seems you had broken this one. As well as Congratulations are in order, on your promotion, “Nyx’s voice was of a mock tease “You are Vertigron! You should not be dressed in such common colors or rags. “The light and magic reached up and wove around Grimm, It was not pleasant, It was cold. Prying. Shackling.

Complete, he now wore an Ocean Blue coat, heavily armored at the shoulders. His arms covered in complementing colors, studded with silver.
He was by no means feeling healed though, his cracked prosthesis tearing at his eye lid, he gently removed it and tossed it to the side. Nyx lifted their hand and placed it upon Grimms head.
He froze.
Unsure.
Scared.
Warm healing spread through him. He could not help but relax. Nyx’s touch was gentle and smooth.

Welcoming.

“There. Now that you are dressed and ready, this time I shall keep….and eye on you….” Nyx’s hand held like unyielding steal as the warmth kept growing. Panic welled up in Grimm as he felt white hot fire spreading through his veins. All through his body it felt as if he was being Roasted Alive.
All he could do was scream.

The fire stopped.

Still he screamed, as pain spiked into his empty socket like a spike of ice from the frozen peaks jammed into his skull. Nyx let go, but still he could feel her. Like she had just marked him he looked at her with wrath in his….eyes… he could see.
But something was wrong.

“By the Hells what did you do to me?!” He growled

“Keeping an eye with you would be a better way to put it”

Grimm felt sick. He knew this was going to cost him. He was already past the deep end. What more could be taken?

“Everything” Nyx stated flatly

Wide eyed, Grimm looked into the hood. Oh, no…

“But yes.” Nyx teased.

“You will bring me Twenty coins, on top of the 12 you and your friends owe.” Nyx Continued “Or, you will bring me the heads of your friends. Freeing them of the contract. Free to cross with the rest of the whole souls in the veil.”

“You can’t be serious”

“Oh, and due try to be faster, this time. This offer expires, with you, In 3 years’ time. You wasted half a century getting to this point, so, perhaps, focus your efforts. I am cheering for you N_____”

Nyx glowed violently bright, blinding Grimm, and was gone. The pit in his gut was churning like the sea. Thirty-two Coins. Or Sacrifice his closest friends.

“Shi-” (END.)

• This topic was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by Grimm.

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