Completed [The Haunted Falls]...Opaque

[Noaru]

Winter 56, 514 A.V.

“”

There were voices, whispers that echoed in the darkness. He could hear them beyond the trees—angry and malevolent in nature. This place called to him, it weighed upon him, muddling his thoughts with its influence. The voices, they kept calling to him—the whispers. He treads through the forest in the evening in search of the source… in search of them. This noise what was it? So loud and exasperating!

He rushes through the bushes, branches, and the trees in search of this blare. He kept following the sound, following and searching; searching and following! There was no time for order—the voices would stop telling their secrets. A waterfall… yes this was the source of the disturbance. He looks up and notices a bridge, it seemed out of place. The structure made of stone looked unnatural. The bridge’s form seemed too had grown from one of the mountainous slabs of rock and held it to the other.

He could tell that man had once influenced this place but now it was abandoned…with good reason. He could see a path but the voices were calling to him, leaving no time for him to follow it. He levitates from the cold and soaked earth and propels himself through the air. Wait… there was something wrong here. The bridge, why was he here, he questions himself and looks around to shack-off the daze.

This he…was Noaru. This place wasn’t right and he was being sucked into the nothingness. Noaru felt that there was a reason behind all this. However, even though he felt that there was a hidden purpose for him here, he couldn’t shake off the weird atmosphere surrounding this place. The air was thin and the area felt small, it was similar to being enclosed inside a small space that was becoming smaller and smaller as time passed. Noaru knew from sheer intuition that this was not a good place for the living. He could feel the strong aura of death circulating around the bridge with just a gaze.

“Voices of the dead for what reason have you brought me here?”

Noaru spoke but was rewarded with silence. He could sense a change in the air though; something was pulling him towards the bridge…a place he did not wish to tread upon. The pull wasn’t strong, allowing him to resist it but his instincts told him to avoid the bridge until there was a complete understanding of it and its foundations.

[Noaru]

The Haunted Falls

“”
The strangeness of it all! Noaru felt his soulmist shudder under the influence of this place. What was going on here, why was there so much soulmist present within the air? Noaru would have asked himself this, if it were not for the voices. Noaru listened to them in an attempt to find their source…nothing. The sheer number of voices that bombarded Noaru’s mind seemed innumerable; he couldn’t concentrate on a single one. Noaru did understand one thing: that all the voices spoke of the bridge and about crossing it.

Noaru refused to do so, he would not cross that bridge—the voices were too persistent about it. Noaru senses the unusual presence surrounding the bridge, standing meters away from him. Noaru felt the tension build-up within his soulmist: a sign that he has spent too much time here. When Noaru turns to leave, he heard a ping from his soulmist. The ping, similar to a piece of metal being brushed against a surface, grasps Noaru’s attention.

Noaru lifts a tendril of soulmist to reveal that: this whole time, he had held onto his daggers. Noaru thanked his stubbornness: it never fails him. Noaru extends two tendrils of soulmist each holding a dagger heavily coated in soulmist. Noaru wraps the handles of his daggers with more tendrils of soulmist: in order to provide better control and flexibility. There were too many distractions present. Noaru calms his mind to concentrate on his environment. The tones of the voices soften and they become less of a burden on Noaru’s mind.

Noaru could hear them like gentle whispers on the wind and his certainty that they would remain as so, was small. Noaru’s mental focus lacked poise and sharpness, he was aware of this. There were many events that went awry due to his mental weakness. The chimes were rapidly passing by, night was turning into day—something Noaru was thankful for. Noaru levitates away from the bridge to place further distance from it and him. Noaru saw no reason for him to stay any longer: the option of departure was what he chose instead.

The hour of the light was nigh: dawn approached. Noaru accepts the rays of the morning sun, as warmth washed over the entirety of his form. Noaru had no intentions of going back to the bridge until two silhouettes materialized from the openings of the trees. There, two young men walked in Noaru immediate direction. Noaru’s first idea when he noticed the two figures: was to warn them of the danger ahead... until they noticed the bridge.

“”

[Noaru]

The Haunted Falls

“”

A dark mass of soulmist appears before the two travelers. This black mass of soulmist fluctuated in a manner reminiscent to fire and graced the air with a freezing atmosphere. Roy was the oldest and sharpest of the two, he was the first to notice the oddity that had made its presence known to them. Ron was too busy daydreaming; he was obviously the quirky one of the two. Roy nudged his brother with his right elbow: in order to gain his brothers attention. Ron snaps back into reality and takes notice to the swirling, flame-like entity before him.


“Cross no further”


Noaru said only three words to the wayfaring brothers. He wanted to understand the two souls before giving them any information on the terror ahead. Noaru, along side his previous idea, believed that he should observe the two brothers and try to grasp ahold of their motives. He needed to prevent them from going any further than they already have. Noaru felt that the bridge and its influence would overtake them, as it almost succeeded in doing so with him. Roy and Ron were puzzled by Noaru’s sudden appearance. Why was such an existence in a place like this and why was it stopping them from advancing? Is what Roy thought.


“By what premise are you allowed to stop us, entity.”


Roy was an arrogant individual, an individual could tell by observing his demeanor and listening to the tone of voice he had. Roy was the type to ignore what others had to say, if what they were saying did not interest him. Ron was quiet and observed Noaru out of sheer fascination. Ron was more understanding than his brother, always willing to explore and interact with things he did not understand. Noaru knew what he was dealing with now: a pompous brat, one that’s oblivious of the danger he was trying to save him and his brother from.


“I exist on no premise, following this path may lead one to distress.”


Ron showed a grim expression, he knew the meaning behind Noaru’s words and tries to warn his brother.


“Brother, wait. This entity, he’s trying to warn us of somethi—”

Roy rushes ahead and draws his sword. Noaru darts backwards and swings his left dagger at Roy’s face. When Roy notices the dagger hurtling towards his face, he pauses and shifts his weight to his rear left-leg to allow his upper body to lean backwards; he narrowly avoids the daggers blade in the process. Noaru aims for the center of Roy’s forehead and flings his right dagger forward. Ron cringes at the scuffle and anticipates the worst: his brother’s death and shouts.


“STOP!”


Noaru pauses and pulls back on his soulmist, causing the dagger to stop just inches from Roy’s face and then retreat back to his side. Noaru observed the youngest brother, he could see the worry in the young-mans eyes. Noaru knew his actions were deadly; however, he had no intention to kill Roy. Roy stood frozen in place after witnessing his life flash before his eyes. He had almost died but his brother, his brother had saved him. The situation made the air heavy and tense, nothing seemed to move afterwards.

[Noaru]

The Haunted Falls


“Entity, will you tell us what lies ahead?”


Ron asked in a calm and sincere voice, he feared for his brother’s safety and was more than willing to pay the price in his brother’s stead. Noaru levitates towards Ron and stops just meters away from him. He could see the sincerity in Ron’s eyes and the genuine concern he held towards Roy within them. Noaru lowers his daggers: to show that he no longer sought to fight or had any intention on harming Ron. However Roy, Noaru did not trust; his intentions were not as pure as his brothers nor did he listen to the warning he received beforehand.


“There lies a structure ahead, unwelcoming to the living—beacon to the dead. I serve as a warning to you brother’s yet one holds ulterior motives from the other. ”


Noaru turns and faces Roy once he finishes his sentence then brings his attention back to Ron. Noaru did not see the two as brother’s but as two opposites: destined together by odds of unfavor. Noaru could not see the reason behind Roy’s and Ron’s relationship: maybe, one was destined for more while the other less? Noaru did not attempt to understand the cruel humor of fate, he traveled the path of destiny—fate would have to come later. Ron lowered his head to the ground, contemplating what his next action should be.

Ron knew this was all his brother’s doing; he didn’t know he would be walking towards his death! Ron wanted to have faith in his brother, he wanted to believe in him but there was something about him that changed. Ron had never seen his brother act in such a manner before: it was like he was, no it couldn’t be! Roy cursed under his breath, foiling his plan in such a way—wretched entity. Roy turns his back towards Ron and Noaru to conceal a dagger within his sleeve.


“Ron, why do you trust in a complete stranger? This thing could be misleading you into believing something entirely untrue. ”


Roy needed Noaru out of the picture what better way than manipulating his naïve little brother. Roy saw Ron as an annoyance—always bothering him—always bringing dishonor to the family name. Roy, he was tired of Ron’s existence and the sinister plan he had in store…would work wonders.

[Noaru]

The Haunted Falls


“Ron, your brother beseeches you. Who will you trust, will you discover the one that is truly deceiving you?”


Noaru gazes in Roy’s direction; he could feel Roy was hiding something. Noaru levitates closer to Ron, allowing his daggers to hang low to the ground beneath him. Noaru would have cut the thick tension in the air, if it was physically possible for him to do so. The situation was going nowhere fast and Ron was being too hesitant in his decisions. He took too long to think and by his brothers silent reactions… he was doomed. Noaru did not wish for a soul like Ron to perish: an innocent mind should be allowed to mature, along with its pure soul.


“Roy, is it true? That you had another reason for bringing me out here?”


Ron carried a look of disbelief. He’d never questioned his brother, not once and always did what he said like a good younger brother should. Yet Noaru brought Roy’s shady motives into light, revealing the serpent lying in wait beneath the branches—fangs cloaked in poison. Ron looks at Noaru, who was levitating beside him. Ron could not look upon Noaru’s face but he felt that there were eyes there, telling him to be diligent and watchful of Roy’s actions and words.


“I see the direction this situation is going. Ron, you trust some entity more than your own flesh and blood—you are a disgrace to our family, die.”


Roy turns, revealing his dagger to Ron and Noaru. This would have gone smoothly, if Noaru hadn’t intervened. Roy despised Noaru for this reason and now he has to take matters into his own hands. Ron was going to die a quick death but now, oh now it would be slow and arduous. Roy closes in on his younger brother with his dagger in hand; slowly did he make his approach, as he tries to instill fear in his brother’s broken heart. Ron stood upon the cold earth—empty and expressionless. There was nothing he could do, he couldn’t hurt his brother and believed that maybe, all of this was truly his fault.


“Bonds overturned, blood cast aside. I will be your brother’s shield and sword—bide.”


Noaru coiled his soulmist that held a dagger like spring and flings it forward! He battles to keep the dagger on course, its flexibility and trajectory waned as the distance grew greater. The dagger misses its mark by an inch, as Roy quickly avoids the dagger by ducking downwards. Noaru pulls back on his soulmist, forcing his first dagger to retreat. There was disadvantage on Noaru's side and Noaru refrains from using soulmist; his attacks were to slow and were easily being avoided by Roy. The only option left was to possess Ron, as approaching an agile opponent in his natural form seemed unwise. Noaru drops his daggers—the two blades fell and embedded themselves in the dirt.


“Ron, there comes a time when two souls must fight with their all: another will rise—the other will fall. Although, there is a loss in this struggle both come to understand the weight of their actions and outcomes. Ron, will you rise or fall?”

[Noaru]

Until The Next Journey Begins


“….”


Ron was quiet, his will seemed broken. Noaru envelops Ron’s body; his blackened soulmist embraces the humans shaken form. Noaru found no resistance within his host; it was like he possessed an empty body—void of soul. He senses Ron’s emotions: all were in complete disarray. Noaru extends himself across his hosts body, his roots were able spread quickly throughout Ron’s body: a lack of will always made possession easier.

Noaru noticed that there were parts of the mind he wasn’t allowed to occupy, he knew that memories occupied these areas but one of many of them allowed him to communicate with his host.In possession, one affords telepathic understanding of the host. Noaru understood this and sensitivity to the emotions of the host was very important—Empathy. However, Noaru was locked away from Ron’s thoughts and memories; neither could he speak with his host. The situation with Ron would have to wait…there was another issue at hand.

Noaru lifts his dagger from the ground. Once Roy had seen the posture and facial expression of his brother change, he stops and holds a stance. Noaru observes Roy’s stance. The front knee was slightly bent and the elbows were in at the sides. The hands were up of course, for protection; his right was in front of his left hand which held the dagger. Roy lowered and tucked his chin in to protect his throat. Noaru mimics this stance and allows the information from his observation to soak into his mind.

He needed to know how to wield a weapon; especially one he has personal feelings attached to. Noaru needed to know how to wield a dagger. This was a perfect opportunity to learn while in combat. Roy rushes Noaru and lunges for his throat. Noaru slides his feet backwards along the ground, he quickly pauses to lean his upper body to the right. Roy’s dagger glides pass Noaru’s neck and over his left shoulder. Noaru slides his left foot forward: for it to go between Roy’s legs and hooks his ankle behind Roy’s left ankle.

Roy attempts to pull away but realizes his ankle had been trapped. In an attempt to free himself, Roy pulls in his dagger and slashes Noaru across his left cheek. Oblivious to the pain, Noaru reels in Roy’s and his own ankle, throwing Roy off balance. He clenches his right fist and slams it into Roy’s chest: where he strikes his opponents heart. Roy gasps and stumbles backwards while holding his chest with his right hand.

Noaru thrusts his dagger forward while his opponent was stunned and stabs Roy in his left shoulder.


“Aaaaah!? PETCH!?”


Roy yells in pain! Noaru left Roy with no time to recover; he withdraws his weapon from Roy’s shoulder and delivers a solid punch to his opponents face—right between the eyes. Roy falls backwards and hits the ground, unconscious. Noaru felt Ron’s body grow tense and a sensation repulsive in nature taking hold of him. He knew what rejection felt like and releases his hold on Ron’s body. Noaru’s jet-black soulmist escapes from Ron's body in which his entire form follows.

He materializes into view, donning his signature form and black robe. Noaru watched as Ron crouched over his unconscious brother, tears falling from his eyes. Noaru extends a few tendrils of soulmist to retrieve his daggers: one from the ground and the other from Ron’s hand. There was still some blood on the blade. Noaru brushes his soulmist along the dagger’s blade to remove the blood. He extends another tendril of soulmist to take away Ron’s dagger. Noaru throws the weapon into the woods; it was not something he would keep: it belonged to an unrighteous man.


“Thank you, entity. I’ll handle things from here, so leave, please leave before he awakes.”


Ron stared into Noaru’s eyes with tears streaming from his. Noaru grants Ron’s wish and levitates into the forest where he assimilates into the shadows and disappears.

[Zandelia]

Noaru :

Skills
Soulmist Projection – 2
Materialization – 3
Dagger – 2
Possession – 1
Observation – 2
Brawling - 2

Lores
Sunberth: The Haunted Falls
Haunted Falls: Voices Within The Mist
Haunted Falls: The Forsaken Bridge
Brother’s Bond Broken
Brawling: Ankle Trip

Any questions about my grade? PM me at any time. Keep Writing!