Pit Prep. Day 5 (solo)

[Valorae]

Night Eyes underground… 6 Winter 511 The world was black and quiet with the exception of the distant flicker of a flame. The distant sound of grinding metal pierced through the silence in a burst. It came again, and again, until finally the shrieking blade was upon her. The dark looming figure took up the sword that had been dragging against the ground and plunged it into her with the loudest squealing yet. She woke up in sweat, her eyes open, and the rest of herself in a stasis. The sharp stabbing pain in her chest subsided as reality took back over. A deep sigh of relief passed over her. Her breath was hot, her heart still racing, and her world still spinning. The blade wasn’t there, she wasn’t in the pits, but she would be soon enough. The dream was over. The nightmare was just beginning. Eva, the heart seeking sword from her nightmare, was squeaking somewhere under her bed or in the wall. Valorae buried her head back into the pillow. I won’t cry. She kept promising herself that much. She had felt the whole thing had been helpless as it was that there was no lower way to go, but that barrier was broken last night. This whole time, she looked at her condition as meat for the merciless entertainment of a crude coliseum to be the absolute bottom. The anticipation of death slowly bled her dry over the countless hours. Next thing she knew the floor below her dropped out and it got darker. Last night revealed her situation to be worse than she had anticipated. At any time they could come in and strip you bare, violate your every pore with what they wanted, and toss you back. They could have just as easily grabbed her like that and struck her dead. They could actually just restrain her and… Valorae ground her teeth together, kept her eyes shut tight, and just frowned with her face in the pillow. Don’t cry, don’t cry. It took every bit of her attention to keep the tears from flowing. She put as much of the frustration as she could onto the pillow. Grabbing it at either end, pulling down, nails sinking into the fabric, she was fighting so hard. She screamed into the bound feathers at the top of her lungs with little satisfaction. The torch light still flickered, and no one answered back.

[Valorae]

It was this place, these dark small rooms, the routine, the lack of control, all of it. She couldn’t take it much more. She couldn’t petching take it! She needed to get out; she needed to breathe fresh air. Ugh, the choking scent of the torch fumes… The darkness, this petching darkness that covered everything… She needed to get out; she needed to get out of here. Her heightened sobbing was the start of an eruption. She threw her arms up and ran screaming for the door. She was losing something in these dark hall ways, something very precious to her. She screamed and banged against the clattering door, just screaming. She might as well have been in the loony bin. “Let me out!!” She growled into the quiet hall. Let me out, let me out! Words, words, words! They did nothing for her, absolutely nothing, but she kept babbling anyway. No one hears you, little girl, no one cares. Rot in the dark, alone and dead inside, rot away into nothing. No one loves you, or wants you. Scream, yes, scream. Scream to your little heart breaks. Cry and cry, till nothing’s left to cry. You are worthless, insignificant, helpless! Why don’t you do something useful with yourself, for once in your life, that pathetic excuse of a life you have! Valorae screamed again and smashed her elbows into the door behind her. She was against it, sliding down into her own little ball of pity. “I hate you!!!” I hate you, I hate you, I HATE you! Words, words, words. Hahahaha… *** She was transformed now, that blurred reflection of Syna’s beauty and the divine essence that solidified in this realm showed itself. The placid look in her eyes deceived those who’d look upon her. She was calm, beautiful…perfect. She held the bracers in her hands, and the armor. These would be used for work. She was ready now, ready for them to take her away back into the room of pain. She brought it on herself. She didn’t have to do anything, but she did. Haha, yes she did! The guards came for her. They had grins under their cowl. It was funny to see something so oblivious holding the weighed bracers and armor like she did. They were hers, and she intended to use them, but the poor thing probably didn’t know how. It wasn’t their job to tell her either. She could get creative. The eerie gray of the stone glistening from the torch light said it all. It was really a dull moment in time, but that was just the surface that was hiding so much beneath it all. She blinked and looked up at them. She was perfectly fine, oh yes, perfectly fine. Inside she was dying though, but she still looked perfectly fine, yes. They lead her off and deposited her. She’d promised herself she’d live. It had been a few days now since she was here. It all seemed to be so long ago. With her eyes closed, breathing, she felt the room expand and contract around her. Deep breaths through her nose, the focus of her breathing in her throat, she took in the air, and let it back out. Everything was so long ago. Just breathe, baby, breathe… Come on now, yes…yes! Her head tilt back sharply, a slight movement of her body. She blinked back into focus and adored herself with the armor and bracers. The armor set over her shoulders. An intense feeling rushed over her. She squinted and just took a breath, the dust and blood coming off the armor and filling her with its scent. The bracers were on next. The ground below her shimmered with sun light off of the moist earth. She knew this wasn’t right, and looked harder, but it was gone. Her head was spinning. Something wasn’t right. Valorae just ran her hand through her hair trying to relieve the stress, pulling her hair tight, just before she’d be ripping it off her head. Breathe, baby, breathe… Deep breaths, good, good… In and out, she let the air circulate and loosen her body. There was work to be done. She lifted her arms and spun around. The bracers were secure, but damn heavy for what she usually wielded in her hands. Valorae held her hands upright and looked at the bracers. They’d slow her down, but in the process she’d get used to them. She had gotten used to this place after all…somewhat. Given time, her muscles would tear and grow anew, stronger and prepared for the added weight. At such a time, the weight would be as a part of her, and she would be strong. Loose the weights then, why by then she’d just cut light lightning. There was more to be added though. Valorae approached the rack and drew her sword and dagger. It was a flick of the wrist, and she twisted the knife around by the pommel. There was something amusing in the smooth wood sliding through her fingers, something about feeling its weight. She held the pommel upright in her hand, the dagger like a spine off her wrist. The sword was in her drawn back arm, a power ready to be unleashed. She took her stance, raised her right arm above her hand and her left arm outward. It was a quick step. Forward right leg, spin on right heel, cut with dagger, finish with sword. Swing all the way through now. That’s right, that’s my girl! Don’t let him up, yes, good, yes, yes! The sword came up and plunged itself for the ground, as if guiding itself. Valorae stared at the ground, unsure of where that had come from. A flash in her mind, the metal of the sword, blood… She let go of the blades and backed away. There was nothing there! Come, now, baby…baby, please! No…no! Valorae pressed her hands to her face, unable to come to terms with this feeling. A pain shot up through her neck, and her head jolted backward. She took a breath through her teeth and rubbed her neck. The weights made it uncomfortable. Maybe that was the problem. She had too much weight with the sword. There was still more she could do.

[Valorae]

She spun her arm through the air, the imaginary blade in hand. The weight added much more resistance than she anticipated. She held her arms out at her sides and already felt them weighing her down. These were heavy. She brought her arms back in and rubbed herself. She wasn’t fond of soreness. She wanted to do something, but really had no direction. She lacked the knowledge to become a monk over night. She did what she knew, and took a stance. She had her fingers sprawled like claws, and crouched a little. The tigress was breaking herself back in. When the tiger strikes in combat, it is a very intelligent creature. Even when brawling with other cats, there’s a system of fighting that humans like to take up in boxing. Rather than jumping whatever moves, biting it and hoping for the best, the tiger will actually box. On its hind legs, its paws come up and it will start to swat with its massive claws at the prey or predator that challenges it. It’s a quick, simple stroke, more like a crescent strike, swinging through and back to start, and repeat, and repeat. Good, good, you’re getting it now. Now…strike! Valorae swept out with her left claw. It was a relatively quick strike outward once the inertia of the bracer was overcome. Then it comes around, her claw sweeping out the face of her shadow foe, and back into her chest. Repeat with the right. Swipe, swipe, uppercut. She felt the flow of her motions fight against the steady halt to each attack at the air. The weights fought against her every movement. Swipe, swipe, kick forward… That was interesting. She was moving quickly forward with this pattern of attack. Swipe…left tumble… Getting back up was less than graceful, even from a knee. She swept out the ground with her leg and stood back up. Someone should have been there. There should be more things in her way. It was coming back to her. Valorae shadow boxed with the empty space a while longer. It was a direct embodiment of the tiger cubs, although playful, it was a hint of her future. Strong playmates were strong tigers later in life. She was a tigress in the making, protective and furious when provoked. She was just that way, almost unblinking in her motions, set on her goal, and she would have it. The style was not something the monks of Nyka or Lhavit would know per se. There was ferocity to the style matched only by the true image of the tigers themselves. The Myrians were skilled in fighting. Valorae drew from the vague muscle memories of what it felt to wield claws and crush her opponents. She tumbled back over to her dagger blade and threw it forward. Valorae was panting. Still she felt the inner desire to do something more, her fury unfulfilled by emptiness and wooden dummies. Just breathe… She grabbed at the leather armor and pulled it away from her chest. It wasn’t helping; she pulled it off. Everything was heavy, and hurt, and she just wanted to get out… She removed the bracers and threw them across the room, only to get up and put them back on. Don’t give up now… Her arms were sore, she removed them again and laced them over her ankles. Her petit feet and legs were perhaps the only reason they fit, and even then there was the awkwardness of the shape. She took a few weighted steps and got a feel for them. She could work her legs still. Her body hated her for everything she did. She was scarring her body inside, stronger and stronger though she’d become. The soreness and burning were not enough. She’s work herself to death first. She knew that attitude now, and kept with it. It was the mindset of a survivor in this world. Keep pressing forward. Her balance was all over. She had been rolling again, the tops of her feet strapping against the ground as she kept pushing forward. Sliding down to her knee, and back off the other foot. Agility, was that it? She was fooling around here, running around by herself doing tumbles and playing with swords. H’ya! A kick! Even with the weights, she could pump her feet and get about a foot from the ground with an aimless kick and land back on all fours. The sword was across the way, on the other side of the room. She ran for I with all her might, speeding legs, air flowing like the wind…the sun light warm on her skin, trees all around her… Valorae ducked down and slid to the sword, rolled over like a cat, and stood back up in her stance. There was nothing there. She let down her guard to look around. For all the room had to offer, it wasn’t much. They probably didn’t want her breaking anything valuable they might have, if they had anything. They must have something that they are so well hidden under the ground. Valorae’s thoughts perceived these things and tried to understand it all. She was a pretty crappy gladiator, to say the least, or at least she thought so. What she didn’t see was her growth, the power of her Myrian ferocity, and the tenacity of her mind. How many had stayed huddled up in a ball in the corner waiting for the end? How many said “You win” and gave up from the get-go? Not her, not ever. Myrians lived in worse than this. This treatment was more of a luxury from work, being fed, and left to her person in comparison to the wild life Falyndar’s offered. V’lorae never died; she was just transformed. Valorae walked back over to get the dagger. She felt the pain in her legs, a clear sign she was almost done for today as well. She failed to consider how she never really let her legs rest. Her body was drained. Maybe she could steer away from her strong headed desire to hit things and actually learn to hit the right way. There was a precision in technique deep within her she needed merely focus on for the greatest success. Pop on a suit of armor and some sharp knives and she would be ready from there. Ready for what? As arrogant as it is to say anything, it’s true. She’d be as ready as she could be, though that doesn’t mean she’d win. She held the weight of the dagger and took a measure of what she felt would be enough of a spin and energy to make it spin. Some feet from the dummy, she slid the handle down and chucked it at the target, twisting her wrist and fingers down for a spin. For all her crap skin in giving it a spin, her blade came close to where she had been aiming. The throat of course, only she hit somewhere in the chest with a blunt part of the model. Her arms were sore. “Planning to win a fight and here I’m playing with knives… Maybe I want to die. Hmm, well that’s just my personal business isn’t it?” She laughed and kept walking back for the blade to reset and try again. She cracked her neck and kept walking, denying how she really felt for what it was worth. Walking past the dummy she, for whatever reason… decided to punch the training dummy in its face. She let out a shout from the pain and started licking and sucking the broken skin. It wasn’t much of a hit, but that dummy didn’t care to differentiate. She grabbed the knife up and walked back over to the dummy’s face. She stood around and looked back at the door. No one was there, at least as far as she could tell. Then she was looking at the dummy. She called him, “Dummy, who do you think you are…? You stand around here like you’re something tough, but I don’t see you fighting back, huh? Hehaha… What am I doing…?” her hand was at her brow wiping the sweat away. “I’m really going insane… Hello!! Is anyone in there,” Valorae said knocking on the dummy’s head. No answer. She lashed her arm back and then out again, stabbing the dummy in the right cheek and across, followed up with her tiger claw. It didn’t hurt so much with her palm and nails. She really could do something more productive than hit wood though, just not here. She knew her time was almost spent, and could spend the rest of her time more wisely. She returned the weapons like a good girl, set her armor and bracers near her, and sat down to stretch. What a boring day it had been. She started to think about seeing Eva.

[Valorae]

Valorae found her spot on the floor and stretched herself out. Her body felt so hot and loose after the workout. Ha! Workout! She was hardly even training herself now. She just tried to make the most of her time, she supposed. Heels together, her hands pushing her knees down and apart, stretching out those inner leg muscles, Valorae was meditating, or what she called meditating…relaxing. Impulse. She rolled onto her back and placed her hands about her head to the floor. She might not have the strength to be entirely successful. She knew she’d have to be quick. She rolled all her mass into that upside down mortal ball and kicked up. She pushed up with her weak arms, and rolled her back. She felt herself briefly leave the floor, the soles of her feet touching the earth first. She was doing it! –and then she felt the wind ripped from her lungs. Wide eyed and stunned, unable to even gasp for air, Valorae flopped around like a grounded fish. Tears came to her eyes as she started to panic, unable to breathe. It was just like the sea, just off the coast when she fell into the water. She couldn’t breathe! She reached for her chest and neck, and kept trying to breathe. Finally she felt her airways clear and the breath flowing again. She was in tears from the experience, having had the wind knocked right from her. She lay on the ground for a while longer, trying to collect herself. She needed to be careful when doing this kind of work, or she’d really end up hurting herself. That was enough for today. That was definitely enough. They came for her; time’s up. Valorae stood up with her hands and head in place for what they needed to do, as usual. Her garments were in hand of one or another. Another routine to drag her down… She was back in her room, released from their grasp before she said, “I need a pair like these for my legs, and - and maybe someone to train with!” The door was being shut in her face as she rushed the last words out. She just closed her eyes and tried to breathe. Everything was alright. She wasn’t food for dogs. Everything was going according to plan. Valorae heard the squealing of the rat. “Eva, baby…” She wouldn’t come out. Food would be here soon. Valorae propped herself on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. She had all the time in the word and nothing to think about. Valorae laced her fingers and brought her hands to her chest, closed her eyes and breathed again. Deep breath in, through the nose, feel it in your throat, hold it…now let it go, same speed, focus on the air moving through and release it all…once more we’re going to breathe in and… Valorae repeated for a while, trying to find clarity in her mind. She became very focused on the breathing, her mind a state of isolated silence beyond the silence of the room itself. A thought entered her mind, and settled under the focus of her third eye. It was a motionless action, a felt thought. Valorae prayed: Syna… She meditated on the thought of her name and what it meant. The glowing goddess had brought so much to her life, and yet she could hardly recall any of it now. She had no idea why she knew this divinity, only that she did, and that at a time they were close. She had provided a security and comfort known nowhere else somewhere beyond here… in the Ukalas… It was a sanctuary. And then there was this, all of THIS place, Mizahar, Sunberth! Despicable Sunberth! Syna…I… A mental sigh… I don’t know what to say. I…I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I beg your forgiveness. Please, just please take me back. Take me away from here. The selfish Ethaefal prayed to her goddess for mercy when she’d done nothing to earn the favor. She needed to know the tragedy of her situation. Fate would have it she was here today, but that’s not to say it was anyone’s fault for it happening. Bad things happen, and she needed to learn to accept that…maybe one day. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she failed to hear the food placed, or the rat sneaking her share away from it. Valorae shifted and scared Eva away from the platter to feed herself. The Myrian had come out sometime before then. She tossed a spoonful under the bed. “Enjoy it Eva. The food around here doesn’t get much better.” Not entirely true for the rat who could sneak through the walls to who knows what part of this place. Eva was well fed for a rat to say the least. Valorae wasn’t so deep in the bowels of the city as she thought. Valorae laid her head to rest, and fell asleep with fair ease. The night could bring many things still. She was a play thing to her captors in relative comparison. There were also terrors that lurked in a plane beyond Mizahar’s physical world. Valorae hoped for no more nightmares, most likely in vain. Syna was sure to be frowning somewhere in the world.

[Archelon]

Thread Award "..." And the Results!!!!: Valorae : SkillName 1-5 How/why? Shortsword 3 Running 1 Meditation 2 acrobatics 1 Unarmed combat 1 Bodybuilding 1 Animal Husbandry(Rat) 1 Feeding a mouse counts Lores: Praying to Syna. Would you like some extra turtle sauce ? : Interesting thread Any questions,comments,or concerns please feel free to send me a nice pm.