Completed Rude Awakening

[Daegron]

Spring, 2nd, 514 AV
Late night.

Sweet Vanya is dead.

The gravity of this fact, the undeniable truth, struck him like a hammer on the forehead. And while his skull was still resonating from that hit, the last thing he saw before he fell into unconsciousness played before his eyes, like a vision. Clear and sharp, real as could be.

Her golden locks, once a stream so wonderful that he couldn't remove his fingers from, were now more like hay. Her playful eyes that sparkled with joy and mesmerised him every night they'd spent together, were now but a vacant stare; one full of cold accusations and despair: "why didn't you protect me ?". And her beautiful face, her innocent yet somehow cunning smile were now frozen still. And as that pale face was slowly dragged away from his eyes, he could see the ugly lump that adorned her head; a single thick red drop was slowly running down her cheek... He failed. He'd lost her.

The rest of it was but a blur, hands were gripping his throat and his breath was stolen away; and that was all. Now his eyes were slowly opening, and adjusting to the dim light. He was in a dark empty room and another one was there. He stood still, desperately needing to feel every single part of his body. He'd need every muscle and every bone and full awareness and control over them.

Daegron was lying on a corner, shackled and bruised but otherwise unharmed. There was a man sitting on the other side of the room. He was fast asleep ? His vision was still too blurry to make out the stranger's face, but that man's long crooked nose was unlike anything he'd ever seen.

"Where am I ?" He wondered and though a thousand questions started to form in his newly awakened mind, he tried his best to silence them all. He had to focus, hard as it was. He had to find a way out...

[Daegron]

First of all, he had to remove his shackles. And he had to do this as quietly as possible lest he startled the man who was probably guarding him. He had an idea how, but it would be tricky; never tried something like that. Sometimes a small and subtle change is harder than a radical morphing.

He looked at his hands intently and started focusing on his breathing. With each breath his fists were clenched tighter. He slowly spread his arms forward until he was able to feel every single muscle tightened. He exhaled and relaxed his fists and arms. He connected his right thumb and little finger and slowly his palm started getting thinner. A very light crack was heard just over the stranger's snore and Daegron's carpal bones slowly compressed against each other and were carefully rearranged. Just a little, enough to let his wrist slip free.

He relaxed himself and smiled in relief. His right hand returned to normal in a few moments. Now he just had to make it once more. He started focusing on his breath again, feeling all the energy running under his skin, through his arteries, into each and every muscle. Awareness was very important. The routine was the same, but this time the crack from his wrist was louder; enough to startle and alarm the man who was supposed to watch him. Daegron's focus was disrupted, and his left hand returned to it's normal shape before it was fully released. He felt a sharp pain and his hand getting squeezed to its breaking point. There was no time for that. With a low growl and gritting teeth, he approached stumbling the man who was slowly gaining consciousness and pushed his head with all the strength he could muster against the hardwood wall. A loud thud was enough to make Daegron sure that his guard was a threat no more. He hastily and paifully removed the iron band fom his left hand; it would soon swell, but at least it wasn't damaged...

[Daegron]

Who was she ?

She was the embodiment of all that he craved, all that he wanted, all that he ever asked. Yet it was not love. It was lust, it was hunger, it was need, it was... submission ? But now that she was lost, in his waking confusion, a strange question formed in his mind; and he had no answer.

Not what she was to him but really, who was she ?

Other than her name he could not seem to remember any actual facts about her. Just a torrent of images from their time together but no facts at all. And for a brief moment of clarity he believed that he had no reason to follow her here. In Ravok ? For what reason would they choose to be here ? What were they seeking ? Their journey was not one of romance, yet he had no other recollection than staring into her eyes and following her whims.

He dismissed the questions. He had lots to do and little time. He stared at the man who was now unconscious and touched his face. He just needed the nose; it's ugly length and shape shadowed the rest of this thug's face. He could create a copy on his face, enough to pass as him for a few brief moments. The rest was just acting and the element of surprise.

He focused on his breath once more and his eyes turned as if he was trying to see the tip of his own nose. His skin was pulled out as if it was rubber and started taing the long crooked shape. It was a strange sensation mixed with a bit of pain. After a few minutes, it was over. He touched his new nose and shuddered at the thought of wearing it for the rest of his life.

He got up and walked through the rickety door. There was a long corridor and a staircase leading downwards. He could hear people talking. Walking on the tip of toes he stood at the top of the stairs and tried to listen to what they were saying...

[Daegron]

"I don't like that ugly fool guarding our guest all alone, mistress said he was more dangerous that he seems"

"Ah don't worry... she also said our guest will be sleeping soundly for the next few days... I can't stand looking at his ugly mug... and his stench... better up there doing guard duty"

There appeared to be two men downstairs. Their voices were unfamiliar.

"Mistress will be here any time now... I'm going out to get things ready for when she comes" said the first voice and Daegron could clearly hear the sound of a door opening and closing again. He'd have to move quickly.

He climbed down the stairs, stumbling and moving from side to side, which got the second man's attention. He was a huge bloated lump of a man, slow but definitely strong. On a table next to him, Daegron's blade was resting, but he couldn't just grab it.

"Who told you to come down you idiot ? get back up and do your job !" said the big man in an angry manner and moved in to block Daegron's descend. He didn't seem to have noticed. The nose did the trick for now.

Daegron moved closer still avoiding eye contact with his opponent-to-be. And when he was close enough and raised his gaze, he could see the man's surprise drawn on his face. It was the chance he needed so he pushed forward with both hands to knock him down. But his opponent was far stronger than he was and did not move at all. Instead he grabbed Daegron's head and deftly pushed him over the railing and threw him over. It was a hard landing on the floor and by the time Daegron recovered and tried to get up, he found himself pinned down again. His opponent was using all his strength and weight and soon Daegron's chest would snap and collapse. He remembered being pinned down like that before... while watching Vanya draw her last breath..

Rage overcame him. He did not need to focus this time, he just had to let the beast inside him free. His mouth stretched, his lips disappeared, his eyes shrunk, his nose pulled back and formed a short snout, his teeth grew pointy and sharp and his jaw wider. His opponent stopped abruptly, shocked by the horrible transformation happening right before his eyes. Where once was Daegron's face now was a terrible gaping maw, eager to feast on flesh. Daegron pulled him closer and bit his shoulder. His sharp teeth were no match for the soft flesh and bones crashed under the maw's pressure. The big man screamed with pain and tried to break free, but this jaw was meant to grab and crash and rip limbs off. Now feeling free from his opponent's grip Daegron pushed him to the side and swiftly got up. The big man was shaking uncontrollably on the floor. He stormed for the door, grabbing his sword on his way out...

[Daegron]

The night was chilly and humid. The dark alleyway somehow was a welcoming sight. One that was followed by a blunt sensation of pain as his face started returning to it's proper shape. It was as if he wore a grotesque ever changing mask; his flesh stretched and moved like some viscous goo. The creaking of bones coming into place was unbearable, his vision blurred and his breath was difficult. It was his punishment for giving too much in such short time. He steadied himself at the nearest wall needing to become aware of his surroundings.

It was a few moments later that he could see clearly. He still felt swollen and numb. The platform gave way to a narrow canal running along the alley. Across the canal, a tall stone windowless wall; probably the back of another building. the narrow alley was 20 ft long on either side and led to equally dark alleys. This place was a labyrinth,, that much he knew.

Before he could decide on which direction he would follow he heard people approaching from the left. He instinctively knew he had to avoid them, so he stuck his back on the wall and walked away. Just when he reached the next alley, two figures appeared on the far side, rushing for the building he had just came out of.. The door was opened and the thug who guarded him stormed out to greet them.

"Mistress ! the stranger is gone ! Some animal attacked Undir, he is bleeding and he's passed out..."

And then Daegron heard it and could not believe it. At first it was a female voice like no other. But the accent was familiar. The way she pronounced each and every word was unique and he couldn't have been wrong at recognizing her voice. Where once was a sweet whisper or a playful laughter and a singing tone, now it was a cold sound of mockery and scorn; of arrogance and twisted control.

"Never mind the fool ! He's outgrown his usefulness, he has no chances here. Plans are set in motion. We are leaving now. Pick up Undir's body and make it disappear. You have three chimes."

Something broke as he rushed away to get himself lost in the alleys, the last phrase echoing in his confused mind. It was the smashing of a glass that covered reality, the previously undeniable truth. He was tricked, he was used, he was betrayed. Vengeful violent thoughts filled his head because...

Sweet Vanya was very much alive...

_

[Abstract]

Grade Awarded!

Daegron

Skills

~ Observation - 2
~ Morphing - 2
~ Brawling - 1

Lores

~ Using Morphing to Escape Shackles
~ Vanya: Traitor

Other

Daegron will have pains in both his hands for the next three days. The right hand will only hurt a little, but the left will hurt more. His jaw will hurt and feel as if in an odd position for the next five.

Notes

You probably knew the consequences, but remember not to be so... hasty... in your morphing if you don't want to get hurt. The overgiving wasn't much, mostly Daegron being stupid and uncareful when messing with his bones.