observerkaine

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 20

[The shoreline is oddly quiet. A book lays abandoned by the lava. What happened here?]

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 19: Beef

This… This is what they meant. This is what Aster meant by ‘blight’. It was a name.

He must be a level 3? Level 2? I think the latter.

He’s terrifying. I watched him walk out of the lava as if it were nothing. I mean, I know others can do it too, but he just shook it off as if it were nothing but water. I think he was dragging someone around too?

Don’t know. Probably someone ‘hunted’ like how AP threatened.

I’m fairly certain he could probably also disintegrate me with one touch based on the metallic smell of… I’m just going to crawl this way. Gonna go the long way.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 18: Jevin

I didn’t think I could find someone more afraid than me in this place. But I did.

They don’t speak. I don’t think they can? It’s almost like chimes and whistles, like bells and birdsong.

They’re like a living galaxy, an amalgam of star matter and anxiety. But they did convey a warning. Though I wonder what Aster means when they say blight.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 17: Wels Hels

Long-ish drabble below

He stops walking. The footsteps behind him stop.

“…Why are you following me still.”

Silence.

“….Lycan hurt you.”

“Yeah, because I was going to hurt you.”

“Why?”

He turns his gaze to them, the person who carried that stupid look and that stupider book. They had more scars on their body since the last time he’d seen them.

“Because it’s better to see if striking you down would make you disappear or if you’re trapped here. Or maybe I was bored.”

He steps toward them, shadows swirling off his form as he smirks.

“Maybe I wanted to see how long it would take for you to bleed out. Maybe I wanted to throw you into the lava to see if you sank.”

He looks down at them, wings manifesting. His eyes glow brightly.

“Or maybe I wanted to take my anger out on you.”

They look up at him, fear in their eyes. But they don’t cower away like the first time they’d crossed paths. Instead, they take a step closer.

“How do we get out of here.”

He blinks, eyes narrowing.

“Excuse me?”

“Lycan says there’s ways out. But I’ve only heard of one solidly confirmed one. It’s guarded though.”

He stares them down for a moment before laughing and shoving past them.

“You’re an idiot if you think you can leave here.”

“Treat said you’ve been outside before.”

He stops in his tracks.

“…Shut up.”

They take a step closer to him.

“You know the way out. Please-”

He snarls and flares his wings, facing them again.

“SHUT UP! There’s no way out of this damned place without losing everything you know! You belong here for one reason or another and the only ways out are either erasure from existence or some death trap of a joke that hurts more than it does to believe in it!”

He breathes heavily as he sees them flinch back from the intensity of his voice, but then flinches himself when they reach out and touch his face.

“…you’re crying.”

He steps back, a cold laugh leaving him shaking.

“I made the mistake of believing I could replace my other. Instead I became something not of here anymore and lost everything.”

He turns away from them, wings vanishing back into shadows.

“What if we-”

“I’m not helping you. Better get used to remembering this.”

He feels a tug on the back of his cape.

“…can I at least know your name? Everyone here has names.”

He laughs weakly, looking down. Flecks of gold stain the calcified floor beneath his talons.

“Mordred. The name I have is Mordred. I didn’t let him give me one. I’m my own person.”

He moves onwards, pulling away from them.

They look down at their book, frowning.

“….is this what Treat warned me about why I can’t remember my own name?”

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 16: Mumbo

There’s not many people who linger outside caves or over the lava sea. I’ve seen many who traverse through it, or near it, but this guy actively floated over it.

I’d asked him what he was doing. He said he was collecting stars. Apparently, the void sometimes drops stars or fragments into the lava from… somewhere.

Astro was good company though, if albeit weird. On one hand, I hope I run into more friendly folk like him. On the other…

I don’t want to meet too many too soon, because then all that’s left to meet are the dangerous ones.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 15: Cub

I can’t remember what happened between getting attacked and getting to here. The guy sitting nearby is keeping watch, and all I’ve been able to get out of him words wise is a few names.

Treat and Ursa.

Considering his appearance? I’d say he’s Ursa.

He told me Umbra spotted me getting dragged away and sent him to save me.

…I feel like I owe the shadow something now. But that’s a later me worry. Current me needs to rest. That and I’ve been told not to write more on him in case someone finds this book and tries to use it against him.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 14: Joe

[The book is missing a page, but it looks like the page was somehow melted rather than torn off.]

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 13: Cleo

OW.

WHY DOES THE LAVA SEA HAVE JELLYFISH IN THEM????

I know Meg warned me about possible sharp tooth people or creatures, BUT SHE COULD’VE WARNED ME ABOUT THE ONES WITH BUTTER KNIVES!

Medusa at least patched me up after she stabbed me but come on, I would’ve preferred venom or somet-

[The rest of the writing trails off into a messy line. Interrupted.]

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 12: Gem

I ran across the person Frosty mentioned. She uh… she’s terrifying. But hey, she helped scare off that Requiem guy once she realized who I was.

I think she pitied me? Or she realized I wasn’t exactly a good enough target to hunt.

I asked her as we moved to a new area if she’d like to tag along with me, but she laughed and said if she did then we were more likely to get into fights.

I don’t know why I didn’t consider that sooner.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Days 8-11: ZITS

Long-ish drabble below

The first thing they hear upon waking up is the low murmur of talking, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where. Their head throbs as they try to sit up, but between the sluggishness of their own movement and the thuds of a growing headache it’s difficult. Even before opening their eyes, they could tell they were in some sort of a cave. Or at least a very very large room.

The voices seem to fall away into a hush as they fully sit up, a faint pained groan falling from their mouth. They rub at their eyes, forcing them to open one at a time before adjusting to the dark room. They could vaguely make out three out of four sets of eyes watching them, but their faces were obscured from the distance.

“Look! They’re awake! Told you I know how to hold my punches!”

“The argument wasn’t about whether or not you could, it was moreso whether or not we needed another mouth to feed. We already have to deal with AP’s ever present hunger.”

They blinked before tracing the voices with their gaze, opening their mouth to speak before grimacing a bit.

“Oof. I wouldn’t recommend that, bud. We kiiiinda borrowed your voice to let Piano distract silly ol’ Requiem!”

They furrow their brows, mouthing the names back at the… Creaking? Warden?

“Yes to both creatures.”

They startle hearing their own voice come from the other person’s- wait, can they even open their mouth?

“No, I can’t. Regardless, I believe that’s not exactly your priority question.”

“Let them have their voice back, not everyone can read minds.”

They pout, crossing their arms. They listen to the trio argue, trembling with eventual growing irritation before swinging their arms out.

“I’m standing right here! Could you stop talking and just give me my- …oh.”

The three watch them, argument halted. It’s a tense moment, a reminder. They take a step back, voice wavering slightly.

“I- I didn’t meant to shout….”

The grinning creature laughs at them, waving a hand idly in the air.

“Nah, we’d have kept arguing the day away otherwise. Your voice suits you, by the way! Oh, and you’re welcome.”

“Thank you…? What… what even happened?”

The dark haired one scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“You were walking around like an idiot with your head in your book. Out in the open. We found you following Requiem and intervened before he led you to who knows what cave.”

They furrow their brows, pouting. That… didn’t sound right.

“He said he knew the way out of here. I trusted him.”

“You actually trusted someone from here? Damn, we should’ve just let you walk off with him then. He was doing you a favor snaring you like that.” “Hey now!” “What? It’s true! What idiot goes around willingly following any person in this cursed place?” “….” “Besides us, I mean.”

They shake their head sighing.

“I’ve met good people down here. I’m not exactly well versed on every group or connection yet. I’ve been taking notes, actually.”

“Oh! Is that was this was for!”

They yelp as a book is tossed their way, and relief washes over them at the familiar galactic carved onto the front with the flower marks pressed into the pages.

“Yeah…. Lycan gave me this when he last visited. I’ve been trying to keep track of who everyone is that I’ve met, but I don’t know how much I can note down if someone could just steal my mind like that.”

They flip through the pages, raising an eyebrow at the newest one.

“Why does this page say ‘AP WAS HERE’? Who’s that?”

The trio look to the sleeping member at the table, unbothered by all the noise.

“Him. He’s conserving his energy after the last failed hunt we had.”

“Wait, hunt? What could you possibly hunt in here?”

They all look to them. The sheer weight of the stare down was enough to make them take a few steps back, a tremble to each motion.

“I… Uh… I get your point.”

“Relax, we ain’t gonna go after one of Lycan’s buds! Honestly, considering how strong he is and the connections he’s got, it’s for the best.”

“Connections? Him? Is that why the strange guy in armor backed off?”

The dark haired one laughs, the sound finally waking AP up with a jolt.

“You got to meet the coward?! Oh man, that’s hilarious! Is he actually stupid?? Why come back all the way here!?”

AP stretches their arms out slowly, a soft clicking coming from under the mask as he looks to them.

“That’s not the coward. I thought it was time to eat finally…”

“Please don’t eat me.”

“I’m considering it.”

“We don’t eat guests! Besides! …they’re one of Lycan’s claims.”

AP hums before yawning, nestling back against the chair.

“Friends with a champion? Dang… I wanted to maul them….”

They watch as AP closes their eyes, promptly going back to sleep.

“…I assume being a champion holds sway here?”

“Think of it as like… hm. Like a power hierarchy or somefin! You got yourself waaaaaay at the bottom. No sway or say in anything! Weaker than whatever mob wanders on down here! Then there’s people like AP, the Scavengers. They eat the weak, or wait until one of the stronger folks finally gets defeated and rush to grab at whatever power they can. Then there’s folks like Vals here, say hi bud-” “Hi?” “-who are about very strong but not champion level. Think like… on a scale from one to five, he’s a four! Yes, you’d be a six, you’re not even really on this chart. Piano over here, the guy who stole your voice, he beat Vals and took the number three placement. They tend to roam around with ease and can even take territory if willing enough.”

“There’s territories??”

“Yeah? What, did you think we lived in a cave to be cool? We own this entire island, baby!”

They stare in disbelief, sitting down on the floor. They flip open their book and begin writing down what they’ve heard.

“Okay, three out of five, there’s territories, and scavengers… what about one and two?”

“Lycan is two. He’s not the top dog anymore, but he could easily overthrow the current champion if he wanted to. He actually stepped down because he liked to vanish every so often. Lucky guy. You haven’t met any one else like him, if the names in your book are anything to go off of.”

They pause and look up across the way.

“Only a three. Haven’t gotten a chance to defeat Meg yet. If I do, then I can move up a tier.”

They nod and write it down.

“Who’s at the top then-”

They start, before their throat feels like it’s closed up and they wince.

“The current Champion of here. Basil. Of anyone to come across, avoid him. Unless you want him to add you to his collection of statues. Just because Lycan has connections doesn’t give you immunity if someone like that decides you seem interesting enough.”

They half glare at Piano, clawing at their own throat in emphasis.

“Give them back their voice, P. They’re going to need it in a minute when they leave.”

Piano holds their gaze for a moment before closing his eyes. For a moment, the voice they hear isn’t one they recognize but can tell comes from him.

“Fine.”

They cough as the pressure fades and they sigh, finishing up the notes. They reread it a few times before looking up.

“I assume Basil’s the one blocking the way out?”

“Nope. But you better hope you don’t meet who is in charge of that.”

“There’s another person?”

“…” “…” “…We don’t talk about the Gatekeeper. He’s not someone you want to meet. He’s in the zero placement, and not because he’s weak.”

They nod slowly, scribbling down the last of the warning before closing their book.

“….is it possible to ask if I can hide out here for a moment longer? My head still feels like it wants to split open, and I’ve got a lot of information to process…”

For once, Vals’s gaze softens as he looks to the other two.

“Piano? Frosty?”

The one finally named scratches at his beard a bit, voice low but not harsh.

“They can stay until we next hunt. After that, they’re on their own.”

They don’t flinch as the trio look back their way and nod, flashing a tired smile to the three.

“Thank you.”

“Remember that not many people will be this nice to you out there. Even what we’re doing is a bit much, even for us. It’s out of fear of Lycan rather than full kindness.”

“I know, I’m just grateful I can rest for a bit…”

They slump against the side of the wall they’re closest to, curling their legs close to their chest as they hug the book to their body.

They don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened to them had they not been friends with Lycan.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 7: Etho

He’s such a good friend! I’m so glad to see a familiar face around here! I Can always rely on him to be there for me!

He knows where all the safe places are, he’s so smart! I wish I had more friends like him!

I don’t know what I’d do without him! I sure do wish I can see him more often! Plus, he knows a way out of here! I just need to follow him, okay!

He’s so nice! So friendly!

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 6: Joel

You’d think that someone quite literally made of stuffing would be friendly and nice, but you’d be rude and mistaken. Sure, he’s relatively friendly, but Pint isn’t exactly a teddy bear.

Okay, I admit that part’s obvious, but come on. He’s practically a living doll- Plush? Toy? He didn’t specify, and honestly I’m fairly sure he’d claw at me again. Somehow those actually ended up sharp.

He at least let me know to ‘not accept any treats’- or was it to ‘not accept anything from Treat’? I don’t know. He’d spotted something in the distance and bolted before I could ask anything else. It’s a miracle he didn’t burn up when sprinting through the shallow patch of lava onto the other island.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 5: Scar

This place has no shadows. I noticed that the first month I was here. I assumed it was the lighting or lack of lighting. A neutral hazy darkness from the cold lava that was everywhere.

Umbra explained it to me when I first made the mistake of falling into his base. Well- less of a base and more of “my happy little den of perfectly reasonably acquired goods!” by his own words.

The people here don’t have shadows, because everyone is a shadow to someone elsewhere. “I’m just built more true to my form,” he’d said while repairing the ceiling I’d fallen through, “but everyone else is themself! You’re different though. A rarity here.”

He never… he never actually explained that, come to think of. He simply asked his cat to drop me off outside, promised he’d have wares in case I needed help soon, then kicked me out. But I have a feeling I know why and who he’d meant.

I have so many questions, and I doubt I’ll get answers any time soon…

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 4: Pearl

She reminds me of the sun, which honestly isn’t all that surprising. She’s like Marrow, some sort of bloodthirsty creature masquerading as a friend, but she doesn’t actively hunt you if you turn down her offer.

Offer like- turning into a vampire. I’d rather keep what remains of myself as myself, thank you very much.

In a place all dark and cold, Sol’s somehow able to keep warm and cheerful. Though that could also just be a sign of madness. Am I going mad too?

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 3: Ren

He appears here often. He was the first one I’d met, even before Marrow. He’s friendly, safe. He’s patched me up whenever he visits, even if he himself looks worse at times.

I had to help hold his head for him, he says he got a bit carried away playing a game and ended up beheaded. I tried to ask more, he brushed off my worries.

He’d fended off the knight when they’d tried to use me as bait, once. I’d never seen him get so mad before, but it reminded me that everyone here, no matter how friendly, could turn deadly..

But at least I know that despite all of that, he’s still my friend. I just wish Lycan could get me out of here.

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 2: Bdubs

At least with the last guy, you know what you’re getting into with that danger mosquito. Not this one, not at first.

He had someone with him when I’d crossed paths with him last. A towering and terrifying monstrosity who insisted they’d keep us safe.

But I fled.

That dreaded cave, while the first warm oasis in this place, was like a pitcher plant. And this guy?

Let’s just say I’d rather not risk drawing his attention to me again. Pretty sure that skull he boasts to was the monstrosity, or at least what remained afterwards…

[observerkaine]

Hels a Noon Day 1: Grian

I’d crossed paths with him before. It must’ve been the first.. whatever constitutes as a week down here. I mistook him for someone safe, which was my mistake. There was nothing here, no one around besides the person I saw before arriving here.

He never spoke when he lead me to a cave, only humming occasionally. My ears and head hurt being around him. That should’ve been a sign to leave.

It’s not like I would’ve gotten far.

Mosquitos are freaking jerks.