Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Every 10 Years Forum FIVE FACES OF DEATH: The Path...

From the cottage of Mearl Dox , through the scary woods, three figures enter...

The woods indeed grow more terrifying out here, on the cusp of Legion World, but the Path must be taken nonetheless.

Onwards now, to the Tower. And the horrors that await us on the road.

<looks at shrunken Vee>

Yet still there are no visual wounds on you, noble one. But I can feel it from the Eye. You are dying...

EDIT - I changed the thread title to reflect 'The Five Faces of Death' title...hope no one minds... - Cobie

This Path is dark and frought with danger.

If I can brave this test, I feel I will have proven myself worthy for whatever challenge awaits at the Tower...and from the Other.

[looks at a hologram of Babette]

I fear I will not make our date, beautiful one. But I will be there, nonetheless...

This task I do for you...but also for myself.

[they come upon a rectangular object blocking The Path]

[all attempts to circumvent it or remove it are countered]

[a voice says:]

All travellers who wish to continue along The Path must gaze into the Mirror of the Future. What they see will challenge their willingness to continue. But all who travel must gaze into it or turn back. And none may share what they have seen.

The Path will continually challenge the braveness, intellect and capacity for love of its travellers to determine their worthiness to reach the Tower.

[the Mirror's cover comes off]

Look into it now or leave!

{Rockhopper Lad approaches the mirror. He takes a deep breath and looks into it and sees an old Pyngwyny man, frail and tired-looking.}

The Mirror speaks:
Eudyptes of the Pyngwyn Colonies, known as Rockhopper Lad, this is who you will become if you allow yourself to be ruled by your self-doubts. Unable to serve with your Legion. Unable to acceed the throne. Unable to find love again. Unable to help your precious Adelie and Hyvvie. Follow the Path and this may not come to pass.

{He backs away from the mirror and remains stoic.}

{Rockhopper Lad does not say a word, but muses silently.}

Is that what I'm really afraid of? I've met an evil version of myself. I've been tempted with power much greater than I have. I've seen horrors beyond what I thought possible, yet can it be that I'm my own worst enemy?

Hrun approaches the path. He is confused. What is he doing here? How did he get here?

Looking up he sees figures in the distance and he recognizes them. Running towards them he sees the look of confusion and horror on Rockhoppers face then realises that this is not Lard Lad but indeed a robot.

“Noble Prince” he says to Rockhopper Lad “why am I here and what is this mirror doing hear in the woods?

[the mirror speaks]

You are here because you belong here, Hrun! It is your destiny to walk The Path with these others and be tested. But to proceed, you must look into me and see what the future holds...

I shall look into the mirror.

For you Inquisitor, there is only this: <shows him a secret image>

Yes. I believe I have always known.

It means little to me...I must go down this path. And perhaps then I will finally have the retribution I crave.

<turns to Hrun>

Join us then Barbarian. It looks like you were on the verge of death not long ago but have recovered just in time.

At last--we begin.

<takes first step>

The die is cast. There is no turning back now. I feel that more than one of us shall not return whole.

<continues on>

[looks into mirror]

[sees himself, a frightening version of himself causing untold havoc on Legion World. Flanking him are dozens of blue and red-clad, blond-haired women, destroying everything in their way. His eyes glow bright red. His laughter is pure malevalence.]

No....

You must continue, Tin Man. It is your destiny.

But...I don't want to be...that.

If you do not continue, there is no hope, Tin Man.

No hope?

[thinks of Babette]

I hope...I'm taking the right path...

[follows Roy and Rockhopper]

Along the road of the Path, the cadre of heroes takes a break and makes camp…

<poking fire with stick to keep it hot>

Ugh…my head…the Eye is giving me more thoughts. At least it is not dreams.

Tell me Rockhopper Lad…who is Blaine Fey? I…I keep hearing the name. I can’t help but feel…that somehow our thoughts are blending together. The Robot’s remain unclear, but the Barbarian…he thinks of the girl Everyday Girl. I wonder why? I always thought she was part of the House of Quank, not the House of Hrun. But I hear Blaine Fey in your thoughts.

I can only assume you may hear my own. I find myself thinking of them more and more as we go down the Path. This road will lead me somewhere I fear I will not return. I remember Illyria, of my youth. A horrible, horrible world, plagued by civil war…

And Civil War brought a time of terrible troubles to Illyrria, and to all its citizens. I was just a boy, far too young to be involved, but its effects were felt by all, as poverty, filth and famine were common throughout the planet. Two factions fighting constantly, death around every corner. Yet another war after a series of civil wars, as the once proud nobles of our planet now continued to vie for power.

I was lucky—my mother was a fine cook, and she served a gentle old nobleman, too old to involve himself in the wars, though he once proudly did so many generations prior. I had no real notion of the horror my planet had become. Until that one day…

They came for the nobleman. They took his life, but they truly came for his money and his property. Retribution, they claimed, for crimes committed decades earlier, against people long dead. But they came for his money and property. The Captains of the Mob, the degenerate pimps and the dealers, the gamblers and the gang leaders. Was it because they had an opening to do what they liked and take what was not there’s? Was it a political strategy somehow related to the civil wars? I was too young to know. I only cared about what happened to my mother and I. And it was terrible.

I recall the horror of it all. I was only a boy…

…we were their prisoners for three days, before the torture they inflicted on us eventually caused my mother to die. That seemed to have finally exhausted them of their brutality and they prepared to leave us. But not before giving me one final dose of horror.

<shaking slightly>

It was in the kitchens. They held me down, two of their largest. I was beaten and bloody, already too docile to care any longer. But the pain was so great that it brought back the fire of my youth. They took a pot of boiling water and poured across my face, and scarred me for life. They burnt away the boy that day. But they gave me my rage. I should have died from the pain but I did not. I lived on because I knew I must take revenge for myself and my mother. I still feel the hot boiling water on my face…I still feel the rage and the hate building within.

<stops speaking, regains sense of calm>

I have not thought of those days in many years, and I have only told that story one time, to Quislet. It was then I learned what the world was really about, what kind of animal it produced.

<takes off helmet>

This is what they made me. I have been a monster ever since.

<quietly looks out at the stars, saying nothing more>

[the robot sleeps, an unusual feature it was programmed with..]

[the robot approaches a hazy figure]

Who..are you?

I am Who!

That is...illogical. When I am asked that question, it is the answer I give. It does not make sense.

Yes it does, my Reflection: You are me...and I am Who!

I am you? Are you Lard Lad?

No, I am Who...I already told you.

Is this...what humans call a dream?

Yes it is, my Reflection. This is a dream, invented by your own subconscious!

But I am a simple robot. I cannot dream...I have no subconscious...only my programming.

You are much more than your programming. That's why the Other covets you so.

Who or what is this...Other?

It is a very powerful force, Reflection. Eventually, you will succumb to it, but--

No! I will NOT become that monster I saw in the Mirror! I will not--

[wakes up, gasps]

I...will...not...

[stays awake]

{Unaware of Clive's restlessness nearby, Rockhopper Lad speaks to Roy}

Roy, thank you for sharing that--for showing me your face.

{Grasps Roy's hand, then lets it go}

My life has been so different, growing up in the royal family of a peaceful society.

{Rockhopper Lad sighs}

You asked about Blaine Fey.

Blaine was the only man I've ever loved. He was from a parallel Earth that we call Earth-Four. He was a member of the SMB. When I met him he called him self Closeted Boy, but soon enough, he became Openly Gay Lad. We stayed in touch as best we could. Then came the Invasion. He gave his life. I don't know that I'll ever be able to love again, honestly.

{He sighs again}

You're so lucky to have Quis. He's a great guy. He was one of the first friends I made on Legion World. And he loves you very much. You're not a monster, Roy.

{He looks at the stars}

Our religion--in the Pyngwyn Colonies, that is--Pyngwypalia, says that no matter what you may have done, there is forgiveness and redemption, but sometimes getting there can be difficult.

{He shakes his head}

I wish Time Teller Lad were here. He could tell me what time it is in the Pyngwyn Colonies. I'm terrible at that. Every day in the middle of the afternoon, my mother says her prayers. I get the feeling we're going to need them.

[recovers from dream, approaches the others]

Forgive me, I overheard...

[looks at Roy]

I am not programmed to judge people on their appearance, Mister Roy. In fact I'm not programmed to judge anyone. But to shun another because of their appearance seems...abhorent to me.

[looks at both]

Mine is a new life. I am...discovering more about myself every day. I am learning to cherish my existence, finding wonder in things many sentients take for granted.

Lately, and I may be..."jumping the revolver", to borrow a human colloquialism...I may be falling in love with a lady I met recently. I don't know. I could be wrong as I don't completely understand the concept.

But I walk with you on The Path, knowing that I may never return to find out whether that love is real.

I envy the two of you. [looks at Rocky] Though you have lost your love, Mister Rockhopper, I see in your eyes that you have, indeed, loved.

[looks at Roy] The same is true of yourself, Mister Roy. No matter what has happened, what will happen, no matter what you've done in your past..you, too, have loved...

[looks at both again]...and from the merest twinge that I've been priveleged to feel, I am quite certain that what the two of you have, or had, is precious beyond imagining.

Remember that as we face an uncertain Path, my friends.

[lifts up his cup of lubricant]

Will you drink to this, my friends?

{Rockhopper Lad again looks to the sky, then to his comrades, then raises his own cup}.

Yes. To love, past, present {pauses} and future!

[sometime later, the three are travelling down their seemingly endless Path]

[Clive is whistling merrily and thinking of Babette]

[Suddenly, Clive feels a familiar presence speak in his mind...]

Ah, YES, little robot! You draw nearer and nearer to me...

[thinking] No, I don't, presence! You are cold, heartless...and I have love in my heart! There's no way I will--

HA! The less robotic you become, the more susceptible you are to my control! This...spark...inside you makes you weak, while at the same time making you a powerful prize for me to claim!

You won't beguile me with your lies, presence! I have the power of my love on my side!

Your love? Who, Babette? That little tramp, even now, is consorting with your 'Master' as we speak! Babette is programmed to flirt with and beguile her customers at SHAKES! It's how she gets bigger tips!

[eyes glow red] Liar! Take it back...NOW!

Think about it, 'Clive-Bot': why would a sumptuous robot like her take a liking to a snivelling, naive little robo-pup, such as yourself, when she could have the pick of any of thousands of mechs who walk through the door of that bar?

SHUT UP!

It doesn't compute, does it? She's toying with you...

STOP IT

...using you...

I SAID SHUT UP!!!

...playing you for a fool!!!!

SHUT up?

[Rocky turns] Clive? Are you all right?

Hm? Oh, I'm fine, Mister Rockhopper, I was just...looking up at the stars...quite lovely, are they not?

[Rocky looks up] yes, yes they are.

[and the trio continue on the Path, however...]

[thinking] hee-hee...they don't know it, but--'Clive' isn' t here anymore! hee-hee-hee...

<walks along path, for the first time ever, he’s face remains unveiled, having discarded the helmet farther back>

Hrun the Barbarian moves up ahead quietly. He has taken on the role of our scout in this endeavor. Odd that one such as he finds it so easy to leave Legion World on a journey he hardly understands, and it feels so trying to me. Perhaps because I have finally found peace on Legion World.

No, that is wrong. I’ve never found it. I’ve only found Quis, to ease my suffering. Thank you for your kind words, Rockhopper Lad, and Clive. I believe this Path is more than simply a physical thing. I feel we are all going down our own path at this point, speaking of things we never have.

<grins>

Do not think me so philosophical. Vee’s Emerald Eye speaks these things into my mind. I hardly ever think in the metaphysical. It doesn’t suit me.

But I will tell you the final part of my story, because I must. I must explain it. Perhaps one day I can have a clean slate. Until then…I am simply used goods.

<walking, the Inquisitor speaks once more:>

The Boy should have died the day the scarred my face forever, and indeed, he partially did in a way. The torture I endured, and the torture I was forced to witness being inflicted on my mother stayed with me forever after. I began to understand that these pimps and gangsters, these derelicts and dregs, were a part of life in this world, but a dirty, horrible part. I could not understand how they were allowed to survive. Vengeance called out to me. My Mother’s…my own…the noble who had given us so much…all of those that had been killed in the civil wars.

And so I decided on that day, when I covered my face for the first time, that I would have that vengeance. On that day, the Inquisitor was born, and I used my tools—fire and steel—to instill vengeance. I will admit, I was cruel in this endeavor. It meant nothing to me to prolong their suffering, so I could extract a confession for the crimes they committed. One by one, all of those denizens of the mob felt my wrath, though I could never find the ones who scarred me so.

As I cleaned up the streets of Illyria, the civil wars came to an end, and our very own Queen was re-installed on the throne. At last, there was political stability and peace.

Not for me though. I continued to use violence and cruelty as best I could, and I continued to scare the criminals away into the shadows. When Queen Aggirppina became aware of me and what I had done, she sent guards to bring me to her. I thought at last, my time had come, and I would meet my end.

But it was not so. She made me an offer to help her. To help her clean up Illyria. She knighted me the Royal Inquisitor, and I served as the executioner for the royal government, using my own judgment and methods to destroy the enemies of the state and the enemies of the higher moral standard. Thieves lost their hands. Murderers felt cold steel, but slowly. Pimps and Prostitutes were burned. Illyria became rich in its moral exuberance and order prevailed.

The Queen was kind to me. She gave me riches, which I denied. This puzzled her. She gave me slaves, which I freed. She gave me women and men, which I turned away. She once offered herself to me, because I knew in her heart she feared me. But I never understand why. After all, were we not of the same mind?

But I learned of course. For I finally found the criminals who had sent me along the path I was on. I finally found those who had ruined all that I had ever known. They died, and they died painfully and slowly. But I did not do it for vengeance only. I did it because I had to know the truth.

And the truth was more painful than what had happened to me.

<Roy pauses, and if unable to continue. But he must>

In the civil wars, the monarchists and the rebels were at a stand still, because the rebels had gained the support of the nobility, and a new era was approaching. Only now did I finally learn that politics has such an important impact on the criminal element. For Queen Aggrippina was the one who approached the Captains of the Mob, and gave them the orders to loot, plunder and destroy the nobility. To have free reign with their property and riches. To destroy them utterly—without ever thinking of those that depended on them.

And now I knew what had to be done. For such chaos from the top levels of government must not be tolerated. Such compromises of morals during even war can never be justified. Aggrippina begged me to understand.

Which was good, because I took it as a confession, before I ended her existence, and extinguished the final flames of Illyrian society.

Disheartened, I went out into the world, and finally came here, to Legion World. For I had believed that the force most famous for an orderly universe, the Legion, was nothing more than a morally debaucherous band of agents of chaos. You know of my many crimes here.

Quislet finally helped me to see the light.

<Roy stops and looks at Clive and Rockhopper Lad>

For you see, I cannot allow you to think me a victim and a young boy who was purely helpless. For mine has been a life filled with cruelty and I am aware of that now. And I will have to find retribution. My crimes are far too great. I know in my heart that my days will end in the manner which they were most often lived. With fire and cool steel.

<continues to walk down the Path>

They still believe I'm in a coma but it's much worse than that. I'm barely holding on to this reality as it is.

Well, I know what needs to be done but I have no way of warning them. They're risking their lives in an effort to help me and don't realize that there is another way. It's a path I hoped to never have to take but my choices are limited, I guess. Sometimes, the choices we face in life are between bad & worse.

The price I'll pay will be enourmous, but it's better that I pay this price than to have them pay it for me.

So be it!


The small figure of Vee, securely held in Roy's pouch began to shimmer. Then it began shrinking...

smaller....

....smaller....

....smaller still....

....until it shrunk out of sight.

Just before Vee popped out of existence he mustered one last command.

Go! As Sarya did before me, I release you from my control. Go now, find your true master!

And then they were gone, both Vee and the Emerald Eye, so quietly that their absence would go unnoticed for the nonce.

Varalent?

N-no! No, he’s been lost to us! Is this all for nothing then? Are we on this path for nothing?!

<appears to be losing it>

The Eye is gone. But I still hear a voice in my head. Its directing me forward. Perhaps the Tower is the key to it all? But why?

<puts hands to head, and bends forward as if in pain>

We must go on. I feel danger all around us.

<holds machete up to Hrun, Rocky and robot>

Perhaps there is no reason to go on, but we must continue. I feel it in my soul.

Even now…listen!

<hears running water>

Perhaps that stream up ahead is where we can find guidance…?

<follows behind others>

Ah,yes...my control over Legion World's robotic poulation increases exponentially since I gained control of this vessel, even from this Path which is so isolated from that plane of existence!

I must continue onward, however, for the more mysteries I know the answers to, the greater my power!

<continues to the stream>

<sees stream up ahead>

Back away robot, you get too close to me.

(I feel pain all over...I feel as if I must find something within this stream)

<dives into the water without a word>

<swimming towards the bottom, the Inquisitor is enthused by the icey water>

<at last at the bottom, he finds a simple key, made completely of bone. The bones of human fingers>

<And he knows. He knows for some reason that here is the Key to the Tower. Despite the exit of Varalent, The Inquisitor must still go to the Tower>

{Rockhopper Lad dives in after Roy. Being a natural swimmer and diver, it takes him almost no time to catch up to Roy. Roy shows Rocky the key. Rocky understands the significance, but realizing Roy's need for air, grabs him and and pulls him to the surface.}

{Roy gasps for breath upon emerging from the water}

RhL: Roy, why didn't you ask me to dive in for it? I can hold my breath for over an hour and can swim much faster than a human! You could have got yourself killed!

Roy: Rocky, you know what this is! This is the key! We're well on our way!

We're well on our way!

I had begun to despair, but at last I know for sure! The Path all along was meant for us to find this key. Though I have no reason to believe it, I know in my heart that this is the key to the Tower! I feel that the Tower is at the heart of all this mystery and intrigue. Whatever it may be.

<hugs Rocky>

Thank you my friend, for coming to get me. Sometimes I can make rash decisions.

Let us camp by the fire tonight before we undertake the final journey.

Inquisitor….

…Inquisitor…you fool…

You thought it was the Emerald Eye talking to you all along. But it was I.

Now, my servant. You shall do my bidding.