username: wildsight
prompt:
There was only darkness. Perhaps due to his eyes being unopened or merely because of the endless black expanse before him. His gaze flickered about to no avail, the same void resting before his own dark eyes regardless of where he turned to. Rounded ears twitched as he let out a breath slowly. Just as he did so, pain began to settle among him, particularly his head. A singular question ran through his mind. Where am I?
xxxxAs he tried to get a grip of his surroundings, the goob attempted to rise to his paws - only to fall back into his previous position. A grunt sounded from him as he fell onto the ground, forcing his eyes shut as a surge of pain rippled through his frame. A sudden thought came to him. It's a dream. It's a dream. Just wake up…
xxxxHe'd been known to dream of such things. Of various things. So much so, he could hardly contain it all sometimes. Regardless, what he was experiencing had to be a dream of sorts - a trick of the mind, surely. His breathing quickened nonetheless, as he began to plead with his mind. Awaken me. Awaken me. Usually, he wasn't ever afraid of his own dreams...mostly. But this one seemed different. It seemed all too real.
Suddenly, an odd feeling overcame him. It was as if a pair of eyes had fallen upon him. Multiple pairs. He looked about him, despite knowing that such wouldn't help him pinpoint the culprits. Once more, he tried to rise to his paws - this time, he was successful. Though a tad wobbly at first, he managed to stand. Such gave him little aid in the end, as whatever he'd sensed earlier seemed to be approaching him. And quickly. There was only a single option: run.
xxxxBut where could he run to? There wasn't time to consider his options, especially considering the fact he didn't know of any. With only a moment longer of hesitation, the goob took off, bounding forward.
As he fled from his former spot, he frequently ran into walls, webs and various other horrors. To an extent he was thankful for the darkness - but at the same time, he wished for it so he'd have a chance to avoid that which he dreaded. Despite making progress - or what he hoped to be progress - the pairs of eyes seemed to follow him, regardless of how many twists and turns he made. It was as if someone was following him. Many were following him.
xxxxAnd then, it came. Light. A singular candle stood in the distance, bright and powerful as it forced away the darkness. I need to get there. Once he was among the light, he could discover the truth of his situation. Faster and faster he ran, gaze poised upon that which was held before him. Yet as he did such, the candle did not come any closer. It was as if he was running in place. Wh- Why? This cannot be happening. He could feel that behind him growing ever closer - but he wasn't moving. It was quite an unpleasant situation.
No. It can't end here. Why can't I just wake up? I'm tired of suffering. Just let me awaken! He pleaded, dread overwhelming him. "I have had enough! Let me awak-" And then there was nothing. No ground beneath him, only that which had surrounded him the entire time. Darkness. A fading yell sounded from him as he fell, crazed laughter filling his ears as he continued to fall into the inevitable void.
"Awaken. Rise. Come forth, to me."
The voice was quiet at first, yet grew in volume quickly. It pained his ears as he'd been used to the utter silence. Was the dream finally over? Slowly, his dark eyes fluttered open and there was no longer utter darkness - dim light accompanied him. His eyes widened as he gazed about, inspecting each candle for a moment before returning to that which rested before him. A piece of...steel.
xxxxHe cautiously crawled toward it, looking the material over. Blinking, he gingerly arose and placed himself upon his haunches, tapping it with a paw. He then simply sat in silence, thinking. Where did it come from? Better yet, where was he? And that voice…
"Sullivaaaan. Aren't you going to greet your beloved?" The voice came again. But this time, it was all too familiar. His dark gaze snapped toward where it had come from, but nothing was there. Only shadows rested there...or was there something else? Something caught the dim light, causing it to shine just a tad. Someone was there. Someone he hadn't thought to be possible.
"Desmond." Short and not so sweet came his reply, a hint of various emotions clear within it.
"Ahhh, so you do remember me. How touching." Now, a new goob appeared, slinking out of the shadows. Dark purple eyes landed upon him, as a toothy grin began to spread across his face. Oh how Sullivan wished to swipe such off of him...it was something he'd lived with for as long as he could remember, until that fateful day. And he thought he'd never see Desmond again. And yet, here he was.
xxxx"I beg...allow me to awaken from this dream...no, nightmare. This is a nightmare." Sullivan pleaded, paws placed over his eyes. An irritatingly mocking chuckle came from the opposing creature, before a sigh escaped from him. "Oh, Sullivan. You haven't changed, have you? Such is unfortunate...but perhaps, can be put to good use." Sullivan lifted a paw, his eye landing upon the face he harbored so much hatred for. "I've had enough of you. This isn't real. You're dead, so begone." He demanded.
xxxxDesmond's sneer turned into a frown at his words, his gaze now harboring a dangerous light. "For once Sullivan, live among reality! I am not dead. I've merely been held...captive." After this, he padded out of the shadows further, allowing Sullivan to obtain a good view of him. The sound of metal clanking upon the floor was quick to follow, broken chains hanging from his legs. He removed his other paw, staring ahead in both amazement and horror. "But...it can't be..."
"So you even doubted my power? Those who believed me to be dead truly sadden me. After all, could one really believe that a goob harboring such power as myself, who tore an entire world in two, could be slain so easily? Or is such a tale goobs tell themselves to soothe their fears of my return? It's such a shame really." Desmond replied, shaking his head as if truly disappointed.
xxxx"I- But-" Sullivan began, only for his words to falter upon his tongue. "If this isn't a dream...how? Why even? Why am I here?" He questioned, suddenly growing oddly desperate. He always seemed to feel weaker when in the presence of Desmond, something he truly hated yet could never seem to overcome.
xxxxDesmond rolled his eyes, shaking a paw which still had a part of a chain clamped around it. "To help me, obviously. Aid me in my quest." As Sullivan's eyes grew wide, he let out a long breath. "Shocking, I know. Anyways. Allow me to get to the point and not waste time with idle chit chat, alright?"
"I'm sure you already know of the events that happened prior to my...riddance from the public eye. I've been labeled as the destroyer of diabs. Apparently, their half of the land fell below and they've resided there since. Others fear that this could lead us agels into a similar situation, but regardless - to put it simply, the general public hates me. Quite a turn of events, I know." Sullivan rolled his eyes, but allowed Desmond to continue. "But I've come up with a plan to restore my image to its former glory. Simply bring the diabs back and everyone's happy again. Only problem is, I cannot do so myself. You however...can do such for me."
xxxx"Absolutely not. Do you know how much danger that'd put me in? There's no way I'm risking my life for your fame. You've gotten it, everyone knows you. Just in the matter it was always meant to be."
Suddenly, a heavy blow knocked Sullivan over. As he slowly collected himself, Desmond appeared at his side. "Dear brother of mine, I believe you are mistaken. Your time is already in jeopardy, now that I've told you all of this. It's like you're always behind the curve. Amusing, honestly." As he began to walk away, Sullivan lashed out - only to meet nothing but air.
xxxx"Sullivan, please. Are you honestly going to turn down my offer?" Desmond seemed truly shocked - whether he actually was was another matter. "You've reeked of jealousy since day one. With aiding me in my quest, you'll gain that which you have never known. That which you've always desired, despite your denial." A voice whispered into his ear. Sullivan, swatted at it. Shaking his head, he turned down the offer once more. "Never. Never in my life. This is a ploy, I know it."
Now, Desmond appeared at Sullivan's side once more. His gaze met his own. "You see, I'm afraid you have no real choice in the end. You'll remain here forever if you refuse to. I hear this place has quite a bit of nasty little horrors just waiting to meet you." Desmond cackled, before growing serious once more. "Honestly though, you'll have to agree to help me if you'd ever want to return to your 'normal' life again. I mean, why not? You'll gain so much if you do."
xxxxSullivan felt quite small at this point. Weighed down against his brother's presence which always seemed to tower above him, forcing him to do his bidding. He'd done so for years upon years. He couldn't fall back into that trap again. Not again. I can't…
"Soooo! What do you say, Sullivan? Want to help an old pal out?" Desmond asked once more, his face close to Sullivan's. "Or do you wish to spend some more time here? I can keep you company here...or give you what you desire. After all...I have the power to do so. And you know it."
Sullivan did know. He knew it all too well. And now, with his choices limited, the odds were stacked against him. Oh how he despised his brother. And yet, he could not find the strength to deny him again. He just couldn't. Curse you, fear.
"Fine, I'll...I'll do it. Just tell me what you want so I can get away from here...and you." He felt sick, but there was no other choice. To be honest, he feared his brother. And he feared what he'd left unsaid about this supposed mission of his. After all, something just seemed...off about it. It was out of his character in a way. Yet he couldn't place his paw upon it.
Only time would tell whether or not he'd regret his decision. And he had a sickening feeling that he would.
by castiiian » Tue Oct 19, 2021 2:33 pm 
