Drifting Waves

[Wald Lowca]

8th of Cylus, After Midnight

Wald woke up from his sleep slowly moving out of his tent. Leaving out he saw waves of water surrounding him on his ice raft. His little raft floated in a great sea of water in which he lived off the sea. Taking out a fishing rod from his bag he walked towards the edge of his little ice island. Casting out his line he looked over the great emptiness of the sea where his home lay. When he noticed a another ice ship drifting in, unlike his this one was vast and had building on it of stone. Watching it drift towards his small raft he began to grow frightened at its course.

Thinking quickly Wald ran into his tent to retrieve his paddle from inside. Beginning to try and paddle away for safety it seemed all it did was drag him closer to the floating city. Trying harder and harder to move forward with his might to no avail. The pull of the large Ice island being much greater then his, and his small raft began to collide with the large sheet. Although they crashed into each other instead of destroying it the raft seemed to have just become one with the sheet.

Not thinking much of the new situation Wald began to try and detach himself from the floating city. Using his hatchet to chip away at the ice that was now connecting him to the city. The connection itself didn't seem thick, but it took effort to try and hake away. This connection would continue to heal itself for some reason as he kept hacking away at the ice. With each swing making the ice grow a little thicker. After several more attempts at this Wald decided to give up on it and try and catch some breakfast. Siting down on the other side of the ice he cast out his line one more time. While fishing Wald thought to himself, "The ice will probable detach on its own or maybe after breakfast I can try something else."

[Sybil Malach]

There was something odd about the water itself. Deep beneath the waters, Wald could see a great many things beneath the hole in the ice. Things that crept just outside of his field of view within the deep dark. Smaller fish tread near the light, as though it was some bastion of safety. But even then, it risked running into the fisherman's hook. The fish of this place, Wald could see their glistening scales far below the ice's sheet. They glimmered like jewels in a lake bed. How long have the fish here been like this? And why were they so close to the surface, with such precious skins?

No... There's something else. Deep within the water. A light. At first, it's about the size of a fae. The rippling of the crystalline water is nearly like a window, to where the sun allows light down into. The lack of dirt giving Wald a clear view into the deep darkness. Around the light, he could make out the vague shapes of larger fish. The light would be covered for quite some time, but then... After a while, it would be revealed once more. Almost as though it was dodging the depths itself. How strange. The light itself, is the only source of sight for that far down. It's confusing. Strange. Why would something that lives so far into the depths require a light? Why would the light be shining? Would that not only attract predators, but nearly everything from all around? In the end... It draws closer. And closer. And closer. As though moving with purpose towards the surface.

And finally, the resounding sound of a splash. Deep gasps. The face of a woman is obvious among the water's waves. The dreamer holds up a lantern, encased in steel. Holding it above the water, as though it was the most important thing about this entire situation. As though it was something to be guarded, against the things from below. Face barely held above the water, the figure gasped for air, coughing up water from its lungs. Sibyl was frenzied. Something was dragging the dreamer down. Paddling towards the island, against the freezing cold, Sibyl attempts to desperately swim through the frozen water, only letting out a yell, as though trying to signal Wald to the ongoing plight, "Over here! Cast something into the waters, quickly!"

[Wald Lowca]

After seeing all of the movements in the water and watching as someone began to try to get his attention. Wald Began searching for something to throw to help them. running around his little island he searched for anything that he could use. Trying to find anything it seemed like his little island became barren while he was watching the water. His tent had also disappeared from his little piece of ice. Looking again he then turned to the city on the ice, "There is probably something I could use in there."

Shaking his head at the thought, Wald quickly turned to where the person was stranded. He felt like he had no other choice now. Taking a deep breaths he began to run towards the edge of the ice and made a grand leap. He splashed down a few feet from where he started as the shimmering fish began to swim away from him. Swimming quickly in the cold water his bones being chilled. Wald made his way to the stranded person his vision blurred by the sea water. Only able to tell the person had long hair he grabbed hold of them. Swimming with full force towards the shore the ice began to drift away from them.

Something from beneath the waves began to rise from the depths of the ocean. Wald could only feel the force of the object pushing higher underneath him. Grabbing hold of the person's arm he attempted to drag down the lantern. "Put out the light!" Wald shouted water going into his mouth as he tried to kick for the safety of the ice. The dark object rising higher making a shadow in the water.

[Sybil Malach]

Sibyl raised the steel lantern higher, as Wald attempted to push it down, "No! If the light is snuffed, then all is lost!" Sibyl all but yells, voice carrying over the still waters. Swallowing a mouthful of seawater, gagging, sputtering, as the shadow grabs hold of the dreamer's leg. Eyes widening, Sibyl can't help but look behind. A breath is taken. Something is wrong. Something is utterly, and completely horrifying. The dizzying sea below is dark. With the lantern's absence, the clear, crystalline nature of it all seems to fade. The water is actually more of a cesspit. Like some sort of swamp. The deep undertones a brownish green rather than the cool chill of blue.

The two swam like dogs against a storm. Sybil's movements were erratic, kicking at the entity just beneath the waves. Wald couldn't see the figure beneath the water. It was like some sort of... Shadow puppet. A hand grasping at Sybil's legs. A clear threat in dragging the dreamer deep into the sea's abyss, "If it pulls me under, take the lamp! You must! Do you understand me?" The dreamer gags, nearly going fully beneath the waves itself. If not for Wald, Sybil would be far beneath the waves, "Don't allow the flame to go out! Do you understand? No matter what!" They beg of him, the pressure between the two increasing.

As Wald gets closer to land, the harsher the pulling of Sybil's legs become.

Closer, and closer to shore, the waters become dark. Something, is beginning to rise from the sea itself. Its mere presence is enough to blot out the light shimmering above the light. Its mere presence the utter void of all light. It was a sucking abyss of nothing but sheer darkness. And as the waters became more vicious, as waves began to form-- The water became as black as tar.

[Wald Lowca]

Swimming through the thick waters trying to get to safety as everything seems to just get harder and harder. Only able to hear bits and pieces of what the person is saying as Wald tries his hardest to save them. The darkness surrounding the two as they neared the ice edge with it almost in reach.

Wald began to push the person out of the water when something grabbed hold of his leg. Only getting their upper body on the ice before being pulled under the water. Trying to open his eyes under the water he realized the salt wasn't stinging him. Looking down he saw a black hand holding onto his leg. Kicking and swimming violently upward Wald tried to escape its grip.

As Wald was being dragged down the light of the fish began to shimmer above him. Kicking at the hand desperate for release he felt his lungs wanting to burst. He was unable to get a proper breath before being pulled down. Reaching on his belt he grabbed his camp knife and brought it down on the hand. After stabbing the hand it released but as Wald began to swim up the water seemed to deepen.

The pressure from his lungs got to a outrageous point. With his last few desperate movements he made it just under where the shining fish were. Before coughing up his last breath he saw the bubbles raise to the surface as his vision blackened. Water filled his longs as he slowly floated up without a muscle moving.

[Sybil Malach]

Wald began to sink like a stone.

Sibyl's eyes widen, as their hand desperately tries to keep the far larger man afloat. But the dreamer was, in the end, being pulled down by two different things. Hands splashing against the waters, the consistency slowly began to become thicker and thicker. Sibyl's hand slips from Wald's, as the lantern is held high, shining like a beacon. The light itself burned at the creatures beneath the depths. As though the higher the lantern was, the more desperate the shadows were in its reclamation. Sibyl's body was sloshing against the tar. It pulled the dreamer down.

Sibyl was so close. The shoreline was right there. But the blackened water was becoming a solid. Splashing wildly, the dreamer's lungs began to fill with tar. Fear taking grip upon the psyche like a white hot fire poker. Fear beginning to resound within the dreamer's mind. An echoing, deafening sound. Primal. Something wasn't right. Nothing was right. Soon the dreamer simply couldn't swim.

The lantern was tossed, onto the shoreline, as Sibyl sank, with Wald.

As Sibyl's eyes widened, the tar began to freeze over. Pulling the two down beneath the waves, as it enacted a final snare. It was something that simply... Overpowered. Consumed. Sibyl's hand reached out for the shoreline. Just a moment longer. Towards the light, which now just look like a lighthouse at the end of as storm. But the dreamer could not reach it. The light was preserved, but there was absolutely nothing that could be done, as Sibyl sank beneath the waves, the only thing visible of the dreamer being the wrists, stained with black ichor. Before it was consumed. And ice freezing over the top of it all.

Sibyl's vision consumed by darkness.

[Wald Lowca]

As Wald floated there in the dark abyss that had swallowed him voices began to flow through his mind. "Not good enough..."
"Try again..."

"Why are you so weak..."

"You will always be alone..."

Wald's body began to warm up as his lungs forced a breath. A voice shouted "Wake up!" Instead of water being rushed into his body something warm came in. His eyes opened wide as he awoke still under the waves confused. Breathing as if he was on land he blew bobbles from his mouth. He watched as the floated towards his feet, along the way his eyes spotted another floating body. Swimming over as easy as if he were flying through the water, the feeling of weightlessness came over him.

"Am I dead?" Wald thought as he went to the other body. When he got there he reached out to them as a blinding light shown throughout the water. This blinded Wald as he covered his eyes he had a since of falling.

Suddenly something touched Wald's backside he was sitting on something, and the body he was holding gained all its wait as he fell over. Opening his eyes he was on a sunny beach a lighthouse just across from him. Looking at the lighthouse he saw the light was not shining something was wrong with it. He looked back down at the person, his eyes still could not tell what the face looked like. Just their long hair was recognizable by Wald as its only feature.

[Sybil Malach]

Sibyl's body was covered in what appeared to be tar. Covering the face, and dripping from the hair. The dreamer was frozen in place, as the material hardened around the body. There was nothing that could be done. By the time that Wald had awoken, the dreamer was entirely encased in blackness.

But, as time slowly inches on, the shell begins to crack. The outline of the newly made statue breaking apart, as the sun kissed beach begins to heat the figure. Slowly, like melting ice, the shell begins to become liquid. Yet, at the same time, cracking, and slowly breaking apart. By the time that it's halfway down the torso, it shatters around the figure, and crumbles to the ground around the two, sinking deeply into the sand.

With the shell in pieces, Sibyl is something else entirely. A figure of ice. Taking a deep breath, it becomes apparent that this transparent creature is still... Human. It shakes its head, as it tries to awaken, taking a breath. Its eyes slowly furrow, as the sun glistens through its utterly translucent body. A glance to the side is cast to Wald. Confused almost by the man's presence. Its ice lips part, to speak, "Where are we?" It asks. Almost as though completely unaware of its current state. An icy, see through hand is raised, and it brushes against its brow, as it rises to a stand, "What is this?" It asks, gesturing to the sand.

[Wald Lowca]

Wald watching as the figure stands up on its own tries to understand what it was saying. The mouth was moving but sounds didn't reach his ear. Trying to focus on listening he realized that nothing was making a sound. Wald reached for his ears and found something clogging them. Gripping into what he could he pulled hard to release his ears. A rush of sound entered his ears when they were free. He heard voices from the distance not just the icy being's final question.

Wald thought on that question, what is this, do they mean what is this. Answering "We drifted for some time it looks like in the sea." Looking up at the sky he saw the sun shining bright. "I don't know where we landed..."

After stating this a voice went through his head again, one very familiar to him. "When ever you are lost the light will guide you." It was his mother's voice. it was a memory that pulled his attention to the lighthouse.

"We need to get up to the lighthouse. Even if the keeper isn't their we should see anything else from the top." Wald Said to the icy being pointing towards the lighthouse. Getting up he reached for the other's hand. "Come with me, alright." Walking towards the rocky area where the lighthouse lay Wald noticed just how large the building was. His knees noticeably shook as he pressed on trying to keep his composure. He knew that this was his only chance to find out where he could have been dropped off. He needed to know where he was so he could get back to his home where he lived alone...

[Sybil Malach]

The icy entity stared at Wald, as it trying to speak with him. The man's reaction, or the lack there of, was proof of something being wrong. The crystalline, icy being gripped at its own throat, as though trying to test if sound was truly coming through, or not. The vibration was a glassy hum, rather than an organic rumble. As though it were sound bouncing off of a crystal, rather than something produced by the vocal cords. The sound of ice on ice could be heard as it slowly glanced across the surface. The anomaly of something being made entirely out of a glass like ice, but being able to bend at the fingertips was something utterly foreign.

A slow nod of the head is given in the direction of Wald, however, as it hears the man's voice respond. Letting out a chiming breath, it simply says, "This place... This place isn't somewhere I know." It says, eyes slowly scanning about the beach's perimeter. Sybil had never seen anything close to a coastal area before. At least, not one like this. The tundra was one thing, with its patches of ice, and visible water, but, this was another beast entirely. Slowly, Sibyl shook its head, as it brought itself to a stand. Uncertain of its surroundings, it simply listens to the man's explanation of the route forward, "I suppose. It looks like it's beckoning, anyhow." Comes the crystalline, almost echoing voice coming from the delicately made entity. Its eyes glancing to the beacon of light.

Slowly, its legs begin to move. Every step froze the ground beneath it, as it walked along the shore. But the ice never spread. Matter of fact, the icy footsteps simply melted, within seconds, "Well... Shall we?"