The Blood Cult/Initiations/Sixth

Roleplay from Valachi Stefanovic

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Valachi spent the day making preparations: the lepers had to be rounded up and put under lock, and a suitable site had to be found. The first was not hard... few are willing to resist the daimons. The second was easy enough as well. The initiation would take place in the town square, for all to see. What better place for the new duke to show his devotion to his faith? Valachi made sure everything was ready and made his way to the duke's quarters. He had heard rumors of a new, or perhaps old, love in the man's life, and it brought a smile to his face. Well, that, and the thought of the blood that would soon be sacrificed to the gods. He knocked thrice before speaking through the closed door: "Duke, it is time."

Valachi Stefanovic (God of Netherworld, Tlamacazqui Xerotl)

Roleplay from Alec McDowell

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Alec had been for the last day or so in a strange state of euphoria. So when the knock sounded at his door accompanied with the voice on the other side it brought him back down to reality rather quickly as if dunked in a pool of ice water. He looked up at Isabel who was also there with him and gave a strange expression followed with his mouthing of the word, “time?” Isabel grinned and shrugged at him. They had been in deep discussion over some of the things they’d experience, and he had been about to tell her just how detached he had begun to feel in this place. How he had begun to change and the things he had once enjoyed or taken pleasure in was no longer the case, except for her of course. He walked to the door, opening it. His head of dirty blond hair peeked through, followed with his green hazel eyes. When he realized who it was, his eyes widened slightly, he opened he door the rest of the way and bowed. When he straightened his brow rose questioningly, “time?” he asked and quickly added. “Uhm, time for what exactly?”

Alec McDowell (Duke of Nightmarch)

Roleplay from Valachi Stefanovic

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"For your initiation, of course. We priests have been so distracted by other duties that we have lost sight of that which is most important: giving those who listen to and follow our words the chance to prove themselves to the gods. To become full members of our great church. For the children of our faith, such as yourself, to have been left as children for so long must be corrected. And so, I offer to you the chance for something special. Your initiation." Valachi leaned in closer to whisper: "And if the rumours are true in that you seek to marry this woman, it is perhaps best the two of you not be along together."

Valachi Stefanovic (God of Netherworld, Tlamacazqui Xerotl)

Roleplay from Alec McDowell

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Alec looked back to Isabel for a split second and returned his gaze to Valachi. “Yes… my initiation,” he repeated. Having known it would come, he just hadn’t expected it to be so soon. “Of course,” he said smoothly without missing a beat and gave him a characteristic smile. He had not even had a chance to tell Isabel yet. Well she would soon find out. It wasn’t long, Alec picked up his sword, the runic engraving flashing in the light as he slipped it into his baldric and Isabel watched with a frown. He had wished to tell her under different circumstances but he would not shirk this, he would prove himself to the Gods and she would see for herself the amount of change in him. He looked in her direction, their eyes meeting, an invitation to have her come along if she wanted and he returned to the door. “Lead the way,” he told him resolutely and followed as Valachi walked away.

Alec McDowell (Duke of Nightmarch)

Roleplay from Valachi Stefanovic

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Valachi walked quickly. The bounce in his step betrayed his excitement... it had been a while since his last initiation, and he hoped this one would be up to his expectations. He lead the way to the city square, where a great number of peasants and daimons had gathered to see what would become of the six lepers. They were held in a pen, (Like cattle, Valachi mused) Guarded by a handful of daimons. There was a small pile of wooden sparring equipment next to the gate, presumably so the lepers didn't lose all hope... not that there was any to be had. Valachi stopped in front of two large men. Both were wearing the robes of clergymen, and one had a needle and several dyes on a nearby table. "Let us begin, then." Valachi turned to Alec and smiled: "Today, you make six sacrifices to the gods. That their curse may be sated, and you join our ranks, let your initiation begin."

Valachi Stefanovic (God of Netherworld, Tlamacazqui Xerotl)

Roleplay from Isabel Moreira

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Isabel watched curiously as Alec and Valachi walked away. Understanding his invitation she followed them. When they arrived at the city square she noticed six lepers kept in a pen. She looked at Alec who stood next to Valachi listening to his words. Then Isabel heard Valachi asking him to begin his initiation. Realizing what it meant Isabel looked at Alec with confusion. She didn't understand what it was about or why he would have to do such actions. She trusted Alec with her life but this was very unexpected. He hadn't told her anything about this. How did he get himself into this? She waited to see what he would do with worry in her eyes and heart.

Isabel Moreira (Baroness of Binoaramet)

Roleplay from Alec McDowell

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Alec concentrated on the sacrifice before him, keeping his gaze from wandering back to Isabel’s. The roar of peasants mixed in the guttural howling of Daimons filled the air. They waited to see what he would do, expecting him to give them their entertainment. They had little as it was. He was their Duke, he was now a part of the Blood Cult. He would give them what they wanted. He would appease their Gods and them. Valachi smiled in his direction, "Today, you make six sacrifices to the gods. That their curse may be sated, and you join our ranks, let your initiation begin." Valachi walked away and Alec looked back to the pen where his sacrifices stood. Lepers… they were already dead to him, it made no difference. He hadn’t lied when he had said he had begun to change. With a slow movement he withdrew his sword, it glinted as the last of the light reflected off it. He had killed men in battle countless times but never like this. Preparing himself, he lowered his sword and cut the inside of his arm, giving his blade a taste of blood to call out the lust in him. He knew it was there, buried as it would forever be, when one tasted killing. At his movement the crowd roared in anticipation and he looked back up, his eyes now glazed, his face a mask of coldness. “Release them,” he ordered them with a hiss. And with that they instantly rushed out of the pen, grasping and fumbling trying to be the first to grab what they could do defend themselves – Trying to earn themselves an extended life to their already rotting carcasses. Alec waited, giving them the chance they wanted, giving them false hope. The first couple victorious at earning a weapon came at him with desperate cries. Drawing back the blade Alec made a wide arc coming down on a fast angle slicing into the leper’s throat. A spray of blood flew into the air, spraying onto the Duke’s handsome face beginning his initiation. Without pause he sliced his blade into the other’s abdomen. With shock he stood for a moment until Alec grabbed him with one arm, snapping his neck. His blood had been drawn it was enough. Although he wasn’t taking his time with it anymore, he was ending it as quickly as he could. It all happened in the blink of an eye. An echoing roar filled the air, his own and cut down three more, quickly, effortlessly. It was a bloodbath, spray of blood made it to some who stood too close body parts flew followed with cries of agony. It had started slowly and progressed into the entertainment they had wanted. His green eyed gaze locked onto his last sacrifice. The leper trembled, holding his stick aloft and Alec slowly approached. He managed a couple empty swings until Alec shouted, pushing himself off the ground his blade coming directly at him, sheathing his blade into his body. The last leper’s eyes opened with shock, trembling lips stained as blood gushed forth and Alec twisted the blade into him. He jerked forward with a cry and hung limply. The crowd seemed to hush and Alec’s boot came up, pushing him off the blade with a saturated sound and he fell dully to the ground. The engraved symbols on his blade trickled with fresh blood, a battle prayer to protect him and give fear to his enemies. He looked down at it and whispered the words. “You shall not judge me, but fear me as I take your last breath.” At that, he finally looked over to Isabel, watching him. He did not need to have her say anything, it was obvious on her face. His hands and face were coated with blood, he could just imagine the image she saw, but the detachment he had grown accustomed to filled him and he looked away to Valachi. “May the Gods be sated,” he said with finality.

Alec McDowell (Duke of Nightmarch)