Discontinued Private Hylands Ascent Into the Deep Dark

Lucille Fer · Aug 20, 2022

Something strange has been happening as of late. Something that Lucille, despite being deeply connected to dark magics, did not quite understand either. Odd whispers and feelings plagued her mind, often even causing daydreams while she was in the middle of something. She might have been quite the imaginative individual, but she never had trouble like this. There was very clearly something going on, especially as all of these happenings seemed to be drawing the vulpine girl to a specific location.

Whatever it was, it was connected to her dark nature, that much she knew. There was no definitive proof of that, but it was as if someone or something had whispered the answer directly into her brain. The longer she waited, the more these things were happening as well. Something wanted to meet her, and she would not keep it waiting much longer. That said, she also figured that she should have a bit of a backup with her, just in case. And who else to bring along than her mistress, the Knight, and Queen of Darkness herself?

The woman was interested in anything and everything regarding such matters, after all. Though, with not much more than strange visions and whispers, it wasn't the easiest to get her fully on board. Thankfully, after some extra convincing, Ginevra did agree to tag along. As of right now, the two of them were arriving at the foot of Hyland's Ascent. They would not be going up the mountain, however. The strings of invisible darkness were tugging her somewhere along the base. Still, the carriage would not take them that far.

As they were told to get out, Lucille would leap out of the back and skillfully land on the dirt path, looking around to see the plans and forests that surrounded the entire area. Apparently, the inside of the mountain was quite stunning as well, shame they'd not get to see it today. "Alright! I think I can lead the way from here on out!" As she proclaimed, she also looked up. The Sun was already setting, but they'd probably arrive before the morning if all went well. Turning around, she'd look at Ginevra and possibly help her get out of the wooden carriage if she were to accept the extended fur-covered hand.

@Ginevra Delaney

Ginevra Delaney · Aug 22, 2022

Lucille really had put her all into 'convincing' her to come along, so Ginevra had figured that she couldn't help but humor her dark wolf. She was, admittedly, curious as to what had grabbed Lucille's attention so strongly and refused to let go, though she had a feeling that it would really be quite something to see. At the very least, it was another adventure with her favorite puppy and she couldn't wait to see what would be happening for them. Hopefully it wouldn't be a complete waste of time and Lucille would get something out of this. Ginevra didn't mind if she got nothing, since she planned to get a reward from Lucille later.

Though now they were finally being told to disembark from the cart that had taken them to their destination, Lucille leaping out skillfully whilst Ginevra took a much slower and more relaxed method of climbing out of the cart. It was already sunset, but that was fine. She nodded, taking Lucille's hand and allowing the wolf girl to help her out of the carriage, sighing as she stretched her legs out again and adjusted her dress to make sure that she was presentable.

Well now, that certainly was quite an enjoyable journey, I must say~

She licked her lips with a sultry smirk on her face, before nodding to Lucille.

Feel free to take the lead, then. I'm curious as to what has been beckoning to you.

@Lucille Fer

Lucille Fer · Aug 30, 2022

The way here was fat from short, but with such a company, any journey would feel like nothing more than a blink of an eye. But putting the joys of being together with Ginevra in cramped up spaces, they have arrived at the foot of the mountain. Looking up, it was certainky quite impressive, to say the least. The top wasn't even visible as it got hidden by the countless clouds that surrounded it. One day lucille would climb this perilous trail, she was sure of it... but that day was not today. A different task awaited.

"Yes, follow me. I can feel the dark strings pulling me toward our goal... it is still some distance away." WIth the confirmation of Ginevra following close behind, the wolf girl would start following the heart and the strange feeling that ensnared it. And the further they went, the more the vegetation around them increased, both in numbers and in size. Soon, one could easily make the mistake of thinking they had somehow entered the Tangleweaves. As night took hold, it would be various glowing plants leading the way.

FInally, after quite a while of what almost felt like aimless wandering, they had made it somewhere. To the maw of a cave, equally illuminated by countless glowing plants and moss hanging from the ceiling and the sides. It appeared to lead quite a fair bit into the mountain with no obvious end in sight. Not exactly a place many would venture into willingly, especially as this place was known for its high peaks rather than deep caverns. Anything could be hiding down there and there was only one way for them to figure it out. Lucille looked back at her mistress to see if she had any objections.

@Ginevra Delaney

Ginevra Delaney · Aug 30, 2022

Travelling with Lucille was always interesting and with the girl in the lead, it gave Ginevra ample time to observe and appreciate the sight of her puppy, arriving at the foot of a mountain, the top swallowed and consumed by a covering of clouds. Just as she'd been certain that they'd be climbing tis mountain, Lucille began to lead her away, through denser and more numerous vegetation that began to glow as night began to fall over the two women of darkness.

And then finally, the mouth of a cave, lit by glowing plants and moss, leading deep into the mountain by the looks of it. Such a spooky and dark sight, could only make her wonder just what manner of thing was calling to her puppy. Standing there looking at it, before noticing that Lucille had stopped to look back at her, she stepped forward, hand pressing gently to Lucille's back, before it slid downwards, giving the wolf a quick, playful slap on the behind.

Well don't stop now my dear, or I'll have to punish you for building my expectations up for nothing~

@Lucille Fer

Lucille Fer · Sep 1, 2022

The slap certainly moved the wolf forward as she let out a barely audible yelp. "J-just making sure you're still following is all!" She quickly threw out her excuse before she would go ahead and continue into the cave. It didn't take long for the two girls to hear the sound of moving water. Thankfully, most of the journey was illuminated by the vegetation just fine, Lucille occasionally hopping over the odd puddle of cavern water, or avoiding drips from the ceiling. Their footsteps echoed throughout the tunnels, it might have just been the most atmospheric scene the wolf girl had experienced so far.

The only issue was that the two of them were going for quite a while. Up, down, sometimes even having to climb a tiny bit. All of the tunnels always remained large enough for a person or two to fit through, but it most definitely wasn't a path that normal people would take. But at long last, a light at the end of a tunnel - a literal one. Pale from the moon, it had colored the inner space of the cave deep blue as they finally emerged through it. What was in front of them was a vast forest, thich with large trees and vines, all of a darker shade than before.

"Did we... go through the mountain and into the area inside..?" It wa not a bad throught, as it was largely correct. But it seemed that whatever patch of land they were on now was still walled off from the larger area inside of the mountain by looming rocks. Instead, this place was more like a secret garden only accessible through the tunnel. "Something... lurks in here. I think it's what called me here." The lupine girl suddenly revealed.

@Ginevra Delaney

Ginevra Delaney · Sep 1, 2022

A likely excuse, one that made Ginevra snort slightly as Lucille threw it out before she again took the lead and they began heading into the cave, the sound of moving water growing audible as they made their way deeper, their way lit by the glowing vegetation that clung to the floor and walls of the cave. It was certainly an environment that Ginevra had never seen or experienced before, one that was almost alien seeming, with the otherworldly glow that the plants and moss gave off in the darkness.

But boy, was this walk sure taking a while. Where the hell were they going? Straight through the mountain or something? This was ridiculous! She hadn't expected a hike! She was seriously going to punish Lucille when this was all over. Though finally, they emerged out of a tunnel and into the open air, seeing a forest with large trees and vines.

It looks like we went all the way through. Still, if your calling resides in this forest, it would be rude to not answer it.

@Lucille Fer

Lucille Fer · Sep 6, 2022

The girl started walking forward with a simple nod, almost as if it were to herself rather than to Ginevra. There was something that had caught her attention, but she couldn't quite describe it. So, she just walked. Between the trees, through the foliage, almost uncaring if anyone was even following her anymore - as if she was hypnotized by whatever she wanted to meet here. It didn't take too long before they did. With a rustling of leaves and twigs of brushes being crushed underfoot, the dark figure was suddenly in front of them.

A wolf that appeared almost as if it were made out of pure darkness towered above them. At least three times as tall as Lucille, it looked like it could crush the two girls if it wanted to. In contrast to its abyssal black fur, an ivory-white skull adorned its face, almost like a mask of some sort. From behind it, a pair of glowing red eyes peered at them, piercing them almost as if it could see into their very souls. Whatever this being was, it was obviously powerful.

It also simply stood there, unmoving. As did Lucille. Her dual-colored eyes were fixated on the creature, mouth slightly agape. It took but one look to confirm for her that this was indeed the creature that had called her here. Yet, there was someone here that was not directly invited. The wolf was not openly hostile, but its eyes did now fall directly upon Ginevra, as if it was expecting something from her, perhaps an introduction or a reason as to why she was here.

@Ginevra Delaney

Ginevra Delaney · Sep 6, 2022

Following after Lucille, Ginevra couldn't shake the feeling that Lucille wasn't really knowing where she was going. If they got lost in the forest because of Lucille, she was going to make sure that her puppy knew her displeasure and it would be up to Lucille to please her again, or she'd have to suffer whatever foul mood would befall Ginevra, if she were trapped in a forest. She was a Queen, so she deserved comforts and luxuries, not camping out in the forest!

Okay, so she didn't rule any land yet, but she did have her first subject in Lucille, so it totally counted!

With a sudden crunch of twigs underfoot, a creature, a wolf, of pure darkness emerged, towering above them. It had such an incredible size, three times the size of Lucille, with a skull-like mask on its face and red glowing eyes. Ginevra stood, looking at it in awe, before she turned to look at Lucille, noticing her puppy's fixation on the wolf.

The wolf that had noticed her apparently. Ginevra turned back to look at it, noticing that it was staring at her, as if questioning why she was here. She huffed, flipping some hair over her shoulder, a slight aura of Dark Magic and Corruption flowing off of her.

So you're the calling my darling Lucille brought me to see, are you? My, you're certainly a big boy, aren't you? The perfect dog! So dark! So powerful! Magnificent!~

@Lucille Fer

Lucille Fer · Oct 15, 2022

Once Ginevra spoke, the beast huffed and puffed, moving to the side and simply swiping Lucille away into a nearby bush with its tail alone, as if the girl was weightless. "Spare me the bravado and other empty words. We have called a Soul-binding Wolf here... not you. What do you think you will be able to accomplish here, in these sacred lands?" The voice that emerged from it was old, elegant... and capable of inflicting chill on the very bones of anyone who heard its words. Its glowing red eyes pierced the Queen of Darkness... and no matter how much magical energy she was letting out, she could feel a strange pressure nearly crushing her underfoot. Whatever this wolf was, it was clearly far, far stronger than both of the girls combined.

With a bit of rustling, however, Lucille had emerged from the shrubbery and back to her former self, knocked out of the trance. "W-wait! What do you mean by Soul-binding Wolf?" The beast gazed back at her. "Yes. Starcalled Wolf, the moment you have entered this world, your fate has been decided. You are merely on your path to fulfilling your destiny. And your destiny is intertwined with mine." Was that really possible? Could something in this game predict the decisions of players from the outside world? The wolf girl stared at the beast in disbelief for a few moments, giving Ginevra some time for a comeback, if she chose to do so instead of cowering in fear.

@Ginevra Delaney