forum GateWorld: Keepers of the Gates//7/8//Group Rp//

Started April 10, 2021 by @StarkSpangledMayflower

tune

Nicole nodded at Sparrow, following her lead, sitting gingerly on the throne that was closest to her.
"Urm, well. I'm Nicole. And I'm in the same boat you are." She replied.
Her own throne moved as well, moving to be able to contain her wings.
The birds on the Gate chirped, hopping around. The height increased, towering over a few of the others. "How did you get here? I got killed and now I'm here." Nicole rubbed the back of her neck, twirling her staff.
"Fuck, what a way to introduce myself…" She muttered, looking around. Her back eased into the back of the throne, letting her relax after her ~traumatic~ experience.

Lance blinked. These people apparently spoke the same language. And the winged person, Nicole he believed, came here the same way he did.
Death.
"Lance Ulric Forester." He said, standing up. "Tell me how you managed to get here, one in the dress. Unless you don't want to, of course." Lance was being very polite and watching himself so he wasn't rude.
The Code demanded this.
"Should we be sitting in these thrones? What if they're trapped, or have a spell on them? We could be killed by a stray Fireball if we do."

"Sparrow, my name is Sparrow. And like you, I came here because I died. I was stabbed and thrown from a high rooftop." She shifted her position to lay on the arms, her legs dangling off the side, and realized that the metal decor had moved so it wouldn't stab her. "I assume we aren't from the same places, where I come from we don't have magic or winged beings. And this must be a place of magic because we can all understand each other." She bit her lip in thought.

The few others around the circle seemed to be hesitant. Sparrow ignored them and gazed at the last gate. It was a fancy cement wall with many architectural details and designs. Right in the middle was a black shadow-y portal. It looked similar to a galaxy being sucked into a black hole and being blended at the same time. The dark colours moved and swayed hypnotically, beckoning.

Sparrow stood and slowly walked over to it. It was the last gateway and no one had stood in front if it, it seemed no one would be coming.

"Master, one approaches, she is coming to weaken the gateway!" A black avain flew and perched on top a pedestal, a few steps away from a crumbling, silver throne. "Let her come, one touch is all it takes." A deep voice called from the throne. "Let her be the bringer of pain."

Only steps away from the gate, Sparrow raised her hand to touch the colours. "Do not move any further child, you will ruin us all." A melodious voice spoke from around them. Sparrow stopped a breath away from the gate, the colours swirling and dancing. She looked back at the others, not seeing the portal inch closer and touch her hand. "Who, or what, said that?" She asked, turning and walking back to the group.

August looked around confusedly. He could swear his eyes had spent the last several minutes adjusting to the light. It wasn't even that bright, for fuck's sake. And now there was all this fucking angel, magic bullshit, which was just- a voice came from everywhere. "God? Is that you?" He panicked for a brief moment, and immediately got to his feet. He'd never believed in any sort of religious system, was this now coming back to bite him in the ass? "I've always believed in gods, my whole life, very devout, crystal stairways and- uh, offerings, and all that," he smiled nervously. "This heaven shit, that is the place for me."

(There is a long section here of a little bit of Sparrow's backstory. You're welcome to skip over it but you can read it if you want.)

The melodious voice returned, this time laughing. "Nay, not God child, that is just one of our many responsibilities." The voice became clearer and came from one place, beside the place of one if the doorways. "I am Arusyll, you may call me Aru. I am the guardian of Germyziak. Thalassa is from there. I am a water Nymph and I share some of my abilities with the sirens that live in my realm of origin, that is why it seems like I am singing whenever I speak." She said, humming at the end.

Aru looked very beautiful. She has beautiful light grey skin with a blue undertone, fin-shaped ears, and deep purple eyes, there was no pupil. Aru had a curvy body with a round face and long ash blonde hair. Her hair was styled in a way that reminded Sparrow of Yue from Avatar. Aru noticed Sparrow looking at her and waved with a webbed hand.

"I am one of 7 guardians, each from a realm that one of you have come from, each to protect a realm." Aru explained. "OK, that's good for you. Why the fuck are we here?" Sparrow asked. Aru looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Where I'm from, we do not interrupt. I see that isn't the case where you're from? Regardless, the reason you are here is because you are here to replace us as the new guardians." Sparrow opened her mouth to ask a question but was silence by Aru putting a hand over her mouth. "To answer your unasked question, you were chosen because you posses a skill important to us. And because you passed a test we put for you. You each were protecting someone or something dear to you, or you were transporting something important, or you were on the run from something or someone that did something that went against your principles. This is why you were chosen."

Right as Aru stopped speaking, Sparrow thought back to see what could have possibly contributed to her being chosen. She gasped once she realized. "Was that one of you who–" her question was answered by Aru nodding with a smile.

(⚠️⚠️Trigger warning⚠️ ⚠️)
(Some hidden mention of assault and child abuse)

It was joyful in the bar Sparrow was in. She had received word that her services were needed by a man at this bar and she was waiting in the back, her cloak around her shoulders and the hood up. A cloak was an odd thing to wear in a time such as this, there were cars and phones and animated movies in theatres, the time of cloaks was long ago. But to Sparrow they were a needed accessory for when she did missions, they served as a blanket and a tent, as well as a great camouflage in the forest.
~~
It was her cloak, however, that let her customer know who and where she was. It was no surprise when a man tossed and envelope on her table as well as a room key. Sparrow knocked back the rest of her drink and followed shortly after. The room was on the 3rd floor with a stunning view of the city this evening. "What do you need me to do?" She asked, lowering her voice to stay safe from anyone listening. "I need you to move these two packages. Urgently. I can pay double your asking amount." Sparrow whistled. "Not many can afford that amount. What's in them?" The man opened the closet and out came a young bruised boy with a bandaged wrist. Following him was a young girl, older and taller than him, but thin and bruised. Sparrow looked her up and down and grit her teeth, the placement of the bruises told her that the girl was getting abused by the man in front of her in more than one way.
~~
"I don't do human trafficking. Find someone else." She spat. "I'll triple your asking amount." She stopped. Triple the original amount was enough to buy her a brand new house. "Where are they going?" She asked without turning around. The man chuckled lowly. The sound of a match being lit and the smell of smoke made her turn around. "Across the country to be placed on a boat to an island an hour away from there." She laughed darkly. "Triple the amount isn't enough to do all that. Make it five times that and I'll think about it. Who are they anyways?" The man glanced at them and flicked the ashes of his cigar. "She's my…." he paused, looking Sparrow in the eye with a nasty smile. "Stolen wife. And he's our son, isn't the right baby?" The girl nodded quickly. "Five times the amount is a done deal. I know your rules sweetheart, I'm glad you broke this one for me." Sparrow smiled at him. "I'll need the money before we leave."
~~
"Quick! Hurry up, he's gaining!" Sparrow yelled. They ran across the runway strip and jumped into the helicopter seconds before the man reached them. Sparrow tossed a peice of paper out of the door before closing it in mid air. Better luck next time asshole the note read
~~
"Take this bird with you. I have it's pair. Anytime you need me or are in trouble. Send a note with him and I'll find you." She told the girl and her son. "Dont worry about me, if he comes after me, I'll kill him. Take the money and go, I have no use for it." She kissed the boy's forehead and gave the captain the go-ahead, they were on their way to a small but safe island.
~~
Sparrow managed to dodge her pursuer for days but she had trained with him, he knew all her tricks. He finally caught up to her and took revenge, for himself and for the man, who's child-bride and son he had saved from his clutches.

That was why she had been chosen. Sparrow raised a hand to her neck and sighed in relief, the necklace that she was given as thanks from the girl was still there, along with the bracelet her son had given her. With tears in her eyes she looked at Aru who smiled warmly at her before leaving her to her thoughts and moving to another person.

Lance eyebrow raised slightly at the appearance of the 'Guardian', but said nothing. However, he did kneel, as was usually a good idea when a powerful being was with you, or speaking to you.
"Milady, may I ask why there isn't any others? If you are who you say you are, then shouldn't there be multiple Guardians?" He asked looking up at the Siren.
Even for his strange life, this was…stranger. Usually, it was just a Sorceress, or a Wizard, but being summoned to a strange place after dying? This was truly unorthodox.
"And are the thrones trapped?" Lance asked, shifting in his new armor.
It wasn't uncomfortable, just…not his usual armor.

Nicole leaned forward, only paying the closest attention.
"Realms? You mean there are other worlds? Cause I know about that. My kind decides the fate of them a lot." She supplied helpfully, or at Nicole hoped it was helpful.
"Though, Mr. Guy in Armor has a point. Where are the others?"

"I suppose they have better things to do than to meet us," Destiny drawled. Her eyes were filled with mistrust and she clutched the spear tighter, leaving her hand white. Her eyes seemed to twinkle in the sunlight, as she eyed the strangers around her, and of course, the guardians. Or at least the one single guardian. "New guardians?" Destiny asked, surprised. "Why would you possibly need new guardians….no that doesn't matter. What matters is for me to return home. I have a little sister to take care of and a twin brother I have to scold for his stupid decisions of starting a fight with an Elf. So, if you or any of the other guardians would be so kind as to return me home, I would be very… honored."

It's worth a shot. Destiny mused. But deep inside, she knew the guardians wouldn't let her return home. Why would they, when she, like the others, had passed their stupid tests with flying colors? The other beings, some of who had wings and others who didn't, didn't look exactly pleased to be here. Destiny was starting to lose her patience, and a fairy with a spear was a dangerous thing. Especially one that wasn't exactly emotionally stable.

(Shortly turned into 15 hours later heh)

Aru faced Destiny and smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry child, there is much you will be able to do, go back home to your lives is not one of them. You will be able to visit your homes, but you will be unseen and unheard by those around you. That is, until you can be trusted with that power. as for the other guardians," Aru turned to Lance, "They should be arriving soon. you do not need to kneel, we are unlike gods, we are protectors and we serve those we protect. Nicole, I know that you will have some experience in this matter, having been protecting the planets and stellar systems in your realm, Dart will be pleased to have such a bright protégé." Aru smiled and went to stand next to the throne in front of Thalassa, it had been hers sometime ago, but it was time to pass it to someone better suited.

"Arusyll, I thought we agreed to come to the guardians together. Why must you do your own thing so often?" A deep voice boomed from all around them. Sparrow did the logical thing and flinched, holding her daggers at the ready. "Because too many new things at once could kill them a second time." Aru responded, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Like the way Aru appeared to the guardians, 6 more figures came out from a bright light, each one dressed differently form the other but wearing something familiar to the new guardians. "You speak a truth my dear, but you know that Luzzen thrives when following a schedule, one of his abilities is rewinding time." A feminine voice spoke from the side. The owner of the voice came forward and bowed lightly at the waist. "I am Selene, the Fae guardian of the Arsxaen realm, your mentor." She looked to Destiny as she spoke, walking to her throne and placing a hand on it. The rest of the guardians walked to their respective thrones.

The deep voice that had spoken earlier came from beside August this time. "I suppose like Arusyll and Selene I should introduce myself. I am Luzzen, guardian of the Saiorin realm and this one's mentor." He gestured to August. "I am a crystal mage who uses time crystals most often. I can rewind time wherever I am except here." Once he finished speaking, the one beside Nicole gave an introduction. "I will be your mentor, my name is D'artagnan but you may call me Dart. I have a scar and an eyepatch but do not let that faze you, I am far kinder than Luz there." He smiled at the group.

Luzzen only snorted at the nickname, choosing instead to look at the next guardian, or guardians. "I am Maddox and this is Percy. We are twin souls though we are from different realms." She spoke. The one who was silent, Percy, took over, "Maddox is from Meydea and I am from Avalon. Yes, I am the original goddess Persephone reincarnated. In times like these, the Olympians are no longer what they once were so I accepted this chance to be a guardian. I am retiring now that you have been selected." She smiled at Sparrow. "Our two realms are connected closer than any of the other 6, almost tied with Luz's realm." Maddox brought out her wand as Percy kept speaking. "Maddox is a sorceress who was trained under a wizard for long, and I was a god in Avalon. I will mentor you and Maddox will mentor Lance."

The last one to speak had large horns sitting on his head like a crown, coming out by his ears and resting on top of his head. "I am Leyfei, the Fallen angel and mentor to Luciano. I can have you do whatever I want outside of this place. Do not cross me." He grinned widely, sharp, pointed teeth glinting in the light. Leyfei settled back on top of the chair Luciano was to be seated at, perched on the back rest like a bird.

(Just a guide on how to pronounce their names:)
Arusyll:- AROO-seal
(Likes to be called Aru, is the Guardian of Germyziak)

Selene:- se-le-neigh
(Is usually calm and collected, the voice of reason and the peacemaker between Aru and Luz, Guardian of Arsxaen)

D'artagnan:- DAR-tan-yun
(Likes his names but it can be hard to say so he doesn't mind being called Dart, Guardian of Sollaerys)

Luzzen:- LOOZ-zen
(You can call him Luz if he likes you, or if you don't care that he will curse you with his magic, Guardian of Saiorin)

Persephone:- Per-sef-oney
(The original greek Goddess(Don't judge, I had no ideas for a new celestial being), prefers to go by Percy, Guardian of Avalon)

Maddox:- MA-dox
(A little timid, likes the nickname Maddi, it was the last thing given to her by her older brother before she left, Guardian of Meydea)

Leyfei:- LAY-FAE
(Likes the nicknames Fei, Lei, or Stitch(Claims to be just as lovable as the alien from the movie Percy showed him) Chaotic Neutral, serves himself but is tied by duty to be a guardian, is loyal if you are loyal to him, fiercely protective of those under his care, Guardian of Haos-Aseley)

Nicole jumped at the voice, looking at Dart. "Um, okay. I'm Nicole Harlow. Nice to meet you sir."
She smiled nervously, sliding off the throne. "I, um, suppose you should get to keep the throne, since I'm not a Guardian, right?"
The Ru'nay'l gulped, hoping she would be able to keep up, and manage to be a good apprentice. Generally, she didn't trust random people who just appeared, but something about Dart felt…warm. Comforting. Nicole started trying to calm herself, noting details about Dart.
He had chocolate brown skin, and hazel eyes. His black hair was wild, unkempt, but still oddly charming. Dart's jaw wasn't jutting out, but rather spread out, giving him the appearance that he was smiling even still.
"Well, urm, Dart." She started awkwardly. "What um…what are we going to do? And why were we chosen?"

Lance stood up and smiled at Maddox. "It would be an honor to apprentice under you. Allow me to introduce myself." He said, clearing his throat.
"I am Lance Ulric Forester, Knight, protector of Warlimeet, and werewolf." Lance held his hand out to shake Maddox'.
"I bare before you my soul and honor. It's the only thing I can offer to repay you for this kindness. I get the feeling that that's the only thing we all can offer, considering our circumstances."

(Yeah lol-)
(Ack short)

Destiny sighed as she passed a hand through her purple hair. She looked at the door she had come from longingly. She wished for nothing more than to return home and spend time with her loved ones. What happened to her body back home? Did it disappear, or would Axel consider her body dead? She didn't want to leave Luz with Axel for too long, because she knew it wouldn't take long before he got into trouble again. She turned to her mentor and gave her a weak smile. "I'm Destiny Moonray, it's nice to meet you."

She noticed Selene dart her eyes towards the slightly bloody spear, and raised an eyebrow as if asking her how she got it. "Long story," Destiny quickly replied. Now that she could see her guardian, she had to say that there was something about her that screamed out royal. Her long brown hair was styled quite….elegantly. And she recognized pain in her mentor's blue eyes. Her light skin seemed to glimmer in the garden, as the rays of the sun hit her. Destiny had to admit that her appearance was breathtaking. And while she felt out of place due to her casual outfit, she knew that her mentor would help her out through this (forced) journey she was about to embark.

(Why do I get the feeling that Sparrow and Lance would not get along at all? I know she would find his manner of speaking insufferable 😅😂)

(He's just trying to be polite to the Guardians-)
(Generally he's a lot less…Shakespearean)

"Wait, Aru said there were 7 guardians other than her. I see only 6 others, where is the seventh?" Sparrow asked. Immediately Luzzen cursed in a strange language and turned to Selene. "How are you going to vouch for her here? They were not to be told about The Nightmare until they had been trained! They have only found out they died and are now guardians of 8 massive realms, we can't tell them the fate of these realms rests on their shoulders!" He glared at Aru who looked as though she wanted to be anywhere but here. Sparrow looked around with wide eyes. "We—What?"

(apparently today meant in two weeks later-)

Thalassa blinked at the woman who was to be her mentor. Her brain could not keep up with processing this. Just minutes ago, she'd been trying to defend her family's meager dwellings from some robbers, getting killed in the process and winding up here? It was bizarre. She couldn't stop trailing her fingers across her neck where she'd been stabbed. There wasn't even a mark. And now she was supposed to inherit the title of guardian for her entire realm? When she hadn't even been able to defend against a couple of mere robbers. Surely if these beings were as all-powerful as they seemed, they would know this.

She ran her fingers through her hair nervously. Just what was with this place? She shifted nervously. It was all so overwhelming. Thalassa glanced around at the others, trying to figure out if they were just as anxious as she was. "So are we truly dead then?" she asked after a moment. "Are we like spirits now, or some such being?"

Meanwhile, Luciano was too busy looking around the garden to really think deeply about what was happening. It was a very nice garden, and he was sure that he looked very nice in his admittedly strange outfit. It draped over his figure wonderfully from what he could tell. Of course, he hadn't been entirely ignoring what the realm guardians said. In fact, as the fallen angel man went near him, all Luciano could think about was Theo. He'd have been the much better choice. Theo was much more emotional and caring, he was more reckless and cared more about his family than anything. Of course, Theo was also a playboy with a habit of getting into trouble, but everyone had their flaws.

Luciano wasn't sure what would come from this whole thing, but they were starting to get intrigued. Maybe they could really figure out what was happening from the man near them? Though how they would go about doing that was quite the mystery. They frowned in thought. "You can manipulate people's minds then?" they asked their so-called mentor, raising an eyebrow.

Leyfei smirked down at his subordinate. "Not really. My staff gives me complete control over your blood, your body will move against your wishes and do whatever I tell it to. But without my staff, all I can do is talk using my mind, telepathy you may call it." He explained, flying down from the backrest and leaning against the throne.

"You are dead, yes, but you are also alive. Once you can be trusted, you will be able to touch, smell, eat, and hear everything around you and those around you will be able to see and feel you." Aru frowned slightly, crossed her arms, and tapped her fingers against it. "You can think of yourselves as transcended beings, ones with higher powers. You could be considered gods in your realm, Sparrow."

Lance raised an eyebrow. Gods? He had heard of mages with that level of power but for a human to…
Nay. Impossible.
"If I may ask, how in the Nine Hells would we get that power? Ma'am." He added, careful.
He didn't want to get vaporized or something.
———————————————————————————–
Nicole nodded. "What the Shakespearean guy said."
She had seen planets die at the hands of her people, but gods?
"I mean, how much of a limit to our power is there? And transcended beings? Sounds like some hippy bullshit." She said, crossing her arms, crossing her legs on the throne.
God, the throne was comfy.

Aru looked at Maddox and they shared a smile. "You received those powers when you woke up and walked through those gates. For example, Lance, you should have received some type or magic and a second soup. The second soul will be known as your shifter soul and you should be able to transform into another creature." As she spoke, black horns and a pair of matching bat-like wings emerged from Maddox's head and back.

"As for your questions, yes there will be limits, you may have lost one of your previous abilities or it has turned into a reclusive ability. This may seem like some 'hippie' bull, but you can see for yourself. Each of you, close your eyes and take a deep breath, think of something that makes you happy and something that brings tears to your eyes. Take another deep breath and focus that energy into your hands, then open your eyes and look at them." D'artagnan explained in a soft voice.