Vox: The Infinite
Trigger Warning: Implied Sexual Assault, Violence
-Female human. 19 years old. Runaway.
-Admission granted
19 years of age. Year 1285.
She felt fear for the first moment in a very long time as she entered the extended blocky pass of frigid stone. It has been a vast journey to see the Curator, her jacket was now tattered, her pants hand sewn back together far too many times. Vox was unsure exactly why she wanted take part in the brutal events to come….but was certain of the particular wish she would request. Through her trip though, she never once questioned if she would be permitted access into the tournament. Her steps now echoed out into the pebble ridden quarry….she knew the Curator’s quarters must be close. The terror started setting in once she could see the actual entrance into the dark rock-built structure. It was entirely made of giant black stone slabs all pointed up against the sky, it almost looked like a sharply aimed black mountain from afar. Vox started to feel cold….a stark chill run up her spine, her eyes flared open as if to find why she was starting to freeze while there was no wind moving at all. She stopped walking and looked all around her….scanning the surrounding boulders and rocky steppes behind.
“Be careful, dear” Vox shuttered, “They’re starting again” she thought to herself, “The voices, the damn voices….not now, please.”
“Why are you doing this? You’re going to get killed. Or worse, get everyone else killed. Again.”
The whispers continued as Vox started to walk again in the direction of the Curator’s dwelling, she tried to keep calm as her pace quickened. Her sore feet clapped onto the rocks as she started to run, she was now just at the mouth of the towering structure, the door alone must have been 30 feet high and 10 feet wide.
“Stop it, you little bitch.”
“oh...please….enough.”
“You’re going to mess up again, unless you just listen, just listen you little stunted hag, just listen!”
“No no no, turn back dear! Please! Listen! Let me in! Listen!”
“But why? You’re doing this all so wrong, you need to listen, please.”
“Listen to me! You’re USELESS, YOU’RE PATHETIC, LISTEN.”
Vox’s head started to swell with the voices as they got louder and louder, it was starting to happen again. “Please...no, just go away- '' Just then as the voices reached a sharp screech, a colossal being swooped down in front of the entranced and hit the ground with such impact it seemed to vibrate the stone itself. Feathers….a white mask…..four arms...talons...Vox’s vision was failing her….she dropped down to her knees and clutched her head and screamed out in agony. The air around her started to hiss, almost as if water was evaporating, everything turned white, the voices overwhelmed Vox as she shut her eyes.
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She opened her eyes to a dark sky. As her feeling slowly came back and her confusion cleared, she started to try to make sense of things. She knew it had happened again, but couldn’t imagine what would have taken place here….not even a moment after she realized she was still lying on the cold rocky ground, Vox saw that a large figure to her left. She turned around and started to get up….at that moment the figure held out one of it’s four palms in a stopping motion, Vox froze in place. “This must be him, this is the Curator of Souls.” She struggled to get the words out:
‘He-hello, My name is Vox….I’ve come all this way….to…’ She stuttered, almost regretting talking at all. She then noticed something clenched in her right hand….but she didn’t dare take her eyes off the Curator. He seemed to tilt his head sideways slightly….at this angle, there was a set of visible blue lights behind the white mask that concealed his face….Vox was horrified to think that those must be his eyes.
‘I have come to ask to be in the tournament.’ Vox said. ‘I’m not sure what I did while I was out just now, but please, this is me now. May I-’
‘You are accepted’ The Curator interrupted. ‘After that display however, I question your mortality, so it may be unfair to let you participate….but it will be….most interesting.’ His voice was a deep boom and that echoed across the land.
The Curator then turned as enormous black and purple feathered wings folded out from behind him following a small gust of wind. In a few moments he was gone, into the dark sky. Vox was relieved but very concerned as to what he meant. She also felt almost...happy. She did it. Her wish has a chance. Just as the worry and dread was leaving her...it quickly rushed back as her now unclenched hand revealed a broken black and purple feather in it. It was drenched in nearly pitch black blood.
“Gods can’t bleed.”
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16 years of age. Year 1282.
Vox and Castia entered the wooden tavern, their feet were sore and their tired bodies dehydrated from traveling on the outskirts of the Mythic Thicket for two days. As they wandered in, Vox brushed past a rather large fellow with an a filthy beard and stained clothes. She noticed that his eyes never left either of the girls’ chests, she felt sick to her stomach about this place already. The tavern was busy, they quickly grabbed seats at a booth by a carved out window as the Innkeeper waved at them and a sent a sweet smile their way. Both girls started to notice that besides the innkeeper, that they were the only women in the crowded building, the uneasiness started to set it.
“I don’t like this place, we shouldn’t stay here for too long” Vox said, being careful to keep it under the low murmur of the room’s chatter.
“Don’t be so paranoid, they’re all just traveling on the outside of the Thicket, probably to Ucha, same as us. We’ll be fine” Castia stated loudly, making fun of Vox’s worry.
“Let's just get food and water, we’re not staying a moon over here though…” Vox retorted, again quietly. Castia nodded and as she played with her fingers, picking dirt and rock fragments out of her nails and cloth cuffs.
Both girls started to notice eyes on them, but only Vox let the notion bother her. Castia then reached out and held Vox’s hands in hers over the table…
‘Look hun, it’s all gon’ be alright! We’ve come this far and still have the crystals. We’re going to make the trade in Ucha for your papers and then we’re set. We’re done with this game. We can stop running around from those damned hounds.” Castia’s voice started to almost crack with fatigue. She then looked back to her own fingers still gripping Vox’s.
“Hun, I think I’m going to go wash up real quick, I’ll be right back. Please stay and make sure we get something ordered, I’m starving.’
Castia then got up and promptly walked to the bath-quarters , looking back at Vox once and sending a slanted smirk.
“You know I hate that look!” Vox shouted, revealing a smile. Castia turned back, passed a few rather crowded tables and then into the bath-quarters. Vox started to look up and finally signaled the Innkeeper once again, the Innkeeper let out a visible sigh and started her way to the table.
“Can we have some soma-water and whatever is the cheapest lunch you have?” Vox politely requested.
“Sure sweet thing, can I pack you two anything for the road as well? There’s not ganna be ‘nother tavern for a night’s travel or so” The older lady stated.
“Thats a great idea, whatever that will keep and two jugs of soma for the road after lunch then please” Vox retorted, finally starting to ease up with the welcome hospitality.
The Innkeeper then set out to walk through the tables into the back, Vox started to ease herself just when she noticed...The once crowded few tables by the bath-quarters were much less populated and Castia was still nowhere in sight. Something is wrong. Vox got up and narrowed her eyes toward the bath-quarters, she started to almost run to the door. As she neared the doors her ears perked up...even through the patrons’ indoor murmur, she heard it. Muffled crying and shuffling.
“You know what is happening.” A voice whispered.
Vox’s eyes began to water and she started to tremble with the possibility of what she was about to see. The voices started to surface but in the hussle she could barely pay them attention. Vox slammed open the door and screamed out.
“Castia! Castia! Cast-” Vox’s voice cracked. There were at least six men all huddled around the corner of a stall….Castia’s overcoat was lying on the floor with her shoes. Just at foot level one could see the spread bruised feet of the girl twitching. The crying and course grunting started to be phased out by something else….
“Kill them. Listen to me.”
“You have to save her! Listen!”
“Get out and run away! You must not try to get in the way! Listen, listen please!”
‘Help me….just….not...now.."‘
Vox’s head was flooded with repulsive imagery and obstreperous noise….she dropped to her knees...sobbing, but she didn’t even realize she was crying yet, the pain was too great, the voices too loud.
“Slaughter them. Murder the filthy pigs.”
‘I just….just need to help her’
“Then you need to fucking listen, girl.”
One of large men approached Vox, now shrieking on the floor. He lunged out his arm in an attempt to grab ahold of her small neck, but in that moment the area instantly became heated. The tears on Vox’s face evaporated and the air let out a bizarre stinging hiss. The man’s hand now nearly touching her skin was quickly burned black by the gust of energy. Everything went white.
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12 years of age. Year 1278.
There was a lovely light coming in from the holes of the broken roof. It gently rested on the hay and gave everything in the old barn a light gold tint. It was beautiful. Vox rolled over and saw that there was another plate of food at the door of the barn once again, right on time. She often wondered who was setting the food out for her in the mornings. This gave her an idea, tomorrow morning she would try to wake early and see who it is. Probably some creepy old man, she thought. Or who knows, maybe someone nice. Vox had lost a lot of weight ever since she ran away from the orphanage...she was just so worried she would have another accident. She whole-heartedly cared for the little ones there, so she could barely imagine the pain of another accident. It was always looming over her, the sheer chance of one happening at the wrong time, or at all. She was just starting to delve into the thought of her ‘affliction’ when she realized she should be eating! Vox then scooped up the plate and enjoyed the well cooked parasect and veggies. Yes, she decided, she would wait to see who was bringing her food from the large house down the road. Ever since she wandered into the barn to rest for a night...someone was leaving out food in the mornings before she woke. Vox was worried at first, but the fact she had little means of getting food otherwise was more important. A few weeks past and this was starting to feel like a little home of her own...but still. Someone knew she was there, and someone seemed to care. Vox then came to the conclusion that she would find out who this person was, thank him or her…. and of course get the recipe for the wonderful paraseck dish that was most commonly served.
Morning came later it seemed the next day, perhaps it just appeared that way to Vox since she was excited about this particular morning. She had laid out some hay with her jacket on top….to fool the to-be food giver that Vox was sleeping and thus to leave the dish as usual. Vox was right behind a large boulder about ten feet outside of the large entrance of the barn’s doorway. After a while, just as Vox was starting to doubt the appearance, a small figure made its way from the house bound trail to the barn. It was a little girl, about Vox’s age, with a worn basket in tow. The small girl had dark hair, a skinny figure, fair skin but rough and dirty hands. She then walked into the barn and set out a plate, stared for a moment and then turned around to leave. Vox then jumped out from behind the rock.
“Hi! I’m Vox Mecalla! I just wanted to say thank you for bringing me food! I know it’s probably a burden to...but ummm thanks.” Vox started to get shy, as the girl just seemed to still be stunned at the sudden introduction.
“Hello….Miss Vox, I’m a servant of the Elder house up there...and well...I noticed you down here one mornin’ and didn’t wanna waste the food from the masters...so...well ya know how it is being a servant.” The girl hoarsely said.
“A servant? I’m on my own!” Vox stated.
“On your own? You don’t have a master? You weren’t bought?”
“Bought? Like a toy? No no! Well, I was at an orphanage in the City of Pillars...but I didn’t like it there, so I’m wanting to go along Hero’s road until I find somewhere nice!” Vox said, finally opening up for the first time in a while.
“Oh my...well, if you are plannin’ on leaving soon...then I could get some extra food from the kitchen for you…” The girl said in a quiet tone.
“Could you really? That would be wonderful.” Vox exclaimed.
“Actually….Can I….. come with you, Miss Vox?” She said as she look at the ground and shuffled her feet. Vox could tell she was on the verge of possibly crying….after a few short seconds of pondering the subject, she had made up her mind.
“Yes! Of course! But hey, I never got your name!” Vox excitedly said.
“Oh sorry Miss Vox, it’s Castia, errr, my name is Castia! It’s such a pleasa’ to meet you, Miss!”