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Puppeteer Spider Voidsent
Arahnea Aalz-arak
She of many voices and faces. A siren's call of death to heedless wanderers. Beware the spider's kiss, lest you find yourself cocooned and devoured.Arachnophobia warning.Contains explicit violence/gore.
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Days in the Darkhold.
Arahnea emerged from the sudden void fissure by chance, stepping through as a much smaller beast. Her first steps into the dark underground of what would come to be known as the Dzemael Darkhold.Over the next several decades, she would spend her life in solitude, hunting other voidsent that came through the portals and eventually preying upon the Garlean and Ishgardian soldiers that ventured into the Darkhold depths during the early years of the Garlean invasion of Eorzea.Though truly none of that mattered to her. Over the years she had grown much, much larger. Where originally she stood no taller than a miteling, she now towered over even the largest mortal races. Her inherent gift of corpse puppetry and pure, unbridled hunting instinct led her to much success in the caverns. She was not a social creature by any means, the biggest extent of her attempt at companionship being when she caught a small adventuring party and kept them alive for several days to converse with them. Eventually, through multiple failed escape attempts she grew annoyed and killed them. though she would use their bodies to create several of her favorite puppets.Sadly, all things eventually must end. Unbeknownst to her, the Warrior of Light would one day make their way through and scour the Darkhold of the lingering Voidsent Corruption, namely the slaughtering of the Voidsent Gargoyle Batraal, her one and only "rival" in the caverns. Though she could have slain and devoured them at any point, she allowed his continued existence in the caverns mostly to assure herself that she was not the only entity within them.Yet once they were gone, so to did she finally make the choice to flee. She had become too large for most of the tunnels in the darkholds depth and her escape only came by happenstance when she came upon an area of the tunnels that had experienced a collapse and opened up into a much wider series of tunnels that she had not previously seen.As she wound her way through these new tunnels... She would... Eventually, through slowly setting in aether starvation and her own steadily growing incoherent madness... Hear a voice in the tunnel depths... The sound of workers. Miners.Over the next several days she hunted these workers, harrying their nightmares and devouring their bodies whole.Little did she know that this would lead to the most drastic change of her life.
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The one that got away.
Leon wandered into the tunnels armed with his broom and few cleaning supplies. He wasn't sure how much cleaning should be done in such...unrefined part of the estate but he could at least make sure there's nothing out of place to report. The sea of aether should be only a little ways deeper. That's when he heard some unfamiliar noise and spotted some shadowy form shifting in the distance. He paused and squinted his eyes to strain his vision. "Hello? Excuse me?" He called out politely.Arahnea Aalz-arak blinked, eight midnight black and gray eyes all converged upon the lone figure they saw. With silent skittering steps, the massive form of the spider horror slinked along through the darkness. The creature had been creeping through the tunnels for days, following the winding paths until finally, something. A person. Prey. Butchers blade and chefs table, all ready and alone. They could almost taste them already... breaking bones and sanguine blood, screams of pain... A quiet hiss escaped the spiders maw as it began manipulating it's aetheric threads, moving its puppet forward.Her puppet stumbled through the dark towards the person. "Hello? Is someone there? Please, we've been in these tunnels for... I don't even know how long! Can anyone hear me?" Their voice echoed through the tunnels. A short xaela woman would appear from the darkness near the figure, pale skin and bright silver eyes. The spider in the deepest darkness down the tunnel masterfully moved the puppet, the woman nigh indistinguishable from a true living mortal. Pleading tones and cries for help had always been the best bait...Leon blinked in surprise at the sight of her. She wasn't one of the daughters and she didn't come from the front door... "A-Ah... You're not supposed to be down here. How did you get in here?" Now this was a major security breach. Leon stood defensively, a slight distrusting frown on his face.The puppet was visibly relieved, finally, a person! Salvation! "Yes! Please, I was with my party exploring a cave system out in the coerthan mountains when suddenly there was a cave in and we fell into these tunnels! I can't tell you how relieved I am to see someone down here!" She walked to the person before her, grasping their wrist lightly, "Please, I need help, the others are injured further down the tunnels!"Leon frowned deeply, glancing down as his wrist was touched. "A cave-in? In our tunnels? Yes please do show me where." He said, clearing his throat a bit and trying to look more helpful than distrustful to make a better impression. He gave her a light smile.The puppet smiled brightly, "Oh thank the twelve, it's down this way. One of my party has a broken leg I think and we aren't able to carry him..." She led the viera by the hand down the tunnel, into the dark. "It's a ways down this direction!"Leon set aside his cleaning supplies before following the Xaela. He'd rather have his hands free for whatever this is. "I see." He spoke, keeping the gentle smile on his face as he followed.
The puppet led the Viera down the tunnels... Meanwhile the spider hissed softly, yes... closer... The beast shifted in the dark, it's impatience getting the better of it. The xaela woman's grip on the viera's hand tightened. "Not much further now..."The viera's extremely sensitive ears picked up on the light hissing. He slowed his step and winced as his wrist was gripped tighter. He stopped dead in his tracks. "Wait." He said, yanking his hand out of the Xaela's hold. "There's something else down there. Did a beast follow you in?" He said, reaching under his skirt and pulling out two knives that had been concealed strapped to his thighs. He gazed into the darkness trying to make out what had made the noise.Both puppet and spider stopped. If the viera had any sort of keen eyesight, they may catch the subtle sheen of... a web? Yes, a large web down the corridor. "I hope they're alright, we had to split up to try and find help... if a beast were down here as well... we have to hurry!" The spiders forelegs would both slowly raise, the beast itself clinging to the ceiling. A large net-like web was spread between its limbs. If the viera took too many steps further, the spider would attempt to lash its limbs down and try to ensare the viera.Leon could see something shining down further but he couldn't tell what. He looked at the Xaela next... Maybe he could use her... "Go on first, I'll stay a few steps behind and watch your back." He said. If she dies then it's 2 birds one stone. Less problems for Lady Ceana.The au ra puppet looked at the viera quizzically, then nodded. "I suppose that's for the best since I somewhat know the way..." The xaela would take a few steps further, the spider waiting for the slightest hint of movement from the viera... then with a sudden movement the pair of forelimbs would lash out from the darkness above the viera, web net cast wide as the spider let out a frustrated hiss.Leon heard the stretching of the forelimbs and hiss as it lunged. Being on high alert he managed to barely evade the attack. "...What the...." He breathed out as he saw the huge spider. He could NOT defeat THAT. He looked at the Xaela and then the spider. Why wasn't the beast lunging for the girl? Leon began walking backward slowly, keeping his eyes on the spider creature.
The puppet said nothing, the spider above her then spoke in a voice sounding like it came from a maw with far too many teeth, "YOUUU... WILL NOT... GET FAAAAR..." The xaela then seemingly warped to the Viera's side and cast a rune upon the ground in a last ditch attempt to ensaring them. Should that fail, they would simply give chase.Leon used the same technique to escape the rune but that's pretty much all the energy he had left. Adrenaline was the only thing that allowed him to store his weapons and just make a run for it at top speed.As the spider remained in the tunnels, the puppet gave chase, frustrated that she had failed in capturing her prey...
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Serve or Die.
Ceana felt the other woman's icy hand slip through her fingertips. She watched as the little one led the way as if this was her home. Ceana lowered her cowl and whispered, "Let's stop at the dungeon first. I wish to bring a treat with us." Ceana quietly treads, following Arahnea to the door, where she takes the lead, bringing the two women to the dungeon.Arahnea cast her eyes about the dim room. "I... am confused. I'm under no misconceptions here. I'm fully aware we are quite the same. As I said, there is no need for theatrics nor do you need to act a certain way to save face with whomever you host in your nest here." She cast her gaze at the man in one of the cages. "What is this?"
Ceana Ramsay maintained her calm poise, walking forward quietly to a cell door, "A surprise. Do you like surprises?" Ceana lowered her cowl and pulled a key free from her robe, leaning forward as she used it to unlock the cell, "Mortal, follow me. " She gave the man a look to communicate to watch the aura woman, then pulled the gate open, leaving it ajar, and began walking back to unnamed xaela, "Please, bring us to your 'party.'Morahkiev jolted into what looked to be wakefulness as he heard footsteps and voices. The xaela was a bit unkempt, his dark hair tangled down his back. Underneath his tunic were bandages and some purplish scarring, though he seemed healthy enough otherwise. He silently rose to his feet.Morahkiev bowed his head in thanks to Ceana, and shuffled out of the cell. He looked at Arahnea, eyeing her up and down.
Arahnea huffed softly, "I enjoy surprises. I enjoyed the surprise I found in the tunnels below here, sadly the rabbit man was a fair bit faster than I expected is all." She shrugged, "I don't know why I would be leading the way. This is your nest." The puppet glared at the xaela male for a moment then turned to return where she entered the nest from.
The pale elezen follows as the nameless aura leads her and the mortal to her 'party.' Ceana and her daughters had caught several mortals and were forcing them to dig tunnels deep into the soil. The tunnels were so deep that they ran into the aetherial sea. Sadly, the mortals had been disappearing, one by one. At first, Ceana assumed the daughters had feasted on one or the other. But, seeing new tunnels as she followed the xaela woman, she realized she was wrong.Ceana and the others arrived in a room devoid of light. The darkness was so deep that it penetrated one's thoughts. Of course, Ceana could see. She felt at home in this penetrating darkness and merely waited as the aura paused in silence, "....where is the rest of your' party' ?"
Morahkiev mumbles under his breath at the darkness, and then mumbles a cantrip, an orb of fire appearing in his hand. It illuminates the room just enough to cast light to the far corner... When he sees the monstrous form of a giant spider, he stumbles back with an audible gasp. The area is damp and musty with the sweet and acrid stench of decay. "My lady, watch out!"The puppet stayed where she was, though in the deepest dark of the tunnel a large shape moved. No longer needing to be stealthy, the massive half spider half woman stomped her way forward a bit, keeping a decent distance between itself and the elezen. Eight eyes stared at the elezen woman, the spider horror chittered and hissed quietly. The xaela puppet woman spoke, "I said no theatrics. This is your nest and as attractive as it may be to remain here, what with the numerous mortals I've come across and subsequently devoured whole, I can't help but to feel I should not do so.." The puppet stared at the elezen, the spider horror doing much the same, it's head tilting sideways a bit as it spoke, it's voice coming from a monstrous maw with far too many teeth. "Ssso... now what? Not... unreasssonable..." The puppet continued its lifeless stare, the dim light of the xaela males orb forced monstrous shadows along the walls of both her and the spider.Ceana Ramsay flung her left hand up, motioning to the mortal behind her, "No theatrics, merely ensuring I have a voidsent summoner in case we make a contract." Ceana's eyes roll as she motions with her left hand as if the intentions were obvious. Her crimson eyes illuminate from the fire, and she turns back to the spider, "You enjoy my nest?" The vampire slides her hands behind her back, clasping them together as she casually walks around the cave room. She turns her back to the spider, taking time to look around at the walls before she spoke again, "So, would you like to stay here?"Morahkiev straightened up, putting on an air of stoicism as he viewed the arachnid creature. He kept his hand outstretched, the fire growing in heat and potency in his hand in case he had to use it for defense. At Ceana's words he nodded, confirming that he would back her up in this situation. He stepped forward slowly so he could get a better look at the monstrosity, and stayed vigilant.Arahnea hissed loudly, the spider horror speaking once more. "Ssshhhtay... heeere?" The puppet spoke, "Why? This is your nest, you would allow another predator to help itself to your larder, so to speak? I am no fool. You have no reason to allow me to stay but I have no reason to leave. I could simply claim these tunnels as my own. Unless you have an offer or an accord to make, then I remain confused." The spider raised itself up a bit, its two forelegs clacking together loudly. In the dim light of the tunnel it could be blatantly seen that there were webs already all along the walls and ceiling.Ceana removed the glove from her hand and reached up to a collection of the web on the wall. Testingly, she ran her sharp claws down the webs and smiled ominously as the silk was sliced away, "I need help protecting the nest. I know some of our kind have no qualms about devouring each other. Those types are usually too stupid to stay in this world for long. This world is not void. Why waste our precious aether fighting each other when we can use it to feast on our prey? This life is quite luxurious compared to our old home. Offer your sigil to me in obedience, protect the nest, and stay hidden, so we do not alarm the mortals of what we are. Do this and you may stay.Morahkiev stepped before Ceana and the arachnid, stretching out his arms, as lines of deep violet aether started to weave into the air to form a ring of energy, a pact circle. How he was managing to do this without a spellbook was uncertain. Unseen winds tossed up his hair and his eyes glowed unnaturally. "Place your sigil in the circle if you agree to the Lady's terms. The energy will not harm you, but it will give us the ability to send you back to the void if you disobey our rules."Arahnea scowled, the spider letting out a loud screeching roar! KSSSSHHAAAAAHHH!!!! "SSSERVE?! ... YOU... JESSST!!!" The spider reared back and slammed a fist against the wall. The puppet spoke, "I know I am near a mortal hive. I can feel it. Why should I swear obedience to you? You must feel the hunger. What could you possibly be doing different from me? You must be out hunting, stalking the night! I've been contained in a cave for decades, I cannot remain in one any longer with such a feast so close to me..." The puppet gestured emphatically in outrage, mimicking the spider. Then after taking a few moments... her thoughts cleared of the sudden burst of fury. "Protect from what..." She glared at the circle near the puppets feet, the spider knew the elezen spoke something of the truth. This was not the void and there were indeed consequences for wanton rampages. She was no pet, no guard dog. But she was smart enough to recognize that the elezen knew what they were talking about. The world did not favor them.The vampire removed her other glove, laying her hands bare for the spider to see, "These mortals are like ants. They outnumber us. If they discover monsters hunting their weak selves, they swarm us, stinging until they destroy our vessels. After, we may reform in the void, but why would we want to go back? Many daughters do not wish to return to that world of darkness. Now, you said to serve. I would beg to differ. That is not what you would be doing, you would be lavishly feasting with us. Mortals are for serving, not us."Morahkiev spoke up, "Not far from here... there is an entire congregation of Ishgardian knights who would be eager to mobilize in 'heroic' fervor, eager to spill voidsent blood if they knew what lurked here. You go out to hunt, you blow your cover in one of your feeding frenzies... and it's possible you'll be made a pincushion before the next day dawns." He said this flatly, with no threat in his voice. "You need each other. Yes, you can hunt, but you must be careful... either you work united in this foreign land, or you die alone." He waved his arms, emphasizing the pact circle. "You are an intelligent being. Pledging to Lady Ceana is only prudent. Heed her words, and you will have opportunities to survive... plenty of mortal aether, and safety you couldn't obtain easily on your own." Arahnea growled loudly, both puppet and spider in unison. "It infuriates me to hear you speak sense. Your words ring true and I'll not be told I'm simply a fool who couldn't handle the hunger pangs..." The spider moved forward, towering over the trio of others, lifting a hand up and over the circle. "Ssshhh... cannot... believe... trusssting..." The puppet spoke then, its tone grave and threatening. "Do not make me regret this. I escaped the void once, I will do so again... and I do not forget slights against me." The spider's hand glowed a crimson red as their sigil appeared within the circle. The puppet grimaced, the sheer inner turmoil causing her immediate second thoughts but what's done was done.Ceana Ramsay couldn't control herself. Her normal stone cold mask dropped, and her blood stained lips twisted into a bone chilling smile. She lifted her bare hand, extended her index finger, and motioned it with a curl, beckoning the puppet to follow her, "Follow me little one." The length of the night had run it's course, and day was soon approaching. Ceana turned her back, flipping her silky black hair behind her as she faced the door, "What is your name, my daughter?"Morahkiev raised his hands and lifted the sigil from the floor with a flourish... a pulse of violet and binds of magic appeared on the spider's chest, and Ceana's... and then suddenly the aether faded. The pact was sealed. "I have the sigil recorded, my lady," Mora said to Ceana.Arahnea hissed, the spider skittering back into the darkness of the tunnels. The puppet however, followed. "I am not your daughter, do not address me as such. I will not address you as mother. My name is Arahnea Aalz-arak. If it's all the same to you, I will remain here for a time. I... need to think upon my choices here..." The puppet turned on its heels and followed the spider into the darkness. The puppet called out though, "I am not giving up the viera. I will devour him whole. Bones, blood, guts and aether. There will be nothing left of them. No one gets away from me... no one." With that there was nothing but eerie silence in the deep dark of the tunnels.