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Post by Headmaster Dumbledore on Jul 19, 2010 20:27:22 GMT -5
Beneath the school is a labyrinth of mystery and intrigue... |
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 19, 2010 22:36:22 GMT -5
Astin gripped his wand as they stepped farther into the darkness. Before Hogwarts, he'd never had a fear of something as irrational as the dark, but now he was wary of what lie in the shadows. He didn't like it; it made it harder to act brave. But the truth of the matter was, although he wasn't necessarily scared, he also wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about this trip as he had been about the others previously.
Sure, it was an adventure, and adventures were fun. Adventures with Dastan, however? Less fun and more stupid and life-threatening. And at the same time, addicting, in a sense. Despite how utterly stupid it was to continue endangering himself and breaking rules and such and so forth, Astin kept doing it, because some weird part of his brain enjoyed it. He wasn't sure if it was the danger that intrigued him or if it was simply Dastan at this point. It was evident that the latter was true at least a little, of course.
When he could no longer see the steps, Astin pulled out his wand and called, "Lumos." He paused before they were too deep with a look toward Das.
"This is a bad idea," he stated, "And we're probably going to regret it." He didn't bother suggesting they turn back; he knew very well that they wouldn't.
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 19, 2010 23:57:46 GMT -5
"This is a bad idea. And we're probably going to regret it."
"I can't deny that," Dastan said, reaching into his boot and pulling out his wands. His fingers were still dumb, but they could at least hold the wand well enough to cast magic. It wasn't like it involved much dexterity. "But since when has that ever stopped us?"
As they descended further into the pitch black passage, Dastan also pulled out his wand and cast lumos. He wasn't sure what to expect but it couldn't be much worse than what he and Astin had already done. As several minutes passed and they got deeper into the depths of Hogwarts, Dastan was beginning to think again. Maybe they wouldn't run into anything at all or...
A sudden lurching in his stomach made him stop short. He felt sick. "Astin," he managed, "What the hell is in those pills you gave me?" he asked, placing a hand on his stomach and the other, which was holding his wand, on a wall for support. He didn't want to vomit all over the stones, but he definitely didn't feel right.
Note to self, he thought bitterly as his stomach flipped again, Never take muggle medicine again. Ever.
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 20, 2010 0:24:14 GMT -5
"But since when has that ever stopped us?"
Astin shrugged. "You have a point." He resumed walking, descending even deeper. Just how deep was this thing, anyway? They were in Hogwarts still, right? It felt like they'd been walking forever. Was there even an end to this stairway?
"Astin," Das said rather suddenly, "What the hell is in those pills you gave me?"
Astin stopped and turned to face his friend. "Why? Nothing weird; I take those all the time." He pressed his hand against Dastan's forehead, frowning. "You don't feel warm. Are you okay?" He pulled away, tilting his head a little back up the stairs. "Wanna head back?"
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 20, 2010 0:33:23 GMT -5
"Wanna head back?"
"No," Dastan gasped out. He wasn't about to go back now that they'd managed to find their way here. This place was new, and there was no telling whether they'd be able to find their way back or not. He wanted to know what else was in there. "I'm fine; just nauseous. I really don't think Pureblood wizards should take muggle medicine. It can't be good for--" he stopped speaking, feeling that if he kept on going, he'd end up being sick all over Astin, and that would be too humiliating to even fathom.
"Let's just keep going," he said a second later, and then straightened up and began heading past Astin to go deeper into the catacombs. No sooner had he started walking than he hit a two-way junction. Of course there'd be something like this. "Which direction should we take?" he asked, swallowing the nausea once more and moving over to where he could see a torch bracket hanging.
"Nox," he muttered to his wand, cutting out the light, and then he pointed the now darkened wand at the bracket, casting a quick fire spell.
The second the first torch was lit, several...hundred? thousand?...other torches automatically lit. And the wall closed behind where Astin was standing, blocking off their exit. Of course.
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 20, 2010 0:58:39 GMT -5
Astin cast Dastan a worried glance, but he knew better than to try to argue. Dastan was going to do what he wanted, whether Astin agreed or not; that was all there was to it.
They kept walking, until Dastan extinguished his wand. Astin looked at him and was about to ask what the heck was going on, but then he lit up a torch. The next thing Astin knew, torches everywhere lit up, bathing the two tunnels in an eerie, flickering orange light. The stone walls stretched on for what seemed like miles, vanishing into the distance.
"Nox," Astin muttered, putting out his own wand. He peered down both the paths, but he couldn't see a difference. Except... He squinted. There was something... off, about the path on the right. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. It just didn't feel normal. He pointed. "Something feel weird about this way to you?"
Perhaps he shouldn't have said that out loud. If he'd have kept quiet, maybe Dastan wouldn't have noticed. And if Das wouldn't have noticed, they could have gone down the normal road for once and avoided possible death. But then, Astin mused, things wouldn't be nearly as interesting. He had been the one to complain of boredom, hadn't he? Well, he certainly wouldn't be bored today; that much was obvious. He just hoped they wouldn't get any serious injuries.
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 20, 2010 3:22:25 GMT -5
"Something feel weird about this way to you?"
Dastan was about to tell Astin that he was just being ridiculous, but then he felt it. It was...a wildness. Like, if he went that way, he'd have to abandon all order and civility. It was both terrifying and intriguing. Almost without thinking, Dastan began moving towards the path that Astin had pointed out, wanting to find the source of that weird sensation. It was almost hypnotizing.
"What..." he began to ask, but he couldn't think of what he was trying to ask. At this point, he wasn't sure whether his general confusion was due to the weird feeling that Astin had pointed out, or the stupid muggle painkillers that were wreaking havoc on his unaccustomed system (his stomach had yet to settle down either, and Dastan was hoping it was only temporary). Either way, he clutched his wand tightly until his hand protested, and he was finally ripped out of his stupor a bit.
"What do you think it is?" he asked his friend even as he moved towards it. He was sure that something so free that it was giving off this wild aura would have a way of getting them out. He just hoped it wasn't one involving their deaths or something equally as dramatic. Besides, it wasn't like they had much choice in the matter. It was either go towards this aura, or go off in the other direction. And Dastan was inclined to follow the sensation, if only to find another living creature within the depths of this mysterious labyrinth.
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 20, 2010 15:25:47 GMT -5
"What do you think it is?"
Astin's feet were firmly planted on the ground, but Dastan apparently thought it was a good idea to go toward that strange feeling.
"Uh, I don't know, but maybe it's a better idea to not go there?" Astin tried, calling after his friend. But even he admitted that once Das had decided to do something, he did it, and this was no different. So apparently they were marching into the depths of Hogwarts and possibly their doom because Das had a strange urge to explore the unknown, again. Wonderful.
Astin sighed and followed. One day, he would stop letting Dastan keep him on a leash. One day. That day was obviously far off, however, so today, he followed closely. His wand still out, he wondered what they might find. What was the source of this mysterious wild energy that he felt pulsating all around them? He couldn't even tell at this point whether the energy was good or bad; in fact, he was beginning to strongly believe that it was neither. It felt... ancient. More ancient than Hogwarts should have been, in any case. Astin picked up the pace to walk beside Dastan, just to be sure.
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 20, 2010 15:48:31 GMT -5
"Uh, I don't know, but maybe it's a better idea to not go there?"
Das stopped abruptly and turned to face Astin. "Where would the fun be in that?" Dastan said. Even if he felt like shit, he hated backing down from an adventure. But if Astin was truly too scared..."Unless you're too scared, that is. I would totally understand. We could go the other way, where the fact that we felt nothing could either mean that nothing is there, or that the thing that way is better at hiding its presence. Which would you prefer? The way where we can at least expect to find something, or the way where we may, or may not, know what hits us before it's too late?"
Dastan's stomach flipped again, and he made a face of displeasure. This really hadn't been the best day for him, had it? Burned hands, muggle painkillers fogging up his senses, recovering from a cold...maybe for fun, he should have decided to go and play Quidditch or something. Even so, what was done was done, and he'd rather go the way that he knew he'd find something than go the way where he absolutely didn't know what could be hiding there. Still, he'd leave it up to Astin this time. He didn't do that nearly enough.
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 20, 2010 16:21:32 GMT -5
"Unless you're too scared, that is. I would totally understand. We could go the other way, where the fact that we felt nothing could either mean that nothing is there, or that the thing that way is better at hiding its presence. Which would you prefer? The way where we can at least expect to find something, or the way where we may, or may not, know what hits us before it's too late?"
Astin rolled his eyes and prodded Dastan along. "I'm following you, aren't I? C'mon, let's get this over with before I come to my senses." He grabbed the sleeve of Dastan's robe and pulled him along, continuing the trek down the narrow passage.
They entered a room of sorts, but it was more of a hollow than anything. Torches still flickered and flared from their brackets around the room, casting grotesque shadows where the flames' lights did not reach. Two heavy-looking doors stood before them, carved in sunken-relief; they appeared to be bronze, although with the poor lighting, they could have been many other metals. Like the wild energy, they were ancient. The carvings on the doors told of times long forgotten but apparently still in existence, if the pulsating presence was anything to go on.
"Do those look like hieroglyphics to you?" Astin asked, stepping closer to the doors. He'd forgotten about the grip he still had on Dastan's sleeve until now, and he chose this moment to let go so that he could better scrutinize the marks on one of the doors. Astin had his fingers mere centimeters from the metal when he froze. Something told him not to touch that door, and he stepped back. Suddenly this did not seem like such a good idea after all.
But they were still alive so far. There was no turning back now.
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 20, 2010 16:36:45 GMT -5
"Do those look like hieroglyphics to you?"
Dastan had only ever been to Egypt twice in his life. He'd learned a few hieroglyphics but not many at all. Still, he hoped he'd be able to read these at least. Stepping closer to the door and reaching out to drag his finger along with the reading, he tried to decipher the meanings.
"He...who...enters here...welcome to the...Land of Forgotten Myths? What?"
Suddenly, a deep rumbling filled the room and the doors began sliding open, his touch seeming to have awakened the door. He stumbled back hurriedly, reaching out and grabbing at Astin's arm for support. He still felt like shit, and the rumbling all around him was not helping matters in the least. What was wrong in seeking some form of steadying support from a friend?
Finally, the dust seemed to settle around the doorway. Dastan swallowed. "Shall we?" he said, staring in trepidation at the now gaping doorway.
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 20, 2010 18:08:16 GMT -5
"I didn't touch it for a reason," Astin hissed when Dastan grabbed his arm. He'd known that not touching it was in his best interests, but apparently Dastan was up for ignoring best interests today. Perhaps giving him that Muggle medicine hadn't been such a good idea; Astin hadn't thought that it would have any horrendous side-effects, but apparently it did, and apparently those were the lack of any sense of self-preservation.
"Shall we?" Dastan asked, sounding the slightest bit reluctant.
Astin swallowed around the lump in his throat. "Do we have any other choice?"
Leaving Dastan to either walk and continue gripping his arm or stand there staring, Astin stepped into the newly opened room. And promptly stopped to gape.
It was as if he'd just stepped into an ancient burial tomb or treasure trove. Gold glittered and glinted from all sides; one could hardly see the stone beneath it. An open, apparently empty sarcophagus rested against one of the walls. Astin was drawn to it. He approached it without thought or hesitation, like a moth to the flame.
He stopped suddenly as something in the gemstone eyes of the lid glinted warningly. It was something neither dark nor light, but nonetheless seemed wicked. He cast a glance to Dastan.
"Stay away from the sarcophagus," he said. He felt the need to warn Das, seeing as apparently he no longer felt the need to control himself in order to keep them alive.
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 20, 2010 18:24:21 GMT -5
"Stay away from the sarcophagus."
Dastan fought the immature impulse to mimic Astin and instead rolled his eyes. He sure was being a killjoy today. Since when did Astin decide to be the one with logic and stuff? Wasn't he usually the one that was like, 'Hey, let's open this mystical box without any form of plan or idea of what might be inside!' It was just weird, the reversal of roles.
Whatever, Dastan decided. He'd just let Astin lead them from now on. He wasn't exactly feeling up to it anyways. Besides, what was wrong with opening a door? It wasn't like they had much choice in the matter. And he really didn't see any need to touch that sarcophagus anyways. He knew all sorts of mummies were cursed. It was one of the first things Alex told him when they'd gone to Egypt.
And ohh, man, his stomach felt awful. Groaning, he lowered himself to sit on the ground, having let go of Astin 's arm when he'd gone to approach the sarcophagus, and fought not to heave. This place was covered in gold; it seemed rather disrespectful to vomit all over it. Clutching himself around the middle, he managed, "Where do we go from here?"
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Post by Astin Descartes on Jul 20, 2010 18:44:06 GMT -5
"Where do we go from here?"
Astin, who had been gazing about the room in wonder, turned his eyes back to Dastan. His friend wasn't looking too great. "Are you alright? I might be able to find you a gold-plated bucket to hurl in, if need be," he half-joked.
He scanned the room again. There didn't appear to be any other exits. "Well, I guess our only option is to go back out th--" Astin stopped. There weren't any exits, period; the door they'd entered from was gone. "Well, this is just peachy," he muttered, "Just fucking peachy."
His wand was still out. He considered blasting the wall to bits, but something held him back. Maybe trying that wouldn't be such a great idea.
The power was beginning to grow overwhelming. Astin could feel a headache beginning to sprout from his irritation, to be frank; he wasn't all too thrilled at the idea of facing whatever was oozing a power like this. It just didn't seem like a good idea. Then again, since when had he had many of those? His whole life had been a series of bad ideas.
With a sigh, Astin began searching the walls for a hint as to a way out. Maybe he'd get lucky and there'd be a "press here in case of emergency" button or something. He doubted it.
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Post by Dastan Cross on Jul 20, 2010 19:12:41 GMT -5
Dastan tossed his head back and made a frustrated sound in the back of his throat. If he could just stop feeling like shit, he'd be better at making decisions. Forcing his discomfort aside, Dastan stood up and began looking around with Astin.
The room was lovely, but he knew better than to grab at any of the treasures. He'd read Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves plenty enough times to know that it was never a good idea to grab anything. But how the hell else were they going to get out of here?
And if that aura didn't go away soon, he'd definitely be either on the ground wailing at the headache he was beginning to get, or vomiting all over the place. Neither option seemed very good.
Almost against his will, Dastan felt drawn back to the sarcophagus. "Astin, what if...whatever it is..is in that sarcophagus and we need to I dunno, get past it to get out of here? And is there enough oxygen in here? I can't seem to breathe. I feel like...ugh..." He couldn't even finish the sentence before he ducked to the side of the sarcophagus, finally hurling the meager contents of his stomach into one of the goblets that sat there.
And now, on top of feeling like shit, he was humiliated. Great day.
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