The ring of gods and uncovered secrets

((Bump. Pain i need a post soon or im gonna just post and go on ))

((OOC: sorry if you wanted to join Pain but i got tired of waiting ))

The tunnel way was dark. Thickly saturated with dust. That threatened to rise and clog his lungs. Though Sean dismissed that thought as it came. This was a serious misson. Well when wasn't magic serious? This artifact promised him power beyond his wildest dreams. That and complete control over his power. Imagine what he could do with that. He wouldn't be so weak thats for sure. Sean hated being weak. Detested it with his heart. Though ever since coming to this place. His hatred seemed to bubble. Amplified somehow. As if it were a living thing waiting to get out. His hand twitched nervously. Legs feeling as if something else was trying to gain control. That happened all the way down the dark stairway. As each step was a clop. So he knew that he was still on the stariway. Then the sound stopped. Smell of stail dusty air changed. Now he smelled a familar scent. One that he loved. It was fresh water! He knew that they were surrounded by it. With that it seemed like a lightswitch was flicked. As the room became illuminated. From a giant crystal that hung in the ceiling. A strange yellow light. Like sunlight.

Through his eyes he could see it all. The descent down the stairs. As his power slowly increased. Inch by inch his hold concreted. Till they were in a room. With an over powering smell of water. Feeling power surge though its being. Now was the time. With all its might it surged though Sean's body. Into the only willing vessel. His shadow. Filling it over as it expanded. Making it like a dark circle about 100 feet around. Oozing away like a snake. Into the center of the room. Which was a platform above a lake. Shadow swirling like a maelstrom. Frothing and bubbling. As a fomr came from it. Scratching and clawing as the shadow took shape. An inhuman roar coming from mock lips. In a whole of five minutes it took form. A strange shadoy replica of Sean. The same shape as him but Made of an inky sunbstance. A loud laughter of triumph burst from its mock lips. "I'm free. I'm really free. Oh what a feeling. I feel like i could. Kill" It said most of it in a maniacl screeching tone. Though when he said kill it was as if two people said it. That of a little boy and an older man. Layered into a demonic sound. Low and under control. He was ready to kill, and had two victims in his sight. Well one anyway. A friend of his supposed other. Now he was gonna have some fun with this.

It boosted Sul's spirits a bit to finally have the cave illuminated by the crystal. Sean seemed drawn towards the mystical power of the place, but Sul was always cautious. Not of Sean, but of the magical tunnel. He didn't like it one bit, and had a bad feeling about it. Sean wouldn't have asked for his help if he didn't need it. That he knew. It was almost like his instinct to believe everything had the ability to turn against him, even his allies. But he wasn't sure what to think next.

Sean's shadow appeared to be gaining mass and substance, an obsidian tar started to bubble and snake across the ground away from Sean. Having his lighter clenched into his fist, he wasn't sure what exactly was going on. He was never fond of magic, he didn't understand how it worked. And he always feared losing control of his own mind. The black tar substance formulated itself into a figure of Sean.

The reflection began to speak in a demonic tone, ranging in several decibels. He definitely had a bad feeling about this. When it spoke of killing, Sul raised his fist's up to his chest. Prepared for combat. "Sean...What is this? What's going on?"

Sean stood wide eyed. Staring directly at the creature. He had no idea what it was. It took his form but he had no idea who or what its is. It filled him with dread. A fear the felt primal. As if it threatened to swallow him whole. His mouth felt as if it were dry. Dry like a desert. Trying to form words yet none came out. He was too scared to think. This thing felt familar. It radiated a strange feeling. Twisting his gut. It was one he knew very well. It radiated hatred.

"Oh Sean dont you know me. After all the times we shared. "He stopped."Well im sure you weren't even aware of me at the time. Though few ever are aware of their emotions i suppose. Its sad really." His voice seemed to change tone every sentence. "I mean how can you not recognize your self. Your hurting my feelings."He fake sobbed. "Especially in front of your friend. I'm sure Sul would like to know me." He didn't wait for a response. "I'm you Sean. Every spiteful, hate filled, muder abiding emotion in you. Thats me." He smiled. "You can call me Hatred though." Yeah i like that name. Has a certain ring to it." He stopped as if remembering something. "Oh right? Your after the ring. Well sorry to disapoint you, but someone as weak as you has no right to have it." He shrugged. "So i'll just kill you here." With that he thrust his arm out. As a spear of shadowy ooze hardened and shot from it. Aimed right for Sean's head. He planned to end this in one move, but seemed to forget Sul there.

His eyes darted from Sean to the ebony reflection of himself. It muttered words that made little to no sense to him, Sean didn't seem to be replying to Sul or the shadowy figure. His eyes were enlarged, and his feet were planted to the ground. He appeared paralyzed by the appearance of the figure. It taunted him and even mentioned Sul. How did it know him? This was too strange. Sul decided to repeat himself to snap Sean out of it. "Sean? Sean!" The black figure formed spears out of his hands before lunging into an attack at Sean's head.

"SEAN!!"

Sul-Fury stepped in front of Sean, and grabbed the spearlike hand by the wrist and yanked it to the right. He put his full strength behind the tug strong enough to fling the figure straight into Sul's direction. He kept his body in motion with the yank, pulling a full 180 degrees and spinning his foot up into the air for a round-house kick to the side of the shadow's head.

Sul called him. Yet he was unable to hear. As if he wasnt even there. An observer looking over the action. As the spear shot towards him, and Sul reacted. Pulling hte creature in close and kicking it. Suddenly he knew that wouldnt do anything.

He felt the pain al right. It hurt like hell, but didnt matter. As the kick connected. He exploded into globs of shadowy substance. Smearing acroos the floor messily. "Good one Sul. Well it whats to be expected."The globs began to move. Flowing over Suls body. Rippling as it covered him. Completely. Then leaping off. Rippling and changing. Taking on a new form. A mock form of Sul. "Well i like this one. Nice and strong." With that he whipped his hand back and shot it forward. Aimed directly at Sul's face. He knew that it would do some damage. After all compared to Sul, Sean was a whiny bitch. So he loved this body way better than that whiny emo bitches.

He smothered his opponent all over the ground in a splattering mess. He let go of the creatures arm but it didn't let go of him. The black tar began to climb all over his body, as he tried to rip it apart with brute strength, but the substance seemed to have been attaching to him from all locations. Fully covering him, he was holding his breath, but he shouldnt have to. He threw his head back and stretched his jaw with all his might. The gooey substance started to tear, opening small cracks for his mouth as he let out a mighty yell in resistance.

However, it had accomplished what it was attempting. The substance climbed off him and took his form. He was about to express a sound of confusion when a fist extended rapidly towards him and blasted him across the face.

"HNN!" Sul flew backwards and into a wall, leaving an imprint of his figure into it. The rocky walls crumbled around where he was positioned. He shook off the pain and remembered his goal, he had to keep Sean safe. He threw his body forward and stumbled out of the crater in the wall prepared to defend his friend. What was he doing? Why was he just sitting there!

"Sean! Wake up!"

Hatred approached Sean slowly. As a low cackle came from his lips. This body was amazing! He had so much strength he didn't know what to do with it. Sean stood there frozen in fear. Like the coward he was. "Sul dont you see? Hes a coward. Weak. Untrustworthy filth. You wanna know something he will never tell Pain or you?" Hatred stood infront of him. Curling his right index finger up. PLacing it in front of Seans forehead. Flicking him. Not with full force of course, but enough. Sending him tumbling backwards like a ragdoll. Pain coursing through his head. As he rolled till he hit a stone pillar. It hurt him, but no bones were broken. "Hes a killer. Murdered before. Yet he thinks if he tries hard enough all his sins will go away. That he will somehow atone." Of course Hatred didn't mean the killings he did willingly. He maent when he lost control of his powers. With that Sean stood unsteadily to his feet. Feeling the water beneath him. Commanding it to move. As it rose to meet him. Rushing at Hatred full force. The same force used against Pain. He hoped it would do damage.

Hatred was caught by suprise. As the water hit him hard. Forcing him back. On his ass. Cuts torn into his shadowy hide. "Don't you talk again!" Sean had enough of this shit. Now he was gonna finish this himself.

The shadowy figure decided to speak to him, telling Sul that Sean was a killer. But how could that be? It didn't make sense. If Sean was a murderer, why would he be joining the Tough Guys? Why would he be sticking around Sul? Sul-Fury squinted his eyes at the figure, he didn't believe a word of any slander that this 'man', if you could call him that, dished out.

"You're lying." he said. But before the ebony figure of Sean could reply, Sean had blasted him with a high amount of pressure. Sul wanted to help but let Sean handle this. The ordeal seemed to be personal the way he responded. He walked closer to his friend and stuck his closed fists to his sides, ready to lash out on the foe.

The water seemed to come without an end. All fillled with Seans anger. As if it were him itself. Getting even stronger. Gutting through the being. "Damn." Hatred cursed. As water surrounded him from all sides. There was no way to explain the hate Sean felt. He wanted the creature to just die. Hatred let out a loud screech of pain. As the water began to bubble. Boiling hot. Sean planned to boil it alive. Kill it completely. Then it lost its form. Reverting into a shadowy form. Slinking away into the shadows. As a door opened into the wall of the room. Emanating white light. In a moment of weakness he fell to his kees. Sweat pouring down his face. He had beat it. At least for now. Thats all that mattered. Then Sean stood up walking towards the doorway. Something calling him. Like a spring scent. Also he swore he saw a child through the doorway.

Sean seemed to find a way to suppress and defeat the shadowy enemy. It slithered away into the darkness, and Sean seemed to have been exhausted by it. "I don't know about this place. It's not something I really understand, I never really believed in this kind of stuff. But it's kind of hard to ignore what I've seen. If you think it's time we should leave, just let me know. Don't push your limits."

Sean seemed distracted by something. His head shifted as if something ran past him. "Did you see something?"

He walked as if in a trance. Into the white doorway. Which lead into a brightly illuminated doorway. With clean washed hallways. Flourescent lightbulbs on the ceiling. It was a bit too modern for an ancient ruin. In the white hallway stood a small boy. About four years of age. He was short with chubby cheeks. Hair black with bangs swept to the side. he wore torn up jeans and a shirt with a skull on it. Greyish eyes looking Sean over strangely. Gleaming like precious gems. A big happy goofy grin on his face. Holding a tattered, dirty brown stuffed bears in his arms. He looked pure and innocent. He walked up to Sean slowly. "Why you looks so sad? Did mean big brother hurt you?" He spoke with a sweet voice. As if the cares of the world could not touch him. A wave of calm and happiness came over Sean. "No i'm fine now." he replied to the kid. A big grin on his face. He couldn't help but smile. As if all the anger and fear was gone. His heart felt at ease. It felt marvelous.

Sul continued to follow Sean, though Sean didn't respond to what he had said. He hoped Sean was okay. This place didn't seem to effect Sul the way it did with him. Sean appeared to be in a constant daze, wandering, unresponsive. The randomly strange characters they bumped into still puzzled Sul. He didn't yet see any connection between a blob that took not only Sean's form, but his form as well, and a young boy. He thought at minimum, they were guardians of the Ring the two were there for. That much Sul did figure out, when the shadow spoke of the ring that dwelt here. If the ring has so much power, was Sean sure that he wanted to use it? What if he couldn't contain it?

He had discovered what Sean had seen, a young boy who claimed that possibly the shadow was his 'big brother'? The presence of the young boy was the first effect that the place had on Sul. His guard was put down. His cautious, aggressive manner was dampened. Perhaps the boy had no connection to the tunnel at all. Perhaps he had just gotten lost. "You lost kid? Need help out of here?"

The boy looked at Sul a big smile on his face. Running up to him. Wrapping his small arms around left leg. Like a little kitten or something like that. Sean looked at the kid. Not able to think a single bad thought. As the kid swayed side to side. "No i'm fine. Not lost at all. Though maybe you need some help. Am i right. Afterall Hatred was being a big jerk. I don't like it when he does that." He frowned. With that he unlatched himself from Sul. Making a motion for then to follow. Sean gave Sul a look that asked you gonna come? "So umm you gonna come any farther? I'll understand if you don't Some pretty messed up shit is happening here." Sean said. Half serious. Really he hoped that Sul would come. Didn't feel comfortable going on alone. Gave him a knot in his stamach. Then he turned around and walked on. Slow enough that of Sul chose to follow he could. Going deeper onto the ruins.

Sul was slightly surprised at the young boy. Because of his appearance, it had been a long time since any young kids have seen through that and recognized him as a person. Latching onto Sul's leg, he wore a warm smile on his face. The kid appeared to know where he was going, and that somewhat surprised Sul. He felt a little more confident in the team's skills than that of a child. But the child didn't claim to be lost which was puzzling. Why would he be here?

Sean gave Sul an option out, but he already probably knew the response. "Of course, we've come this far. No sense in going back now. I just want to make sure you're doing alright. I'll be fine, don't worry about me."

The child seemed to lead them. Skipping onward. Humming the tune of a song to himself. Arms swinging at his sides. Sean followed him for what seemed about five minutes. Which in fact they were. Sean made sure he counted himself. They kept walking donw the seemigly endless hallway. Till they reached a simple wooden door. Innocence turned to Sean. Still a big smile on his face. "You sure you wanna go on? Big sis is waitin through that door." Sean didn't need a second to think. "I'm sure." Was all he said as he twisted the copped knob. Door creraking open. As a scent came to his nose.

A large beach extended out in front of him. A warm sun beamed down on him. White sand stretched out as far as he could see. A sparkling blue ocean extending even farther. Like liquid sapphire. Not too far in front of Sean stood a lone girl. She looked about twenty one. Thing and pale. Hair flowing down her back. Black with lightning blonde highlights. Eyes a strange cloudy greyish color. Wearing tight black jeans with ripped up knees. A graphic tee with a rain design on the front. Tattered fingerless gloves on her hands. A lip ring in the right side of her lip, and a ring in her left eyebrow. Hands dug deep in her pockets. She looked at them with a neutral expression. "I've been waiting for you. Sean. Sul-fury. Thought you would never get here. " She sighed. "Come on Innocence i you know its rude to go on and bug them." The child frowned walking up to her. Clinging to her leg.

"Anyway i assume your here for the ring. Can't blame you though Sean." She held up her left hand. A strange ring onit. Intricate ivy designs on the silver band, and a large blue gem. "Afterall. It feels wonderful this power. I mean its intoxicating what i can do." She said it all with a neutral tone. "If you want the ring. All you have to do is beat me. if you can handle that Sean. Who knows if you and Sul succeed i might even give him." She pointed at Sul." A little gift as well. Since i'm sure what Hatred said is nagging away at your mind." With that Innocence ran into a cave that was in a rock formation. "We can get this started Sean. With that water from the ocean came to life. Shooting as spikes. With the highest density possible for them. About twenty times as much as Sean was capable of. So she knew even Sul's tough skin would be hurt. Though really it was just a test of the two. She had no intentions of killing them.