| There wouldn't be a moment that would pass me by; Not now, not ever again. I look to the event with anticipation; A sense of victory washing over me; This time, I knew, it would be right. "How many times?" He still doubts. I answer with a hollow chuckle; A caress of wind, a decaying flower; They'd be scattered soon. "As many as it takes," remains my only answer. Together, we remain, cursed; Shells, empty, hollow; Strewn on the ash fields. Each breathe a burning gasp; Faltering, wavering; I remain at my weakest point - He at his strongest But together - Not another moment will we let pass. |
| Burning in the ember fields of eternity; the ash is all that binds us. |
| Reavia'et Reavia'et, the world of the Hive. A world that has only known and lived by one rule within its entire existence; be a part of the hive, or die. Reavia'et was not a peaceful place, not a world full of life and happiness; but a world full of apathy. The landscapes of the Reavia'et are known for their deadened hues, the world being made up mostly of barren stretches of land and minimal waterways. The planet is always hot, an uncomfortable dry heat clinging to its surface. There are few creatures that could exist here when the planet was still thriving; and even less now, after its been compromised. When the worlds collided, and the atmosphere collapsed temporarily, it was only the creatures of the hive that remained. All that was living in the above world died in the impact, wiped out by a war ages past that caused X'ysahtu and Reavia'et to crash into one another. The two planets remain forever bonded together by the ash field - a field of chaotic energy, ashen debris, and planetary remains that seals the two planets together. It is a place that is often not crossed by those of the Reavia'et or X'ysahtu. It acts as a boundary between the once separate worlds. The hive did not mind the erradication of the beasts in the above world. When the atmosphere collapsed and caused the deaths of their only natural predators, they rejoiced. For with the destruction of their enemies the hive could now expand beyond the borders of their confines. Could wander to the above world and claim it for their own. Reavia'et was theirs now. They would never surrender it again. |
| That night of the Eclipse in the Inner Dimension, a rift opened within the ashen field. A portal that ripped through the glue between the two worlds and deposited the cubs into the turmoil of "The Between". The creatures of Reavia'et could taste the scent of these new 'prey animals' upon the wind. And they thirsted for them, were drawn to the edges of the ashen field. They began to call out to the entities within the debris, seeking to lure them to their world. And there, within the ashen field, the cubs were separated. Some were led to the world of X'ysahtu, others were taken to the lands of Reavia'et. They would only know those who ended up upon the same planet as them; the others nothing more than blurred memories of the chaos of the ashen field. Faces, names, nothing of consequence would remain in their memories. |
| .Reavia'et. Upon the world of Reavia'et there is no choice, no freedom of will. Just the hive, and what it allows. To be raised by the hive is to turn over one's individuality for the sake of the prosperity of the hive. To give one's strength and none of their weakness to its numbers. For the moment one steps upon the dying lands of Reavia'et, they are attacked by the parasitic creatures who live here. The small, symbiotic, creatures attach themselves to living creatures and become one with them. When the bond is made the parasites allow for the new host's mind to be connected to the hive; to feel that all encompassing embrace of never being alone. Always being a part of something great. When the cubs had left the ashen field they had no time to prepare for these creatures. No ability to turn and run before they were attacked and had their minds integrated with the hive mind. But with this connection, not only did one gain the bond of being one with the hive, but they also gained the knowledge of the hive. Learned everything it knew, and would ever know. The process was painful only at first. When the parasites would dig into the back of the host's neck and junction with the spine. An immense flare of pain that would be over as soon as the parasite connected with the host. That is when the knowledge would begin to assault the cub's mind, a rush of knowledge so great that a couple of those who ended up in Reavia'et died during the integration. Those that survived were embraced by the hive. Their Elemental Mutations, while hazardous, were seen as a great weapon. They were useful for furthering the hive's control over the world, and for destroying the few remaining threats that dwell in the "greater darkness" (the deep caves in the center of Reavia'et). But cubs were small, easy prey for these large insects. The hive understood this, and took care to mold the cubs into the soldiers it needed. It trained them to work together with the hive mind; to fight, survive, and kill in sync with one another. While they could speak to one another, this deeper hive connection made it so they didn't have to. They could know what the other wanted just by thinking it. Could answer with just a simple thought, or emotion. And be understood perfectly. There was no individuality here. Just the hive, and those it allowed. Up until their adult years, the Raveens spent their time fighting and training. The larger creatures of the hive taught them to survive upon the surface, and how to move through the tunnels of Reavia'et's inner world. Where the insects dwelled. The insects were not only a threat to the small parasites of the hive, but a source of food as well. For the flesh of these insects were full of nutrients enough to sustain them for weeks, and a kill lasted for days before it would begin to rot. With the Raveens it became easier to take these giant creatures down, to hunt and kill them. The hive had never known such a great abundance of food. Of strength. It viewed the Raveens as the strongest hand of the hive; and rewarded them by sending them out on more and more hunts. And each time the Raveens obeyed, for they could do nothing else. The hive was all they knew; the only family they had. And with the parasites attached to them, they would never know anything else. For three years they lived with the hive. At one with the hive mind, and each other. Then the portal came back, splitting open in the ashen field and its very presence caused the Raveens to be taken from Reavia'et and the hive. The connection was brutally cut off; a severed thread that was felt like a great wound not only to the hive but by the Raveens as well. For they lost that comforting connection to the hive; that comfort of never being alone. |
Separated from the hive, but not from each other or the parasites that bonded
to them. These Raveens would forever have a connection to one another, not
unlike what a set of twins have for each other. They can always sense the
emotions, location, and health of the WoRs who came from Reavia'et. They can
always keep a telepathic connection open with each other, and share
information freely.
Without the hive, all they have is each other.
Being so young when they were first taken means these Raveens would not
remember the names or faces of their birth families. Would not recognize any
place or thing. For them, all they would have known is the hive and the
sprawling landscapes/caves of Reavia'et.
The parasites which live at the base of their spines are completely bonded to
them; and it is through this connection that they were bound to the hive mind,
and also through this that they gained their apathy to feelings. Where they
became immune to taste, pain, sorrow, grief and pain. The only way any of
these Raveens feels pain is when the parasite is harmed -- and then the pain
is so sharp, so debilitating, that it can be paralyzing in its intensity. (No
one would enjoy this pain, no matter their Element)
The parasites cannot be removed without killing the Raveen they're bonded to.
And it is unlikely that these WoRs would wish to remove them anyway, being one
with the hive mind was a comfort - its loss was great. To remove themselves
from the connections that remain would be devastating to their mental states.
While they lived on Reavia'et they survived off the flesh of giant insects,
whom had meat that could be eaten. The shift from insect flesh to meat would
be a smooth transition; especially as these WoRs were unable to taste anything
back on Reavia'et; they wouldn't know what insect meat tasted like as compared
to the meat found in other worlds.
They know how to speak fluent languages, but seem to only speak outloud/beyond
the hive connection when its truly necessary. For them, for so long, they
didn't have to speak with words.
As for knowing anything about X'ysahtu, all they would know is what the hive
knew -- that X'ysahtu was a "cursed planet full of threats". That anything and
everything that would ever come from X'ysahtu was a threat to the survival of
the hive. The hive always kept a patrol around the ashen field to make sure
none of the "tyrants" of X'ysahtu would cross its boundaries.
While their Elemental Mutations remain hazardous to themselves and others, the
mutations never once hurt those of the Hive. For the connection with the
parasites nullified the effects of their mutations against those connected to
the hive. So their mutations would be harmless to those who were on Reavia'et
with them, but still harmful to themselves and any others who aren't sporting
a parasitic neck-companion.
Now that they've been taken away from the Hive Mind, individual personalities
and reactions to taste/emotions will actually be more noticeable. When
connected to the Reavia'et mind, these WoRs couldn't taste/feel as all the
'data' was processed by the larger Hive Mind, so they never experienced
emotions/taste/etc on Reavia'et. With their much, much, smaller Hive Mind they
have now (only 11 "processors"), these WoRs will begin to really feel for the
first time. As their experiences will not be numbed by thousands of minds
sharing the knowledge; the smaller Hive Mind will make each individual
experience more profound.
On Reavia'et, members of the Hive Mind did not pair up or produce offspring
unless it was necessary to grow the Hive. Some individuals may now see it as
necessary to grow this smaller Hive. Females pass on the parasite and Hive
Mind, but males only pass it on if they breed with others of the Hive.
to them. These Raveens would forever have a connection to one another, not
unlike what a set of twins have for each other. They can always sense the
emotions, location, and health of the WoRs who came from Reavia'et. They can
always keep a telepathic connection open with each other, and share
information freely.
Without the hive, all they have is each other.
Being so young when they were first taken means these Raveens would not
remember the names or faces of their birth families. Would not recognize any
place or thing. For them, all they would have known is the hive and the
sprawling landscapes/caves of Reavia'et.
The parasites which live at the base of their spines are completely bonded to
them; and it is through this connection that they were bound to the hive mind,
and also through this that they gained their apathy to feelings. Where they
became immune to taste, pain, sorrow, grief and pain. The only way any of
these Raveens feels pain is when the parasite is harmed -- and then the pain
is so sharp, so debilitating, that it can be paralyzing in its intensity. (No
one would enjoy this pain, no matter their Element)
The parasites cannot be removed without killing the Raveen they're bonded to.
And it is unlikely that these WoRs would wish to remove them anyway, being one
with the hive mind was a comfort - its loss was great. To remove themselves
from the connections that remain would be devastating to their mental states.
While they lived on Reavia'et they survived off the flesh of giant insects,
whom had meat that could be eaten. The shift from insect flesh to meat would
be a smooth transition; especially as these WoRs were unable to taste anything
back on Reavia'et; they wouldn't know what insect meat tasted like as compared
to the meat found in other worlds.
They know how to speak fluent languages, but seem to only speak outloud/beyond
the hive connection when its truly necessary. For them, for so long, they
didn't have to speak with words.
As for knowing anything about X'ysahtu, all they would know is what the hive
knew -- that X'ysahtu was a "cursed planet full of threats". That anything and
everything that would ever come from X'ysahtu was a threat to the survival of
the hive. The hive always kept a patrol around the ashen field to make sure
none of the "tyrants" of X'ysahtu would cross its boundaries.
While their Elemental Mutations remain hazardous to themselves and others, the
mutations never once hurt those of the Hive. For the connection with the
parasites nullified the effects of their mutations against those connected to
the hive. So their mutations would be harmless to those who were on Reavia'et
with them, but still harmful to themselves and any others who aren't sporting
a parasitic neck-companion.
Now that they've been taken away from the Hive Mind, individual personalities
and reactions to taste/emotions will actually be more noticeable. When
connected to the Reavia'et mind, these WoRs couldn't taste/feel as all the
'data' was processed by the larger Hive Mind, so they never experienced
emotions/taste/etc on Reavia'et. With their much, much, smaller Hive Mind they
have now (only 11 "processors"), these WoRs will begin to really feel for the
first time. As their experiences will not be numbed by thousands of minds
sharing the knowledge; the smaller Hive Mind will make each individual
experience more profound.
On Reavia'et, members of the Hive Mind did not pair up or produce offspring
unless it was necessary to grow the Hive. Some individuals may now see it as
necessary to grow this smaller Hive. Females pass on the parasite and Hive
Mind, but males only pass it on if they breed with others of the Hive.
Names of those who were integrated into the Hive;
1. (Blizzard) ~ "Shraa-la"
2. (Christmas) ~ "Ess-nau"
3. (Crystal) ~ "Telzu-un"
4. (Elec/Rain/ND) ~ "Raz-hni"
5. (Halloween) ~ "Crroas-cah"
6. (Season/Nature/Tree/Life) ~ "Jih-kree"
7. (Sunset/Rain) ~ "Lis-naha"
8. (Water/Merkanlos) ~ "Huya-tah"
9. (Innocence/Life) ~ "Onah-ah"
10. (Insect) ~ "Reea-vit"
11. (Bloom/Nova) ~ "Shyal-ehl"
(Earth) ~ "Surok-Ka" (Deceased)
(Hell) ~ "Tav-ok" (Deceased)
(Mirage) ~ "Mahrr-kull" (Deceased)
The Hive did not have "true names" for each of its members, names were instead titles or words of
mixed languages that had some meaning to the looks or hunting style of the Hive member. There is
no clearcut translation for any name.
*Surok-ka was killed in his early teens when the Hive first started using the WoRs to hunt larger
prey. Surok-ka's mutation caused a landslide which not only took down the prey insects they were
after, but also plunged Surok-ka to his death. He fell into a deep chasm when he lost his footing, his
body wound up impaled on the rocks far below; him and his parasite killed instantly, and their
connection with the Hive Mind abruptly cut off by the last memory of Surok-Ka falling to his death.
*Tav-ok died in adulthood when he was scouting out new territory for the hive. The last shared
memory the hive received of him showed a sudden, unexpected attacker delivering a surprise blow
to the Hell Kat. The hive sent other scouts to discover what had happened, but only found charred
remains and black pools of blood.
*Mahrr-kull was killed by his own mutation when it caused his corporeal body to shift out of sync with
the world. When he 'reappeared' in the physical world both he and the parasite connected to him
were dead.
1. (Blizzard) ~ "Shraa-la"
2. (Christmas) ~ "Ess-nau"
3. (Crystal) ~ "Telzu-un"
4. (Elec/Rain/ND) ~ "Raz-hni"
5. (Halloween) ~ "Crroas-cah"
6. (Season/Nature/Tree/Life) ~ "Jih-kree"
7. (Sunset/Rain) ~ "Lis-naha"
8. (Water/Merkanlos) ~ "Huya-tah"
9. (Innocence/Life) ~ "Onah-ah"
10. (Insect) ~ "Reea-vit"
11. (Bloom/Nova) ~ "Shyal-ehl"
(Earth) ~ "Surok-Ka" (Deceased)
(Hell) ~ "Tav-ok" (Deceased)
(Mirage) ~ "Mahrr-kull" (Deceased)
The Hive did not have "true names" for each of its members, names were instead titles or words of
mixed languages that had some meaning to the looks or hunting style of the Hive member. There is
no clearcut translation for any name.
*Surok-ka was killed in his early teens when the Hive first started using the WoRs to hunt larger
prey. Surok-ka's mutation caused a landslide which not only took down the prey insects they were
after, but also plunged Surok-ka to his death. He fell into a deep chasm when he lost his footing, his
body wound up impaled on the rocks far below; him and his parasite killed instantly, and their
connection with the Hive Mind abruptly cut off by the last memory of Surok-Ka falling to his death.
*Tav-ok died in adulthood when he was scouting out new territory for the hive. The last shared
memory the hive received of him showed a sudden, unexpected attacker delivering a surprise blow
to the Hell Kat. The hive sent other scouts to discover what had happened, but only found charred
remains and black pools of blood.
*Mahrr-kull was killed by his own mutation when it caused his corporeal body to shift out of sync with
the world. When he 'reappeared' in the physical world both he and the parasite connected to him
were dead.