Cerebro Output:
Group: Hellfire Club
Posts: 7
Member No.: 1,593
Joined: 29-October 09
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Codename: The Black Queen
Character Type: Canon
Full Name: Selene Gallio
Host Name: Nicolette Davenport
Age: 15,683
Host Age: 26
Hair Color: Dark Chestnut Brown
Eye Color: Pale Sky Blue/Crimson Red
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 121 lbs.
Affiliation: Hellfire Club
Appearance: If the devil ever took human form and choose the sex of his vassal to be a woman, then you would have Selene Gallio. After her attempt of ultimate power with the use of the Infinity Gems, Selene met her delayed appointment with death. After failing at attempt to resurrect her own cell from the hell dimension she was resurrected into a new body that one her devoted cult followers felt would suit her desires both physically and mystically. The body of a younger female who possessed an alluring, beauty and youth that would meet her standards if not surpass them. The host, Nicolette, was born of Brazilian decent. Naturally tanned complexion of her skin seems to be untouched by any sort blemish, scar or imperfection. High cheekbones and rounded jaw line make for some perfect bone structure of her soft face. The focal point of her face could be her deceiving eyes. Her open, inviting eyes seem warm and delicate. Pale pools of blue that seem to peer into your soul while drawing you in at the same time. Blue eyes that look as deep as the ocean that shift into frightful crimson, blood red should she begin to use her powers of the dark arts. Or you have the displeasure of summoning her wrath. Thin eyebrows hover above her eyes in perfect alignment with the shape of her eyes. A pug square tip nose hangs just above her rosy, full lips that are never found outside of a smirk or sneer. Unless she is doing so to manipulate her prey. Should the occasion call for a smile then she will reveal her pearly white teeth in perfect order with one another. Her long strands of chestnut brown hair can sometimes appear more black than brown. With a slight curl to her strands void of any split ends. Somewhat eerie how her hairs seems frozen in place. Even if she were to flip her head her hair would still come back to its original state once still.
It is very evident by her facial beauty that her servants put forth the effort in choosing a host that would appeal to her as well as hold true to the dark beauty she once possessed in her previous body. But the face alone of course would not be enough to satisfy the critical tastes of their Dark Priestess. Her new body’s body needed to get an A+ approval as well. A slender figure with alluring curves could be compared to a supermodel in comparison. Most notable feature being her supple breast, which isn’t as full as her old pair, but still above average by even the best surgeons portfolio. Small waist and flat stomach form down into curvy hips and rear end. Selene’s last body looked delicious enough in her lingerie-like attire. In this new one she would appear completely mouthwatering. All stacked upon slender long legs that would appear to run all the way up to her neck if she wore anything that covered her torso. There is one feature on her body that would seem out of place. Though hidden by an illusionary spell, there is a red marking on the back of her left hand in the form of an ancient cult’s crest. It the form of an oruboros with some symbols written in the center of the formed circle. Appearing like a birthmark, when visible, it is the source of her powers and soul being bonded to her new body. Her clothing style, much like her soul, is just as dark and void of much substance. She fancies black leather, the tighter the better. And most of her clothing attire is made from very little materiel, usually riding on the line of being lingerie. However, given that she is trying to play incognito Selene has chosen to take on a more subtle…boring choice of attire mirroring the average twenty-something female with a sense of true style. She is sure to stand out in a crowd but still not identified as the dark princess many worship and despise. One thing you’ll never find her in no matter which part she is playing are flat shoes due to her love of high heels.
Personality: Some would compare Selene as the devil incarnate, but if one truly took the time to look at her and see beneath the surface you may think otherwise. From the moment she was born it was predetermined that her life was to be on a path of evil. Some have the option of choosing which side they will represent in life, the light or the dark. But when the Elders of her tribe ordered all their people to sacrifice their souls to Selene it was clear that the light was not where she would be accepted. She is woman born of darkness who embraces the path sat for her. So how can one fault for her for doing so? That being said you should not look to Selene as a person with a ‘soul’ or possibility of doing any sort of good for another person. Evil is what she is and that is all that she is. There are times where she will aid others in accomplishing their goals. Whether it is obtaining riches, fame or any other desire you heart may burn for. Nothing is outside of her power to grant another’s wish…for a price. Nothing in this world comes for free and Selene will not grant you any favor unless she can gain something in return for doing so. She may not ask for it right away, but somewhere down the line you will repay whatever she gives you. Whether it be money, another favor in return or even the life of someone close to you as well as your own life. She also brings to mind the old saying of being careful what you wish for. Selene always enjoys a good laugh and her sense of humor goes far beyond just simply being sick and twisted. Wish for riches? Someone you love might have to die and you receive a policy left behind for you. All depends on the type of mood she is in. Speaking of moods, you might want to be weary of just what kind of mood Selene is in. If she is angry about something she is liable to take it out on the closest person to her. If she is blissful about something she may further that bliss by causing whoever is closest to her pain to heighten her mood…so in either case it’s best to keep your distance.
Selene is a sadist. The pain of others gives her great levels of pleasure. Her very power is fueled by feeding off the life force of other people. It’s more than just the energy that her body takes in but the entire act that she enjoys. Feeling the life of another human being slip away through your fingers is a high that can not be described in enough words. More satisfying than sex. More delicious than fresh fruit. Still when she is not sucking the life out of person she can find a close 2nd when it comes to satisfaction by enjoying the pain of another. Physical, emotional, mental any form will do for here. Pain pleases her, it can also amuse her. Much like a child amused by a clown falling down, she will smile at the sight of some losing their grip on a roof and plummeting to their death. But pain is among the few things that do bring a smile to the cold face of the dark priestess. Obtaining power brings her much joy. Whether it be a new powerful artifact or the acquisition of a business venture, she has a unquenchable thirst. That point made obvious after being on this Earth for so long and still she wishes to acquire more. Nothing is never enough for her. Sure there are times when she fills fulfilled for a spell but it won’t be long before her hungry returns much like her need to feed off of life energy. It could be that same thirst that pushes her to extend her life for as long as possible. Death brings the end and she wishes to never meet such an ordeal. Forged into an overwhelming fear of grow old. Youth means life, growing old means death. Some may believe that it is her vanity that causes her fear of growing old but they would be mistaken. A point that can be seen as losing her hold on her new host has become a new fear she suffers from. Losing her host means she could never find a way back to this world and truly meet her end again. Not to say her vanity is not a grand piece of her puzzle. It is one of the many reasons she creates the many cult that worship her. And like the Goddess she has been worshipped as she requires blind faith and is never to be doubted or questioned by those that follow her.
Selene did not live this long on this Earth by not planning ahead. She is a very intelligent, strategic woman who is bound to have more than one plan in motion. And most of the time the plans that you find her working on is merely a diversion to distract you from her main goal. She has even been known to work from the shadows through someone else to avoid anything leading back to her. Life is like chess. She is the Black Queen and everyone else in this world are merely pawns for her to move as she sees fit. And it would be in your best interest to move as she sees fit. Disloyalty, disobedience and failure are things that she will not accept.
Weaponry/Personal Belongings: Through the centuries Selene has been a collector of many things of powerful, mystical origins. Various weapons, artifacts and manuscripts that make for one deadly collection.
Powers: There is a fine line between Selene’s mutant ability and her powers gained from the dark arts. And being a woman living a life built on lies and deception coming to the truth of which one is the true origin of her genetics is highly unlikely. However, given her need to constantly feed on the life force of others and how evident it is that using her powers makes her need to feed grow, it can be surmised that her life-force absorption ability is the center point of her abilities. Through touch Selene is able to feed off a small part of your life essence, leaving you weak to the point of extreme fatigue, or completely devour your life essence turning you into a decayed corpse that will crumble to dust with the slightest pressure. The latter being the most commonly used method being that she has no value for the life of others. Besides, would you leave a crumb of your favorite meal left behind? When it comes to the length of time it takes her to completely devour someone’s life energy it all depending on the victim’s age. Of course the older you are the less life energy you will contain in your body as it depletes over time. So someone between infancy to early twenties may take five or so minutes to completely consume. Twenties to forties would then take about 3-4. So on and so forth. As the age goes on the time it takes her to feed upon them lessens. However, when it comes to beings who stand outside of the normal life span of normal human beings, like immortals, it will take about ten minutes to take all of their life energy as they contain a massive amount inside of their bodies to sustain their extended life span.
If she does show some restraint when feeding she does gain the benefit of some measure of psychic control over her victim. Making them completely obedient to her will. In regard to humans she can even turn them into psychic vampires like herself, feeding on others they come across. Those who are lucky enough to survive a feeding are left with little to no evidence that they have been feed upon. However, those who have been consumed to the point of turning into a psychic vampire will be given a pale skin complexion mirroring that of Selene’s old body. Feeding of course is more than just an ability, it is the very thing empowering her as well as keeping her alive. Without it she will be completely powerless. In her old body, overuse of her power or lack of feeding would cause her body to wither to what would most likely be her appropriate age...dust. Of course being that she is in much younger body the results will differ. In this case she needs to feed on life-force energy to maintain her hold on her new body or her soul will return to the hell dimension she escaped.
Besides sustaining life, her absorption gift also fuel her various powers:
Physical Enhancements: When powered with the energy from other beings Selene is able to enhance her body’s natural abilities to superhuman level. This includes her strength, endurance, speed and reflexes. Although not on the level that she was able to manage previously she is still above your average human being. Before where she was once able to surpass Quicksilver in speed she is now on a level ranging about half. In the 480 mph range. In regard to her strength she was able to lift 1,500 pounds at peak condition but now she is only able to manage about 800 pounds. Clearly a drop from what she is really capable of but still enough to make her a dangerous opponent.
Telekinesis: Able to move inanimate objects at the command of her will. Though like her other abilities her level of power has been reduced. Where she could once manage to move two or three cars under her control she can now produce enough power to push a car across the street but has some difficulty when it come to lifting something of it’s size. As lifting drains more power than a force blast to knock a car away. Of course this power works on lifeless objects and has no effect on humans. Defensively she can produce a shield durable enough to withstand energy blasts and attacks of that nature, but is unable to hold the shield up for long due to its draining effect.
Telepathy: Selene is able to communicate through telepathic thought as well as read the minds of those around her. However, where she was once able to ease through the defensives of mostly any mind, she is now only able to do so against those lacking any mental ability. She has also lost her ability of telepathic psi-bolts for offensives attacks but maintains the same strength of her metal defenses. Though anyone careless enough to enter he mind will be hit with defensive mental backlash. When it comes to hypnotic trance she can still manage to entrance others but this power is based on being more mystical in nature versus actual telepathy.
Immortality/Healing: Even in her new body Selene still has the power of immortality and healing after performing the ritual that blessed her once before. Capable of regenerating her body from even near fatale inflictions. She’s been burned alive, stabbed multiple times and had her very limbs removed. All of which she has recovered from without any lasting scars or signs of wounds. This healing capability is drawn from mystical origin made through and dark ritual that requires Selene to sacrifice 50 souls and her own heart. However while Selene has previously been impervious to pain she is finding her new body unable to numb the feeling. So while a removed arm will grow back in less than a minute it still hurts like hell. Pain being something she hasn’t none for some time now.
Sorcery: Selene has lived many lifetimes and gained a vast amount of magical knowledge. Having knowledge that expands over a millennium of time it is hard to catalog every spell she has under her disposal. So far she has displayed such spells of illusions, manipulation of elements, summoning demons from various dimensions, teleportation as well as a many ancient rituals and rites. Some of these spells can be managed with hand gesture, a single word/incantation spoken from a dead language or with the use of an artifact. Though currently she is unable to wield the level of spells that once could place her in line to be the next Sorcerer Supreme, but due to her host being a mutant with the connection to the dark arts gives her massive potential of growth. While most of her time in the hell dimension was spent trying to escape, she did make some other useful discoveries of new spells and alignments with some demonic beings that she foresees to be quite useful in her quest to regain her power.
Weaknesses: Weakness is not a word that one usually associates with the Black Queen Selene. Especially when it comes to someone possessing immortality/healing capabilities that protect her from most infliction that would mean the end for most humans and mutants alike. But there are various chinks in her dark, immortal armor. The first of which would be Selene’s need to feed her power. Possessing the body of another being comes at the cost of great deal of energy. Energy that she must sustain by feeding upon the life force of others much like she once did in her previous body. Not only does she need this to keep her soul bound to her new body, but the energy of others also serves as the fuel for her dark power. Meaning that not only will her level of power weaken the more she uses her abilities but her hold on her body will deplete as well. Knowing this Selene is not likely to overuse her power without feeding in the process. Putting her at greater disadvantage than she has been in a very long time. Though not the only means of cutting Selene from her new host. On the back of her hand is the crest of the cult that resurrected her. The crest is the true chain that binds Selene to her new body. Damaging the crest will severely weaken her while removing the hand all together will send Selene back to the hell dimensioned she was brought from. To which is why she keeps it hidden under an illusion spell. A spell that can weaken if she not careful of her power battery. Along with her hand, removing her head is another permanent way of finishing her off.
Time is something else that is not on Selene’s side. The spell that brought her back is only a temporary one. Nicolette’s soul on the other side would not last forever before the imbalance it caused would be discovered and some entity would come to reclaim her soul. So at the moment Selene is in need of finding a more permanent solution to the problem of anchored soul. There was a time that Selene could act without care of damage to herself but with the limits set on her anchor to this world she must be much more cautious. And with the number of enemies that she has obtained her guard must constantly be up. If anyone of the many beings that she has crossed gets wind of her in her weakened state it is sure to be dangerous for her at the moment. Something else she hasn’t experienced in awhile is pain. Living in her body she was numb from even feeling a sword rammed into her chest. While now she will every cut into her body like any human being. Currently Selene is no longer hindered by a body that will grow old with overuse of her powers, yet she still holds the fear of growing old. She has done much to avoid death and aging to this day and is in great fear of meeting either one.
Other Special Skills/Abilities: Knowledgeable in various spells, rituals and languages unknown to most still alive. Selene is also skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Ancient fighting style of a female Barbarian or Viking that usually involves some swordsmanship. Having such vast amount of power she never needed to resort to such skills for some time now. However, it seems in her new body she may need to reacquaint herself with those skills. Various other skills gained from living such a long life.
History: Selene emerged from the Hyborian Age, 14,000 BC to 10,000 BC, of central Europe. From the moment she was brought into this world her life would be paved in power, souls and death. Born to a young mother in an old tribe erased from existence after the tribes elders ordered them to sacrifice themselves to the newborn Selene until none remained. The souls of her people would only be the start of her dark origin. What happened next would be shrouded in secrets, although along her path she made an unbreakable feud with the deadly sorcerer Kulan Gath along her way that stands to this day. Outside of that only Selene can answer. And being that she isn’t one for sharing honestly one can only follow the path she sparked once she emerged in Ancient Rome. Selene appeared to a man by the name of Eliphas, a political leader that she had been watching for some time. She came to him in a moment of need offering him her undying love and immortality. All in exchange for every soul in Rome. After losing his wife to another man and feeling as if he had nothing left in this world he say no reason to turn down his dark beloved. Eliphas went out drawing the symbols taught to him by Selene in his own blood as instructed. Seemed her plan would meet fulfillment if not for Eliphas warning a slave girl he wished to save who’s family exposed his plans to General Mascius. The General quickly reacted and brought Selene’s plan to an end. Tying both her and Eliphas to a stake with plans burning them alive. Though they would find that killing Selene would not be that simple as she turned the flames of the fire on her capturers, saving both her and Eliphas. Unable to feed upon the souls of Rome and after using her powers to save her life left Selene weakened and in need of feeding. Unhappy with Eliphas’ failure it was he that she turned on. Draining him of his life energy but leaving him in a state of living death. A psychic vampire that was sentenced to wonder the world without her love, the punishment of failing her.
Of course she was not one to let some simple failure stop her desire for power. She would continue on her dark path occurring items she knew would become useful in her goals. During this time was when she came across a very powerful artifact. An Asgardian Runestaff that contained a vast amount of cosmic power. Something that would be very useful to her in time but happened to have power that locked away for a few more centuries. Time was something she felt she had much of so patience would be on her side. For the time being she found herself in the town known as Nova Roma, a city forged by some British citizens that she brainwashed. She took many husbands finding herself married to one Marcus Gallio in most recent times. During her long stay she also formed the Cult of Fire. The cult worshipped Selene as their Black Priestess, sacrificing the young girls of their town to her without the knowledge of others. For reasons unknown Selene had been trapped in this place but made use of her time there. Everything ran well until the day members of the New Mutants stumbled upon them, along with a Nova Roma citizen named Amara Aquilla. Amara was actually the daughter of the man who was the leader of Nova Roma, but was taken away for her own protection soon after her mother was killed by Selene herself. Intrigued by these super powered youths Selene had plans to feast upon these children. Picking Amara and Dani Moonstar to be the first of the group to be sacrificed by the Cult. However, as she was ready to feed Amara to the flames of her lava pit, Dani quickly came to her new found friend’s aid rushing Selene and using her powers against the woman. Powers that would prove ineffective against powerful sorceress such as she. Dani would then take the place of Selene’s next meal thanks to her heroics. Amara tried to return the favor but was knocked away into the lava pit with little interference. The lava was where Amara would discover she too had a power that had been dormant till now.
A battle would follow between Selene and the New Mutant team. During the battle she was brought face to face with two of her greatest weaknesses: her need to feed in order to sustain her power and her fear of growing old. Still it seemed that the collection of mutant youth would be an able to stop the powerful sorceress until she was knocked into her own lava pit by Sam Guthrie. And while the group thought it would be the last they saw of the dark priestess, she was far from finished. After such a draining battle Selene was forced to lay low as she replenished her strength. Almost making a meal out of the Unstoppable Juggernaut if not for a battle between him and some of the X-men team getting in the way. While in New York she happened to witness the great power housed in the time-displaced Rachel Summers and saw the girl as more than a meal, but a potential heir to her power. Unfortunately Rachel telepathically sensed Selene’s evil intent and ran away before she could get her talon into the girl. Selene wasn’t one for letting someone escape her , especially one as powerful as Rachel. Tracking her down to a friend’s apartment Selene waited for the young mutant while she bathed, deciding to make a meal out of said friend while she waited. Rachel was enraged by the sight of her dead friend and unleashed her fury on Selene. The two had a clash of power which Selene would become the victor, feeding on the powerful mutant until the X-men once again interrupted her meal. Overwhelmed by Colossus, Nightcrawler, Rouge and the astral form of Professor X forced her to cut her loses and blended into a crowd of citizens in order to escape. Selene was finding fighting against a team of powered beings was becoming an unfortunate occurrence. It was time that she built her own base of power to avoid any further failures. After approaching Friedrich von Roehm, the leader of one the cults that worshipped her, she was led to the Hellfire Club of which he stood as a member.
Friedrich presented Selene to Sebastian Shaw as a candidate for the position of Black Queen. Shaw was not impressed by Selene at first glance and required a display of power. Selene had no problem with showing how powerful she was, of course she used Sebastian himself as her guinea pig. Showing no sign of respect as she took his throne while encasing him in stone. In the midst of her amusement Selene sensed that she had been followed and detected the presence of both Rachel and Amara in the building. After tricking Rachel into taking out Magma, she captured both girls and presented them as gift to Shaw to do with as he pleased. Ironically Colossus, Nightcrawler, Rouge and Professor X would be the ones to spoil her attempts once again. The group rescued their young wards and went on their way. Selene was finally accepted as the new Black Queen, even though Shaw seemed uneasy of just how loyal she would truly be. Her new position fit her quite well though it seemed that she could not sleep easy as she was awoken from her slumber by Rachel, who had snuck into the Club after putting Friedrich under her mind control. More familiar with her power this time around Rachel actually proved challenging for the sorceress. Though even being overpowered didn’t stop Selene from mocking the life of Rachel’s friend who she had killed. Pushing the young girl’s buttons took the girl over the edge as she attempted to end the extended life of Selene. This time when the X-men, namely Wolverine, would interfere but it was Selene’s life that was to be saved. More so to keep the girl from putting blood on her hands. Stabbing Rachel was way Logan found he could to stop girl, escaping from the club to safety. However, after feeding Selene teamed up with her Court members and went after those who trespassed against them. Even outnumbered the Court was able to stand their own against the two and the X-men team they had rejoined with.
However things took a turn when the mutant hunting sentinel Nimrod crashed the party. Unable to stop him alone, the two teams joined forces to stop the robot. Once finished Selene and her allies parted peacefully. Although they lost their Black Bishop, due to a heart attack. After returning to her throne, Selene seemed to sit back and enjoy the power of her position. Making no big moves or plots as she felt she had obtained a great level of power and influence under the Hellfire Club. Simply entertaining herself with men, secret dealings and an ongoing feud/rivalry with Emma Frost to pass the time. Not involving herself in the small dealing of her Circle unless she felt her own goals being threatened. When Shaw’s position as Black King was questioned after finding he was funding the Sentinel program a vote was ordered as to whether he should step down. His actions were putting her dealing in jeopardy and she had no problem with siding with Emma and Magneto, dethroning him from their Court. After that Selene didn’t seem to be too interested in the matters of the Inner Circle. All the while she was making plans of causing a power struggle among the Circle to obtain control for herself. From behind the scene she had began working with a man known as the Gamesmaster in creating the group Upstarts. Her actions were meant to start this power struggle but her intentions backfired when a member of the Upstarts, Fitzroy, captured and tortured her with plans of drawing the attention of the Gamesmaster. Selene was trapped in Fitzroy’s prison, only able to free herself by tricking Amanda Sefton. Finding herself weaker than she had in ages proved she needed to feed from a great power source. Which turned her in the direction of her follow Externals, who she killed one by one after draining their life force completely. The life forces of an immortal replenished the strength she had lost and then some. Afterward she felt it was time for her to see the bigger picture and set her sight on obtaining ultimate power.
With no one of her Court left to assist her, Selene decided to create her own following of females that she dubbed the Sisters Gorgon. A team composed of Madelyne Pryor, Monet St. Croix, Laynia Petrovna, Wanda Maximoff, Spiral, Tessa, Illyana Rasputin and Deathbird. Their goal was to obtain the Infinity Gems and use them to take over the world. Unbeknownst to them Selene had no intentions of sharing her power. She would only need the Power and Reality gem to which she used to collect the rest after casting a might spell. With the collective power Selene was unstoppable. Feeling as if killing them one by one was beneath her, she turned her attention to a spell written on a painting she acquired through Tessa. Reciting the spell slowly killed every member standing on the battlefield including her own Sisters Gorgon. Yet again it would seem her plans were spoiled as the spell backfired on her. Brining Selene to her final end while reviving all those that had fallen. But can Selene and ‘final end’ ever really be used in the same sentence? Sometime later a portal from hell opened up in Time Square where countless departed souls poured out attacking innocent bystanders. The X-men arrived on the scene just in time to witness Selene’s soul escaping from hell. Stopping the souls from escaping while battling Selene proved to be a heavy burden for them but Death herself finally stepped on the stage to bring it all of it to an end. Once again Selene was banished back to the hell but it wouldn’t be long before she was resurrected again.
One of the many cults that worshipped Selene, The Order of the Black Moon, had gotten wind of their Goddess falling and were already prepared to set forth a plan they had devised if ever their Goddess was lost. A devoted child of the order, Nicolette Davenport, was blessed with powers of the dark arts that put her in favor with many of the cult’s members. She was the perfect vessel to be given to their divine Selene and the day for her to make that sacrifice had finally come. Since the day she joined the order she would’ve given anything to her Goddess. Including her own soul. The cult went into a hunt for a way to make this resurrection so. Killing all that stood in their way until they stumbled upon a Book of Shadows that spoke of a spell that would exchange one departed soul for that of living one. This was what they needed. Nicolette prepared herself to perform this dark ritual, plunging her own soul into hell so that her Goddess could walk this world again in her body. She held no fear. Only pure joy from the reward of her devotion. Her body would belong to a God and with it her cult would be forever in Selene’s favor.
Sample Roleplay: This was it. This was the moment that she proved herself to her God. Proved that she was devoted and grateful for all the love and blessing that had been bestowed upon her. Her name was Nicolette Davenport. Once a poverty stricken orphan of Salvador de Bahia, she was found abandoned and cold on the streets by the man she would call father. Pastor Davenport was a man of the church filled with the love of God. Known for taking up the lost and helping them found their way. When he found Nicolette he told her that God led him to her and that she would have great purpose. From that day forth she filled every part of her being with devotion to their blessed deity. Every second of her life was spent following the path that her God would favor. But when she felt the need to do more but lacked the strength, she fell upon her knees praying for her life to be given purpose. That her God would fill her with blessed love and allow her to be worthy of that blessing. Within the next few weeks after her fourteenth birthday Nicolette began to feel different. It was hard to describe at first this power she felt surging through her entire being. Then came the strange events of objects flying about the air around her, visions of events that had yet to come and things she wished to happen coming to past with just a push of her will. What was this strange power? Had her prayer finally been answered? Father Davenport saw these new gifts as a sign that this child was to be the next coming of their God and from that moment they prepared her. For what they did not know, but they knew this child was to become something of great use to them in staying in their God’s favor. For about a decade know she had been building her power. Her powers connected to the crafted from the arts of the shadows. To reach a level befitting of the one they worshipped. The God…Goddess they adored. The beloved Selene, deity of their Order of the Black moon.
One night a vision came to her. A vision that their Selene had been torn from this world and was trapped in some hellish dimension. They needed to save her…she needed to save her. From that day forth every member of their cult searched for a way to set their dark priestess free. Stumbling upon the secrets of a lost clan’s Book of Shadows it seemed their answered would be found. It contained such a spell that would bring their Goddess back to this world and she was prepared to sacrifice it all to achieve this. Including her life. Sat before the vanity mirror in her room she looked deeply into her reflection. Not seeing her face but the reflection of her Goddess. Only the Elders of her cult were allowed to see Selene in her true form. A misfortunate boundary that she wished she could break but would never dare step in disloyalty to her Queen. That would all change soon. Because the face of her Goddess would soon be her own. And that thought overwhelmed any other emotion regarding the fate that awaited her. Lost in her bliss she felt was interrupted by the gentle hand placed on her robed shoulder. Looking up from her own eyes she connected with those belonging to that of the man she called father.
“It is time my child.”
She nodded and stood. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror before following behind the path Elder Davenport led her. Leading her through the empty halls of their home she could hear the voices of the evening service beginning above them. Held just as the sunset and the moon took its place. Those who worshipped unknowing of the true God their praise were passed to. They were blinded by their faith and Nicolette pitied them for not knowing the truth. Still they served great purpose to the Order. Many had being given the great honor of being sacrificed for their God. Guided to the lower levels of the monastery to where the true believers dwelled. There they were shown the truth and their souls were feed to their Selene, whether they wished it so or not. Today she would be the one to give herself in a more rewarding way than the rest. Trading places with Selene’s soul in the hell dimension she was trapped and allowing her body to become the blessed vessel. Stepping down into the lower levels of her home she looked upon the sacred grounds of where all their ceremonies were held. It was here that their ancestors first found their Goddess. They bared witness to her power and have followed her ever since, forsaken any God they believed in before. Because while some faiths had to ‘believe’ their God watched over them, the Order had an actual deity that appeared to them in her spiritual form and presented them with results to their prayers in a timely manner. Building their monastery over this temple they held a congregation that gave potential members and sacrifices for over the last 500 years. Coming into the hidden chambers she looked around at all the members that were in attendance of this blessed event. Dressed in the black robes as she was they knelt at her feet, creating a path to the stoned stairway ahead of her. They were worshipping her as if she were Selene in the flesh. And in a matter of minutes it would be so. Their hums and chants only filled her with more bliss with each step she took. Elder Davenport guided her up the stairs while the other Elders in attendance waited at the top of the alter. At the top stood a massive marble statue of their Goddess looking down upon them. Her eyes dropped directly on the marble slab that was placed at her feet. It was here where they presented their sacrifices. It was here where she would be presented.
As her father took his place with the other Elders he gave one last warming smile and joined them in their chant. She knew he was truly proud of her. The daughter he may not have given birth to but one he raised to attend this blessed moment. Untying her robe she allowed the fabric to fall to the floor revealing her naked body. Her beautiful flesh had various symbols carved into her by her own hand. Preparations for the ceremony. Three young maidens approached her from behind. One taking away her robe while the other handed Nicolette a gold handled blade and the last held a bowl filled with blood before her. Some of it animal, most of it human. Closing her eyes she lifted the blade above her in her left and began chanting the dark ceremony that she memorized days ago when they found the book that contained the spell needed to right this wrong. After a few lines she dipped the palm of her right hand into the sticky red of the bowl, recited a few more words in the forgotten tongue and then placed the blood stained hand onto her chest, firmly pressing down leaving a mark of the handprint behind. Next she dipped the tip of the blade into the bowl and held her right hand in front of her as she carved markings into the back of her hand while saying the last few words of the incantation. Giving the blade to the empty handed maiden, the three of them stepped back and knelt as Nicolette took her place on the cold marble beneath the eyes of her Goddess. She looked deeply into the lifeless eyes above her and took one last breath as she placed her right hand back onto the print of her chest. Like a defibrillator her body jerked as a massive charge of energy had been shocked through her body. The blood on her hand and chest turned an electric blue as a light rose from her body. A figure rose up through the light as Nicolette’s soul exited her body through the symbol gateway on the back of her hand.
She could see nothing but a long path of light before her until an image appeared far down the path, coming closer and closer. It was her…the blessed Goddess. The image of her statue brought to life. Her arms stretched out for Selene but her presence went unnoticed as she passed through the other spirit she passed. Ignored or not, she felt truly overwhelmed with joy seconds before she felt unimaginable pain of hellfire…
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The light dissipated and the room fell silent. Those who had been knelt to the ground rose up to bear witness to their Goddess resurrected. But there was nothing. The body that laid on the table above them had yet to move. Elder Davenport stepped closer to the body of the girl who called him father. Had the foolish child he had treated like his own failed him in the end? He knew he should’ve sacrificed her life long ago but Selene had wished for them to watch over her for some purpose. That purpose he felt was for this day but her failure was nothing but a waste. He raised his hand to strike the lifeless body but stopped himself as he noticed a change in the body. The symbols curved into her body began to heal themselves leaving no trace behind. The blood on her chest was absorbed into her skin and the blood on the back of her hand seemed to soak the skin forming with a symbol surrounded by an ouroboros. Elder Davenport took a step closer to the body just as the lifeless body sat upright with a gasp of sucking air into the empty lungs of the new body. Selene was returned to flesh. She looked around confused at first until she realized she was no longer banished to the hell she called home.
“My Queen…are you okay?”
His reply came in the form of a powerful cackle that consumed the entire room. She was free and she could finally return…to…something was wrong. Her laughter was cut short by the disgusting thumping she could feel in her chest. Looking down at her body she finally noticed that this was not her own. Not only was the tanned color of her usually pale white skin different or the shape of her body unfamiliar but the beating of a heart…this was not her body. Anger warmed her new flesh and she turned on the figure closet to her. Grabbing Elder Davenport by the neck, she squeezed him beneath her grip and pulled him closer to her. “I suggest you explain to me what has brought me here. And I would pray to whoever you worship that your answer is pleasing to me.” Her question went unanswered which only angered her more as she squeezed tighter. “Speak maggot.” Of course it was hard for him to do so as she was cutting off the air from reaching his lungs to formulate words. With a sigh she released him to the ground. After a few choked inhales Elder Davenport finally found the air he needed to speak.
“Blessed Selene…we only follow you. We are….the Order…the Order of the Black Moon. We heard of your fall and have resurrected you here.”
“Order of the Black Moon…” It took her a moment to recall the cult as it was one of her lesser favored ones. Rolling her eyes she was quite disappointed that they would be the one to resurrect her as she had little faith they possessed the know how to bring her back without flaw. Truth be told she would’ve laid waste to the clan long ago if it were not for the potential protégé she had placed in their care. A mutant gifted with powers of the arts. Selene had various potential placed in the care of some of her followers. Those who possessed the resource to keep them protected and hidden. Believing one to grow into a possible successor to her throne. The girl she entrusted to them had actually showed great promise and she would hope that she had been the one to have performed whatever ceremony had been done. But as she scanned those in attendance she did not see the tanned skinned girl she had come to grow found of. Tanned skin like the one belonging to the body she inhabited now. Looking at her body again she looked to be filled with pure rage that burned her skin. “You moronic fool!” Grabbing the Elder by the face with her right hand she evoked her familiar gift of absorbing the very life out of the man. A green essence pouring into her as it drained from his body. When she was finished his decayed corpse fell backyards, breaking up into dust as he crumbled upon the stoned stairway. Placing her feet on to the ground she ignored the horrified screams of those around her. Her attention was focused upon the markings on the back of her hand. The ouroboros and symbols it surrounded were familiar to her as she had seen the spell before. It belonged to a clan she erased from existence some ages ago. This meant that the soul of this child was now taking her place in hell. She felt the something pass through her as she was brought here and she figured it had to have been her. And while it had succeeded in resurrection her she knew there were stronger spells she would’ve preferred had been performed. As it could only be a temporary solution before the imbalance was discovered. Oh well, one could not look a gift horse in the mouth. She was returned to Earth and she would have to deal with the hindrance this spell left her with for the time being.
Bringing her eyes back to the screaming mortals she watched as they tried to make their way to the doors, exiting the room. With a wave of her hand she sent a wave of energy out towards the doors that she forced closed, sealed by the push of her will. As they beat against the door for their freedom, trampling over one another, Selene stood still trying to count the members here. “This should do.” Without the potential protégé this cult had no further use to her. Well they would have one last purpose as she rid herself of this needless heart…
TBC…
Player Details:
Name: Jas
AIM:
MSN: angelsbite@hotmail.com
Yahoo: cdarkholme
ICQ:
Email:
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Selene
Selene
ksax00
Jade Jasmine
*Stamp* with the stipulation that if you take Gabe's professed explanation (Penny Arcades, 
If 14,000 BC, that'd be around 16,000 years in age? 15,995? Something like that. Edit that in if you would, please!
