Garin looks down, but can't will himself to do it. Heights are one thing, but into the waiting maw of some plant? Absolutely not. The smoke races forward and whips around his body. Oddly enough, laughter seems to sound within the smoke. The pulling sensation lessens after a short period and the smoke subsides completely. All around Garin, the plants have died and shriveled up. Even the vine he is standing on no longer raises defiantly above the ground, but rests as a husk, crushed beneath his feet. Garin steps back in horror when he hears another haughty laugh.

Garin spins to see another woman, but this one human, or at least, humanoid. Her skin is pale and bare for the most part. Red leather knee high boots, elbow gloves, half cup bra, and thin panties accent her exotic look rather than attempt to conceal her features. Her black nails, lips and to Garin's shock eyes are the most striking however, adding a dash of terror to the lustful image.

Wordlessly, she stalks towards Garin, rocking her hips and placing her feet directly in front of the other, showing off her body. As she closes, Garin notices the ruby set in black stone, or perhaps metal, choker necklace. The large stone seemed to radiate it's own red glint to her skin.

"You are mine. Your life is mine. Your soul belongs to me. I will have you in your dreams." She states in a casual mater of fact tone. With a flick of her hand, something clasps tightly around Garin's throat. He attempts to reach for it, to pry it off, but another movement of her hands sends him flailing backwards in a flash of light.

Garin hits the hard stone walkway hard, driving the air from his lungs. It is all he can do to roll over onto his belly, clawing at the ground as if it will grant him air once more. Finally, his body relaxes and Garin sucks in the precious life giving air again. It is then that Garin notices the gathering crowd. He is no longer in the swamp, but back in the city. However this time, every face is in a different version of shock or horror, even Edelinne.

Ignoring the pain in his Body Garin manages to clamber back onto his feet, nobody willing to break the silence. "Well?" Garin looks around, his anger building. "Will someone finally tell me what in the hell is going on?!"
"You failed the test." Edelinne states, a sad tone in her voice.
"What do you mean I failed?! That thing was going to bite my head clean off!" Garin claims, his voice bordering on yelling, which only garnishes more of a crowd.
"I'm sorry Garin. There is nothing more we can do for you. Nobody marked for death ever survives the night."
"Marked for..." Garin remembers the odd sensation on his neck and grasps at it with his hands. It is smooth and cool to the touch, with rounded edges that deny any hold he tries to make on it. Garin can't make out any clasp or opening. With a curse he balls his hands into fists and lets them drop to his sides. "Someone better start explaining. Now."
Edelinne shakes her head. "We don't know Garin. But anyone with that mark never lives to see the next morning if you stay here." She turns and points to the Towers of Exesus. "My advice is go. Go now. Make it to those towers as soon as you can and perhaps you can avoid your terrible fate. But if not, we won't cast you out. You are free to meet your fate here. The kitchen over there will provide you food and drink, no questions asked, and you can seek out a place to rest or sleep in the bunks down the way. I wish we could do more, I really do."

Garin feels his rage building to an uncontrollable state, and curses once again before storming off. The crowd parts easily and lets him pass.

Garin makes random choices of direction, not caring where he goes. Finally, he spots a small alley between to worn buildings and slips inside the shadows, falling to his knees, with tears streaming down his cheeks. His frustration at not knowing what is going on and anger that he failed the test getting the better of him.

After a time, Garin decides he needs to make a choice. His grumbling belly reminds him that he is hungry, and has missed every meal today, and the sun is already beginning it's decent into the mountain range. With a shrug, he decides to cast off all this doom and gloom and...