Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Ugh, dark magic. Why does everyone insist..." I trail off muttering to myself.
"If you can hear me, Aj, now would be a good time to hide under a rock or something," I shout into the darkness. "Everyone else, close your eyes."
I then slash my poleaxe through the air, and a rip opens up in mid-air, crackling with intense energy flowing out. A blinding flash of light follows, seeming to drown out everything around.
As everyone slowly regains their sense of sight, I fall to my knees, leaning on the poleaxe like a staff, looking like I'm about to pass out.

 

Ihra reappears.
"Uh... you okay?"

The light of Ihra's staff flows to you.
You regain your energy, for the most part.

 

The Stephanies are nowhere to be seen...

Neither is Artemis and I.

As the battlefield goes quiet, laughter is heard behind a nearby rock.

"I can't believe they actually fell for it! Haha!"
"Shh! Shh! I think they figured it out, heh, haha!"
"Pff-HAHAHA!"

 

"There are so many interesting things here. I haven't seen something as peaceful and complex at the same time."
I turn the Xephyr.
"Do you want to have a look at the village or do you want to go? I'm not sure when the others may need us."

 

I bend the light about the rock sounds are coming from (Yup, works for non-living things too. Can offer some hilarious results, i.e. making someone walk into a tree because they didn't see it there).

 

"What are you laughing at?" Rineth booms.
Ihra and Rineth are right behind you.
"Which one of us fell for what?" Ihra smiles, laughing.

"I'll take a look, but it may be best for us to head back. I'll try to keep it brief."
Keila looks at you both.
"Here, I feel I can trust you. With this bracelet, the Storm Barrier will not affect you; you'll be able to pass through unharmed. If you must go, I wish you safety."
Xephyr nods.
"Thank you."

 

Stephanie, Artemis and I are sitting on the other side of the rock, giggling to ourselves.

"Shh! I think they're right behind us!"
"Quit laughing, Aj!"
"Pfff...heh...heh heh..."

 

Ihra smacks you in the back of the head with her staff.
"I thought I hated golems more than anything, but you're getting right up there!"

 

Stephanie and Artemis stare up at Ihra with guilty expressions.

I can't help but laugh despite being hit.

"Now?"
"Now."

Artemis and Stephanie suddenly jump over the rock and try to run.

I'm left laughing on the ground.

 

They feel like they're not getting anywhere.
Because they aren't.

"How's the barrier going for you? I'm not angry, no need to run. I'm too young to kill you, according to mother."
Her horns are glowing the same neon blue and pink they glow whenever she absorbs energy from her staff. It makes her look awkward.

 

I suddenly jump over the rock and make a dive for Ihra.

"HYAAAAA!" I scream as I sail through the air.

I suddenly stop before I get to Ihra, held in place by a vine hand.

"Don't make an idiot of yourself Aj..." Stephanie says putting a hand to her head in annoyance.

Artemis drops me next to her,

"You got so pran-"

and covers my mouth with her hand before I finish my sentence.

For once I'm somewhat thankful of Ihra's young age.

 

"So, seems like I'm not the worst with introductions. HA! I TOLD YOU I WASN'T AS BAD AS MOTHER SAID, RINETH!"
He drops his face into the ground, sighing.
"Give. It. A. Rest." He mutters.

 

"I thought it was pretty good," Stephanie says crossing her arms and smirking, "Artemis said it wouldn't work, but you both got fooled by it!"

"Only because you dislocated my arm..." she says, sounding a little offended.

Stephanie turns to Rineth "Don't you owe me something?" Stephanie hisses.

The small metal golem from earlier runs over to Stephanie and tugs on her leg. Stephanie picks the golem up.

 

"Refresh my memory?"
Ihra flops onto his back. He cringes.
"You're not a hatchling anymore..."
"Sorry."

 

Stephanie is unimpressed
"Oh jeez, it's not like I've being lying unconscious for the past few hours missing my internal organs because of you! Do you have that bad of a memory!?" She hisses.

 

"Well... I could say the same about yours."
"No, it's my fault. I was distracted, I could've gotten you up much sooner." Ihra looks a bit panicked.

 

"So it was you was it!?" Stephanie booms, turning to Ihra.

Stephanie takes Shadow Katana from my back and disappears, suddenly appearing moments later holding Shadow Katana against Ihra's neck.

"You just stood idly by and let your dragon rip out my organs like a child opening a freaking birthday present!?" Stephanie hisses, staring Ihra in the eyes.

I give a panicked look to Artemis, and she nods.

A small sapling grows at Stephanie's feet, unnoticed by her.

 

"What? No... I mean... He got you out of the Void. I got you three back to health... Maybe I shouldn't be a healer..."
She tears up.

 

Stephanie spins to me, glaring.

"So you lied to me!"

"Uhh...Ar-Artemis?" I say turning Artemis.

"I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding." Artemis says sweetly.

"So how far do you think he'll go?" Stephanie says in an oddly calm voice, looking into the distance.

"What?"

Stephanie suddenly runs over to me and jump-kicks me at full force. I go flying backwards.

 

...into the barrier.

"Uh... can you... explain... what just..." Ihra looks extremely confused.
(Also upside-down, considering she's slid partway off Rineth)