Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Not exactly... it's more complicated... but not a threat...

Hythania is now just sitting next to Idala peacefully, who still has Eras' tome clutched in her hands.

"... it's sort of a curse Idala has developed. It means that souls speak to her. She can either let them make her suffer or she can use them for power for a while. The thing is, I'm pretty sure the same soul is going after her all the time. I can't tell who it belonged to. Only someone who can use Soul Magic, like Idala, can do that. The soul might have something to do with Daras, possibly yet another person he made an enemy of, who is trying to use Idala to anger Daras. And when she is forced to give in and starts to absorb that soul's power, this happens. Even with a potion Hythania made, the curse can only be weakened because it is too strong."

 

"We all have stones called soulcores; it's a method meant to kill us if we 'got out of hand' in the eyes of our oppressors. Lefalya and her group were corrupted by... I don't know. I do know it pit my group and hers against each other. Eventually, they got a hold of Tirai's soulcore and wasted no time crushing it and killing him. In a last-ditch attempt to survive, he forfeited his body to the deity we serve. Still, he's only halfway here; if he loses his connection, he'll be dead for good."
He puts his weapons on mounts on his back.
"Ah, pardon my manners. My name is Riihs."
He looks at you nervously.
"That aside... our homeworld has been torn away at for... I don't even know how long. Our two deities, Virei'tus and Xlentia, fought to keep it alive. They paid the ultimate price... almost. Their overexertion of power resulted in our two groups being formed; we call each other fragments because we were originally fragments of our god's soul. Tirai and I serve Virei'tus, the Deity of Divine Judgement. Lefalya served Xlentia, though she fell to the force that is against us and was turned. Still, it pains me to have to kill someone whose ancestors fought alongside mine..."
He looks a little saddened by his description, but he keeps a straight face.
"I do hope that's enough to get the gist of our situation. It's a long story, frankly I think it's longer than any of us have."

"That's... unfortunate."
Xephyr tries to shake it off.
"Well, where is it? Step one to dealing with this thing is to find it."

 

"Fragments...I've...heard of those...from stories...interesting, I never thought those were real. Anyways, now, Mr. Riihs, I am Sir Robert of Greenhill Stronghold. Might I ask what you is your mission as a diplomat?" I then signal for a guard to come from the walls to me so that I can tell him something.

 

"The soul is always following her. You would have to use Soul Magic to find it. Very few have that power and Idala is the only one I know who can use it."

 

"Currently, it's mostly warning people about the impending days and hoping that whoever I talk to agrees to give us less friction. We're not all here by choice. As for diplomacy... that's what I'm the fragment of."

"That's... scary... but I meant the Drakonshade."

 

"Interesting...you know, how would you like it if I went with you...be your...co-diplomat?"

 

"I... would be worried. I'm the only one like this. I haven't found much to do yet, and wouldn't the safety of your stronghold be in jeopardy if you left?"
He looks at the ground.
"Okay, that's a lie. I'm worried you'd kill my daughter."

 

"Why do you think I'd kill your daughter? Sure I might not exactly be all honorable human, but still. Also, don't worry about my stronghold. I'll appoint a new captain. Believe me when I tell you this is the most exciting thing that's happened so far this year."

 

"She's... quite a character. She doesn't understand people very well... at all. Or anything well... My god I almost regret her teaching her how to use a battleaxe, though... She's arguably more terrifying with one than she is when she's scared."

 

"I can handle myself. I promise on my honor that I will not kill her."

 

"Good luck. I'll wait until you finish your affairs here. Let me know when you wish to leave."

 

"Very well". I head back into the stronghold and tell one of the guards to get everyone. I also tell him to fetch me rations worth a couple of weeks.

 

"We should probably try to find it by looking around the minor settlements and farms around the Fellakan plains, since we saw it around there last time."

 

"Ah, you little ice cube..." I lead the hatchling to the entrance of the cave complex, waving goodbye to the draconians.

 

I fly up and carefully place Artemis' on Rineth's back. She still seems rather shaken, her breathing erratic.

"H-How much l-longer until we l-land?" Artemis says, shakily.

I fall a little so I'm flying a short distance below Rineth; I keep an eye out to make sure nobody else ends up falling off.

 

"The town is called Solignis, I guess I can't expect you to remember that. And yes, you may leave. You can report back or find some other way to communicate, it doesn't matter."

 

After a while, they do so.
Riihs is still standing outside, meditating.

"Well, I'm following your lead. Hopefully it hasn't torn everything up already..."

It looks ridiculous, but seems to like the rain. It's hesitant to enter.
"I-ice coob..." It squawks.

"Soon. I think."
"I hope." Ihra mutters.

A shock courses through my body, and I collapse in front of Faelar.
"Ugh... That's... Oh boy. I'm going... before it gets me too..."
I scramble to my feet and dart out of the manor.

 

"I think we should cut flight time to a minimum, if possible. Artemis' fear is one thing, I don't think we want that to escalate." I say, flying next to Rineth; the twin jets from my Magma Boots burning fiercely.

Artemis still seems scared.

 

I fly south.
Idala... flies into the air?! It seems that her cloak was actually a pair of wings.
You can't hear from this distance, but it sounds like Idala says some words.
A wyvern appears on the horizon and Hythania climbs onto it. She soon starts to catch up with us.
A while later, farms start appearing below us. But...
"... something is wrong. The crops look like a disease has spread over them. This was caused by the Drakonshade."
Farmers still seem to be trying to grow the crops. Let's ask them if they've seen anything."
I fly down to the farmers and say, "Have you seen or heard of a dark dragon-like creature nearby?"

 

I stand on a box, sand then shout out, "Everyone! I bring you all today to deliver news! I am resigning from my position as Captain of the Guard! As such, I shall appoint a new Captain! If you believe you are worthy of such a title, raise your hand up!"