Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"I can't... I don't..."

She's too weakened to fight it.

 

The darkness seems to be originating from the telepathic connection. Everything around Ruby appears to be getting darker; harder to see.

Stephanie starts colouring her drawing, humming to herself happily.

 

"Aj... I'm sorry..."

 

The darkness remains, and there's still no response.

Stephanie looks up at Ruby, before looking back at her drawing. She erases a few things, and continues colouring.

 

"Aj, I can't... Don't..."

You start to feel some resistance.

 

There seems to be a flux of sorts in the darkness. Almost like it could be used to trace its origin.

 

I send three scouts to directly spy on the enemy villages, then go on a walk around the village.

 

She tries to trace it, but she's losing her balance.

________________________________

The walk is refreshing, but the scouts never return.

 

It seems to come from a bit of a distance away; slightly near the group, but not too close.

Stephanie seems concerned, "Ruby, are you alright?" She asks.

 

"No, I'm not! Aj is... I can't see!"

 

Stephanie puts her pencil and sketchbook back into her cloak, before running over to Ruby, "What's Aj doing?" She asks, concerned, putting her hands on Ruby's shoulders to try and keep her stable.

 

"Aj please stop!"
Ruby's legs are buckling.

 

Stephanie puts her arms under Ruby's, trying to hold her up, "Do you know where he is?" Stephanie asks, concerned.

The darkness clouding Ruby's vision fades away, yet it still flows from the telepathic link; clouding her mind.

 

"He's..."
...

"I submit."

 

Everything goes black for Ruby.

And then, everything goes back to normal; the darkness gone, yet the link still active.

 

"What happened? Is... Where's my chest?"

She coughs up blood, then clutches a wound.

"How the hell did we miss that?!" Ihra shrieks, trying to heal her.

 

Stephanie immediately summons five green crystals, which spin gently around Ruby, healing her, "What happened? Was it Aj?" Stephanie asks, rather concerned.

 

"I don't know..." She sputters.
The crystals heal the physical wound easily, and Ihra runs over to keep Ruby upright.

"Was it you? Why...?"

 

Attempting to reach me just returns the darkness again. It doesn't follow, yet it seems to be what lies on the other end of the connection. However, it can be traced.

 

Ruby traces it again.