Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

The rose kind of gives away the location, but it's a nice thing to do.
The ice ocean seems to have gone back to normal, sans rose. The smooth surface seemed to repair itsef faster the more disturbed it was.

"The survivors. At least, those that weren't taken by hellhounds at night. Everyone's glad those days are over..."

 

"Hellhound days?"
I ask.

 

Gaia steps off the ice ocean, and psyching herself up, returns to her much larger form before walking toward the fleshy thing, her hair and eyes turning a sandy yellow. Gaia doesn't appear to leave footprints in the sand, at least, not after the colour change.

 

"That fleshy thing in the desert is both a creature and a gateway. It bridges the gap between the underworld and here. The wildlife of the underworld, however, weren't kept very in-check for about a year and a half. When the ruler of the underworld finally got them under control, everyone was relieved despite the damage being done."

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The fleshy thing seems to have a strong life force whilst also being a portal.
"Do I sense an immortal?" It asks curiously, four eyes blinking in rotation.

 

"So, don't mess with it, I presume?"

 

"The hellhounds, correct. The portal itself is alive and actually non-carnivorous, which is strange for a hellspawn."

 

"Yes. You do!" Gaia says confidently, standing proud.

 

"Funny, though I'd imagine it's hard to eat with being a gateway and all."

 

"Wow! My ancestors never got to say that! Haha! Uhm... welp, I got out of line fast. Sorry, mister or missus god or goddess!" They say, eyes glancing at Gaia. "I'm the portal to the underworld. You visiting?"

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"It has four mouths, not including the portal."

 

"You're a portal? But you're alive!" Gaia says, confused, "And...I'm not really sure I want to visit the underworld. It doesn't sound very nice."

 

"Oh. Well, thanks for the help."
I look to Crystal.
"Anything else?"
"Uh, yeah, actually, what's a really well-known myth around here?"
He asks the worker.

 

"Yeah! What's wrong with that? Also, it's only mean when everything's hungry! I can't tell when anything's hungry because I don't eat other creatures like everything else!" It replies.

"There are two. One about a wandering swordsman and another that this continent came from a dying hypervolcanic planet."

 

"Oooh, the first one sounds cool! Do you remember it?"
Crystal says, excited.
"I think they're a little busy for long stories, Crystal."
I say, then turn to the worker.
"Is there a library around here with it, or is it more of a word-of-mouth tale?"

 

"Well, that's very kind of you to do. Though isn't it awkward for people to use you as a portal?" Gaia says, though still keeping a slight distance from the portal.

 

"It's word of mouth, but the survivors seem to know it damn well. I'd hit the tundra if I were looking for answers like those."

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"Yeah. They don't much like the concept of jumping through my gaping mouth, but there's no throat there, so there's no danger! I just hate it when people step on my eyes..."

 

Crystal seems excited.
"Thanks!"
Crystal says, near bolting out the door.
"Crystal, wait!"
I almost run after him, before stopping and turning to the worker.
"Thanks, really."
I smile, exiting the store going after Crystal.

 

"I don't think anyone would like the concept of being eaten whole. Even so, I think I might continue to explore, this universe has so much to see!" Gaia says happily, turning to leave and explore.

 

"Good luck with that one!" They laugh, getting back to work.

"I thought eating involved digesti- oh... bye!"

 

Crystal runs down the road, and I fly after him, easily catching up.
"Crystal, woah!"
I say, stopping him by grabbing him by the shoulder.
"C'mon, we gotta go, there's no time to waste!"
"And there's no time limit. You need to take a second and calm down. Especially because no guard is going to let you through if you run at full pace during the night trying to get out of the city."
"...Oh. Yeah, probably not."
"Just slow down, okay? Walk with me."
Crystal nods, and we walk down the road.

 

It's a pretty sight as the sun sets. You get some odd glances, but not many.
You two are let out of the city without question.