Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

I decide to fly down to the moat, checking if the water is actually water by gently tipping the toe of my boot in.

Crystal slithers over closer, inspecting the painting.

 

"No, though I can't help but wonder, what got you talking with Stephanie in the first place?" I ask.

 

"She surged my idle defenses, reactivating me. She permitted me to follow you and aid your group, for a time."

...It's water.

The painting captures the tiny details on Aral'hrah's feathers and portrays him looking off onto a sunset near a cliff, the castle in view painted as collapsed with some rubble visible next to Aral'hrah.

 

I take my sword and stick it in vertically, checking how deep the water is.

Crystal slithers a bit closer, enjoying the picture and watching the Matriarch paint.

 

"Would you naturally want to aid us then? I mean, you seem like a good ally to have around considering nobodies beaten you yet." I ask.

 

"Only briefly. Stephanie has done me a small favor, thus I am obliged to give her a small favor in return. You have not proved worthy of my vowed alliance, and that is not factoring in your rightful avoidance of sending in your 'efficient killer' to duel me. If you want it, prove I should serve you or motivate me to do so."

It's... about three feet deep.

She keeps painting, working on fine details like heat distortion lines and the glint of the sunlight off Aral'hrah's armor.

 

I rise out of the moat, going inside the walls, walking around and surveying the area in case anyone's up.

Crystal looks around for Aral'hrah.

 

"I...could...get a bunch of robotic challengers for you to fight in an arena." I say.

 

"Would they be decent opponents or a waste of my time?"

Nobody's outside.

He's on the other side of the canvas, asleep.

 

I walk towards Sivius, sword prepared to strike.

 

Crystal moves over to Aral'hrah, getting a better look at him.

 

Three of the twilight needles end up cutting into your bones, being that you're still in skeleton form.

His armor is keeping him in a standing-ish position as he sleeps.

 

Crystal moves next to the canvas, slowly trying to get the Matriarch's attention.

 

Seeming finished, she puts her brush down and jumps a bit when she notices Crystal.
"Oh, dear... my apologies to keep you waiting."

 

"Huh? I wasn't here for that long."
Crystal says.

 

I continue to walk towards Sivius, this time a mana shield forming in front of me.

 

Sivius twitches, and with a flick of his rapier your mana shield shatters.

________________________________

"Oh... well, you surprised me."

 

"Okay, I guess..."
Pause.
"So, does Aral'hrah usually sleep here?"

 

I form another mana shield as I walk even closer.

 

I stop walking, before disappearing and reappearing behind Sivius with a mana shield up.