Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"We've not hand your kind in centuries. One of my finest pupils yet allowed us to maintain good relations with people like you after that tragic war however." The Shadow says, beard trailing a bit as he takes Ihra to a calm pool in the middle of the temple. Inside the temple, large red pillars line a marble path, ancient scriptures, tapestries, weapons and armour lining the walls. A tree covered in cherry blossom rests in the middle of the pool, idly shedding it's blossom into the surrounding water. The temple is silent, bar a calming mumur of a stream somewhere outside.

 

Crystal looks at the shell.
"Well, are ya ready now?"

 

“Nah, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”

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“Ah... I’m not from this reality. And all due respect, I didn’t come here with the intention of being trained. I came hoping to ask for a friend’s aid once again.”

“I’ll see...” Linoa grumbles, keeping a careful eye on what’s on the ground.

 

"I know," The Shadow says, "My pupil has said great things about you. You're a figure of much respect in his life."

The Shadow gestures for Ihra to get into the pool.

 

Ihra does as suggested.
“Forgive me for knowing nothing about the customs here, but is there any chance I’ll be able to retrieve my staff from one of the checkpoints? This seems like a pretty safe place, but if someone else got their hands on it, it could be... uh... cataclysmic.”

 

"There is a safer path down the mountain that leads to where you left your staff, you are free to travel it now you have proven yourself capable." The Shadow says with a smile. As Ihra steps into the water, she feels her magic return to her, along with a lot of blood. The water snakes up her legs, around her body and down her arms, healing her wounds and making Ihra feel a little stronger than before too.

 

“I guess I could afford to explore this place a bit, considering something tells me I’m going to need to come back up here every time I need Aj... speaking of, is there any chance I could borrow him from his training as soon as possible? Lux is starting to regain strength and I can’t convince Artemis to help me nip that volatile bud without Aj, and I can’t really get the rest of their group together without those two.”

 

"Sure. Here you go."

I'll hand it to Anne.

 

“Where do you want to meet up? Just outside the swamp?” She asks, before picking up the note in her mouth.

 

"Hmm...perhaps at the end of this day's training. I wouldn't recommend keeping him too long however, his training mustn't be interrupted for long lest he lose it all." The Shadow says, thinking.

 

“How long would his training be?” Ihra asks, her nerves finally seeming to settle.

 

"I am not sure. When I first trained him, he took many, many years. However, he has come to me to refresh his skills, and learn more. I do not need to teach him the very basics anymore." The Shadow explains.

 

“I apologize for this, I really don’t like dragging him around... but would it be possible to help him refresh his skills and have me take him back to my home? He makes a huge difference in our struggle, and the tides have turned back against us in his absence. Lady Tenebrae herself aided us in dismantling a trap that killed countless, but that victory has already been overshadowed by battle lines being pushed back and the disappearance of key allies. I understand this place is nothing to underestimate and he seeks additional training to aid us, but we simply don’t have that much time.”

 

"It must be one or the other. No other training would be enough for him to reach his full potential. If you take him away, it would cause irreversible damage to his abilities and potential." The Shadow says, shaking his head.

 

Ihra sighs, nodding.
“I understand. Back to Lux, though... how damaging would a few hours outside of training be?”

 

"Not very, but he would need to make up the missed hours." The Shadow says, trying to be positive.

 

“So... would it be okay if I asked him to help me deal with Lux?”

 

The Shadow nods calmly.

 

"Like... where the forest ends and where the swamp begins. Any clear point we could choose from there?"

 

Ihra smiles.
“Thanks. Uh... if you don’t mind me asking one more question, where’s the less deadly path?”

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“I could light my tail on fire and stand on a tree branch.” Anne offers.