Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"It's not too long of a walk from here, is it? Maybe a bit before sun down?"

 

No, the mountains are right on the other end of the beach. Also, don’t you mean sunup?

Your bestial form looks up at the half moon.

 

"Well, that's-" I say, before suddenly lowering my voice.

"-in essence, what guardians are. They focus entirely around one element, be it life, death, fire, water...you get the drill." I say.


The cliff is tall, but not too tall for Fenira's flight. Once she lands on the top, she's granted a view of rolling plains and a small cabin.

 

“Even that is broad. I mean to pick one piece of an art, master it, and make it my own. I am a fool for it, but I believe that any other skill I learn trivializes someone else’s existence. Mortals are plentiful, I don’t understand why so many strive for widespread mediocrity.”


Fenira approaches the cabin, listening for any activity within. If she hears something, she knocks. Otherwise, she continues on trying to follow the coastline.

 

Crystal stays silent.


“I’m looking for a vault.”
I say simply.

 

I just shrug.

"You do you." I say, finishing my drink.


A human opens the door when Fenira knocks, looking a little confused before screaming and slamming it shut again.

 

Arkclal nods, glancing at a yawning Arie.


Pause.
“...Do I really look that scary?”

Linoa remains silent, seeming concerned.


“The Hive hid something here? I told them they were trying to get us killed... Look, there’s a really big misunderstanding here. Nobody in this city was mind controlled, hold the city guard which clearly didn’t last terribly long.” He explains, trembling.
“I never wanted to fight, but I know it’s a bad time to barter... still. I’ll hand over the keys to this place and keep my mouth shut if you can get these kids somewhere safe.” He offers, pulling out a set of keys from his jacket. “...And considering the circumstances, I’m willing to chance you stiffing me.”

 

"I suppose we should get going then." I say, pushing my empty glass into the middle of the table.


There's no response.

 

"Oh. Sorry. Sun up, yes."

I grab the piece of fabric from the banner.
"Let's go."

 

Crystal looks to see if Avis is still around.


I take the keys, then think to Stella.
"Stella, you know the surroundings. What's the closest safe place to leave some kids?"
I then take a second to look over the keys to see if they might be good for any kind of lock I've seen.

 

He can hear the occasional footstep from above.


“There really isn’t one. The city outskirts are all ablaze and the ring of fire is spreading inwards, no escape routes with the skies being patrolled. What do yo- ah. Children. Uh... I can try to get Idhaenna to lift the extermination order?”

You find that the gravelly beach turns into a heap of jagged rocks. Following the coast any more isn’t a good idea, but cutting through the forest might give Anne the wrong idea.

Arkclal and Arie stand, the latter stepping back to let you two out.


Fenira continues on, seeming a bit concerned.

 

Crystal tries to shift as high as he can to find Avis, but ends up toppling over due to imbalance.


“If what this guy is saying is true, there shouldn’t have been an extermination order. Call it off. Now.”

 

"Hmm. Let's keep going till those rocks. We'll find a new path there."

 

I head out of the tavern, following what I did in the vision I was given. Once I arrive at the stables, I head over to a chalkboard detailing prices of transport and distance.


Nobody else disturbs Fenira, though night seems to fall over her like a big blanket. Soon enough, all Fenira has to see with is the light of the moon.

 

Avis peeks over once Crystal falls.


“We still don’t know if it’s true, and that’s beyond my authority. I can ask Idhaenna, but I can’t lift the order myself.”

“E-extermination order?!” The naga asks, shocked. “Hold on, I thought the resistance was trying to make things go back to the way they were, not recreate the technomagus war!”

Arkclal and Arie follow, both keeping quiet and close to you.


She closes her eyes and opens the ones used to the dark, continuing on in hopes of finding the river.

Alright. As long as you don’t make me cross them, I haven’t toughened up my paws in a while...

As you reach the edge of the smoother rocks, the sharper rocks start shifting and a figure starts emerging from the mouth of a buried cave.

 

Crystal puddles on the ground, his two spherical eyes just bobbing an floating about.


"Then get it done, quick."
I say to Stella, ignoring the naga.

 

Avis steps back again, seeming creeped out.


“I’m trying, okay?!” She responds, frustrated. “Idhaenna’s ignoring me! I’m raising false errors in her palace, and she’s not...”
Pause.
“...Wait a second. I... I need to get you out. Now. Let me try to- oh shit.”

A slug blasts the naga’s face into a bloody mess.
“I thought your orders were to get out of my business once you broke the barrier. Was I mistaken, or are you not appreciative of the gift I gave you?” Idhaenna growls as the children cower and start to cry.

 

"Okay. That's far enough."
I take a look at the figure and drop back down.

 

Crystal reforms into a more humanoid shape.
“Let’s just go.”


“Actually, I got different orders.”
I stand in between the children and Idharnna.
“I’m kind of tired of people not telling me shit.”

 

I read over the prices, before summoning a bag of gold and selecting a handful of coins from it. I then head to the owner of the stable, running the front desk.

"Carriage for three." I say clearly. The owner glances at Arkclal and Arie, before giving me a withering look. I seem to realise my mistake, and negotiate in the demonic language again.


After walking for a few hours, Fenira finally finds the river leading up to the swamp. It flows quickly but quietly, insects flying about it's surface in the dark.