Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"That's my point. I know I'm still learning, but either everyone bows to me like I'm some venerable ancient god or they treat me like an idiot child, which I hate but I can't really fully dispute." Ihra says, a bit annoyed with the thought.

 

Tiril stays quiet, unsure what to say and fear starting to creep back as more fancily dressed Shadows pass Ihra and him.

 

"You really shouldn't worry as much as you do. A lot of people work hard to make the area around the palace pretty safe, and the majority of shadows in town aren't bent on genocide."

 

"I-I've just heard a lot of stories about what Shadows were like before we joined together to stop fighting each other as well as the humans. Th-They're terrifyingly strong. Even the weaker ones!" Tiril says, shaking.

"I-I hope that cloaked f-figure wasn't a Shadow s-sent to kill me..." Tiril says, terrified.

 

"Nobody's going to send a shadow to kill you. You don't really need much more than light to stop most of them, anyways." Ihra says, starting to forget her prior woes.

 

"B-But, this is th-their realm!" Tiril says, looking up at the twilight sky.

 

"The king's called on me for backup more than once, I'll do my best not to let anything bad happen to you." Ihra says happily.

 

Tiril calms down a bit.

"T-Thank you. I suppose you are a powerful goddess." Tiril says, sighing.

 

"I-I didn't mean it that way, but... if it makes you feel better, I'll go with it." Ihra sighs.

 

Tiril and Ihra pass by a stall with racks of colourful human hearts on display, each of them with a price tag and picture of a fruit under them. Tiril winces at the stall as he passes, some of the hearts seeming to pulse a little, like they're still alive.

 

"I’m not sure this place is the best fit for you. I know it’s offputting, but shadows are still going to be shadows.”


Emerald attempts linking with Tenebrae, the link seeming to come from a place between realities.
“I get back, Xlentia’s bent out of shape, and the first name anyone mentions is yours. Clearly I missed something, so would you care to enlighten me or am I going to dig around myself?” She asks, sounding cross.

 

"W-Well, other forest guardians have managed to come here and survive, s-so I'm sure I can!" Tiril says, trying to sound confident.


"There was a minor error in judgement in an attempt to secure our reality from the threats of yours." Tenebrae responds offhandedly, as if busy with something else.

 

Ihra just gives him a concerned look.


“I don’t know if minor is the word I’d use, but fair enough. Perhaps I could ask you to be a bit more wary of tipping the scales in the Hive Master’s favor next time there’s a ‘minor error in judgement’?” She asks, not expecting a response.

 

Tiril gives a fake smile, trying to come off as braver than he is, even though the atmosphere is clearly getting to him.


"Then what do you expect me to do?" Tenebrae asks, sounding annoyed.

 

“It’s hard to hide emotions from someone who can just... see emotions.” Ihra sighs.


“Look, I don’t know what all’s changed since I went on my little adventure, but clearly none of it was for the better if you think you’ve got a war on your hands.” Emerald says flatly. “If now’s this bad of a time, fine I’ll reach out later. Otherwise, you’re the closest source of information I have because Xlentia is currently bashing the remainder of her brains out wanting to rip somebody a new one, and that doesn’t help me in the slightest.”

 

"Y-You can!?" Tiril asks, shocked, false confidence and bravery turning into fear and embarrassment.


"We have always been wary of the concept of the war from your world spilling into ours. It is why I placed the responsibility of helping it to my most trusted Shadows and their companions, who should be returning soon. Praecantatia has almost finished training them." Tenebrae explains.

 

Ihra sighs.
“I hate to break it to you, but Earth might be a better fit for you. By, well... a lot.”


“Your concern should be limited to Xlentia and her palace. You know as well as any that we are the bastion between the rift and our... well, my foe. Regardless, I look forward to seeing how they’ve grown. I may be below you, but if you wouldn’t mind avoiding going batshit while your king is gone I’d appreciate it.”

 

"B-But, I c-can't return there a failure!" Tiril says, "W-What would my p-people think of me..."


"I did not go 'batshit' as you so claim. As a group, the other gods and I made an attempt to secure the people of our reality from the dangers of yours." Tenebrae says.

 

Ihra stops.
“Now you’re really starting to worry me. Why’d you actually come here?”


“I didn’t say you did, but clearly you have little desire to speak amiably with me so I’ll leave you be.”

 

"T-To earn money, like I said!" Tiril says.


"Very well." Tenebrae says, cutting the connection.