Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Arie seems to be offended by the glance, Arkclal quickly moving between her and the owner.
“No no no, they’re not mad at you, you’re fine... here, just... play with the finger trap...” He says rapidly in a hushed tone, weaving her a string web to mess around with.
“Aaain... grrr-ie.”
“No, not angry.” He says, tangling the threads around her fingers.
Annoyed, she works on untangling her hands.


She heads upstream, the presence of the bugs seeming to comfort her rather than annoy her.

Avis peeks over the edge again and chirps quietly.


“You weren’t supposed to know. But, you did your job, and I don’t see any record of you getting another order from anyone else...”
Idhaenna glances at the guard.
“Though I suppose you’ve earned some time to speak with me. Make it quick, though, I’m far from done here...”

Just let me know which direction to run.

All you can see are two dimly glowing eyes with no pupils. They stop rising from the rocks and stay still once they notice you see them.

 

Crystal looks back up at Avis.


“Why are you doing this?”

 

I'll grab a small rock and throw it. Then I run down the pile.

 

The owner and I argue for a bit, before I slide him a scroll with a serious look. After reading the scroll, the owner's tone seems to completely change, almost looking terrified by my serious expression.

"R-Right this way." The owner says in a more understandable language, heading out from the desk and leading the group towards a set of horse-beasts and carriages.


The ground begins to get muddier the further upstream Fenira goes, until the smell of mushroom fills the air as she finds herself approaching an old swamp; full of fungi.

 

“Dare I ask?” Arkclal asks you telepathically as he guides a still distracted Arie to follow you.


She dips a foot in the water, trying to take care as she looks for anyone or anything else making it its home.

As the rock hits the creature, it lets out a grunt before sinking back into the ground.

By the time you notice, your bestial form has run about a third of the beach away from it.

Her tail starts swishing again, and she looks ready to jump down a level.


“Why? There are two reasons, neither you’ll appreciate. One, this is war - if the Hive Master is willing to desecrate our lands, we must be willing to desecrate his. Second, revenge. His meddling with my systems left entire solar systems derelict. I’ve been waiting far too long to return the favor.”

 

I just smile smugly.

The owner leads Arkclal, Arie and I to a strong looking, yet also somewhat royal, carriage. A pair of incredibly strong and sturdy looking horse-like beasts being lead over to it.


A small amount of frogspawn gathers around Fenira's foot, dragged toward it by her dip. Nobody else appears to be around, though the swamp seems incredibly healthy.

 

Arkclal keeps quiet as Arie finishes untangling her finger trap and proceeds to rip it in half before letting it dangle off Arkclal’s claw.


She sits in a shallow part of the swamp carefully, giving time for creatures to get out of her way before laying down and lightly dozing off.

 

Crystal doesn't move out of fear of doing something wrong.


"The Hive Master does not care about either of those things. First, if the Hive Master thinks that you're not willing to desecrate land, then there's a point in time that he'll depend on that fact - that is when you use your willingness against him. You don't show your hand before you get to play it. Second, the difference between simply taking his land and completely destroying everyone and everything there is minimal in terms of revenge. Why would the Hive Master harbor care about anyone he hasn't controlled?"
I don't back down, stepping closer.

 

Avis jumps down, seeming a bit more comfortable with Crystal’s fear.


“He knows I am willing to destroy. I crack planets open like mortals do eggs. You misunderstand the latter, though... O’rogal made things personal a long time ago. I intend to remind him of the history he tried to bury. The extermination order has nothing to do with the Hive Master.”

 

Crystal keeps his eyes trained on her, being very steady and careful.


"See, that's a problem."
I point at her.
"You shouldn't be involving personal matters into situations that involve so many other people. If you want to hit O'rogal, then you go and you hit O'rogal."

 

The owner disappears briefly, before coming back with another Shadow. I walk over and greet them, speaking the demonic language again, before he attaches the horse-beasts to the carriage and leads it out onto the road.


Fenira is undisturbed through the night, though when she wakes up, she finds herself half-covered in mud, vines and quickly sprouting fungi.

 

Avis eventually hops down to the third floor and stops, leaning over and chirping at Crystal again.


“He’s responsible for seven extinctions among my followers. Anything us gods do involves countless other people. It’s his turn to pay, and if you disagree, you’re welcome to try and stop me... though I’d hope you aren’t that foolish.” She growls. “I’m willing to offer you one thing, though. If you want these children alive, take them yourself and leave.”

Arkclal and Arie just wait around, the former not wanting to make any more mistakes and the latter entranced by the horse-beasts.


Fenira remains mostly still, only using one head and neck to look around for the source of the change.

 

"Okay. How do we get around.. that?"

 

We can either go around the forest, we can cut through the forest and hope Anne is asleep, or... wait, no. I’m not swimming around that thong. I’m not swimming.

 

I head out to the carriage, waving for the others to follow as I get in.


There doesn't appear to be a main source other than the swamp itself, frogs croaking as they catch flies from their lilypads.

 

Crystal waves at Avis.


I look back to the children.
"I suppose you won't be the bigger person, then. I get it, it's hard."
I address Idhaenna without looking at her.

 

Arkclal guides Arie in, who immediately hesitates upon seeing the fairly enclosed space.
“No, we are not using you as a replacement wheel. Get in, silly.” He grumbles as he tries to coax Arie in.

Arie looks at you pleadingly.


Fenira pauses for a bit, seeming uneasy.
“If you need me to leave, I will leave.” She calls out.

Avis seems to consider jumping down, but seems hesitant.


“Do you really believe that the Hive Master would leave a city in his domain outside of his control?” She snaps. “My goal is not to get people to flock to me, I intend to remove anything between myself and the Hive Master.”

 

I just shrug, getting comfortable on the soft seats.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. We've got one of the best carriages available." I say.


There's little response, other than the popping of a muddy bubble and buzzing of insects.

 

Crystal freezes once more, waiting.


"Even if that means destroying everything in your path, anything at all? Even if it'll move out of the way by itself, it's just quicker, simpler, and easier to destroy it completely? Am I getting that right?"
I calmly ask as I face her once more.

 

"We could just make a run for it through the forest."