Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"That textbook is from the same time our ancestors built the shrine. Most of the things here are just historical documents. You'll find the occasional textbook or will, but it's mostly records."

 

I pick up the textbook and start reading it.

 

It seems to be an elementary textbook. There's basic arithmetic, descriptions of what's on the island, some dates of celebrations with a calendar system, and a section on reading and writing. There's also a two page section on etiquette and behavior at the very back.

 

I put the textbook back in the drawer and close it.
I go out of the offices and go towards the marketplace area.

 

I continue to scribble down notes of the notepad, occasionally stopping to add more to the drawing and murmuring.

"Your father trained you in the use of melee weapons, right?" I ask, pencil waiting on the notepad.

 

The marketplace has breads, wheat, salt, textiles, small crafts, and some powders and dyes.

"Only the axe. He knows more than just that. Mother trained me with magic. Rineth taught me how not to kill myself with Miznyana."

 

"Hmm...maybe if I were to, no, no no no. What if...no..." I mutter to myself while scribbling on the notepad, occasionally looking up at Ihra.

I put down the notepad for a moment, "Don't get ahead of yourself now Aj..." I mutter to myself while pacing around.

 

"What are you doing? Wait... Why are you looking at me li-AAAAAAAH!"
Rineth reappears between the two of you.
"Your friend couldn't catch me, but they listened. They know you're alive, and she told me to come back with this."
He hands you a green crystal similar to the one you had before. He's shaky though; he can't hide his wounds.
Ihra's quick to spot them, though.

"Rineth, you scared the daylight out of me!"
"Who taught you more puns?"
"I blame Vesius."
"HEY!"

 

"How did you get this crystal?" I ask, "You made physical contact?"

"This changes things..." I flip over a page of my notepad, briefly showing an odd table of sorts, and start scribbling furiously.

"The crystal...hmm...she always gives me these types of things for a reason...hmm...maybe it could, no...could it?" I mutter to myself whilst drawing on the notepad.

"What was that you said about 'Voidwalking' or something?" I ask again, forgetting I already asked two questions.

 

"Physical contact was established, and Voidwalking is using the Void dimension to cross into others. It's extremely dangerous, and not many make it. Best case scenario, you make it through without a scratch. Most cases, you die there."
"How comforting."
"Ihra, I've gotten you through before. You're alive, mind you."
"Sorry."

 

I look at the crystal in my hand.

"They say we...the Shadows...originate from the void in our mindless Shadowling forms. Only the strong survive to make it to our realm" I say in a dark tone.

I compare the crystal to the notes I've written down.

"It takes a lot of power to survive that void, hence why the Shadows are such powerful beings." My tone darkening even more.

I outline the crystal on the notepad, then look at the notes once more.

"I've heard tales of Shadows using that 'Voidwalking' to get further than you can through the Realm of Shadows." My tone almost darkening me.

I draw percentages, charts, scribbles; all whilst looking at the crystal.

"Artemis wouldn't give me this crystal for no reason. It might look dull, but it sends a message." My body darkening.

I close the notepad, and it disappears from my hand along with the pencil.

"I know what I must do. Sometimes Artemis is more intelligent than I think...Rineth. Take me to the Void." I say, looking up at Rineth. My face serious, eyes glowing.

I stab Shadow Katana into the ground. It shimmers slightly, then sticks.

 

"Our realms are different. Do not mistake them. There's only one thing... I can't do it now. Xlentia is too close, it would be suicide. I barely got back alive just now."

 

Of course he was. How could he sleep after that? " Come in.", he replies calmly.

 

I raise the green crystal, it shimmers in the light.

"You got this, I can get her." I say with a serious tone.

"And if you won't take me..."

A dusty, black and red swirling crystal appears in my hand. It looks very old.

"I'll find my own way. She knows something about this place that we don't." I say, looking over at Ihra.

 

The blade is conveniently placed in his safeoh shoot got ninja posted

His pet Microraptor, Bowie, is sleeping in Lazarus's arms.

 

"We still can't find the one med-bot. Stock clerk got flustered and told us to ask you about it. Any ideas?"

"What, that you're here? We went with the link you already had, it was just too weak to use for communication. If you go, I pray you won't meet Xlentia."

 

"There should be a tracking device on all mobile robots in here..."

 

"She gave me this crystal for a reason." I say, my voice becoming a little less serious.

"She knows what I'll do, or possibly, someone told her. I need to bring her here, I feel as if it's important."

I place the dusty crystal on the ground and stomp on it, smashing it to pieces. A dark portal begins to form, the sky goes dark.

"Xlentia Shmlentia" I say offhandedly "If it's true I come from the void, there's nothing that can hurt me there" I say with false determination.

Shadow Katana begins to pulse darkness as I enter the portal.

"I'll be back, I promise" I say to the party, "You'll finally be able to meet her, Ihra"

The portal closes as I enter, the sky brightening up once more.

 

"Don't mock me, mortal..." A voice echoes in your mind.

"Yeah, we checked. Cameras show it never left the launch room nor did anyone go in, but the tracker went dark and the bot's not there."

 

I make my way through the void, heading towards the destination I feel I know.

Shadow Katana shimmers, pulses, then shimmers.

Suddenly, Shadow Katana starts shimmer a light. Something doesn't seem right about this.