Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Uhm... Oh, I thought you were doing a magic thingy... The placebo effect is strong."

 

"Me? I'm just a high tier Shadow. The mortal I'm the 'Shadow' of is called Aj too. Since Shadows don't really have names in an understandable language, we're usually called 'Shadow' or 'Dark', and the name of the one we're the Shadow to." I say, a little embarrassed having missed the original question.

"A Shadow can only be killed by light, however things that give off light, such as fire, also work. Shadows can possess other beings to control them, and many lower tier Shadows do this so they don't get killed by the sunlight. A Shadow can also empower these beings, as I've explained before. To reiterate, the Shadow essentially lends them their power and allows them to take control of some of it's abilities, sort of like a reverse-possession. A Shadow can also turn completely invisible, and travel quickly between darkness. Not only that, but shadows possess a sort of 'Shadow Vision', that allows them to see things the mortal eye cannot; such as invisible beings." I explain.

"A Shadow is a being of darkness, and the higher tier a Shadow is, the more powerful it is. We have access to various powerful dark magics, and the creation of 'Mage Crystals' is one of them. These are essentially storages for spells and magic, and these are often used in the arts of necromancy and healing to make sure the caster doesn't kill themselves casting the spell."

I seem a little exhausted after explaining everything, "Any questions?"

 

"Well..."

A group of men on horseback exit the gates of the city, galloping towards you.

"... They'll take you right to him. Don't worry, they aren't under orders to attack."

 

"I will be momentarily. Whatever you did to yourself told me enough. Here, let's take this a bit slower."
She pulls out four bracelet-like objects with three green faintly-glowing bumps on the outside.
"These braces take a little while to get used to, but they can be used for fleeing or fighting. They're these..."
She puts the four on the ground, steps back, and puts her hands out to the side. Green pulses come seemingly out of her hands, and she floats there.
"This is a product of magitech, a fusion of both magic and science... obviously. They're called Plasma Rings, but they don't use plasma and they aren't rings.

If I were to calibrate these for to your body, the glowing would stop. That just means they respond to your thoughts and are active."

"Some abilities seem close to mine and the Fragments of Decay. No questions, for now. Ihra wanted me to watch over her, not plague you with queries."

"Got it."
I stop a short distance ahead of them, then glance at each one individually, wondering if I recognize any of them from earlier.

 

"Uh, so, is it... uh... working?" Lazarus' pupils dilate as a terrified expression appears on his face. Bowie is still scared.

 

"Tricked you, you scare too easily. They've been on the whole time."
She drops to the ground.
"Also, you only fell down when you passed out. You're pretty good at keeping yourself hovering, especially for a non-magic user."

You look down. She's not kidding. You're two inches off the ground, and you drop gently to the ground as you instinctively try to put your feet down on the floor of the cave.

 

Artemis sighs.

"I guess we should bring back that wooden Artemis then, see what it has to say." She says in an exhausted tone.

Artemis raises her hands, and a wooden Artemis forms in front of her. Unlike the other one, it simply stands there.

Artemis places her hands on it's head, and they begin to glow green. The wooden Artemis shakes a little.

Artemis focuses, and the glow around her hands increases in intensity. The wooden Artemis shakes, before jolting to life and stumbling backwards.

"Mercy! Please!" It shouts, falling to the floor.

Artemis seems drained.

"Well, at least it's not speaking latin anymore" I say, looking at the scared wooden Artemis.

"The Shadow! Stay away!" It screams, scrambling back.

"Who are you?" Artemis asks.

 

Ihra's tail swings up, then hits the ground.
Everyone in the area's quickly gripped with vines and held to the ground.
"You had to wake her..." Rineth glares, but looks ridiculous when he's coated in plants.

Ihra looks like a moving bush as she slowly gets to her feet.

 

They're all heavily clad in armor, so it's hard to tell. From what you can see, no. There's four of them.

"Hail, demon from the east!" One of them calls out, as they stop in front of you. "It is of our sworn duty to take you to General Faelar. If you would, follow."

 

"D'Aw Crape" I say in an accented tone.

"Artemis! Help!" The wooden Artemis shouts.

"Y-You know my name?" Artemis says, shocked.

 

"Demon? I... Yeah, I guess I could see that ...Nevermind. Right behind you."

________________________________

"You made this thing, then don't expect it to know your name? Is that not automatically part of it or something?"
Ihra moans as she uses Rineth to prop herself up.

 

"If it does bother you, please tell us what else to call you. But we shall be off."

Two of the horsemen go behind you, two stay ahead, and the last one gallops back to the gate, giving the order for it to open. The horsemen approach the gate at a steady trot.

 

"Morning sweetie!" I try to say sweetly.

Artemis snaps the vines holding us.

"What's your name?" Artemis asks.

"Kyrae." the wooden Artemis creaks.

Artemis seems shocked.

"Kyrae? Wha-why are you here?"

"I know something about that girl." Kyrae says, nodding to Ihra.

 

"My name's Vesius, but it just took me by surprise. I've heard alien, I've heard dragon, and I've heard monster, but I've never heard demon."
I do my best to match their pace.

"Is this another one of your friends?" Rineth mumbles.
Ihra hasn't quite perked up yet. She falls into Rineth three times before propping herself up with her staff.
She tries to say something, but all that comes out is "mrrrhfrnnngh"

 

"She was there for me when my father died, she taught me how to make use of my clairvoyance." Artemis says happily.

"I don't have long. The girl is destined for an early death, but this is not where her story ends. While her staff carries a mean punishment, there is a way to remember." Kyrae explains, "You must use what I taught you, for you are a key component in this girls story. You might feel like you've forgotten, but you never did. Your powers are the key to breaking the curse, your powers are the key to remembering."

Artemis seems to understand what she is told.

"You are a guardian of life, and you shall assist in bringing back this girl as you did me. You can break the curse her bloodline has been fouled with, I know you can." Kyrae says boldly.

 

"HOLY *bleep* WHAT THE *bleep* JUST HAPPENED TO ME!" Lazarus is scared, as is Bowie.

 

OOC: Me has spotted reference.

"This might not be good."
I mumble to myself.

 

Ihra's eyes glow red.
"My time, coming to an end early? HehehehahahAHAHAHAH..." She cackles, before reverting to her usual self, eyes normal.

...and face planting.
"Nrgh... good morning...? Who's this? Rineth, what ha-ohh, sorry..." She says as she gets (back) to her feet.
Rineth rolls his eyes. The plants recede back underground.

"Most of controlling them is willing it to work, that's where the tech comes in. Magic is the near-infinite energy supply that's self-sustaining. Think of it like having little jet engines on your feet, assuming they didn't make tons of noise. Get movement down, then I might teach you how to fight with them."

She looks at Bowie.
"You won't die. Worst case scenario, I bend time a bit to heal your wounds. Just don't try to break out through the ceiling, I'm not a necromancer. I rigged the cave so you won't kill yourself unless you really try."

 

Kyrae glances over at Ihra.

"Keep her safe until the time comes." Kyrae says.

"I shall." Artemis says sincerely.

"Your father also told me to give you something."

The wooden Artemis turned Kyrae gives Artemis a large hug. Artemis hugs back, a few tears run down her face.

"Tell him I miss him." Artemis whispers, crying.

"I shall." Kyrae says.

After a moment, the wooden Artemis goes limp once more. Artemis keeps hugging it for a moment before lying it on the ground; wiping tears from her face.

 

"It can't understand language." Lazarus says, before noticing that the calming tone of her voice calms Bowie. "Uh... oh." Lazarus then attempts to levitate again.