Day 115: Part 2: Goodbye

Previous Entry

✻   ✻   ✻   ✻   ✻

I was surprised to find Raæin suddenly next to me when I had finished journaling.

“There is nothing more I can do for those from Rehm, mistress,” Raæin told me, “I’m ready to move on. You’re welcome to come.”

It bothered me a little how quick he wanted to go. It bothered me he still called me mistress.

“Can you give me a few more minutes Raæin?” I asked. He nodded. I quickly began to write on a page in my journal.

Isaac and Cortanna,

Thank you for not making it harder for me than it already is with my decision to depart. I don't want this to be our last goodbye. I have every intention to return... but I am unsure when I'll be able to. I hope in this time away from the quest, away from death and misfortune, I'll be able to heal and find that inner strength I once had.

I paused for a moment as I contemplated what else I should add. I had to give a deadline, something they could look toward rather than wonder. 3 months sounded appropriate. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too late. I also withdrew a few feather tokens from my belt.

I anticipate in 3 months I should be ready, but I can't promise. That is why I've left these two feather tokens. They are able to carry a small message to anyone person. If you find that you need my assistance immediately, send word and I'll send my response. If I find I'm ready to return sooner, I'll send a token to let you know. I'm thinking just outside the mines near Podunk on Oukhd 18th. I would recommend finding more 'bird' feather tokens in case we need to correspond more.

Good luck, keep safe, and I do hope we meet again.

Sincerely,
Araja Eloirakn

Then for precaution I added:

P.S. Stay alive.

I carefully ripped the page from my journal and folded the feather tokens in it. I got up and watched Cortanna as she returned unscathed. The creature that stood next to her looked like a mere horse with flowing mane and tail.

"Now that is a fine mount, Cortanna. Far better than that last one," Raæin praised. Cortanna looked mildly bashful. I gave a small smile at Raæin giving his blessings to Cortanna’s new found friend. I suppose that was a bit of good news for the party.

I gave the note to Isaac.

“I hate to say goodbye, but I think this will be for the best. I will miss you," I said. I quickly gave each a hug. I kept it quick because though I didn’t feel it before, there was a love of those two. We had been through much. They may not have been the most supportive of friends, but they were there even in my darkest of moments.

I looked at Kedra. I hadn’t gotten to know her. Hopefully she’d get a better impression of our quest through Cortanna and Isaac without me around to throw in my crazy.

"Sorry I can't stick around and get to know you better Kedra, but I wish you all the best. Take care." I then went over to Raæin and hopped up on him. In a moment we were gone. There was no opportunity for me to look behind, but that was okay. I didn’t want to look back.

It was late morning now. At a quick glance we were in a farming community. It was a sorry sight though. Crying could be heard. The smell of illness and death was thick in the air. The hair on the back of my neck prickled.

I slid off of Raæin who then changed into his Mira form. I don’t know if I’ll ever get use to seeing him as a person. But at the same time, it was oddly comforting. Like I had a father figure once more. His hair and fur was white with some gray. He looked middle aged, not quite as old as Bor, but older than my father. The few areas of tan skin looked weathered which matched the clothes he had on... Hmm, he and I both needed new clothes. Raæin lacked clothes while the lake water took a toll on my mine. Thank goodness our circlets provided a disguise for moments like these.

“Mistress,” Raæin spoke reverently, pulling me from my thoughts, “this is a place that needs us. Let us go help them,” to which Raæin led the way. I followed after him. As we walked the dirty road that was sparsely lined with farm homes, I felt a bit inadequate. I didn’t have anything to heal with. My belt of healing wasn’t recovered from the lake and I couldn’t be of assistance to anyone other than cleaning them and attempting to be soothing versus awkward and insensitive with my words.

“Raæin, I don’t know what to do. I am here to assist you. For once, I’m to follow you,” I said respectfully. Raæin gave a nod but said nothing.

We approached our first home. Moaning could be heard from inside which made my stomach churn.

“Go find the people Araja,” Raæin instructed, looking me in the eyes before approaching a house, “Give them comfort. There is nothing more deadly to the weak than fear.” Raæin then walked into the home. I stood for a moment before heading on to another house, seeking out the people.

The town we were in was Corban. It wasn’t familiar to me, but I had heard of it. The rest of the morning and well into the early afternoon was spent with me comforting the homes, telling them we were there to help.  The people of Corbin had no recollection of who I was, or perhaps they were too ill to show recognition. The blindness didn’t help either. It was clear everyone was sick and blind because of the illness. Once more the hairs on the back of my neck prickled as the thought of the Boqor crossed my mind.

There was a warmth inside being able to see some comfort and joy come to the people as hope to live showed on their countenance. After tending to most of the people, I then examined the condition of the farms. It was primarily cows for livestock with horses, sheep and pigs, scattered about. They seemed fine enough, though I would need to care for them over the days Raæin and I end up staying.

I could see on the outskirts of the town, large fields. I examined them and could see they were growing wheat. The stalks were still green, but in a few more weeks, they’d be ready for harvest. I checked the soil and it still felt moist. No need to worry for another day or two about water.

Then it occurred to me I should prepare food for the survivors. They had to have been starving. I located the wheat mill and I went about preparing what I could with the wheat and salvageable produce I could find. Home to home I went intent on feeding, bathing, and cleaning those I could. The first home I made it to, a little boy named Kein, asked if I had seen his dog. I told him I wouldn’t know if I had. The boy informed me his dog was brown, about as tall as his hip , and was called Doggy. I told Kein that I would keep an eye open for him.

As I went about to other houses, the day being mid evening, I spotted a brown dog in the town center. He was foaming at the mouth and was staggering about. I knew Raæin was too busy healing the folk and so I figured I’d try and isolate the dog.

I found some rope to use as a crude leash. Seeing the dog was diseased, I knew I had best restrain it some how. I tied the rope with a large loop to slip over Doggy’s head. The knot would tighten once I pulled on it and hopefully that way I could tie the dog up.

As I returned to the dog, I called out to it, “Doggy.” The dog looked at me and began to growl. I withdrew the rapier Isaac gave me. It was one of the many treasures the luggage held in it’s depths. The nice thing about the rapier was its invisibility. If I had to hit the dog and someone who wasn’t blind by the illness happened to see, they would see a fist striking the dog rather than a sword.

“Hey boy,” I said as sweetly as I could, whistling to the pup. Doggy definitely wasn’t partial to me whether it be his normal personality or the disease distorting his reality. He lunged at me but I was able to easily avoid him, his sickness making him somewhat slow. I then swung the butt of the rapier down onto the dog’s head. Doggy dropped to the ground. His breath was still ragged, but he was out cold. I knew I needed to quarantine him until he could be healed.

I placed him in an empty stable. As I laid him down a thought struck me. I looked at my gloved hand and remembered the dagger that was placed there (Yeah, I need to find a more secure place for it to avoid another antimagic field fiasco). I knew it’s magic was that of healing; strong healing. I figured it was worth a try. If the dog died, it was diseased and with Raæin’s focus being on that of the folk, chances were this dog would very well have died anyways.

Carefully I maneuvered the dagger to just prick the skin of the dog. Immediately the foaming stopped, the breathing slowed, and for a moment it seemed as though all was to be right with the dog as health glowed throughout his form. But then the last breath from Doggy hung in the air as his dead body remained. I bit my lip, frustrated that I killed the boy’s dog. I stored the blade back into the glove, cursing it in my head. Why was it something that registers as healing was still killing? I just don’t understand...

I found Kein and informed him that I had found his dog, but sadly he was dead from some disease. My heart ached knowing I was lying to a child about my mistake, but Kien took it surprisingly well. He looked sad no doubt, but he accepted it. I suppose understanding that a lot of folk and animals had died from the illness was what matured Kein.

The rest of the day I continued on to a few more houses. I fed and cleaned probably 20 or so people. Raæin healed a fraction of that. There is still more of the town to tend to and I am most certain the next week or two will consist of me caring for the ill, tending their herds and crops. Tiring work, but great for moral considering I was actually helping and not deterring for once. Here’s hoping I continue to find enlightenment through it and not become weary of it.

Next Entry

Day 115: Part 1: Fear and Wonder

Previous Entry

Buq 18th, 4288: 115 Days in the Mortal Realm

I want to keep this short. I have much to decide in the next few hours. Much can change too in that time. I choose to write now because Cortanna is off flying on some kind of equestrian animal and Isaac is retrieving Melinda’s body from the submarine.

The dagger is once more safe in my hands. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Isaac because of that. The submarine the Gnomes had made thankfully lasted long enough for us to get out of the acidic lake. I don’t know why I have this smile creeping upon my lips as I think back to how it all went down, for earlier I was quite scared for my life’s sake.

Isaac had blasted a large hole where the well was so the submarine could fall down to the depths of the lake. The Gnomes had crafted some wings while Isaac disintegrated the ground around the well. Ugh, every time those Gnomes talked sent a chill through me. It was as though they didn’t really know quite what they were doing... but the desire to get the dagger out weighed my self preservation instincts. Despite going through with it, I couldn’t help but constantly ask questions and I’m sure my face marked my insecurities.

Once in the submarine I was escorted to the ‘passenger’ deck. Anger don’t begin to describe how I felt for those minutes in isolation. I sat down in a nice comfy chair to which I was then strapped down securely with a clear plastic helmet sealing off any and all sound from the room. I then watched as everyone left. I shouted and pleaded for people to come back. Then the lights went off. Alone in the dark I screamed for a few minutes before taking deep breathes and finding some strange comfort in a wispy sound that was quite rhythmic. It stopped eventually, a green light appearing to give some illumination to the room around the same time.

My head began to feel light as some Gnomes returned to release me. I would have given them some choice words if I wasn’t focused on taking some deep breaths to get over the dizziness I felt from standing up.

I met back up with my friends and found we were on the lake floor. The sand would illuminate off and on. We searched the sand for two objects: a stone that was said to have anti magic cast upon it and my dagger. Long story short, we found the anti magic stone, luggage, the dagger, the majority of our gear, and survived being attacked by some giant sea or lake monster.

Yeah, that sea monster was quite frightening. Didn’t help that the Gnomes abandoned ship, leaving the 5 of us to work the poor excuse of a seafaring vehicle. Fire’s were everywhere, I was the only one who could read the crude Gnomish written notes, the other’s ran around putting out fires while I used the weapon the Gnomes equipped to attack the sea monster. Thankfully something came to our rescue for the weapons. though probably the best thing designed by the Gnomes, were barely keeping the creature at bay.

In the process of putting out fires, Cortanna located some buoys that we tethered to the outside of the submarine. Interestingly enough, when we surfaced, the hole Isaac had blasted was sealed over. So he blasted the top of the cavern once more. A giant crack stretched the ceiling above and the rocks forming the cover crumbled to the lake below. We survived with little damage sustained to ourselves. We did notice a Ravid, a dragon like creature with one arm, fly off. That was possibly the creature that was behind the objects animating in Rehm, but who would have placed such a creature there?

Rehm’s town center is completely destroyed. A gaping hole now marks its spot.  Like I wrote, Isaac’s below retrieving Melinda’s body and Cortanna’s off on some thrill ride. I ought to worry over Cortanna's sudden abduction, but considering I was about to be leaving her and Isaac, I figured I ought not to worry about it and so I'm writing.

With the dagger in hand again, I feel I'm somewhat torn between two options. There are the portals that need to be sealed. The dagger certainly will make that task easier. We just need to find naturally good creatures, like Raæin. However if I leave with Raæin, would I be neglecting the world? I'm not about to hand the dagger over to my party members. No, something in me feels solely responsible for the dagger. I suppose it'll be selfish of me if I leave them and keep the dagger too.

✻   ✻   ✻   ✻   ✻

Isaac just wished Melinda back to life. She is relieved and thankful. I can’t help but think about how lucky this party has been. How fortunate Isaac got Hubert. How many times did those wishes bring us back? That was another thing to consider. Did I really want to continue on, watching deaths after deaths occur? Did I really want to be amidst the good dying all over again? Granted, it's inevitable. Deaths will happen, but I'm tired of witnessing them, especially if Isaac and Cortanna end up dying on me too...

Perhaps by staying here on the continent of France, I could find that strength I once had. I don’t know how that’ll come about. I’m sure I obtained a vast amount of my powers from being trained and having Heironious’s blessings upon me in my first life. Now I am without God and without purpose, other than trying to stop the Gods from what they’re doing.

I guess it’s decided then. I’ll go with Raæin and some how I’ll find myself. Maybe when I do, I’ll be ready to finish defeating the Gods. However that may take longer to do than what the Gods are willing to allot me.

✻   ✻   ✻   ✻   ✻

Next Entry

Day 114: Peace or Betrayal?

Previous Entry

Buq 17th, 4288: 114 Days in the Mortal Realm

We found a village last night. It only took about 30 minutes too. Raæin had tracked the footsteps from the villagers that ran away. I also noticed smoke rising up into the darkening sky. With that and Raæin’s skill in tracking, we quickly came to the village entrance. We were greeted by a very tall woman. And by greeted I mean she became defensive by lifting her shield and weapon to the ready..

“Stop! Identify yourself!” She demanded. The harshness of her voice was startling. I looked at my companions and firstly noted Gideon had since disappeared. With the confusion of how we were addressed and Gideon’s disappearance, we each stood in silence a few seconds too long. The woman jerked the spear she was holding back to bang a gong. Immediately a man with a loaded arrow zipped to her side.

“Just give me the signal Roslyn!” he said, his voice eager for a fight. I did what I had to do; I pulled the Araja card on them.

“I’m Araja!” I said quickly then pointed to the others, “This is Cortanna, Isaac and Raæin.” A still fell upon the two at the gate.

“Araja Eloirakn?” asked the woman I assumed to be Roslyn. I nodded. “Prove it.” I urged Raæin to fly up into the air since there weren’t many Araja’s with celestial chargers. Raæin leaped into the air, did a circle above everyone’s head, and landed with the kind of grace I admired. They found that believable enough for they lowered their weapons ever so slightly. They then murmured among themselves for a moment.

“Araja,” Isaac said just loud enough for Cortanna and myself to hear, “I would encourage you put aside any opinions you have about you know what. Cortanna and I will be your ‘bodyguards’. Best to avoid any complications and make it seem you are still a leader of sorts. Cortanna, suck it up because this should be for the best.” As he finished Roslyn looked at us once more.

“And why are these two with you Araja?”

“They are my guards,” I said with a touch of lameness in my voice... I don’t know why I didn’t sound more confident. I was a leader. I remembered how to command people to my bidding and it would seem Roslyn and the man were ever familiar with who I was, so why was pretending to be exactly who I was once uncomfortable?

“Do they have to come with?” she asked, looking to Isaac and Cortanna.

“Yes,” I answered with less conviction than I had meant in my voice. Roslyn took no notice and told the man, Gareth, to go find accommodations for us. Gareth went off, seeming glummed by the idea. Roslyn had us follow her. As she lead us through the town, she explained the primitive state of their village. Any semblance of civilization, especially when ropes and cloth came into the picture, would begin to animate. I looked at the animal hide that adorned her body. She didn’t have a piece of cloth. Part of me had to wonder how it was my party and I weren’t attacked by our own clothing if cloth was as dangerous as the ropes.

We soon were shown our place to sleep; a mud hut with mud floors and an unlit fire pit. I tried to sound gracious for them taking us in last minute. It was better than being out in the middle of no where scared of some unknown objects trying to attack us. I curled up next to Raæin and promptly fell asleep that night.

In the morning, before we went out to our breakfast cycle, I knew we had to have a chat. What had happened yesterday in the underdark was devastating. I expressed my feelings to Isaac, Cortanna, and Raæin, stating it was a tragedy that we lost two comrades yesterday. How because of that, we seriously needed to figure out how to work together and not let contention get between us else we as a whole were going to fail in the objective we had to solve. I apologized for how out of it I had been for the past 6 weeks. I knew I hadn’t been stable and quite frankly, I still feel unstable.

Isaac agreed that we needed to work together more, Cortanna nodding her agreement. I then pulled my journal out of it’s dimension and offered them to read that night stating if they could avoid mentioning anything that would trigger those memories would be most helpful on my part.

As they read in silence, Raæin spoke to me in common, which still has me in a fog of what to do...

“Mistress, about what we had talked about last night. Our life has been shaped by prophecy, I do feel it is time we made our own way. With that, I want to go off and heal. I want to go away from the fighting to heal myself and to heal others in need of help.” My heart began to break hearing him say he wanted to go away “But,” he added, “I will stay if you want me to. Or you could come with me and we can go heal together,” he offered.

I don’t know how I kept it together. I couldn’t say anything for a long time. I felt betrayed at the notion he wanted to go separate ways as a possibility. There was no was I could force him to stay either. He had already done so much for me and knowing how hurt he was from all the deaths we’ve caused, presently and in the past millennia and a half, I couldn’t risk him resenting me if I forced him to stay.

Yet, what if I went with him? Could we truly find peace and healing for ourselves when Heironious and Erythnul were destroying the Heavens and Hells? Eventually whatever they were up to would impact us. Then again, how would I be able to stop them without the dagger? Once more I was powerless. I was vulnerable. How that dagger provided such security.

Perhaps going with Raæin to heal those in need would heal me from all the tragedy and darkness that has been my life... I had to be with Raæin. Isaac and Cortanna were just companions, well I guess friends would be more honest considering all that we’ve been through. Raæin, however, was family from my time and knows me through and through. Part of me ached feeling that abandoning the quest was the wrong choice, but the other part desired to forget; to pretend I was never destined for anything; to live without fearing; to feel wanted once more; to be loved and at peace like I was when Meryth was still innocent...

“I would like that,” I said hoarsely, “I want to go with you.” I caught sight of Cortanna and Isaac looking at me. I didn’t want to abandon them either, but what purpose did I have with them anyways? I had been unstable, as they could understand after reading what happened on Baer 18th, and I really hadn’t added to their well being in the time I’ve been with them... but I did worry for them. Would they be able to accomplish the task against the Gods? Would they be able to find others to help in their cause? Was there another way to thwart the Gods without the Sangrail? I lowered my eyes, not wanting to look at Isaac or Cortanna.

“We don’t blame you Araja,” Isaac said reaching up and placing his hand on my shoulder. I nodded to confirm I heard him.

Nothing more was said. We then adjourned the meeting and went out to eat breakfast with the first shift of townsfolk.

Isaac began to investigate about Rehm and the underdark that was created. We are told of a wizard named Melinda. With that we also were informed about an attack that happened last night. Apparently some Giants had come upon the settlement and threatened to return tonight. Of course we volunteered to investigate to see if we could negotiate peace with them. Peace I knew that wouldn’t be considered by the Giants.

We first went back to the hut to wait for Melinda. When she got there, she looked beyond irritable. Isaac got down to talking with her about Rehm and what we experienced there. He mentioned the animated chairs were unaffected by the antimagic field, to which Miranda became inconsolable. He master had gone into the depths of the well to create an anti magic field that he thought would prevent the animated objects. He hadn’t returned since.

I wanted to say something to comfort her, but what was there to say? ‘Sorry your master died in the acidic water after creating an anti magic field?’ It seemed like I’d only make it worse. Raæin laid down next to her and began whispering to her. Slowly Miranda stopped crying and before we knew it, she was asleep. Raæin was so much better at comforting people than I was. I envied his skill. Perhaps l needed to learn more from him...

While Miranda slept, Raæin keeping watch over her, we then went to a hut of someone who could speak Giant. Her name is Kedra and she’s a tiefling. She had a similar look to Isaac, but was a bit taller than him. She was eager to go with us and have an adventure. I liked her enthusiasm, though it was a bit nerving because she was also treating it as an experiment, an opportunity to make a study of the Giants.

A half hour later we reached the Giants and Kedra’s enthusiasm fled. I tried to console her to remind her of her excitement. I ended up pulling the ‘I’m Araja the Great! Have no fear’ card to which she calmed down and her enthusiasm doubled. I told her to tell the Giants ‘Hello.’ She ended up having a nice conversation with them, well beyond the word Hello. Long story short, there was miscommunication between the Giants and the villagers. The Giants were attacking banshees when the villagers attacked them. Though we offered to heal them, they were adamant about attacking again that night. So we ended up killing them all. Rather, Isaac dusted them all except the one Kedra managed to ‘kill’ by shooting it in the eye (to which the Giant tripped and face planted the arrow through his brain). That was when another level of enthusiasm Kedra had showed. She was too excited by her kill... I was already annoyed Isaac dusted the one  I had knocked out, hoping our attack was enough to discourage him from wanting to attack the village, so I promptly marched back to the village angry with how Kedra and Isaac was treating the situation.

I hung out in the mud hut with Raæin and the sleeping witch. Isaac and Cortanna returned with Kedra an hour later. Kedra was begging to join the party when they entered the hut.

“Kedra, we just don’t know if we’ll need you!” Cortanna snapped. The tiefling then bit her lip and retreated back to her home. Eventually Isaac went after her while Cortanna fetched firewood for the night.

At dinner it appeared Isaac had conceded to let Kedra come. She was having great fun telling everyone about how she was going to travel with the Araja and her guards on their adventures. People seemed more relieved she was leaving than happy for her fortune. Now what will she do when she finds out I’m leaving?

While we ate, Miranda , who had woken in a far better mood than when we first met her, told us that she wanted to go to Rehm and find her master’s body from the underdark. She mentioned that the Gnomes had a contraption they called a submarine. It could go under  water.

After eating, we went to chat with the Gnomes. They were willing to help and so the plan is to set out after breakfast in the morning. I would have decided not to go, to have concluded that today was my last day with Isaac and Cortanna, but if they were able to get to the bottom of the lake, I could get that dagger back!

Next Entry

Day 113: Rehm pt. 4: No Rekka, No Sangrail, No Hope

Previous Entry

✻   ✻   ✻   ✻   ✻

Might I remind you, this has been quite the day and unfortunately it ended in tragedy. Gideon and I returned to our group. Only 4 of the villagers were still alive. It was as though we were in a tomb...

Isaac filled Gideon and I in on an exit that was behind a doorway I hadn’t seen earlier. It was the only option that they could use and it was said to have it’s dangers. However, Isaac wanted to wait for his familiar, Brook, before moving on. While we waited, I figured I’d give a brief answer to his question earlier. Plus, sitting in silence with the dead all around us just seemed... haunting.

“Isaac, about your question earlier,” I began nervous to share because everyone was exhausted and weary from all that had already happened, but I pressed on since it was better than silence, “I fell because I suddenly was unconscious. Light engulfed me and in my unconsciousness I regained my memories. I know who I am and I remember my purpose,” I summarized.

“Whoop dee do el general,” Rekka began, her tone condescending, “Does this mean that you’re not going to go around killing people pointlessly?" she eyed me daringly, her lips pursed as she continued to spit her venom words, "So now you have half an idea instead of no idea,” she then looked to the villagers, “By the way, how stupid are you people? Falling into a well like that? Didn't your deity give you any brains?”

I wanted bite back, chastise her for lashing out at the villagers, but I wasn’t going to feed into her existential crisis. Yes, that was what she was going through, though at that moment I thought she was being plain angsty with all that had happened that day. Mind you, she had learned she had deific potential and watched a dozen people die, one of them being Jessica whom I knew she had bonded with.  And let’s not forget how the Gods loathed her very existence and yet she was the one to fix it all. I don’t blame her for how she acted with that perspective, but in the moment, it was baffling and down right frustrating to deal with. So I looked at everyone else, ignoring her comments.

“Yes! Let us just stand around in the underdark and wait for the guest to show up that would love to eat us!” Rekka continued, throwing her arms in the air. It was mentioned that the way out was revealed because the trolls warned the group that they were expecting guests that may not be as kind to us as they were.

Rekka continued to spiral out of control. “Of course we could just use magic- oh wait, we can’t! It doesn't work here! But yes, let’s just wait for the guest, I have nothing better to do. We're all going to starve anyway since no one has food, let alone drinkable water! And remember our time in the dwarven ruins?! Here we can't tell time! We're literally in the dark with no idea how time flows in the underdark!"

Everyone stared, gaping at the tantrum Rekka was throwing at us. Oh the thoughts that muddled my mind as my anger tried to take over. How dare she be so selfish and think of herself! Had she any idea how we felt? How we, too, knew it was seemingly hopeless to get out alive?  

I took a deep breathe before I responding, hoping to sound indifferent, “Rekka, I know we need to get out of here and that's what I, and everyone else, want to do. I believe we're waiting on Isaac's ghost,” then some bite slipped out, “If you're ready to get going, lead- the- way,” I said, gesturing toward the exit while keeping my eyes on her, steady and hard, “I figured if we're going to stand around waiting for Isaac's ghost to come back, I might as well be polite and answer his question from earlier." I folded my arms about me. There wasn’t  much for them to do other than to provide a sense of protection.

"Really?” Rekka said, massaging her temple for a moment, “If my brain is still working you can get out! In fact you have been out several times! You didn't just watch all these people's skin fall off. You haven't lost all your things for the second time in the past month. You didn't just lose over 100,000 gold that you were saving. You do not have the whole of Deity-dom wanting your death,” I would like to beg a differ, “You might be some whatever General from whatever time, but I am 15 year old girl who is now up against the whole world! I don't give two cents about what you think. I am not spending another minute waiting in fear as some unknown being or creature comes to attack us!!” Rekka shrieked. She paused for a breathe before staring everyone down and finishing, “I wouldn't be in this mess if I didn't meet up with all you. So leave me alone!" Rekka then turned her back on us.

Of course not Rekka... I thought, letting my anger course through my mind, because we don’t have hearts like you. We don’t care about things or people the way you do. How could ANY of us empathize with YOU!? I’d be more than happy to leave your sorry body here in Rehm because obviously YOU are better off without us. Obviously it was us who made you to be the TILJ SANGRAIL! WHY DID I EVER THINK I COULD WILLINGLY AID YOU!!!

...How tempting it was  to call upon Heironious. I knew he’d come, but that same part of me that refused to kill Meryth, despite my better judgement, stilled my tongue. I was to protect her. I was to help her overthrow Heironious and Erythnul. As much as her words stung, her inconsiderate behavior infuriated me, I saw her small frame shake. With her back to me, there was something there that showed fear, and that was when I knew how scared and confused she was about her purpose.

I was suddenly ripped from my thoughts as I saw Isaac go over to Rekka. What looked like him attempting to console, as he laid a hand on her shoulder, turned into him swinging her around and cuffing Rekka with his other hand. My mouth dropped open, but before I could jump on Isaac for his attack, Rekka caught him mid sentence with her sword.

“I will NOT-” Isaac began to bark, but his voice caught and his eyes grew wide. All of us held our breath. Isaac pulled himself off the blade, his face contorting. He looked like he wanted to clip out a few more words, but Rekka spoke over him.

“I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE!” she shrieked. All of us stood stunned as Isaac stumbled back a few more steps, looked to the door that lead to a possible exit, and ran off with whatever strength he had left.

Tears were spilling over as my paralysed body slowly regained feeling. Kill her! I could hear in the back of my head, KILL HER!

I can’t! I thought to myself angrily and defeated like. It was exactly the same feeling I had with Meryth. How vile Rekka had proven herself to be just now and I still couldn’t kill her!

Once Rekka looked my way, I looked her long and hard in her eyes.

"You are going to make an excellent deity. How fortunate I get to serve you." I said slowly and distinctly. Granted it was sarcasm, but it was truth. How fortunate I was to serve her... It seems almost comical how I had gone from one deity that betrayed me to another who was cruel to her companions. Are they all corrupt?

I don’t blame Rekka for being mad at Isaac... but sticking a sword in him?

I followed the blood trail, not caring about turning my back on Rekka. She’d be lucky if she could hit me. I also needed to get away and removed myself from the situation at hand. Plus, someone needed to make sure Isaac was okay.

Once in the dim hallway, I could see the blood trail extend on about another 20 yards and disappearing behind a mound of rocks. As I looked around them I found Isaac leaning up against the rocks, focusing on his breathing.

“You think you’ll make it?” I asked, maybe somewhat roughly. Isaac nodded his head. Some softness came over me. I shouldn’t criticize him in this condition... but I did.

“You really shouldn’t have hit her,” I ended up saying. Isaac barely managed to give me a look. I shrugged my shoulders, “As much as we hate her, please let this go. She is the Sangrail.”

Isaac pursed his lips to suppress his anger or pain, maybe both. I figured I best go get everyone else since Isaac was alive and already in the direction of getting out. As I turned around I could see Gideon and Cortanna headed my way. I met them halfway and pointed them in the direction of Isaac. I also mentioned how I was going to get the others.

I scratched at my arm and the thought of the awful water sent a chill up my spine. I knew I had washed myself, but the paranoia of my skin sloughing off was still there. If only we had thought about commanding the flying buckets sooner, perhaps more would have been saved, I thought to myself. Right as I thought that, I remembered the chair! If Gideon could commanded the buckets to fly down with water, why not ask the chair to fly down and carry us out!? Surely they were immune to the antimagic field too?

Joy erupted in my chest and I sprinted through the door to where the villagers and Rekka were left only for my heart stop momentarily. On the floor was Rekka, crumpled over her sword, blood spilling everywhere.

"REKKA!!" I heard myself shout. It was surreal. I went to her side and looked over her body. I remember my hands shaking as they hovered over her unsure what to do or how to save her. I could feel my heart break as the fear of losing Rekka, the Sangrail, the one I was to protect!

“Tilj ut Rekka!” I shouted at her unconscious body, wiping my eye, “Don't you dare die!" I cursed again knowing I had to act fast. I flew harder than I thought possible. The adrenaline coursing through me must have helped. Once out of the well I immediately commanded Raæin to find more chairs. We looked and were able to find 5 of them animated.

“Please, I need you to help me and my friends get out of the well!” I exclaimed in desperation. The chairs immediately took off with me and we returned to find the villagers still there standing around Rekka. I carefully picked her up, hoping I wasn’t killing her by getting her out of the well. I then instructed one of the villagers to stay behind and call down the hallway for my other party members to come back out.

The chairs took off with the 5 of us and we made it out safely.

“Raæin, please heal her, I’ll be back with the others,” I instructed as I carefully laid Rekka down. I didn’t want to leave her, but I knew Raæin would take care of her and I had to get the others out.

When I returned, Cortanna and Gideon have helped Isaac back to the room. They each got on a chair and the rest of us escaped the depths of the well.

It was a mournful sight as I resurfaced and found Raæin nudging Rekka with his horn, but nothing was happening to her body. I sat next to her and held her hand. I began to fidget by brushing her hair away from her face not knowing what to do. I was utterly helpless.

Cortanna leaned down and touched her. “Be healed,” she said. I watched for signs of improvement of her condition. Nothing. I looked to Cortanna.

“I felt it work but... yet it didn’t work...” she said, clearly confused as I was. Something was preventing her from healing and my best thought was the sword in her.

Gideon made an attempt to heal her and was unsuccessful like Cortanna and Raæin. I then was certain it was the blade. Yet I didn’t want her to bleed out if I removed it...

“Cortanna, Gideon, on the count of three, I’m going to pull out the sword, then one of you heal her immediately!” I instructed, “1, 2, 3!” I pulled the sword out as careful as one can to which Gideon touched her.

Nothing happened.

I let it all go. I crumpled over Rekka’s body as the blood continued to flow freely. Nothing worked and now she was to die, if she wasn’t already dead...

I shook uncontrollably. Rekka’s lifeless body laid before me. It was like looking at Meryth. So young. Undeserving of dying. Why couldn’t I have been able to save them? I felt evil for being so helpless to their plight.

As I stared at her through my tears, I saw and felt her disappear from my hands.

“No!” I heard myself shriek, “No! Rekka!” I ran my hands back and forth over the spot where Rekka was and was disappointed to find no invisible body. Just more blood on my hands, literally.

“YOU!” Cortanna suddenly said, “You all were there! Why didn’t you stop her!?” Her voice was haggard and shaky, her eyes red with tears. She was on the verge of losing control herself. As I whirled around to face Cortanna, I saw the villagers and remembered they had called me ‘Arise.’ But first I needed to try and prevent Cortanna from losing herself.

“Cortanna, stop!” I warned her. I didn’t want her to cause more trouble. Emotions were high, everyone was tired.

“We’re sorry about your loss, but we need to go back to our town,” one of them piped up. They then began to take off jogging.

“Wait!” I cried after them, “Why did one of you call me Arise?”

They hesitated, all four stopping mid step. “We didn’t... we wouldn’t- why would you think that?” one of them called back.

“That was what the elderly man said before he died and someone from the crowd said it before bowing down to me.”

“Clearly you misunderstood!” I could tell they were keeping something from me.

“Don’t lie to me!” I said out of frustration, “Why did you call me Arise! Please tell me!” I demanded. They didn’t answer, but resumed to run away toward the woods. An exasperated sigh escaped me.

“We all best get some rest,” I announced. I was about to ask who had the cube for the fortress, but I was bitterly reminded that Rekka placed it in her pocket that morning and was gone. “I suppose our best bet would to take refuge in one of the homes and hope the items there are of similar spirit as the buckets and chairs.”

“That sounds like a great way to get killed,” Isaac said, “However, those folk who ran away, they had to come from somewhere right?”

Isaac was right. Trusting the animated objects to not kill us in our sleep would be foolish, but the thought of pressing after those villagers was overwhelming. I wanted to be alone, I needed to be alone. Emotionally I couldn’t keep together much longer. I was fatigued, like them I’m sure, and the thought of traveling after those folk was most displeasing.

“I agree with Isaac,” Cortanna said. I nodded my head slowly. I then went to Raæin and selfishly hopped up on him. Isaac and Cortanna, especially Cortanna, had had it particularly rough in the water, but I needed to talk with Raæin and this was about as ‘alone’ as I’d be able to get.

“Then let's go, we don’t have much time until it’s dark,” I responded. I then let Raæin lead the way in the direction those other folk ran.

As we walked, I pondered about what was I to do with myself. In one day I was fighting my sanity, confused by who I was without my memories only to regain them. By regaining them there was that moment that everything seemed right, that I was going to be able to fulfill my obligations and prevent or fulfill the prophecy. But now all that hope I had, all the security I once more felt, had vanished with Rekka’s body.

"Raæin, what are we to do?” I whispered to him in Sylvan. I had slumped over his neck, carefully positioning myself so as to not affect his balance as I rested against his form, “...so much happened today, all so quickly. For a moment when I woke up and saw you, it was like everything was going to be alright... I was positive that I was suppose to protect Rekka...” I took a breath as my voice caught, “but she's gone!" I admitted. I let myself cry a little. Raæin patiently waited. "What are we to do now Raæin? Should I even care still?" I barely got out, my voice sounding defeated.

“Our lives had been shaped by prophecy, Mistress,” Raæin began, his voice warm and thoughtful, “Perhaps we ought to shape our own lives?”

Raæin’s words played slowly in my head. Shape our own lives? It seemed so foreign, a concept incapable of taking seed in my mind, or perhaps I was too fatigued to want to think.

As I felt the steady rhythm of Raæin’s movements,  the memory of my final battle as a mortal came to mind. How all those good people died. How I lead with such fervor that I lost all compassion for humanity in my attempts to save the future generations. How loyal Raæin was in following my orders... had I forced him against his will?

"I'm sorry for not seeing more clearly our first life,” I barely uttered to Raæin. The weight of my guilt was almost unbearable, “I can't believe how many good people and creatures died,” I continued, “I'm thankful beyond words that you're still by my side Raæin, but I can't help but wonder why you've stayed with me..." I trailed off. I had to stop for I was worried Raæin would perceive me as pushing him away if I had continued to babble on.

“My choices have always been my own,” Raæin reassured me, “It was out of desire to do the greater good. Rest now Mistress for you are weary.”

With my hands propped on Raæin’s neck, my head resting on them, I closed my eyes and let the little warmth from Raæin’s gentle words creep through me. He was everything I needed, at least in that confusing time.

“I love you, Raæin,” I whispered. It was out of gratitude I said it. Hope for defeating the Gods may have vanished with Rekka and the dagger, but hope that maybe things would turn out alright eventually replaced it. I had Raæin. As long as nothing took him away from me, I really had nothing to fear.

Next Entry

Day 113: Rehm pt. 3: Into the Underdark

Previous Entry

✻   ✻   ✻   ✻   ✻

When I woke up, the memories lingered like a vivid dream. Where had they come from? How was it they came back? Why was it now that they came back? my thoughts questioned.

Raæin and Isaac were hovering over me, Raæin being in his Mira disguise. I wiped at my tear streaked face and when I finished I saw Isaac had walked away. I couldn’t say why he left, but with Raæin still there, a smile etched across my face as a sigh of relief escaped me.

"I know you!" I exclaim in a whisper, my joy exuding. Raæin smiled back..

"And I you," he responded. How familiar, how warm his voice was. Like a feeling of coming home to the people you love. I still had someone from my past!

"You really do remember everything?" I asked Raæin once more. The celestial charger nodded his head. It was funny how easily one could mistake a unicorn for a celestial charger. The only true difference was a charger could fly while a unicorn could not. “How long do you think it’ll take them to figure out what you really are?” I asked jokingly.

I barely had a chance to lay there, enjoying Raæin’s company when I heard something peculiar.

“Heironious is the most beloved and gracious God!” an unfamiliar voice called out, “And we shall defend ourselves from the mark!” I heard the familiar sound of Rekka snickering.

“You do know the mark means nothing right?” I heard Gideon say. There was a palpable hush.

“Blasphemy!” another voice cried out. Immediately I knew I had best go out there and hopefully pacify the people. As I came out, I saw a crowd of 10 or so folk rushing toward us. They looked somewhat familiar to those from my past. Their clothes resembled the clothing in my town. My neck prickled a little as a thought came to mind that these folk were from my past and had been released from their moment in time after sealing the portal. I knew then that things were about to get interesting.

“Whoa!” I said putting up my hands. I was somewhat startled that the crowd continued to advance despite my arms waving as I blocked the path. Isaac then stepped forward and a green beam of light shot out of his hand, blazing a path in front of the towns folk. Half of them immediately turned around and fled while the others coward.

We stood around for a moment as the townsfolk gathered their senses again.

“What do you want from us?” and elderly man asked.

“Could we at least help you get the townsfolk out of the well?” Cortanna replied. The elderly man nodded, though still shaken.

“That’s all we wanted to do,” Gideon added, “We just want to help you.”

I heard the elderly man mutter ‘blasphemer’ under his breath.

“He speaks the truth,” I defended, referring to what Gideon had said earlier. The elderly man made eye contact with me. I could feel my skin crawl as his eyes drifted over me, taking in every detail. I even had my wings out still... at least I had them looking white instead of black.

After a minute of intent studying of my features, the elderly man’s eyes grew wide as realization dawned on him.

“Arise?” he uttered. How I wish I had caught it then. Why had he called me Arise? I didn’t get a chance to reflect on that yet for the elderly man grabbed his chest and keeled over. I could feel a dark cloud hover over me as I felt every eye pierce my being. That wasn’t me. I did not kill him! But what was the point... I’m so good at killing people in defence of my cause, what’s another to add on to it with no effort on my part? No, I shouldn’t think like that... I scolded myself.

“Way to go Araja. An elderly man to go with that little girl you killed,” Jessica suddenly bated me from behind. I whirled around on Jessica. My eyes were wide with rage and my pulse raced as I imagined my fist sinking into her smug face. No, I told myself. I would not attack, I would not stoop down to my selfish desires to harm her. That was not me. I had bigger things to put my energy to.

It hurt not to lash out. It hurt that she would say such a thing to me... I screamed my frustration at her then bit my lip and folded my arms protectively around my body. I could feel myself shake a little as I strived to calm down.

As I hugged my body, I could hear the whisperings begin.

“It’s her!”

“Arise?”

“The General has returned.”

My skin crawled a moment when I heard General. It crawled even more once I looked back at them and found them bowing before me. I didn’t need that, I didn’t want that. I just got my memories back and there was already enough explaining needing to be done to my party, but now a group of people who knew of me with my old beliefs of how glorious Heironious was... how I knew there was going to be hurt feelings and offence taken.

“Well... how about we get those town folk out of the well,” Isaac spoke up, thankfully shifting the attention off of me. He then jumped up on the well and then jumped into it. I figured he had his boots of flying on so thought nothing more.

“I’ll go talk to the townsfolk,” I said. I needed to know a few things, mainly if they remembered the prophecy. No one objected to me doing that.

“So, where exactly did you folk come from,” I asked.

“We’re from Rehm. We left this place because other things began to happen here besides the war,” one man in his mid 40’s spoke. His eyes were green and dull. Clearly a human.

“What was happening?” They all shared a look with each other before the human man began again.

“Objects began to animate... and attack us. We had to go. We tried to make a new home, but with the mark ever prevalent, we had to work hard to avoid it too... so we never really were able to settle down.”

From how they looked, their appearance was worn. I had to wonder if they knew how much time has lapsed since the time of the mark... I figured I would attempt backing up Gideon’s mention of the mark.

“This may sound absolutely crazy, but my friend is correct about the mark. It’s still unpleasant and repulsive, but other than claiming the soul, the bearer isn’t evil or po- ssessed...” I trailed off as I watched them stare back in disbelief to what I was saying. I rushed on with my main intent on talking with them, “Perhaps you all remember the prophecy given, with Arise and Fall?”

They all nodded.

“We do,” the human responded. He looked like he wanted to say something more, something in response to my mention of the mark, but words seemed to fail him.

“Might any of you have the prophecy in writing or something tangible?” I asked. Heads shook all around.

“I think we’re going to go bury our dead...” the human said. They all move over to lift the old man up and carried him off.

Yep. Offence was made, I thought to myself as I hung my head. It was so much easier when I thought the same way they did about the mark and about Heironious... without that, how was I to lead? Nothing I said seemed to inspire nor was I as strong as I once was. I felt so inadequate with this notion that I had to lead again. But with a party that seems to just tolerated me... I hadn’t a clue how I was to fulfill that prophecy other than keeping Rekka safe. That I could do... or die trying.

I went back to the well where Cortanna and Gideon stood around looking in. I walked over and looked in myself. How I wish no one had gone down that forsaken well... Cortanna and Gideon were manning a rope, but no one had come up yet. It was too dark to see anything, I went into the well to help Jessica, Rekka, and Isaac get the townsfolk out. Yep, I just jumped right over the edge and into the anti magic field. I knew it the moment I felt my hair flutter about my ears, but I hadn’t realized the severity of the anti magic until much later.

Rekka and I were able to get out of the well, the teenager managing to crawl over the edge of the well wall before the rope Cortanna and Gideon were holding, snapped.

“What happened?” I asked Cortanna.

“I was about to ask you both the same,” the half elf said.

“Well, there’s an antimagic field down there and guess what we found out? All our gear got dumped.” I said lividly. As I flew around trying to help Isaac and the other people, Rekka called to me from the rope and asked me to pull out her lamp. I looked into her bag of holding and found nothing. I looked into my havard sack and found nothing.

Then I checked my glove that could store a small object and was horrified to find the dagger gone. I had placed Malfeiya's dagger in the glove thinking it’d be a secure place and a quick way for me to whip it out if ever I needed to use it. All of our magic, pocket dimensions had expelled their contents to the acidic water below- except I hadn’t realized the water was acidic yet.

“Yeah,” Rekka snipped out, “All our stuff is at the bottom of the stupid lake. I was wanting to use a lantern so the other’s could see, but ALL OUR STUFF IS GONE!” Rekka shouted. I wanted to freak out a little too with the loss of the dagger, but somehow I maintained my sanity. I suppose I could have dived down as a mermaid- oh wait. Circlet didn’t work down there...

“Here,” Cortanna said, going through her bag. She pulls out 3 ropes and a lantern, “Rekka you hold this rope with the lantern,” Cortanna tied the rope around the lantern’s handle and passes it off to Rekka, “Araja, you help me lower these two ropes down,” she instructed as I tied the ropes together, “and let’s see if we can get Isaac and the rest up now that they’ll have some light.”

It was a very sound idea coming from Cortanna. Rekka already had the lantern going down the well. The halg Elf then sent one end of our rope over the edge.

“There’s only Isaac down there right now... if he’s still there,” I mentioned. Oh yeah. Not only was the lake acidic, but the townsfolk suddenly began to disappear under the water one by one.

“Isaac? Can you see the rope?” Cortanna called down the well.

“Yep,” Isaac’s voice echoed back.

“Can you get to it?”

A few moments later a few tugs were felt on the rope with Isaac’s reply, “Got it.” Gideon, Cortanna, and I held on while Isaac climbed up the rope.

Suddenly the rope wiggled in my hand. I looked at it all curious like, but then I felt Cortanna being pressed against me as the rope entangled all of us. We were then pulled over the edge and down the well. Once we plunged into the water, the ropes released us. Immediately I flew up and out, spitting the bitter water from my mouth. I could see Gideon flying about with me while the partydid their best to tired water.

Goodness, while in the midst of trying to figure out how to get everyone out of the well, Isaac felt it was a great time to ask me about what had happened earlier. “Araja, why’d you fall out of the sky?”

“Now isn’t a good time Isaac,” I snapped at him.

Raæin called down, asking if there was anything he could do. I forbade him from coming into the well.

“What should I do about these chairs then?” he asked. Great, I thought to myself, the chairs are animated too...

“Avoid them Raæin,” I instructed thinking the chairs would be equally harmful as the ropes were.

“Brook says there’s some outlets over to the one side. He says he can see the villagers,” Isaac said.

“Who’s Brook?” I asked.

“My ghost familiar,” Isaac said, somewhat enthusiastically.

Without further ado, we swam toward the outlets and went into the one Isaac said Brook was down. Conveniently, there was a faint orange glow down that particular outlet. A little rise in the ground blocked the light source, so Rekka scouted ahead. While she did that, I helped Cortanna who had had a really rough time in the lake. With all the armor she wore, she nearly drowned.

I looked back at Rekka. Right as she began to signal to us to move slowly and quietly, Isaac and Cortanna had a melt down. The half elf doubled over, coughing so hard I was certain I was about to see her cough blood or throw up, maybe both. Isaac, on the other hand, was scratching at himself like a mad man. Their discomfort reminded me of my own, to which I itched my ear and my back.

Apparently there were two trolls on the other side of the small hill Rekka tried to warn us about. Luckily, they were no threat, even though Cortanna somehow managed to hit one of them with an arrow. Only Rekka was able to communicate with them. We found that out after Isaac had poked his eye on one of the spiked cages he and I were checking out, they containing the villagers, and Rekka spoke some language in responce to Isaac's anguish to which the trolls and her commenced communicating.

As Gideon, Isaac and I opened the cage doors to help the villagers out, Rekka was able to gather that some octopus had brought the villagers to the trolls and that we were currently in the Underdark. Isaac explained it to be another version of the mortal realm filled with nasty creatures.

“What’s beyond that door?” I asked after noting a doorway behind the trolls.

“Their dining room,” Rekka replied.

“And a way out that way?” More talking between Rekka and the troll. She contorts her face suddenly.

“He advises that we return the way we came.”

“Right,” Cortanna said.

The trolls then left the room. I was about to go mad with itching and as the people come around they too seem to be suffering. As I itched, I couldn’t help but remember how the dagger was lost. My stomach knots even now at the thought. It just seemed so careless of me to have put the dagger their in the first place. Why not have had it sheathed around my waste?

Isaac then brought our attention to Jessica. She had been pulled under the water like the villagers and she now laid lifeless on the cavern floor, her skin sloughing off her body. At the moment of reverence for our fallen comrade (even if she had pissed me off an hour prior), the trolls returned with some roots, mushrooms, and green meat. They really ought to be commended for their hospitality despite our aggression at first. They then muttered something to Rekka as they pointed to all of us, dead and alive.

“Well, looks like we’re all gonna slough our skin if we don’t wash the well water off our bodies...” Rekka said glumly. I stopped itching my arm. As I looked at it, I could see the skin I’d been itching had become red and somewhat scaly. Looking back at Rekka, I could see she wasn’t looking herself either. Infact, she looked scared. I didn’t blame her. We all were trapped. Yet in that moment of despair I remembered the wonderful wings that still protruded from my back. I could fly. Gideon could fly. We may not be strong enough to fly everyone out of the well, but we could go get water!

“Gideon, lets go get water!” I stated, flying toward the well. He followed and once we were up and out of the well joyful glee could be heard. I spotted Raæin, in his Mira disguise, riding a chair. So much for listening to me.

It was incredibly odd seeing him sitting on a chair, full of joy, while the rest of us were scared and dying below. I knew it wasn’t his fault the situation we were in, and honestly it was pleasant to see him so happy, but I was irked to say the least when I first saw him.

“Raæin,” I called out. Quickly Raæin hopped off the chair and transformed back to his true self.

“Um, yes...” Raæin began seeming embarrassed, “what do you need Mistress?”

“Call me Araja,” I automatically corrected.

“Yes m’lady.” I laughed to myself, my lips betraying me as a smile stole across my face. Raæin never called me by my first name, even in our first life together.

It took longer than I would have liked to acquire water. In the end, Raæin was able to communicate with the chairs (whom were quite helpful if not friendly) and they found us some buckets. Raæin then teleported us to a river (which was only 50 ft away, but it saved us some time) to which we filled the wooden buckets, teleported back to the well, and down we went while carrying the poorly crafted pails.

Once back to the group, everyone still looked miserable. Itching continued, Cortanna coughed more, and the trolls just hung out not sure what to do. Gideon and I washed one of the villagers with the little water we were able to bring down. After washing the villager, we rushed out to collect more water.

As we came back out, Raæin once more was riding around on a chair in Mira form with 3 buckets trailing after him. We got his attention and  repeated our water collecting regime again. This time 3 villagers were dead upon our return.

“Were there any water skins?” Isaac asked after seeing our pewny attempts at bringing water.

“I dunno. An animated chair found the buckets for us,” I responded. Isaac lifted an eyebrow.

“Well ask that chair or those buckets if they know of any waterskins.” I gave a nod and took off with Gideon again to see if we could locate some waterskins. Once back to the surface, I asked two buckets about waterskins to which they shook at me aggressively and rolled away.

“Wait!” Gideon exclaimed,” Araja, the buckets can fly, I bet they could fly themselves down there faster than we can carry them.” I was about to remind Gideon about the anti magic field when he instructed the buckets to enact his idea. No sooner had Gideon said that all three buckets (the two that were offended by me thankfully listened to Gideon) took off to the river, flew past us and down the well with such speed and grace that I couldn’t help but feel impressed.

“You do know you just sent those ‘magical’ buckets into an antimagic field right?” I told Gideon. His dopey grin vanished as I mentioned that. Part of me felt bad for pointing out the flaw in his plan, but it turned out that I was the one with a foot in my mouth. The buckets reappeared a minute later, sailing off to the river before disappearing down the well again. Gideon beamed and pointed a finger at me in victory. I gave a defeated smile, commending him for his genius.

After the 3rd time of the buckets reappearing, they suddenly went rigid and collapsed on the ground. I looked over to Raæin who had continued enjoying his chair ride and saw that the chair too had fallen to the ground.

“Gideon, this could be our chance!,” I said excitedly, “Raæin, go find some rope please,” I commanded.

“But the chairs said they’re jerks,” Raæin responded.

“They’re inanimate now. Hopefully they’ll remain that way until we get the others back up,” I persisted. Raæin went off obediently, but when I saw him coming back, he had been tied up in ropes and was being dragged towards the well.

I ran over, scared of Raæin being sent into the antimagic field. I touched his flank and teleported him out of the ropes. The ropes crumple on themselves before straightening out and leaping at me. I was able to evade their initial lung for me and took off flying. Unfortunately I wasn’t fast enough for one of the long ropes reached out and tied around my foot. It thrusted me back down to the ground. 
Next thing I knew was my body being tightly wrapped in the ropes. I managed to set off a fire bolt on the ropes. With the magic of the armor, the heat of the fire didn’t harm me. Unfortunately the ropes survived though very much singed. The ropes then maneuvered over my mouth. Unable to speak, I watched helpless as the well drew closer. Gideon then swung at the ropes with his sword. He was able to cut the rope but the loose pieces wrapped around him and soon we both were falling down the well again.

The bitter water engulfed me in it’s foul embrace. I could feel the ropes still pulling me down deeper into the lake and the fear of drowning creeped into my mind. I focused on holding my breathe and fighting against the ropes, hoping soon they would lose their magics that animated them. A few more moments later, the ropes went slack and I quickly swam to the surface. Once there I flew up and out of the well and right to the river. Gideon joined me a short time later. We took some time as we carefully cleaned ourselves up before sitting down on the river bank, weary.

“What are we to do?” I asked him.

“I haven’t an idea, other than to just go join them and help them find another way out,” Gideon responded. I looked at him. It was peculiar to be with another Angelic. There was a feeling of ‘I know him’ though I didn’t. Still, there was something nostalgic about sitting with his.

“Let’s return then,” I said standing up. Gideon followed and once more we made our way down the well and into the underdark.

✻   ✻   ✻   ✻   ✻

Next Entry