We exited the portal to the street outside only to witness the building we were once in burning to the ground.
Talon- “No time to waste, let’s not stay here either.”
Vandel- “And this portal?”
Talon- “Another nearby building away from this rain.”
Talon opened another portal and we hurried through once again.
Moryuu- “Vandel?”
Vandel was looking back at the devastation with a deep sadness. I put my hand on his shoulder.
Moryuu- “Let’s go, we can’t do anything right now. We’ll save her, never doubt that.”
Vandel- “…Right.”
We went into the portal to be greeted with what seems to be a run-down home. Rotten food litter the floor and weathered pictures of a happy family fill the halls.
Talon- “It’s not the best checkpoint but it’s the best I can come up within short notice.”
Ignatius- “I suggest we find Magpie quickly so we can start the plan.”
Vandel- “Agreed, the faster the better, but where is she?”
Everyone began to think of places where she could be. Maybe we could-
Ravage- “Inside a pillar.”
Ignatius- “Excuse me.”
Ravage- “Before I found blue I was playing with Magpie until she hid in a pillar.”
Talon- “Playing she says.”
Ignatius- “Can you lead us to it?”
Ravage- “Mmmm…”
Ravage glances in my direction before smiling. What is she up to?
Ravage- “Sure, I can lead you to Magpie.”
Talon- “Great, now that we’re following her I can’t just open a portal straight there.”
Vandel- “That would make the journey more dangerous but we have no choice.”
Ignatius- “Lead the way then Ravage.”
Jayden- “So we’re not going to ask why we’re being lead by the servant of Shadow who tried to kill us before. We didn’t get to ask before but why are you here Ravage?”
As if everyone just now caught up with the situation, they turned to me and Ravage.
Ignatius- “Good question, why are you helping us?”
Ravage- “Hehehe, let’s just say that Blue and I have a relationship now.”
She says while grabbing my arm…for goodness sake.
Talon- “Moryuu…e-even I have standards.”
Jayden- “I doubt that but I'm starting to trust you even less Moryuu. Talk.”
Moryuu- “First(*Pushing Ravage aside*), that’s not what she meant. Second, I promised to become her only playmate when we get out of here and….I promised to ask Ignatius something.”
Ignatius- “I have a bad feeling about this.”
Moryuu- “Ignatius can you…give Ravage some of your magic power.”
There was a brief silence, ignoring Ravage giggling, that made me regret this whole idea.
Ignatius- “…I don’t even know what to say.”
Jayden- “I have some words in mind. So, you’re her best friend all of a sudden?”
Moryuu- “Things happened, I can promise that she won’t do anything bad.”
Jayden- “As if that means anything and what do you mean when you leave this place? There’s no way I’m letting her roam free on the outside.”
Moryuu- “She won’t, I’ll be there.”
Jayden- “You-”
Talon- “Guys, now is not the time. Besides, this arrangement is way better than what Cordis offered. What’s a little magic energy, you and Moryuu can handle it if things go south.”
Cordis- “Giving us the burden of her, I pity your superiors. You must have always dumped work onto others huh?”
Talon- “Not really, I take on what I can and leave the rest to more capable hands. You are capable right, Jayden?”
Vandel- “Enough, let’s just take the deal and move on. Ignatius, can it be done?”
We all turn to Ignatius who is shuffling through a small blue booklet he apparently has on hand.
Ignatius- “I’ve only read about it from a couple of books but I’ve never done energy transference before.”
Ignatius- *Closes Booklet* “I’ll…have to think about it.”
Moryuu- “Well, I asked.”
Ravage- “It’s fine, I can wait a bit longer.”
Moryuu- “Are you fine with this Jayden?”
Jayden- “….For now. We have more important things to worry about now.”
Ravage- “Alright, follow me.”
We followed Ravage towards where Magpie is mostly in silence. I also kept an eye on Jayden, never know when he might snap.
I have to take care of any problems that could arise but I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Ravage- “Look, another one?”
We stopped to look where she was pointing and there close by was a pillar.
Vandel- “What do you mean another, isn’t that where Magpie is?”
Ravage- “No, it’s not in that direction.”
Jayden- “Why does it matter, let’s keep moving before more creatures find us.”
Talon- “Wait, that looks different. It could actually be an important one.”
Jayden- “And?”
Talon- “Look, I’m not going to name anyone but due to some people we have wasted a lot of time.”
Talon- “From what Moryuu and I have seen, those pillars seem to be manifestations of God’s power. Destroying it might buy us some time to save Nu and get out of here.”
Cordis- “You have-Are you-…No, we not listening to this nonsense. You're forgetting you have very little standing to be calling shots around here especially on something like a hunch!”
Talon- “It’s not a hunch and besides, we need the time if we plan to do everything. What if getting Magpie takes too long and opps, we run out of time and die for good?”
Cordis- “So you want to take a detour, wasting time anyway!”
Moryuu- “Enough! You’re wasting time arguing, let’s just split up again.”
Talon- “After we just got back together?”
Jayden- “*sigh* Let's just keep moving.”
Ignatius- “Wait a minute, what if Dark Weaver comes after you?”
Moryuu- “Better a small team than all of us unprepared.”
Vandel- “Make up your minds quick. We don’t have much time, right Talon?”
Talon- “Right, so who’s going where?”
We all turn to Jayden, expecting a team-up strategy comparable to his plan before.
Jayden- “Really, just because I came up with the plan doesn’t mean I’m the leader.”
Vandel- “I trust your judgment Jayden, as long as you’re in the right mindset. Everyone else seems to think so.”
Talon- “I’m just following the crowd on this one. I don’t really trust you.”
Jayden- “That’s laughable coming from you banana. Just shut up and let me think.”
After a few minutes of contemplation from Jayden, he finally came up with a plan.
Jayden- “Obviously, Ravage and Ignatius goes to Magpie. They may need the extra firepower so Vandel goes with them.
Jayden- “Talon, you go with them too. Once I’m done, you teleport me and Moryuu to the rest of the group.”
With that, Jayden left towards the pillar ahead of me. I still feel like Jayden or at least Cordis might become a problem, I need to keep an eye on them.
I wonder if I can somehow convince him to trust us more or at least lessen bloodlust.
I look to the rest of the team and especially at Ravage who has been drawing on the ground while we talked.
Moryuu- “Once you’re done Talon either come pick us up or teleport in with everyone else.”
Talon- “Got it, I know the general area.”
Moryuu- “Ravage, promise me you won’t do anything bad while I’m away.”
Ravage- “Define bad.”
Moryuu- “Just don’t hurt our friends and protect them while you look for Magpie.”
Ravage- “I can do that.” *Shines a toothed smile at Ignatius*
Ignatius- *Shudders*
I begin to walk away but I take one last glance towards Ravage.
Moryuu- “….Don’t get yourself killed.”
Ravage- “Awww, he does care.”
Talon- “What the hell happened to you while I was away man?”
Ignoring Talon’s remark I speed towards where Jayden should be.
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This is where he should be based on his movement speed. Where-
*Slash*
I dodge out of the way of the attack and return a slight glare towards my attacker.
Cordis- “You know, I could leave you for dead.”
Moryuu- “You could but it’s unlikely, Cordis.”
Cordis- "Tch..."
Jayden- “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you for dead. I know what’s at stake. I’m….not like Cordis.”
Moryuu- “Good to hear but what about that attack before?”
Cordis- “Stress relieve.”
Moryuu- “Heh, I can buy that.”
Silence returns as we stealthily move around any creatures around. I constantly keep an eye on Jayden throughout the journey.
I can take him with little issue if I transform but I need to save my charges. As I am right now, it’s a bit more even.
Jayden- “We’re here.
A massive structure stands before us with glowing yellow writing all over it. We ignore the strange writing to prevent coming nausea.
Jayden- “This better be worth the effort.”
Moryuu- “I’m sure it is. This one does seem different from the other ones I’ve destroyed. The writing is yellow and the feeling is much more oppressive.”
Moryuu- “I don’t think destroying it from the outside will be enough.”
Jayden- “Let’s just get this over with.”
Jayden pushes opens the doors and we enter into the darkness of the pillar.
Jayden- “I forgot how dark this place can be?”
Moryuu- “….Are you touching my leg?”
Jayden- “What are you-”
Suddenly, something erupted from the ground. I generate some lightening to see and what we see is some black tentacles with rows of teeth of for a mouth.
Before I could attack Jayden cut it in half.
Jayden- “Disgusting, where are the lanterns when we need them?”
Moryuu- “Deeper inside is my guess. I’ll keep the lights on for now.”
We wade through the tar-like liquid at our feet and slaying any tentacles in the way.
Jayden- “I-I’m getting way more tired than usual.”
Moryuu- “You’re right, something is being drained from us.”
Jayden- “So, this is a timed mission…terrific.”
Moryuu- “I can’t keep this light on for much longer.”
Jayden- “Just a bit further, surely there must be a lantern somewhere.”
???- “I….have one to spare.”
We turn to the left to see a slight light in the corner, we rush over there to see a ghost-like being.
Jayden- “Who….are you?”
???- “I…don’t remember. It’s been so long since my final loop.”
Jayden and Moryuu- “!!!”
Moryuu- “I…think I remember seeing you. Is this what happens to souls fully consumed by the sleeping God.”
???- “Yes…you the latest ones?”
Jayden- “The last ones, we’re getting out of here.”
???- “That’s what we all thought before…the end came. It seems worse this time, I…can feel it somewhat.”
Moryuu- “It is, the God is waking up.”
???- “…then pray to whatever God you believe in. There is no hope here.”
Moryuu- “I made a career of killing Gods, this will be no different. I promise, you will be free.”
???- “Forgive me…if I don’t hold my breath. But on the off chance, take this lantern. We will all return to this darkness, being engulfed early means little now.”
I regretfully take the lantern, the only light this soul may have had. This…can’t continue.
Jayden- “…”
Moryuu- “?”
Moryuu- “Jayden, what’s wrong.”
Jayden- “So…that’s what was waiting for us? Is that why Talon collects souls, to prevent…that?”
Moryuu- “That’s part of it I’m sure. That’s why we need to get along at least somewhat. I don’t want anyone to suffer through that, especially not my homeworld.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWhSo8OTTB
Jayden-”…”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuSVMQ5sgn
We drudge through the swamp that seems…to be getting deeper. We avoid as many enemies as possible, conserving our energy.
Throughout it all, we saw more souls suffering in silence, even some still outlines that looked like our comrades. 440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCelYXRCjA
Are those, the energy God has taken from them or maybe open coffins for when we fail.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAoRBbDGPM
Even Jayden seems shaken by this place, especially the outline that looked like him. I would try to reassure him but I think that wouldn’t help, so I keep quiet.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9Ukergzyo
After some time we got to what seems to be the center.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
