Everything was spinning, I couldn’t understand which way I was oriented or that I was somehow getting further away from the Void. I was in utter shock about just how strong Ynos was. Then suddenly I felt something else grab me, and then everything changed, and I felt the Void’s grasp vanish. Looking around trying to understand all things which were happening I found myself face to face with Aether inside the planet’s atmosphere again.
Aether offered a nod of understanding with a small smile, which helped me settle back down for just a moment. I then realized that Ynos was not with us so I looked around for him and spotted him still getting pulled by the Void. I watched for a moment as Ynos continued to get pulled further and further away. I was wondering why Aether wasn’t going and saving him, when I saw Ynos glow with brilliant golden light before he seemingly broke free from the Void's grasp and made a small distance away from it.
I stood there shocked for a moment, but when I felt the air around me change, I saw Aether ready to go, but he hesitated, seemingly distracted internally. I nudged Aether to bring him back to go save Ynos. Seemingly coming back out of his internal world, he looked at me before we both appeared next to Ynos.
I expected the same response from most any dragon would have, but he seemed to be relishing in that challenge the Void presented to him.
Then next thing I knew we were back within the planet’s atmosphere, then appeared at the mountain's entrance. It was a sight I had not expected to see. Somehow with other dragons inside of the cave it looked different. So different from what I am used to seeing, my usually empty cave was full of life.
I was brought out of my internal dialogue when Ynos seemingly started laughing, “Hahaha, did you see that?!” He shouted.
I heard Aether mumble something before hitting Ynos over the head with his tail seemingly bringing the big dragon out of gleefullness and replacing it with confusion. I don't think Aether was happy that he threw me away, instead of letting Aether come get us.
“What was that for?” Ynos asked, clearly puzzled by the hit.
The only response I heard from Aether was a deep sigh.
“What did you do?” Aether asked Ynos, as the others seemed to have their interests peaked and come over.
“What did I do?” Ynos asked back.
“The pull suddenly increased, and just when I was about to drag you back, it momentarily stopped. What was that?” Aether asked seemingly more tired about having to ask several times.
“The pull… stopped?” Sidus mumbled, seeming curious about it.
“Yes”
I sat there next to Ynos, as I felt Immy look in my direction, I didn’t know what to say or do, but thankfully it didn't last long before everyone was focused on Ynos. I could hear them talking, but it seemed like everything was distant, far away and muffled. The noises could be heard, but none of it made sense. I couldn’t move my body either, as much as I tried nothing moved.
I found myself in what seemed like mixing waters. One of the abyssal’s colors, and the bright blue of my ice mana as they seemed to not mix or rather somehow not touching each other. It was like I was seeing two versions of the same thing. I seemingly somehow have control over myself in this space, though not sure where it was, but i managed to cover my left eye as the icy mana becomes all i saw, and reversing which one was covered the abyssal looking mana pool was all I saw, seemingly everything was black except the abyssal pool which seemed to be eager to use.
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With no warning I was sucked back to myself sitting next to Ynos who was talking about how he fought the Void, but seemingly no one noticed my absences. I did notice I was holding onto his tail which had wrapped around me as he talked. After I calmed down and blinked, I found myself looking at the Abyssal me on the other side of the room, but somehow also looking back at myself. I closed my left eye and opened it and everything went back to normal.
I stayed as calm as I could be, and rubbed my head, everything that was happening made no sense. I couldn't understand what was happening.
“Seems our connection is growing stronger by the day.” The abyss said, with some playfulness in her voice.
‘What do you mean by that?’ I asked inwardly knowing it can hear my thoughts.
“Well you don’t get to go on your little spiritual walks for free. You use me and my powers to do so. I am just the manifestation of… Some unique quirk. You are in a very unique situation which no one has seen before. You got hands in things others would kill for, or well, kill you for having such forbidden fruits. Your presence, itself, makes wherever you are hard to find. Like a signal jammer.” It explained more.
I couldn’t understand most of what was being told to me. I only understood that, if avoidable I should really at all cost try to not spirit walk, in my sleep if it allows the abyssal energy to grow.
‘How come you are able to know all this, when I don't?’ I pondered mentally.
“Well, it would ruin all of the fun if I told you that.” The abyss replied before vanishing, seemingly going quiet.
With such a distraction gone, I was able to refocus and have control over myself once more and tune in on the conversation, just to hear something I didn’t expect.
“I want to go against the Void!” Shouted Ynos.
“Yeah, absolutely not.” Aether replied with a bored expression.
“Huh, but why?” He asked.
“It’s too risky you muscle brain. We don’t know what’s out there, or worse, who is out there.” Aether countered.
The image of the Abyssal copy of myself, grinning was all I could imagine, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
“But-” Ynos started.
“No buts, we will leave for Aynezh. The Void isn’t going anywhere.” Aether ended the conversation with.
Looking at the deflated Ynos, I put a claw on his back and rubbed it. I couldn't help but agree with Aether. If what they said about mana here being weird here, it would only be because of what's on the other side.