A Magical Anomaly
Chapter 12 Combat End
----------------------------------------
Choice Made:
[X] You wonder…. This core is supposed to be important right?… but could you maybe take it from the creature…? What you'd use it for, you have no idea. But you never know when you'll need a strange, pocket dimension creating core.Try to reach into its chest and rip out the core without breaking it.
----------------------------------------
Rolls:
To Succeed: NULL = Critical Success from Enhanced Stun
----------------------------------------
Effects:
* - ???
- + 50 Prismatic shards
----------------------------------------
You glance at the reeling Duelists form as you approach.
The… rift core? Eh that works, the Rift Core in its chest glows a faint green light as you get closer and closer, and a thought occurs to you.
Its supposedly something rather important to this pocket dimension. Keeping it here or accessible… So what if you managed to steal it?
You don't exactly know how to do that, but the first step is disabling this thing.
So you get on that.
A charge thunks into place in [Grendel's Arm] and you rotate around the creature. Slamming your fist into one of its remaining elbows.
The charge detonates, and rips the joint off.
A sword swipes towards you, but you deflect it so it flies over you.
A second charge thunks.
And then it explodes as you punish the remaining elbow.
Two more punches remove the creatures legs, and you catch it before it falls.
Its a lot heavier then you expected. Requiring both of your hands to place it on the floor.
The upper arms flail at you, but they don't get past [Babr-e Bayan] in the least. The ineffectual thumps are barely felt.
You stare at the ribs… trying to think of a way to destroy them without damaging the core…
You seriously wish you had a more precise weapon… why are all your things area of effect or incredibly destructive…
You sigh. Grabbing a rib with both hand, and pulling as hard as you can.
The metal gives ever so slightly… and you look at your hands in surprise.
Huh… maybe this'll work better then you thought.
It takes, maybe five minutes to carefully pry the things ribs apart. The cage around the Rift Core having been dismantled as safely as you could.
Your left breathing hard. Arms burning as you rest your hands on your thighs and just breathe for a moment.
Really… Really need something more precise next time… Or you should just store a cutter of some kind in your shadowy storage thing.
'That may be prudent, yes.'
You turn to Elly, sitting on your shoulder as she sips on that weird liquid she seems to always be drinking.
You could have helped.
She titters, raising an eyebrow with a condescending smirk.
'And not allow you to learn this lesson? Never~'
You roll your eyes at her and then stare at the core.
The Duelist having stopped resisting a while ago. Its eye's dull now.
The core is… green. It shines and sparkles as though its made of glass, light reflecting off it as the green inside swirls and wraps around itself.
It's almost mesmerizing. And when you blink you're confused as to how long you've been staring at it.
'A minute or so.'
Huh… you feel as thought it'd only been a few seconds.
You shake your head, and grab the core.
Something clicks in your head.
You blink.
And you're holding the core up to your chest.
The core cracks. A thousand tiny cracks that spread into the core in dimensions and directions you can't comprehend as light seeps outwards.
Your head hurts.
A flash of green surges outwards.
And then purple.
And then a soul chilling cold engulfs your being.
Like being trapped in a freezer as purple light shines next to you.
You don't know when… but your left hand is up. Next to your right. A swirling core of purple and black, yet every colour at the same time, in your hand as the Rift Core cracks and breaks.
A shard of it crashes into your purple core. Stopping for a split second before its absorbed.
And then all of a sudden… the Rift Core is gone.
You still feel cold… incredibly cold. But the purple light swirling in your hands warms you a little… like being burned by ice… so cold that its warm at the same time.
Something shifts.
And you turn around.
Elly's looking at you. An incredibly serious expression on her face as her eyes bore holes into your core.
Her normally blue wings are now hundreds of eyestalk covered tentacles, and they dart forward. Staring into your core from every direction as she mutters under her breath.
Metal strikes metal and rags slap rags in a language you don't understand before she lets out an uncharacteristic grunt.
The world goes black.
A wireframe of light spreads out.
And then light returns along with the sound of Elly snapping her fingers.
You look at her in confusion. And she stares directly into your eyes. Her own red and brown seeming to almost glow with power.
'Filia Solthoth, I am going to present some terms. You will accept them, and in turn, I shall upgrade the reward I was going to give you into a mutation offer. This DEAL is for both of our benefits, and of vital importance. Are we clear?'
You're stunned for a moment. A thousand voices screaming the word, no, concept of DEAL into your head as Elly says it… but the seriousness of her voice makes you nod either way.
'You are, under no circumstance, to no entity, not even I, you are not to offer your core to them. Ever. It does not matter if reality itself would cease to exist, or if your best friend is to disintegrate. Under absolutely no circumstance are you to offer, give, or allow any being, real or conceptual, to take that core in your hands. Accept.'
Your confusion makes your thoughts stutter.
And it must show as Elly sighs to herself.
'Yes or no child'
You think for a second… maybe it's longer… but you didn't plan on giving anyone your core… so it's an easy offer… it's probably stupid to not ask any questions.
But you trust Elly… she'll probably tell you when you accept, knowing her at least.
You nod your head. And something slithers into your very being, something… odd.
It doesn't feel wrong per say… but it doesn't feel right…
You get the weird feeling that it's old… but you have no idea what that means.
Colour blooms back into the world.
A pressure you didn't know you were feeling disappears.
The entire castle seems to shake a little and you stumble slightly.
Your question to Elly is already at your lips but she shakes her head.
'No need to ask. I don't believe secrets do much for my Magical Girl… though I cannot explain much… that… that Core… is Artificial.'
You think that's supposed to have more impact, but it doesn't really… you don't know the weight of that.
'There is no such thing as an Artificial Core. Never has been, never should be, never will be… yet there is one in front of me…'
She continues before you can ask her what that means.
'This… is extraordinary… It.. goes against the very rules of magic as they exist… a core is a crystallization of charged mana yes… but this is… more then that. How? How are you even in possession of this…'
She gives you that same creepy look from the the corridor with the Squires.
'I need to explain this… it will only confuse you otherwise. A core is the crystallization of charged mana. I believe I explained a core as that. It also functions as the container for the soul. One's past is engraved into it. Their very being. When one dies, their core disintegrates, releasing the soul into the aether for it to be reborn… but this core… this is different… its… its a soul yes. Its your soul as well… there's no difference from the one you bear… but at the same time… something is off about it as well.'
Elly stares at you, having not blinked once as she takes a breath in.
'Its similar to a human experiencing, uncanny valley, I believe is the term. Everything looks correct, but you can tell something is off about it.'
You ask her if its dangerous. And she hums.
'As far as I can tell no. But I don't believe I have enough experience to say if it is either… I shall have to discuss with the Others. I shall do so at a later date. Just know, that you continue to embody the concept of Anomaly in its truest meaning child'
You're still confused, very confused. But you nod to her anyway.
And then a thought occurs, a rather terrifying one.
Elly said your cores are shattered… So is your soul shattered?
She tilts her head to the side for a moment. A thoughtful look on her face.
'Yes… no? Its… a paradox I suppose… the container that holds your soul is shattered. Yet the soul inside is fine. Yet it should not be fine, if anything, it should be leaking out… but its not. Its perfectly stable inside of a shattered core. I… I'm an old being child. Very old… yet I cannot say I've seen something like this, and that confuses even I. Research shall have to be done on this.'
The idea of researching your soul makes you shiver. Something telling you its probably not a good idea to look too deeply into it.
You tell Elly that and she waves a hand dismissively.
'If you do not wish to, then I shall not, worry not. I will be taking a deeper look at your artificial Core however… that void core is a mystery…'
You nod at her. Taking a deep breathe as you look around the throne room to clear your thoughts.
You don't exactly want to dwell on the idea of your soul leaking from your body.
Elly says its not, but she also says she doesn't understand it fully.
You shake your head. Staring at the weird obsidian doors that lead into the throne room.
A weird sense of Deja vu hits you… like you've seen this all before…
But you push that away.
So…. how do I use that shard? The Rift core one?
Elly looks at you. And shrugs.
You stare blankly at her and she laughs.
'I don't believe any Magical's have ever tried to capture a core, or have done so successfully child. You may indeed be the first. I imagine its a matter of will as most things magic tend to be.'
You tilt your head at the idea… staring at the black marble like floor.
Its dotted in cuts and grooves. Evidence of your fight with the Duelist.
You idly consider cleaning it up.
Something clicks.
Something shifts.
The veil of space billows outwards.
And when you blink, the cracks have mostly sealed. The sword marks are mostly gone.
A few remain… but it's far better than it was before.
And then you feel a cold chill travel up your spine. A deep, deep exhaustion hitting you as you slump over from it, falling to your knees and forcing your hands out to catch yourself.
What…
'That would be an effect of mana draining. Interesting… your void core is pulling mana from your bodies natural reserves… but as you have none, its simulating the effect and sucking it in from the air.'
Elly tilts her head, glasses on her face as she hums.
'We shall definitely have to do some more experimentation. But I believe its time for you to rest. Do will the Interlopers to leave before you decide to leave this space however. I imagine you will have access to it for as long as your core exists if it has somehow absorbed the shard'
You nod to her. Another effort of will causing the veil of space to softly billow.
A wave of something travels outwards. And something pings in the distance.
You have no idea what that means.
But you're so tired that you don't care.
You force yourself to your feet.
Dust off your skirt.
And then tell the space that you want to leave.
Something cracks.
Around you, shards of glass fall from mid air.
And then you're standing… not where you entered.
Actually… you don't know where you are… but you're on top of a tall building. A bright cityscape blooming all around you.
What?
'I assumed this was a possibility, but Spacial distortions are always a pain to deal with'
Elly waves her hand, and the ground… melts.
The world around your melts like paint dripping down a canvas.
Your nose bleeds black blood.
And then all of a sudden, you're back in your hospital room.
Actually… you're lying down on the bed, and tucked in tightly.
Perfectly fine.
Uh.
You try not to think about what happened… just thanking Elly for getting you back here.
She nods, but doesn't let you sleep. Silently summoning a piece of parchment.
'I would ask that you select what you want from that. Then while you rest, I can converse with the Others and have Number 20 perform any mutation you require.'
You nod, and just stare at the list.
You chose (Pick one)
[ x ] [Gae Bolg] Mutation α: (Strengthened Barrel) (Improves success chance for actions using this Weapon by 15) (Only takes effect on Boss Type enemies or Superior Type Magical Girls) (Passive)
[ x ] [Gae Bolg] Mutation β: (Lightweight Materials) (Improves Injury chance for actions using this Weapon by 10) (Passive)
[ x ] [Gae Bolg] Mutation Δ: (Magical Disruptor) (Disables Magical ability use for 1d4 turns on normal enemies or Magical Girls, Negates injury chance on magical enemies) (Disrupts Magical ability use for 1d4 turns on Boss Enemies or Superior type Magical Girls, decreasing injury chance by 15) (-2 Gae Bolg Charges) (Active)
[ x ] [Curtana] Mutation α: (Focused Emitter) (Improves Normal Stun chance against Boss Type enemies by 10) (Only effects Boss type enemies or Superior type magical girls) (Passive)
[ x ] [Curtana] Mutation β: (Sonic burst) (If the previous action used Curtana, you may use 20% of its charge to evade a Major Injury you would have suffered this turn) (Doing so stops charge regeneration for two turns ) (Active)
[ x ] [Curtana] Mutation Δ: (Overcharged Emitters) (Allows for the use of a base 33% chance Enhanced Stun attack on all enemies. Lasts 1 turn) (Reduced to 20% against Bosses and Superior Magical Girls) (Uses 30% Charge) (3 Turn cooldown, Cannot use Curtana during this Duration) (Active)
[x][Curtana (Sword Form) Mutation ∞: (Severing _____ Part 1) (This ____ was made to sever all ________ . Once a legend of Mercy, it now acts to free itself from its ________ . Upon the name of Mercy, I sever all that ____ __ ____. ) (Part 1 of _ ) (Unlock all _ to gain a Unique ability) (Part 1 grants access to ____ which allows you to ____)
[ x ] [Grendel's Arm] Mutation α: (Strengthened Plating) (Decreases Injury Chances by 20 when using [Grendel's Arm]) (Only effective against Boss Type Enemies or Superior Type Magical Girls) (Passive)
[ x ] [Grendel's Arm] Mutation β: (Concussive Propulsion) (Use Grendel's Arm to help boost you towards an enemy, arriving so suddenly that you get a free turn, probably) ( 20% Chance for a free turn when used) (- 1 Grendel Charge) (5 Turn cooldown) (Active)
[ x ] [Grendel's Arm] Mutation Δ: (True Parry) (When used, reduces a Major Wound to a Minor wound, or negates a Minor wound that would be suffered this turn.) (- 2 Grendel Charges) (Active)
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.