Amdirlain’s PoV - Maze
The phoenix’s wings flared through her and Amdirlain drifted across a darkened landscape focused on the shadow beneath the meridians. She’d spent days cycling to repair the gap left by the vines, and not once had it reacted to the Ki despite its obvious awareness of Soul Sight. Fortunately, despite the Ki energy pouring through her, there was no sign of regrowth. Unfortunately, she was no closer to determining if there was a better approach than brute force.
“Amdirlain, I hope you're not planning to rescue everyone you find suitable from the Maze.”
Ebusuku's voice startled Amdirlain from her meditation, and she lost the pattern of vine junctions she’d been tracing.
I hope that means Roitar got to you Ebusuku, but it's not as if we can play twenty questions.
She had barely returned to her standing meditation when a chime rang out, but already within her chamber, the normal teleport to set her by the pool didn’t occur. The shock wave continued reverberating through her feet, and Tremor Sense clarified that its epicentre was almost on top of her. As she tried to determine the distance, a voice roared her name.
What have you nutcases done?
Amdirlain kicked off into a sprint so fast that she left a large divot behind her and raced through the passageways. When a pained roar joined the voice calling her name, Amdirlain dug deeper and pushed her speed.
The vines thrashed as she flipped from wall to wall but didn’t emerge from flesh despite her reckless manoeuvres. With the sounds of the latest fight growing louder, Amdirlain leapt from the corridor’s wall to the far side of a T-junction, rather than slow to round the corner. Distracted by the battle she saw ahead, Amdirlain almost smacked into the wall when the vines twisted again.
A Catfolk with black and dark-green spotted fur blurred around an enraged Hill Giant. The Giant was some four metres tall, clad in layers of dirt and rancid furs that protected its torso and legs. Its massive club looked like it’d uprooted an entire tree and the only crafting had been to break off the excess branches and roots. The Giant was swinging wildly, its muscles and veins bulging from its exertions and anger.
Despite the short blades strapped to the Catfolk's legs and the daggers that adorned his belt, he seemed intent on taking it down with claws alone. Each time a wild swing passed by him, he left more bleeding wounds in exchange.
As the make-shift club descended, he tumbled aside, and the weapon bounced off the ground where he’d been. The impact caused a resounding crack that almost drowned out the Giant’s displeased grunt. A leap took the Catfolk atop the weapon and, sure-footed, he ran up the muscle-bound arm, jumping past a grasping hand. Cresting its shoulder, he slid down its back, but not before his claws opened the artery throbbing in its neck and a blood jet sprayed against the stone.
[Name: Rasha
Species: Petitioner
Class: Bulwark / Brim Bulwark / Brim Champion / Rift Guardian
Level: 84 / 81 / 79 / 74
Health: 523,030
Defence: 2,901
Melee Attack Power: 3,086
Combat Skills: Claws [G] (2), Daggers [S] (52), Short Blades [S] (112), Spear [G] (272)
Details: A tribal protector who changed primary faiths following the rescue of younger relatives from the Dao. Died during clashes with vested interests that objected to Amdirlain’s faith, particularly its goals of choice and freedom. Mr big-ears volunteered to check if a certain someone would take forever to get dressed.
Trial rating: Easy]
Fuck, what do they feed them on his world?
The near blur of his motions kept him clear of the Giant’s desperate attacks during its dying moments. When it dissolved to leave behind a key, he picked it up and tucked it into a pouch on his belt. Only once he had it secured did he turn towards her with a smile that contained a perfect Cheshire smugness firmly in place. Yellow and black feline eyes showed expanded pupils in the dim light, but he seemed unbothered by it. While clad only in black cloth pants that went from waist to knee, his blood-speckled pelt covered him from twitching ear tips to clawed toes.
Rasha sheathed his claws and spread his hands out to his side before he bowed from the waist with his eyes fixed on her. “Lady Amdirlain, I’m glad the tale that the Hound Archon Roitar shared was true.”
Unsure of his people’s etiquette, Amdirlain mimicked his example. “You weren’t sure, and you still volunteered?”
“Your celestials volunteer to help others every day. How could I not do the same?” asked Rasha, and his whiskers twitched to signal his amusement.
Amdirlain laughed and returned his smile. “I’m pretty sure they’re Ebusuku’s celestials now.”
“She stated that she only considers herself a custodian. While a custodian might stand in another’s place, they should direct those serving to tend only to the principal’s goals,” countered Rasha. “I came to determine your intentions and if you’d heard Ebusuku’s recent words about rescuing everyone from the Maze.”
“I did, though I found it a little frustrating since I can’t answer,” replied Amdirlain. “I can’t accumulate Mana here, and other restrictions prevent me from contacting the outside via Psi techniques. When you return, let her know she should send me updates, not ask questions. Let me show you to the corridor.”
“I told Lady Ebusuku I would walk the Maze with you for a time to help you gain more keys,” Rasha countered, another broad smile gracing his muzzle.
“The keys are a bonus, but my purpose isn’t to free more entities,” countered Amdirlain, and Rasha gave a disappointed chirp. “It’s something I do opportunistically.”
“So my staying won’t speed your return?” enquired Rasha. “Do you have goals I can share with Ebusuku?”
Amdirlain presented both palms and saw Rasha's eyes widen when he took in the white meshwork of scars on her left hand. “I need to get rid of these vine markings. They’re not merely decorative but actively malicious towards me. You could consider them a curse, but I think they’re more a cage. Whatever this place does to the entities it holds also seems to give me an opportunity to get rid of them. Indeed, it might be the only place it's possible. Though I’m not just working on these, I’ve also found foes in here that have let me grow stronger.”
“It is important to grow stronger so we can help others keep their freedom,” acknowledged Rasha. “Should I carry the keys for you, or do you wish to do so?”
“You can hold on to them for now. Let’s head towards the stairs—I want to see if I can spot the auras of others getting out,” replied Amdirlain, lowering her hands. “All those left in this region aren’t visible unless I’m looking for auras.”
“As you decide,” agreed Rasha and moved up to walk beside her when Amdirlain headed back the way she’d come. “You shocked poor Roitar. Your being willing to walk around in a furless state gave him an amusing scent.”
“I found his immediate assertion that I needed to get dressed annoying so I might have dug my heels in,” explained Amdirlain, and a thought occurred to her. “Oh, do you know who killed Apollo?”
“Sorry, Lady Amdirlain. I’ve heard the murmuring in the Domain about the Gods’ War that the Greeks started, but other than their destruction, I didn’t take in the details,” admitted Rasha.
“Destruction,” repeated Amdirlain, her stomach clenching at the thought of Hestia being dragged down with them. “All of them, including Hestia?”
His ears dipped, and Rasha spread his hands helplessly. “I don’t know their names, my Lady. Upon my return, I’ll ask Lady Ebusuku to recount the details so you can hear.”
Amdirlain restrained herself from stroking his expressive ears; instead, she rubbed his shoulder reassuringly and gave him a closed-mouth smile. “They’re not from your world, I can understand your interest being limited. Thank you, Rasha.”
“You smell amused, Lady Amdirlain,” stated Rasha.
“You have very expressive ears; I was restraining myself from touching them,” admitted Amdirlain.
Her admission had Rasha burst out in laughter, a strange mix of a human laugh crossed with a great cat chuffing noise. “Not every species can have ears as interesting as mine. Perhaps you should transform to my species, then ones like Roitar might be less worried about your unclothed state.”
Amdirlain’s smile broadened, and amusement lit up her face. “Unfortunately, I can’t switch shapes at present.”
An Ogre appeared in the corridor ahead of them, and Rasha blurred towards it, but Amdirlain’s Telekinetic Thrust crushed it against the wall.
[Combat Summary:
Ogre x1 (50%)
Total Experience gained: 551
Fallen: 110
Scion: 110
Sora Master: 110
Psion: 110
Warrior Monk: 110]
Rasha snorted, and his whiskers drooped, but he still collected the key on their way past. “Spoilsport. Though your home has those willing to train, I’ve not hunted in a couple of years now.”
“You’ll be able to go hunting after you get back,” argued Amdirlain. “I’ll not encourage you to stay by letting you have fun.”
Rasha’s whiskers drooped further and gave her an exaggerated, mournful look. “Isn’t this meant to be my trial?”
“Your trial rating is easy, but the corridor of choices might be unpleasant enough,” countered Amdirlain. “Why don’t you tell me about what’s been going on in the Domain?”
“It moved from the Outlands; It's now connected to the Oceania layer of Elysium Fields. Erwarth and the other Lómë are solars, and Klipyl became a Trumpet Archon. The expeditions on Letveri have passed the halfway point on the continent; with Sarah having broken the major forces, they now plan to get the Erakkö more involved in the fighting,” said Rasha. He stopped to clean the drying blood from his claws, but the amusement twinkling in his gaze had Amdirlain’s eyes narrow in suspicion.
“Spill it, Rasha,” grumbled Amdirlain.
His expressive ears weren’t his only tell, and his tail tip swirled and twitched in a fashion that reminded Amdirlain of her mother’s cat. “Farhad was absent for a time but returned just before Ebusuku gave birth to their cub.”
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“What?!” squealed Amdirlain, her eyes wide; she stepped close to clasp Rasha’s hand.
“Offspring? Or is baby the right word? Though she looks Elven, unlike either of them,” replied Risha. “There was some confusion since she looks like an Anar—her eyes glow like yours. I believe some wondered if she might be you reborn—though Roitar’s news will have ended that speculation.”
Amdirlain’s mind raced for a moment before she snorted with amusement. “It’s likely Andre. I was told the Titan had purified her Soul, but I’ll admit I didn’t think he’d meant Anar. A Solar or a Deity would be the only entities strong enough to let an Anar Soul be born, so she’s got a mum that fits. I thought I had mentioned her Soul being purified to Sarah.”
“Andre?” Rasha asked curiously.
Amdirlain gave a casual shrug and guided Rasha along. “Someone Sarah and I know from outside the Titan’s realm, but I’m not sure if any of her lifetimes occurred here. How long has it been if the baby’s already been born? Oh, what’s her name? How are Ebusuku and Farhad handling parenthood?”
Amdirlain’s rapid-fire questions raced on about baby details, with Rasha’s whiskers twitching in amusement.
“Hold!” Rasha exclaimed, at last cutting Amdirlain off. “Could I answer those?”
Amdirlain stopped with her mouth open and another question on her lips. “Sorry.”
“Ebusuku was only pregnant for a week. Farhad had just left to help with the Gods’ War when she found out. He got back well before the Gods’ War ended because he’d evolved into an Immortal, and it prevented him from reentering the region. I had heard Berry mention that the Gods’ War took roughly four moons to settle, but the humans are still fighting,” Rasha explained. His tail’s tip twitched about as he considered what to answer next.
Gods’ War? I want to hear more about that.
His pause had Amdirlain open her mouth again, but she stopped herself and mimed locking her lips.
“Gailneth is her full name, but they call her Gail. She has Farhad under her paw in a doting father state, but Ebusuku seems to be handling motherhood calmly. Farhad fetched a Wood Elf midwife who has stayed on as a nurse to help give a Mortal perspective. I’ve heard that Gail’s growing faster than normal, but it’s nothing like the pregnancy’s speed.”
“So many questions,” murmured Amdirlain and absently tore another Ogre apart by unleashing a multitude of the psi technique Swarm of Crystals. “Would you mind if I read your recent memories? I’m sure there will be things I won’t even consider asking otherwise.”
“Whatever you need, but would that be safe to do here?” asked Rasha.
“Well, once we get to the stairs. No monsters enter that chamber; I’ve seen them stop, pressed up against the archway, so once we’re there it will be safe,” replied Amdirlain and squealed. “I bet she’s so cute!”
His muzzle curled in a smile, and Rasha motioned for Amdirlain to lead on. “Mostly furless but cute.”
Practice let her find her way quickly, and the trip answered one question of concern for Amdirlain. Close to the stairs, Amdirlain spotted a Hill Giant that ignored an aura as it had strode towards them. Clairvoyant Sense linked her to its sight, and a moment was all she needed to confirm it could only see Rasha and herself. The safety of those visible only as auras assured, the Hill Giant catapulted into the ceiling, and Rasha let out a mew of protest.
“You’re not fair; I could have taken it,” grumbled Rasha when Amdirlain glanced at him.
“I’d be pitying the Giant, not worried about you, but you’re right—my skin isn’t pale,” Amdirlain glibly answered.
Her retort earned her an amused snort, and Rasha waggled a finger. “You remind me of my grandchildren—a cheeky cub, just like all of them.”
His mention of a family made her curious about his age, but she didn’t want to discuss age or family. “Guilty as charged. But I told you: I’m not going to let you get started on having fun in here. Not on my watch, buster.”
“Is there any other need for you to stay in this place besides the vines? Could you not get stronger elsewhere?”
Amdirlain shrugged helplessly. “Aside from the vines, I’m doing some preparation for worst-case scenarios. With some possibilities I’ve thought up, it's better to get stronger here, and the bonus is I can free entities while I’m at it. Though I’ve been told the foes I’ve been fighting can’t destroy me, they can hurt me and challenge my skills.”
“The same as your friend Liranë?” asked Rasha.
“Very different,” responded Amdirlain without hesitation. “I’ve not run into any as strong as Liranë, and they only have physical skills, but they’re not fighting me individually.”
“A fight versus a pack rather than a duel to become Alpha is very different,” acknowledged Rasha.
“Exactly, and I need to push my skills so that fighting even a well-coordinated pack is easier,” agreed Amdirlain.
“Liranë helped avenge you against the Artificer, but your Yin tornado had already consumed the priests involved. When you vanished, it gutted the chamber, and the Temple above it collapsed into the pit it made,” reported Rasha, getting back on topic.
“I wouldn’t have expected her to want to get involved in events that didn’t affect the Githzérai,” Amdirlain murmured thoughtfully, trying to brush aside concerns about innocents that might have died.
I wasn’t the one who pulled me into that death trap; any innocent deaths aren’t on my hands.
“While I only know the parts I’ve overheard, I’d more say she got involved in rescuing a friend,” Rasha said dryly and nodded at Amdirlain’s rueful blush.
“Yes, okay. Still, I wouldn’t have asked her to risk herself,” mumbled Amdirlain.
“You don’t need to ask friends for help or to risk themselves. Anyway, when they all believed you had been destroyed, she stayed on to repay those who summoned you. Again, from what I’ve heard, she fought in the Gods’ War and gained a Mantle though I’m not sure whose,” replied Rasha.
A few more quickly dispatched monsters crossed their path before they finally arrived at the stairs. Rasha moved over and sat down on the far lip of the stairs, heading downwards, his feet dangling well above the closest step beneath his feet. “How long do you think you need to give them to leave?”
“The furthest occupied chamber would take them about a day to get here,” offered Amdirlain. “I’ve passed out keys in other regions as well. Most are around the same size; one is a lot larger.”
Rasha tapped his fingers against the stonework as he considered her reply. “We should give them at least two, in case they get lost. That gives you plenty of time to ask questions or read my mind.”
Use of Analysis had given her some interesting information on his classes, but it hadn’t wanted to provide her with more details on his achievements. With it likely being how she was trying to gain the information, she checked them again, before she resorted to asking.
[Brim Bulwark:
This Prestige Class is available to those who have gained the achievement Rift Shield. It combines a Melee Combatant and Stealth Class at level seventy. Primarily gained by the tribal warriors that live near one of the mana rifts that litter the Seas of Grass on Halyaa. ]
[Brim Champion:
This Prestige Class is available to those who gained the achievement Rift Walker. It combines evolved Fighter and Stealth classes at level seventy.]
[Rift Guardian:
Acquisition of this evolved Fighter Class requires gaining the Rift Walker achievement and having slain an additional twenty greater rift beasts without help beyond its requirements.]
“You’ve got three classes that seem related to the mana rifts. Would you tell me what they are?” asked Amdirlain before she knelt facing the archway and tried to extend Aura Sense through Clairvoyance.
“They are regions of uncontrollable Mana, said to have come about during a war waged because of gods from another world many generations ago. Though some unproved whispers say they are cursed places caused by our gods fighting among themselves,” explained Rasha. “Within these wild regions, beasts come into existence out of thin air. Those who hunt them gain classes and advancement greater than any others.”
“What I saw mentioned greater rift beasts. What are they?”
“They have varying degrees of resistance based upon whatever lesser beasts merge to form them, plus resistance to physical weapons. It makes the method to kill them difficult to predict,” explained Rasha. “Is there anything I can do to help you learn about the Domain’s changes?”
“Just think about the days since the Domain’s relocation; I’ll listen to your thoughts and pick up details. I’ll prompt you with questions if I need to,” replied Amdirlain.
“You mentioned you were worried about worst-case scenarios. Would you share them?”
Amdirlain pulled a face and raked her fingers through her hair. “Besides the vines, my Profile still shows I’m cursed. I don’t know what Plane I’ll end up on when I get out. Also, will I still count as Planar locked? What point does that lock start from? If it's from when I get loose, I’ll have a hundred years before I’m safe. That would make being stronger before I’m free even more important.”
* * *
Amdirlain found the snickers from the latest story refused to subside until yet another pulse of sound washed over them. The constant interruptions from the sound had been only a minor inconvenience to Rasha’s storytelling as he shared tribal tales; their oral traditions were clearly still strong despite a written language. He’d insisted on stretching his presence well beyond what Amdirlain thought the nearby entities would need to get free.
Despite the racket, having friendly and unjudging company had been welcome. Yet it had already been a full day since the last aura in this region had passed through the barrier. He went to start another tale and Amdirlain gestured down the stairs.
“I really would like to stay to help you?” offered a bemused Rasha over the dying din.
Amdirlain waited for it to fade completely before she answered. “I can’t work on the vines with this stupid ringing even if I don’t have to worry about wandering monsters in this room. Two things you can do for me: reassure the others I’m still me, and let Ebusuku know I’m only going to stay until the vines are gone. Helping residents get free is a bonus; it’s not my primary focus.”
“Are you sure there is nothing else keeping you here?”
“Not beyond what I’ve already mentioned. Plus, I’ve got a big sister, who I’ve stuck with my job while I snuck off to relax here,” quipped Amdirlain. “How mean do you think I am to keep them all waiting if it wasn’t necessary?”
No idea if I can even reconnect to the Domain, and I need to know more about mantles first.
Rasha barely restrained his snort, but Amdirlain saw his amusement flare in his aura.
“Take care, Rasha,” stated Amdirlain and waved at the corridor again. “I’ll be home as soon as I can. When I get out of here, I promise I’ll send messages to folks regardless of where I am.”
“Fine, but let me pay my respects properly first,” huffed Rasha.
Circling the stairs from where he’d sat on their lip, Rasha stopped near Amdirlain and held out his hands in an offer to help her rise. “I know you don’t need any help; consider it a gesture of my respect.”
Amdirlain smiled at him and rose with her fingers resting lightly on his hands. Once upright, Rasha leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers. “As our breaths have mingled, so may we never be truly parted. May you always find your way home to your tribe, Amdirlain.”
“May you always find your way home to your tribe, Rasha,” replied Amdirlain, hoping it was right to echo his words.
[Diplomacy [J] (13->14)]
With a smile of approval, Rasha released her hands and unsecured the belt pouch they’d filled with keys from monsters that had come to the archway. Once he’d pressed the pouch into her hands, he motioned to the mosaic corridor. “I’ll let you use that lifting trick to retrieve the keys; my corridor looks to be long.”
“Must be all those grandchildren making you choose favourites,” muttered Amdirlain. “Don’t forget to pass those requests to Ebusuku. I want to know more about the Gods’ War and what the heck is going on with Livia; the Jade Emperor better not be trying to keep her.”
“I’d give you a hug, but your Torm might get jealous.”
“Brat! He’s his own person.”
“Brat? I had a century of life; Or is that a mere pittance?” retorted Rasha, and started down the stairs.
Ebusuku’s PoV - Laurelin
The message catches me by surprise, having expected his experience in life to net him at least something like Planetar. That it shows him as a Hound Archon has me snorting in disbelief, and the Domain brings him to me. Despite having been on the plains one moment and in our kitchen the next, Rasha bows calmly as he had when he jumped from the tree. He’s the tallest Hound Archon I’ve seen, matching a Solar’s height. Clad in the same loose shirt and pants that match other hound archons' initial manifestations. Instead of golden, his fur is still spotted black and dark green.
“Welcome back, Rasha. I was sure you’d be promoted to an Angel through the trial.”
“Cuddles for me,” Gail chirps, holding out both hands, in an obvious attempt to avoid Elleth’s offered spoon.. “Please, Rasha!”
“I got offered a higher Celestial species, but I refused it,” Rasha rumbles, flexing his fingers absently. “A warrior should progress through a tribe’s ranks properly. Still, I can see my Profile now, and my species absorbed my old classes since I can take four new ones.”
“Cuddles,” sniffs Gail and pushes aside the dinner bowl she’s been intent on ignoring.
“You’ve not had pears for days, so you can’t tell me it's yuck,” says Elleth, and Gail is quick to give her sad eyes.
“Not yuck, it would be sad to go in my tummy,” Gail explains. “Cuddles?”
Stroking her hair, I don’t let her see my eye-roll, but regardless, she giggles.
“What did you learn?” I ask and catch his glance at Gail. “She’ll hear it in our songs.”
“Amdirlain indeed heard you and has given me a list of questions to pass along. Asking her questions frustrates her since she’s unable to send any response. You’ll be glad to know she isn’t planning to free everything, but she thinks it will be a time before she’s ready to leave.”
“Why is that?” I ask, having already guessed his reappearance wouldn’t accompany her leaving the Maze.
“The tattooed vines on her body. She said you’d know about them, but she learnt they’re aware, and a cage. The Maze has let her remove part of them and an old memory makes her believe it isn’t possible elsewhere. Since she’s made progress on removing them there, she plans to stay until they’re gone. Once she’s rid of them, the plan is to come home to her family as soon as possible, particularly a grumbling big sister, whom she left keeping things afloat.”
His dry tone has me snorting with laughter, and Gail’s giggles accent my amusement. “What else is she up to?”
“There are different regions to the Maze, some with malicious spirits,” Rasha starts and cuts off when I nod. “When she attacks them, the maze guardians come to force her back to her space, and she’s using them to get stronger. Amdirlain said she’s been gaining a lot of experience from them since they come in waves to stop her from destroying the malicious spirits. They contest any violence between residents, but the residents are the only ones who can kill each other. ”
“Cuddles please Rasha. Need puppy cuddle,” Gail says, stretching out her arms.
“There should be cat archons,” Rasha grumbles and reaches across the table to pat Gail’s arm before pushing her dinner back in front of her.
“Dinner jumped in front of me,” gasps Gail and slaps her palms to her cheeks.
Rasha's eyes widen in mock surprise. “Best defeat it, mighty warrior.”
“Maybe she needs to be made to sing for her supper to appreciate it,” suggests Farhad from where he’s watching her antics across the table. At his suggestion, Gail happily chimes a series of wild sounding notes without any off-pitch among them. The music I hear in her mind came from Rasha somehow, but already seems to have faded from her perception.
Elleth sets the bowl carefully out of reach as Gail waves her hands in time to the music and sings the same sequence again. “She’ll not eat for at least another hour now. This music feels fierce; I'm sure it will be yet another song stuck in my mind.”
On the third repeat, long dark green grasses appear in Gail’s mind, swaying in time to a breeze she can feel on her skin. As she shares them with me, I know they’re real and what they potentially represent. The speed with which I grab her arm has Farhad on his feet, even while Elleth gasps in shock, Gail squeals happily at having mummy’s touch.
“What’s wrong?”
“Her music connected her to Rasha’s home world,” I say. Even as the thought occurs the Domain reacts and locks the boundaries in place for her to ensure she can’t slip away. “There was music that faded from Rasha, and when miss continued repeating it, she formed a connection. She could see one of the grass seas of Halyaa and felt the world’s breeze race over her skin.”
Instead of calm consideration, Farhad’s gaze grows concerned. “I’ll take it she wasn’t just scrying in some manner.”
“It might be an overreaction, but I was worried she was going to Planar Shift or World Step; Amdirlain said that was natural to Anar. I’ve told the Domain she’s not allowed to leave its limits by any means. Hopefully, it will hold her until she knows to be careful. It's just as well Sarah is happy enough to visit.”
“Want to go play with cubs!” protests Gail, jabbing a finger at the ceiling. When I shake my head, she gives me a pout before turning her attention to Rasha. “Will you tell me about the cubs?”
Gail’s expression turns pleading, and she fixes Rasha with her sad look.