Blinking at the sudden change in surroundings Layla glanced around in disbelief. Had the guard hit her too hard in the head? Maybe she had been drugged? That would certainly explain why she was suddenly dry and standing up instead of a cold wet heap on the floor. And why she seemed to be floating in space surrounded by galaxies and nebulae swirling everywhere.
“Do try and focus. Time may not run out in this space but my patience certainly will” the voice snapped Layla back into focus. Looking directly in front of her there seemed to be a hooded figure, it was completely covered in a cloak as best as she could tell, though the edges were blurry, fading into the starscape around them. “As I was saying, your world has been chosen to join the Aeternum. A world where magic is as real as in any of your earth stories” the voice at first seemed normal enough, if somewhat androgynous. But there was something deeper, ignoring whatever drug induced speech it was giving Layla tried to decipher what it was. There was nothing tangible about the voice that she could notice, but nonetheless her instincts were screaming at her, though what her instincts were telling her she couldn’t work out either.
“Did I get hit in the head? Or is this a bad trip? Maybe it's hypothermia. I guess Marcus and his band of loons are finally giving up on their performance” Layla trailed off, realising that her voice sounded like it used to, not the scratchy rasp it had become. Startled, it took her a second to realise the figure was laughing.
“Child, this is as real as you are. Though I am rapidly learning just how far many of your kind will go to try and rationalise the seemingly impossible events we have put before you. And i must admit, having glanced at your circumstances in the moments leading up to your worlds integration i can see why you, even more than most, would have cause to doubt your senses” indignant at being called a child, let alone the rest of the mysterious figures patronising speech Layla stomped her foot, only to then realise she had somehow managed to do so while floating in space.
“Look, I have no idea what's going on here, and I don't really care either. My life has been messed up enough already without whatever this is going on. So unless you got some proof that i’m not just arguing with my own insanity here how about you let me enjoy seeing the night sky again” glancing around she tried to pick out any familiar stars or constellations, only to realise that the entire starscape was completely alien to her.
“I will forgive your impertinence this once given the more extreme circumstances you have had, but do not mistake me mortal. On Aeternum my power is absolute” at that the many galaxies began to darken and a deep sense of foreboding washed over Layla, the figure before her seeming to grow into some dark behemoth full of power, the kind of power that made it impossible to ignore what the figure was saying and forcing her to consider the possibility of this being real, before receding back into its cloak. “Now, as I said already. Your world has been integrated into my domain. Magic is real here. You have potential far beyond your old human limits, you merely need to unlock it. The power to sunder mountains, live forever, or even to take to the skies and never look back. That is what's on offer here. If you are willing to fight for it. To craft your lineage and forge your story” the figure paused then and Layla had the sense it was looking not at her but through her, even though she couldn't tell if it had a face under its hood.
“In order to give all of you a chance at survival. You will receive a set of gifts. Along with a chance to purchase things that may give you some initial advantage. Firstly is the interface all residents of our world receive” as it said this blurry shapes quickly appeared and faded in Layla's view, vaguely reminiscent of the kind of display she vaguely remembered having on childhood videogames. “You will have time to explore your interface later, suffice to say it will work to track and help guide your progress in your new world. Your other gift is that of language, any language spoken you will be able to use and understand as if you had been speaking it all your life. To better communicate with each other and with the worlds other inhabitants, though many may choose less diplomatic methods of communication” there was a hint of warning in that last statement that Layla couldn’t ignore, even as she was shaking her head and rubbing her eyes, trying to affect the shapes still floating at the edges of her vision. “As an extra gift to you specifically, I shall return you to the world in the state you are in now, rather than the condition you were in when you were brought here. You will still be malnourished and likely weaker than many of even the smallest of the new wildlife you will encounter. But you will be cleared of the wet and cold at least” finally giving up on trying to affect the floating interface Layla looked back at the figure, about to ask a question when it continued speaking once more “lastly you are offered the chance to purchase advantages before you are returned. Though given your circumstances I doubt you have anything of value to trade” the figure began to raise its arm before Layla had a chance to think, scrambling as her mind raced to catch up. She was going to need every advantage she could get if this was real after all.
“Wait! There must be something I can offer” scrambling for any ideas Layla replayed everything the figure had said searching for any hint at what it may value “you said, we have to craft a lineage and forge a story? So what about stories that already exist. I know many many historical tales, some passed down for many generations. That must be worth something right?” the figure paused, considering her for a moment. Layla watched, forcing herself to release the breath she hadn’t realised she was holding. If she was less anxious she might have still been doubting this was real. But she was closer to breaking point than she liked to admit, and the thought of going back to yet more torture was beyond terrifying. If there was even the slimmest chance of her getting her freedom back she needed it.
“An unusual bargain, but you are correct. The magic of Aeternum draws from the old to fuel the new. Having more to draw from will have some impact towards allowing me to better anticipate and guide this integration. Very well, tell your stories. We will see what they may be worth when you are done” the relief washed through Layla like a wave, there was no knowing what she might bargain for, or if it would even be useful. But she’d be going back with something, anything, to help her escape Marcus clutches.
The weight of the bargain settled on her shoulders, taking a trembling breath she began to speak. Slowly at first, the starscape around them began to change, glimmering motes arranging themselves into familiar patterns, then shifting further as they began to mirror the stories as she spoke. Tales of glory and romance, comedy and tragedy played out around them, strangely silent but for her voice commanding them. She didn’t know how long she spoke for, or even how many stories she told. Eventually though the last of the starlight figures faded away and utter silence returned. The figure still unmoving opposite her, though once again Layla had the unsettling feeling that it was looking through her.
“A great many tales, far more than I expected and more valuable as well. Already I can sense the echoes of what you have told me weaving themselves into the very fabric of Aeternum. You have certainly offered great worth to our bargain. In exchange I will offer you a weapon. While your tales are certainly worthy of me granting you spells or other powers you lack the familiarity with them to truly make any difference. Most likely you would only damage yourself more than your captors. Instead, a weapon bound to you so that no other may use it or take it from you, a weapon capable of growing in power as you do. So mortal, name your weapon”
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At first Layla was filled with disbelief and anger, though the memory of the behemoth hidden beneath the cloak kept her from showing it. As she took slow steadying breaths the explanation began to sink in, and annoyingly made a lot of sense. A weapon was what she needed most right now. What weapon could she use though? Layla had never practised any martial arts or ways to fight, so nothing that took too much skill. At that she thought of a club, but she was weak and malnourished, there was no way she had the strength to use a club to so much as leave a bruise, let alone knock someone out while she escaped. Looking over at the figure there was now an orb floating between them, vague images of weapons flickering within. Watching it as she tried to think an image of an axe appeared, only to vanish again a moment later, but it stuck in her head. She didn’t need to be precise swinging an axe, and even in her weakened state the blade would still be effective. Imagining herself fighting her way out of the commune with an axe she then realised another benefit, even after she escaped, she was still in the middle of nowhere. An axe was as good a survival tool as a weapon.
“An axe. I want an axe” she spoke quickly, making the choice before doubt could creep in. The moment she said it the images in the orb slowed down, becoming more solid but still changing, now shifting between different axes. “Something small and light enough that i can use immediately, but big enough that it will still do some damage even while i’m weak and probably not very accurate” as she continued speaking the images continued to slow, becoming more in line with what she described but still not settling. Seeing that there was still room to be more specific she forged on, ignoring the voice in her head telling her not to be too demanding “i need it to be a tool as well as a weapon, something to survive the environment as well as whatever people and I’m assuming monsters that will be out there” just as she ran out of requirements the image settled. A hatchet with a slightly longer wooden handle wrapped in what looked like leather and a metal cap on the end, a slightly curved blade on the front with a flat metal back, useful as a blunt weapon and a hammer if needed. The bubble popped and the axe drifted into her hand, fitting perfectly, though the weight surprised her.
“It is done, good luck mortal” it raised its arms and with that the starscape vanished once more.
…
Dizziness hit hard as Layla found herself getting dragged through the corridor again. Except she wasn't getting dragged, the guard standing frozen above her shaking his head, likely feeling the same dizziness she did. Before he had a chance to get his bearings she tightened her grip on the axe that was somehow in her right hand and swung it upward with what little strength she could muster. A wet thunk and a scream told her she'd hit.
Then her head hit the floor as the guard dropped her, his hands moving to try and grab the axe buried in his back. Rolling onto her front and trying to climb to her knees Layla was hit with the second wave of dizziness in as many moments. For once thankful that there was nothing in her stomach she waited for the room and her insides to stop spinning before getting herself to her feet. Staggering a few steps away from the still flailing guard. Leaning heavily on the wall she waited for the guard to stop flailing. Although she was probably short on time if the guard managed to grab her or land a hit she'd be in serious trouble. Taking the time to catch her breath Layla glanced around, the corridor was empty, pale blue walls and blank concrete flooring interspersed with heavy steel doors, no sign of any more guards fortunately, unfortunately no sign of an exit either. Steeling herself to try and get her axe back she pushed off the wall, ready to lunge when a bone chilling wail started echoing through the hall. Ethereal chains began appearing through some of the doors, oddly silent as they crept towards the still yelling guard.
The guard fell silent as one of the chains snared his ankle, tripping him. The impact with the floor driving the axe the rest of the way through his back. Lurching forward Layla dropped to her knees, shoving at the still twitching body, trying to flip it over. The voice in the back of her head trying to yell about respecting the dead being drowned out by the tide of adrenaline and fear brought on by the knowledge that she was likely to become the target of the chains very soon. Black necrosis spread from the chains still creeping up the body's leg, rotting at a visible rate. Just as it reached his thigh the leg seemed to just collapse into pulp. The now much lighter corpse shifted suddenly, leaving Layla sprawled over its back, the handle of her axe digging into her ribs.
Rolling to the floor and pushing herself to her knees she reached over, wrenching at the handle to try and get the axe free. It shifted, but stayed firmly stuck, making a scraping noise as the blade dragged over the jagged ends of the broken ribs. Getting more desperate as the chains kept writhing closer, she hauled again and again. The blade finally tore free with a wet squelch.
Panting Layla climbed back to her feet, staring in disbelief as the corpse continued to rot at a visible speed. Another wail cut through the corridor, the subtle blue glow the chains gave off deepening as ghosts draped in yet more chains floated through the cell doors and walls. Their faces looked smoothed over and flattened, like badly made mannequins devoid of detail. The only exception being their mouths, smaller chains threading between their lips. Almost as one the faces turned toward her.
“Well that’s not good” another screech echoed as Layla turned to run in the other direction. Not caring if it was towards the exit or deeper into the complex, just that it was away from the spirits. Stumbling from wall to wall she staggered down the corridor, just barely ahead of the chains that had started floating after her. Her body not capable of truly running anymore, having been locked up for so long she needed to relearn even that basic movement. She got to the corner and glanced back, the ghosts still pursuing steadily when a box flashed up in her vision.
Eternally chained- Tier 1
Incorporeal malevolent spirits born from a pervasive aura of imprisonment and binding. Forever wrapped in chains they seek to bind the living into undeath alongside them. The cruelty of the eternally chained is immense as they are known to taunt and play with their prey. They are unusual, with slow weak bodies but chains that are extremely strong and fast.
“Huh, guess that's part of the weird interface” blinking away the box just in time to see a new spirit rise from the pile of rot that was the old guard, adding to the swarm of chains filling the corridor. Yelping as she realised they’d continued to creep closer while she’d been distracted. Shoving off the wall she continued down the corridor, searching desperately for a way out, at this point she’d even be glad to see Marcus, if only to use him as a distraction for the chained.
The whole complex shuddered, sending her careening even harder against the walls. Dust fell from the ceiling and cracks appeared all over the place. Sadly the Chained weren’t affected, apparently being incorporeal did that. Gritting her teeth Layla pushed on, searching ever more desperately for an exit. Corridor after corridor with the chains still creeping ever closer. Her muscles burned as she pushed her body harder than she had in years. Occasional booms were accompanied at first by more dust and shaking but soon larger chunks of debris were falling and more crashing and screeching metal rang out.
Turning a final corner finally brought what looked like an exit into view, the broken steel door hanging off its hinges leaving a dim stairway open. Not bothering to so much as glance back at the progress of the chains she scrambled up the stairs, more falling than walking up them. Thankfully the door at the top of the stairs had been left open. Layla staggered through it, breathing a sigh of relief as the sun hit her face.