"The Rebis has the incredible ability to instantly learn and master the forms of magic of any reality it finds itself in. It also possesses physical strength comparable to my own and a high amount of spiritual power. However, despite this, it is, like all other creatures apart from myself, incapable of harnessing vis in its raw form or even able to understand how."
The crimson cultists listen carefully. "Now, when The Rebis was still developing inside its curative vat, I did take measures to ensure its intrinsic loyalty to me. However, try to avoid accidental friendly fire. I am currently unsure if my measures were completely effective." The crimson cultists look around uneasily. "Finally, I have substituted The Rebis's blood with veins made of taint. This won't dampen its own magical power, but will also nullify any spells used against it that do more than surface level damage."
The Rebis, standing beside me, does not move a single muscle. I know I programmed it to only act when I tell it to, but this is creepy.
"Are you all ready?" All the crimson cultists stand up, pump their right fists in the air, and shout a battle cry in unison. Leviticus, standing next to me on the opposite side of The Rebis, nods.
"Then let us begin. As planned."
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We step through the flux rift and into the reality that the scrying mirror told us Merlin was. There is a sandstorm, and the cadaver of a city lies in the distance, buried in the sand. A corpse reality.
Merlin sits on a rock, not even looking up to us. I hold up my hand to the cultists, and approach Merlin alone. He doesn't even move to defend himself.
"Why are you here?" He asks. "What I have done cannot be undone. Killing me will not strip godhood of those who already have it. What do you seek?"
The wind howls. I think for a solid minute before answering him. "I think up until this point, I've told myself it's for revenge. But now that I really think about it, it doesn't make sense, does it?" Merlin looks up, confused. "Yes, the creation of gods did indirectly cause my current condition. You created gods and the omniverse, the gods created magic, and certain magic can reach into the infinite ether between realities and hold souls captive. But how can I even be sure it was gods that shattered me? How can I be sure that the magic that fractured me was even intended to capture my soul? I can't be. So I suppose... the only reason I would possibly want to kill you is for what you possess. The source of your power. The manna of God. So I'll tell you what. Give it to me, and I will kill you painlessly."
Merlin's face grew somber as I spoke. He gets up. "I'm afraid I can't do that. I can sense great evil inside of you. Something has a hold of your mind, and although you're trying desperately to fight it back, you embrace it at the same time. I cannot allow such power to fall into your hands," he says.
Stolen story; please report.
"...Very well." I quickly throw a device at Merlin before he can react. "No running away this time, old man." I step backwards through a flux rift and back into the lines of the crimson cult. I clap my hands, and The Rebis springs into action. Merlin throws a fireball at The Rebis, who performs an incantation unknown and reflects it back at him. Merlin dodges, and the grand fight begins.
"No need to fight this time, huh?" Asks Claudius.
"No, I suppose not. The Rebis is more than capable of killing the bastard."
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Perspective: Paul
"Are you all ready?" I ask. Duke and Layla nod. Nitocris, Barbatus, and Caterina look at each other and steel their resolves.
"Yes!" Shouts Inge excitedly.
"No, no," I say, "a child should not be in this battle."
"I think she's capable," Barbatus says. "After all, she was able to best me. I mean, she had help, but they were able to."
"Against my better judgement, fine," I say. "If you believe she is capable of protecting herself, I will allow her to join us. Give me a moment." I close my eyes and concentrate, deep and hard. I search for nearly an hour, finally finding... something. Some sort of mote of power similar to my own. "I think I've found it." I stick out my hand and the portal opens. "Let's go."
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Perspective: The Thaumaturge
The Rebis and Merlin continue their fearsome fight, exchanging blows and magical spells. The crimson cultists stand by.
"Fucking hell," says Winter. "What was even the point in coming here? Why didn't we just send that monster after him?"
"I wanted to see it in action," I say. "Besides, I had to get in close to place the teleportation inhibitor on him. It detects surges of Motus (Motion) Essentia and stops it from causing instantaneous change. I don't feel like explaining the math behind it."
Suddenly, I sense something behind me. "Impossible..." The unmistakable sight of a flux rift opens up behind us. "Winter! To my side at once!" Winter's eyes flash red, and he moves in between myself and the rift. Out of it come 7 strangers I vaguely recognize. I search my faux-memories, and...
"I see."
"You! How are any of you here!?" Shouts Leviticus. The crimson cultists draw their weapons.
"You mother fucker!" Exclaims Paul. "Give her back!"
"She was never yours to begin with. They are all mine, and they are all a part of me."
They all draw weapons. "Worry not, Leviticus. Winter, you may stand down. I will deal with them myself. It's been a while since I've had a decent challenge. Tetrax was the last one, I think. It will be a good exercise for me." I clutch my primal cutter, socket a spell focus, and get ready for combat. I nearly cast a spell before another portal, this time not a flux rift, opens up to our right.
"Thaumaturge! We have come to avenge the life of our friend Tetrax!" A voice shouts from the portal, this time a voice I do not recognize. I look over to the robed man who exited the portal and his friends.
"...Who are you?" I search my memories once again. This time, I am lead to a very old one. I vaguely remember seeing him during the fray that collapsed the tower and nearly killed me. "Ah, I see. A friend of Odin? A shame you decided to carry this feud so far into the future. It seems I will be dealing with you fools instead." I turn around. "Leviticus, I leave it to you and the cultists to eliminate the foolish interlopers that thought it fit to try and reclaim my soul. Leave none alive."