> █████, Outside Long Travel Train SrTc-22, █████.
> 2nd of New Conception, 1316;
> █:██ ████ Time.
“How long were we out for, or… how long do you reckon?” Aethel asks as they lead the civilians down to a section underneath the railway bridge and out of the rain.
Shaking her head, Nerva responds, “Honestly I can’t even tell the time myself anymore, none of our electronics work and the sky is unclear; both for obvious reasons.”
“Fair enough— over here, sir— suppose we should just focus on getting the rest out of the downpour.” Nodding his head, Aethel turns to help another civilian down the steep pass.
Nerva lets out a chuckle as she does much of the same, “That’s the right answer, keep that up, and maybe Karter will start openly coming around to you— right this way, ma’am.”
“That’s just great, but I understand where he’s coming from, so don’t worry about me.” Aethel smiles and gives a thumbs up.
The train makes it stop on top of a wide bridge between a small valley, and though the path to the walkway underneath looks and practically is treacherous, having protection from the deluge is well worth it. Better than standing around in makeshift tents or in the rain itself… more so when looking at the deluge gathering in the valley.
Leading the last few people down, Karter immediately borrows Nerva to do a headcount, using one of the staff’s passengers list as a reference. Ari is nowhere to be seen as of the moment but no one looks worried, Fi is tending to any wounds that people might have, while Aethel is heading towards that one curtain bound civilian.
On the far corner of the walkway, Aethel sits down next to them, they shake violently in their bounds… looking far into the distance Aethel says, “Sorry whoever you are, I’m not an exorcist, can’t really help you even though I’d like to.”
Another violent shake in response and perhaps even a muffled warble.
“I never thought things would end up this way— it hasn’t even been a day, I think…” Aethel continues, paying no heed to the harsh presence next to him.
The only reply is more shaking and more screeching, all set to a background of rain and even more screeching.
Still Aethel continues speaking, “I guess neither did you… nor those strangers… practically no one did.”
“I see you are making friends wiz zis fellow— zough if you wanted company you could ‘ave come to me.” an amused smirk graces Fi’s face as she approaches and speaks.
Shrugging and gesturing his hands without any thought, Aethel explains, “I just needed someone to listen to my meandering thoughts, ah, but I guess you and everyone else can do that too.”
“Not Arianos, ‘e would wish to give you ‘is opinion on anyzing; Nerva would try and offer a solution at every turn; and Karter, well… I guess zis would be ze next best zing to me if ‘e were not so antagonistic.” a light chuckle escapes Fi as she does her own explanation.
Tilting his head to look at Fi, Aethel brings up, “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you all something— relating to all this, of course.”
“Très bien, ask and I will try my best to answer.” Fi claps her hands together and then motions to Aethel.
Aethel, nodding, immediately asks, “What are you guys— I mean— I know you work for the Magistrate, but how about the others?”
“Ah I see… well it is difficult to say more zan I 'ave but you can safely assume zat all of us work for ze Magistrate in one way or anozer. I apologize if zis is not enough, zough, especially after what I just said— any ozer questions?” says Fi after a few seconds of pause.
Aethel looks Fi straight in the eyes, responding, “Yes actually— what do you think we should do? Considering that we can’t get rid of that Weeping Tree thing, and I’m of no real use either, do we just… throw everything we have at it?”
“Mm, well I ‘ope you do not mind me zrowing a question back at you, but you are certain zat ze growz sprouted from a person and not from ze ground, yes?” Fi matches his gaze while raising one of her brows.
Aethel looks away ever so slightly as he replies, “Yes, it was… well… it IS a horrific sight to behold, I’m kind of freaked out knowing that I fell unconscious next to it. More than just that, the fact that you, Karter, and I were trapped in the mist— not knowing what the adverse effects could be as well.”
“Well in terms of ze mist, it seems for now we can say it simply induces lezargy and permeates in an increasingly low temperature, especially as we are fine right now.” Fi explains, laying a hand on Aethel’s shoulder.
Aethel looks at Fi again, smiling as he nods.
Taking her hand off, Fi continues explaining, “As for ze Weeping Tree, zis is more troubling to me, for it is zat regularly… zey are grown from accursed seedlings gazered from rituals. Ingesting or ‘aving one placed in ze body kills a person almost immediately— not zat zis grows in ze ‘uman body in any event…”
“What you’re saying is that this isn’t a normal Weeping Tree, right? Do we have a chance at a different solution?” Aethel leans closer in, this time it is him who raises an eyebrow.
Fi shakes her head, then does even more explaining, “...Yes and no, I am sure zat zis is not a regular Weeping Tree, but also, I still ‘ave no clue as to ‘ow we can clear it. Indeed— assuming zat it shares most properties wiz ze regular one, and zis probably does considering ze situation, it could be zat we ‘ave made no progress…”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“Okay, but now tell me… what exactly happens when you, in your words, clear one of those things? Specifically, why are divine sacraments needed in the first place when all I hear is that they work like cursed plants, can’t we just root them out— or in this case kill the body?” asks Aethel as he raises an open palm off to the side.
Nodding and then clearing her throat, Fi obliges, “Alright, listen closely, zere is a need for a sacrament because of ‘ow quickly and deeply ze roots of ze tree grow. Zese sacraments get rid of all ze roots wiz one spell, and obviously we cannot be expected to dig zem all up— zey can grow from a central city block to ze outskirts in zree monzs' time.”
Aethel opens his mouth to speak but Fi puts a finger to his lips before pointing the free hand to her ear. She keeps her finger there before continuing.
“Moreover, a sacrament cleanses ze area affected besides, no more lingering ghosts or what-’ave-yous left. Ze clearing process is simplified— or ra'zer made possible because of sacraments, and realistically all we ‘ad to do is escort a priest to zis ground zero and allow ‘im to work.” taking her finger off, Fi ends her explanation.
Aethel takes a few moments to consider in silence, looking off into the distance for a bit, then as if remembering something he jumps up. Fi looks at him as he begins to pace around the walkway.
Suddenly he turns to face Fi and says, “If there are no roots growing on the physical train can’t we just get rid of the body the growth is inhabiting? And in terms of cleansing the environment, I should be able to go through everything and set down a few writs of denial, then when we arrive in the city we can have a priest properly look at it.”
“I suppose… wait, were zere no roots at all extending downward or anywhere? If so, zen zis would change everyzing.” Fi stands up herself as she prods Aethel.
Shaking his head, Aethel answers, “Not to my memory, there weren’t— do-does this mean we have a path out?”
“I am inclined to say so.” Fi affirms while nodding her head vigorously.
> █████, Outside Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Viewing Deck.
> 2nd of New Conception, 1316;
> █:██ ████ Time.
After gathering Karter, Nerva, and Ari— Ari after helping him drag the last few civilians out, Fi and Aethel head back to the viewing deck with the party at their heels. On the way Fi explains the contents of her and Aethel’s discussion, a promise of a solution finds the attention of the rest, and the explanation finishes precisely as they reach the deck.
The group now standing together under one of the makeshift tents, Nerva looks at everyone and asks, “So, who’s going to do what?”
“Well, sweets, based on what we know of the mist, I am quite the must for this operation, my wards afford me a critical amount of time inside there. If I have to estimate, I would say around five or so minutes.” Ari declares, revealing one of his wards to the rest, its gleam slightly difficult to see in the rain.
Karter sighs before practically commanding, “To maximize the time it should be me and Aethel; you Fi, and you Nerva, should stay outside and react accordingly. Remember, prioritize the civilians.”
“I’m okay with this, how about you guys?” Aethel nods at Karter before looking to the rest.
Fi responds without much hesitation, “Zis makes sense, Karter is ze strongest among all of us, ‘e can ensure boz your safety wiz ease.”
“I’ve no objections to this, well, except for the speed of the operation… I don’t know how long I can stand being in the rain— tent or no tent, it’s way too cold..” says Nerva, looking off into the horizon.
Nodding at Nerva, Fi expresses, “I concur wiz zis, but in any case, if it must take time zen do as you are wont.”
“Then this operation is a go, darlings! Aethel, Karter, come hither now— I will cast your wards.” Ari smiles as he beckons the two men to follow him.
> █████, Long Travel Train SrTc-22, Car 10 Hall.
> 2nd of New Conception, 1316;
> █:██ ████ Time.
Entering the car, the frigid air now feels like a gentle— though somewhat crisp— breeze. The ward shimmers and reacts to the surroundings, taking a violet sheen instead of the usual clear one. Aethel leads them to cabin five’s door, in approaching it all three men bristle as the screams grow louder, the air too grows noticeably colder.
Ari muses as they stop at the door, smirking in a pleasant manner, “Too many people say the underworld is of fire and brimstone, but in truth, it is far colder and melancholic than any realm in the world!”
“Focus on the task, this is not the time to be poetic or philosophical, save that for your students! Also… this damn noise is unbearable so let us be as quick as we can!” Karter reproaches Ari as he puts a hand on the door, energy now coursing through to his fingers.
Cracking the door open, the three men stare in silence, the sight did not change from last time. A body beyond all recognition; unstable growths; blood curdling screams; and thick, black miasma from top to bottom. Karter raises his hand, the energy comes to his fingertips, gathering into formless, near-black blaze that turns violet upon a closer look.
Shaking his head, Karter speaks without looking at either Ari or Aethel, “So there it is, no roots at all, that checks out… and no better time to put it out of its misery! Stand back, both of you!”
“Yes, darling— better listen to him now if nowhere else, his conflagration is rather choleric!” Ari pushes Aethel backwards as he himself makes distance. Aethel does not protest.
Some kind of aura begins to encompass Karter, an ultra-violet shadow which combusts in chaotic pulses; this looks nearly daemonic but it feels divinely primeval. Its pure heat is actually able to pierce through the oppressive cold, forcing the temperature to balance. Karter casts, ‘Primo Inferno’, and from his burning hands extends a dark fire.
This fire instantly embraces the growths and begins to incinerate them, in their place are crackling, unstable afterimages, the consumption continues until it reaches what is left of the body. The screams are somehow louder than ever before, but it does not last, soon they are smothered and cut off by the ruinous fire.
Karter takes a step back, turning to the other two, saying, “These afterimages are unlike anything I have seen— Ari.”
“Agreed, give me a second.” Ari channels his own bout of energy, a golden resplendence that flows out freely.
This auric energy begins to encase all three of them in a small barrier, the walls glint in honorable light, and a pattern of hexagons that coat the thing only further any feelings of security within. Looking back at the running conflagration, it is eating away at the body until nothing physical— even residue— is left… but still it seems an afterimage remains.
Ari shakes his head before expressing, “Just what is that…? It crackles with such an intensity, shall we lovelies leave the car for now? This does not feel right.”
“But what about the writs? Is it safe to let all this linger for now?” Aethel interjects with a brow raised.
Karter crosses his arms while raising his voice, “I do not like either of our options, so, let us just wait for a bit and see what happens for now. Is that clear?” both Aethel and Ari nod and do not much else.