image [https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdlhQOVFiW-W5w2Kqgs7p9Gwa5R5g7cr0E8hb86STKvJFaKtdXuKlpv5MNqAdmlJYwZgyC6KJSIFyM2UzIMDqUxS7FDwR5vdVCvXYpCc753vH0dEaAqea532z4eGWAJfiFpUQ6SuA?key=J14sQEDYrdPiEozkj2ZHw8G9]Rocks hammered down on West’s back, one after another. Some sharp lump perforated his vest with biting pain, then bounced away. But that was the least of the danger.
Wayward splashes of ether fluttered and sparked. The frenetic magic swamped through the walls and the ceiling, battering them from all around.
In the presence of so much magical threat, Sunny’s protective shade swirled around her. Lit with bright colors, it shimmered and channeled the radiant energy in the air safely away. Where bits of magic slipped around the protection of Sunny’s outstretched wing, they careened against West’s skin and rippled, absorbed by the slight barrier of his Pond.
Spurts of hungrier magic would hit in something like a solid chunk, a spell that had form and bite instead of just fading energy. These weren’t so easily dissipated, and they surged vengefully where they met protections. But masterless magic, lacking intent and intelligence, was powerless against the barriers. It quickly flew on, seeking easier feed before its brief lifespan ended.
The ordeal stammered to an end, leaving the both of them choking on the dust still crumbling from the ceiling. Recovering, West panted as he pushed himself up to a stoop. Every muscle in his back screamed in protest, and he felt a sticky warm spot spreading along his right shoulder blade.
Ignoring his own sores, West offered a hand to Sunny, still laid out on the floor and fussing over her familiar. “Ach… are ye hurt?” West scanned the witch worriedly. “Yer wing– it didn’t get hit too bad, did it?” There were sharp red blotches on those feathers again, so soon after they’d been healed.
Sunny refused the offer of help with a cold stare. “It’s fine,” she said, gritting her words between her teeth. She rose to sit, settling Lím back into the hood of her cloak.
“Ye sure? It must’ve gotten smashed up pretty good–“
“It’s b-bruised, not broken,” she answered shortly, pushing up to her feet.
“Well, that’s a relief. I wish ye’d nae gone and done that, though. I had it under control.”
Her face twisted with disbelief. “You had it– what?” Sunny sputtered, her voice torn between anger and pure confusion. “You c-couldn’t– just b-because you could handle a few rocks– this was too c-close, you absolute– you idiot!” Fury won out. “I told you to get c-clear! Why weren’t you clear–”
“Ah, well,” West attempted to say, but her fierce glare cut the words right off his tongue.
“Do n-not try to make excuses,” Sunny seethed. “And don’t b-brush this off like it’s nothing! I don’t know what s-sort of energies were in that– you could be f-feeling fine for now, for weeks, and then– that sort of thing, it doesn’t just get f-fixed, you know!”
“... Point in case here, Sunneh, ye were just as close as I was–”
“I’m a witch, I c-can handle it!” Sunny’s voice bounced and twisted through the destroyed hall, and even Sunny seemed alarmed by the distorted echoes.
“Aye, lass, I know. But to finish me thought, I’ve a fair touch o’ protection ‘gainst nasty magics.” West paused. “Better than fair, truthfully. An’ I’ve a few charms to help, too.” He held up a small string of beads that hung inside his vest as proof. “So while I ‘preciate yer concern, I promise ye I’ll be plenty fine.”
Sunny snapped her mouth open to argue, then stopped. Working through the meaning of his words, slowly, her face pinkened. “I– you’re s-sure? I mean, that it’s… oh.” Anger evaporating, the Aerie stood awkward and unsure, folding her wings in close. “I… I’m s-sorry.”
With a heartfelt smile, West patted her shoulder. “Like I said, I ‘preciate that yer worried after me! But on that note. Roman! Ye still ‘round there, laddie?”
“Yes… yes. On my way, Investigator.” The swordsman's voice sounded shaken from down the passage, and his footsteps stumbled at first. When Roman came into sight, he hesitated, gawping at the damage to the hall.
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It was a sight, West had to admit. The wands had reached further through the hall than they’d expected. Jagged cracks radiated out, nearly half a meter thick in places, from which the grey brick of the outermost layer was sliced through cleanly like a knife through paper. The damage ran along the wall as far down the hall as he could see, and much of the ceiling and floor as well. Where the arches of the ceiling were broken by cracks, the whole thing had crumbled down. It would have been a wonder that they weren’t buried alive, except the interior layer of strong dark stone lined not only the walls, but was also hidden overhead.
Picking through the rubble, West made his way to the wall to inspect the results of their gamble.
It was less than they had hoped for. Despite the devastation to the outer layers of rock, the dark brick hadn’t been blasted away en masse– instead, it was a four-pronged crack, meeting in the center with a hole too small for even Sunny to squeeze her shoulders through. But beyond the hole, rather than the flat dark wall of the inner layer, West could see a void with faded light.
His heart thumped, suddenly eager. There’s a back passage, jes’ like the lass said!
“Oh,” Sunny breathed, her tone unsure. She touched the small crack gently, and her face fell. “It’s… it’s th-there, but… it’s not b-big enough.”
Roman began to laugh, a dry and unsavory sound. “Well! Fancy that. All our effort, nearly getting killed three different ways, and it’s wasted after all. We should have kept looking for the exit, shouldn’t we have? Like I’d said in the first place. We must be nearly out of time now….”
“Givin’ up quick there, arenae ye?” West crouched to investigate the small gap. He measured it out with his hands, peering through as best he could. The faint illumination on the other side wasn’t enough for a clear picture of what might be beyond. “Sunneh, could ya lend me a light through here?”
The witch leaned down beside him and flicked a bit of glowing magic from her fingers through the thick crack. A volume of empty space on the other side illuminated fully, indicating a shallow passageway that trailed off out of sight. “There must be s-something back there. We’re so close….”
“Now don’t ye start throwin’ it in either,” West chided. “As it happens, I’ve still got me an ace to play. I think there’s just enough room fer me to squeeze through there, but ah….” He glanced at Roman. “Ye might be a wee bit alarmed, lad.”
“I doubt it. I think I’m past alarm. I think I’m past any of it,” Roman said, hitting every note of disgust. “I should never have let you join us, West. Without you, Barros would never have left, and Vera would be–“
"That's enough, lad,” West interrupted sharply. “Say yer piece when we put this place behind us. Fer now, we do whatever it takes to get us three out o’ here, aye?”
Roman sneered. “Yes, Investigator, brilliant idea.”
“Ugh, jes’– let's get this one o’er with,” West grumbled, and touched the brim of his old cap.
With a bubbly pop, something landed with a noisy slap of flesh-on-stone. Roman saw it happen, but still didn’t quite seem to believe. One moment West was there, and the next–
He was there. He was just… smaller. And blue.
Webbed toes, webbed fingers. Deep wrinkles on his hands and his face. The froglike face was a far cry from the human one he’d had before– enormous eyes, set high and far apart over an even wider mouth. His clothing shrank seamlessly to fit the new gangly, gnarled limbs.
Roman's shock cleared, making way for disgust. “You’re– you’re a damn Croaker!”
Of course, Roman would reach right for that disgusting word. “We’re called Nuralli, ye feckin’ bigot,” West – Pip – snapped. He tested his changed arms and legs, loosening the aging joints. “An’ later on I’m sure ye’ll be givin’ me the whole line, but fer jes’ now, all me bein’ Nuralli means is that I can squeeze through that hole there and hopefully get us out o’ this mess. Now, I’m expectin’ ye not to try puttin’ that sword o’ yours in me back while it’s turned. Think ye can manage that much?”
Roman hadn’t even realized that he’d picked up his blade, putting its edge between him and the strange new West in front of him. The warrior didn’t drop it immediately, but stared down at the bright blue creature. “They don’t make your sort Investigators.”
“Aye well, that jes’ ain’t true, is it?” Pip produced his badge again from his shirt pocket. "That'se are nae playthings, and don’t take kindly to the wrong folks handlin’ them. If ye dinnae believe me, go ahead and try takin’ it from me– but yer not gonna like what it does when ye do.”
Roman tightened his grip on his sword. His weight shifted, ready to step forward. But reason must’ve gotten through to him, and he pulled away from the challenge.
“Smart lad,” Pip said. “So we dinnae have a problem here, do we?” The swordsman grumbled something under his breath. Pip sighed, then stared firmly at Roman. “Lad. I’m askin’ ye a direct question, and I’m needin’ a proper answer. Are we goin’ to have any trouble ‘ere?”
Pursing his lips, Roman lowered his sword. “Not at the moment. Investigator.” West nodded slow thanks.
Sunny just stared. She had been rendered completely speechless, her face stony. Pip glanced at her, smiled in a half-cocked way, and pulled himself together. “Righ’ then. Let me go and take a look-see if we’ve made a bit o’ progress or if we’re just chasin’ our tails.”
It made his shoulder blades tingle, turning his back on Roman at a time like this. He could feel that hateful stare on him. Some deep instinct screamed at him not to take his eyes off the swordsman, but there wasn’t any choice if he was going through that wall. If he couldn’t trust Roman here, they’d both be dead when the sun came up.
Gritting his teeth and taking a breath, Pip dropped his pack by the wall, then hopped up to boost himself into the tiny gap.