"I can walk, I can walk!" Ryvin shouts, trying to shake off Keelix. "Go get Vala!"
The slit of a gateway appears in front of everyone, and as it bends open, it unravels and dissipates.
He wants me to try by using the other power? Or to see that it's almost possible, to make me tire of using the one power trying, until I have no choice but to resort to his...
Helplessness fills Litheene, only to be replaced by frustration and rage fills Litheene. Dropping Ryvin's hand and breaking the circle she yells out, staring into space, her eyes unfocused as if looking for something I had enough of this! I had enough of this place, and especially of YOU! Litheene's expression changes to manic mask as she trembles, concentrating on the place where the gateway was.
Out, out. Madnesssss ! screams from the top of his lungs as he body is still encased in hardened air
Vala cries out in pain and anger as she tried to rise only to glare at the others. She did not like this she could not really fight like this.
"Get me to my feet!" She says as she growls not wanting to die on the ground.
Keelix allows Ryvin to shake him off when the gateway fails to form, then nods when she tells him to get Vala. He moves over to Vala and lifts her easily, setting her on her feet but ready to catch her the moment she shows any sign of falling again. His voice is gentle as he speaks quietly to her, but there is a feral growl hiding in his words, "What is happening, Vala? Are you okay?"
Alathea's heart soars at the sight of Litheene's gateway, just as her head swims with the complexity of the weaves that go into making it. So that is how it is done! But I can barely understand it... But no sooner does the hope come than it leaves as well as the gateway collapses upon itself. Does she not have the strength?
Frustration clearly audible in her still too-loud voice, Alathea exclaims,
Ryland offers the largely pregnate woman a hand as she climbs to her feet. "Blood and ashes! Someone tell me what in the name of the light is happening!"
"A half-man."
Rhoekk brings up an arrow to his white bow with an unconscious motion.
Drawing his arrow back to his ear, Rhoekk's green eye's narrow, envisioning the minuscule gap in the wall of solid air, and willing his arrow to pass perfectly through, and into the serpentine form beyond.
Ryvin runs over to where Stephen is -- and slaps him in the face. Hard.
"Pull yourself together!" she shouts. "We need to leave! Can I unravel this weave, or do I need to bleeding drag you to safety?!"
Stephen keep screaming from the top of his lungs. Out, let me out, This is Madness, i am not going to die. ARGGGGL
Vala glared at Keelix and speaks."I am just pregnant and well greatly pregnant, and unnaturally so.Also my armor won't fit until I get it let out, or switch to chain" She says as she begins to cry a bit.
a thunder of noise and a brilliant burst of light illuminates all three rooms as Rhoekks arrow strikes the fade true. A viscious yelp of pain and agony erupts from within the cordoned off room. A moment later the door slams shut, blocking any sight into or out of the room.
Another sliver and bow appears in the air, warping and distorting the image in front of everyone as Litheene attempts another gateway. The warping takes shape, only to have it snap back to its original form.
Ryvin snarls and channels, wrapping Stephen's immobilized form in tendrils of thick Air, and tries to drag him along behind her, back to the 'departure room'.
Stephen looks around him his body still encased in air, this forces rest seems to calm him down, his breathing seems to relax. With an exhausted voice he will ask those around him We have to flee this place, all this is wrong and my mind is ready to snap. Please?
Alathea grits her teeth in frustration as the Gateway stutters and collapses in on itself. To come so far, to rejoin her friends against all likelihood...will it come to dying in this nightmarish place? But even in her frustration and fear, she cannot help but wonder about what she just saw. There were no weaves! How can she weave without weaves? She glances at Kodokura to see if he has noticed--though they have never had the chance to test the ter'angreal he carries on weaves of saidin, she thinks that saidin should be visible to him as well. And after teaching Kodokura--a man!--to channel saidar, Alathea cannot discount that Litheene is weaving saidin somehow.
Pushing her curiosity to the back of her mind--she will ask questions later!--Alathea gives voice to her frustration.
"Its not working! Fia wails as her best hope at escape crumpled with Litheene's weave. She feels the panic intensify within her as her eyes dart about. She sees only the room of air hardened madmen, the path from which they had already fled, and the passage that had been blocked by Stephen... but no... not any longer!!!! Only one way left! We can't die here!! She looks about ready to burst and then does... racing back down the hallway and bowling Ryvin over in her haste to get at the door!
Litheene looks at the place where her gateway was, letting it drop. She pauses for a brief moment, before taking a deep breath, then another one, and the Aes Sedai mask restores itself, as she stands quietly for a few seconds, ignoring everything around her.
Then Litheene looks about, scanning the group. Seeing that Stephen calmed down, she releases her weave of air. Did Rhoekk just struck the fade with lightning? At another time Litheene would have been glad to investigate the Terangreal that allowed him to do so, but another time was not for now.
Vala is in a bad shape, but there is nothing I can do for her, sadly. Litheene walks over to her warder, putting a hand on her shoulder. We will find a way out. You will be alright. If you require any healing, Ill assist. For now, we will have to press on.
Turning to address Alathea I am afraid they way we got here is not entirely clear to us. And now there is just another door from where we once came in through a tunnel. This place warped somehow taking us to a different time. Maybe the same effect that reunited us had something to do with it
Looking on she sees Kodokura. We can't discount the option of Saidin being in play here. He won't see it severed though. At least that is a problem we found a way to solve Kodokura, if I may? Litheene strolls towards him, waiting for approval from him before putting her hand on his forehead.
We require your assistance, and luckily, we found here weaves so amazing that I only heard of them in legends before. Yet some, were rare enough to not exist even in records of the Age of Legends. I do not have much power left in me, but ... she pauses But I don't want to become what he is trying to turn me into. I will use my power to heal my friends, not to torture shadow spawn. I didn't allow the One Power to turn me into an animal, I won't allow this new one to turn me into a monster before continuing But if I can't open a Gateway, I can at least help you, and together we will have to find and over come whatever or whoever is stopping us from traveling away.
With that, Litheene channels the one power, remembering the weave she learned from Jasmine for this very moment, as the five powers spun, surging into Kodokura, prying into his very soul, to the place where the vessel of Saidin is severed, probing the connection.
She marvels at the complexity of weave, yet feels that her strength is not enough to fully complete it. A mask of tiredness appears on Litheene's face. I require more power. You had with you another Angreal, if you have any other you have found, or can link, please assist me in this!
Kodo shies back from Litheene's outstretched hand initially, his face expressionless. But upon hearing her say she can help him with weaves unheard of, he cocks a questioning eye at Alathea.
"You need more power? Link wirh me again," Ryvin says as she comes running back into the feeding chamber. "I still have strength left." Shouting over her shoulder at Stephen: "And you, get in here! We need to stick together, now!"
Also, on an unrelated note, the 'taint' that affected Fia's one eye... is it still there? I can't remember and may have asked this in the other thread, but is it a permanent change or will it wear off eventually, like getting over an illness? I wasn't thinking about this when I was describing her to the other half of the group, but should do so when things settle.
Alathea stands frozen for a long moment, a slightly angry look on her face. Finally she speaks, her voice loud enough only for those close to hear. "You...can do this?" Shaking her head, she reverts to her normal demeanor. "It must be done, yes? But," she says with a glaring look at Ryvin, "I will be the one to link. He is mine...and I am his. If I cannot do this thing myself, I will at least take part, yes?" She glares again, this time at Litheene. "I do not know what you did with that Gateway, but I could not see the weaves. You will not do anything like that here, yes?"
Alathea surrenders herself to saidar and draws deeply through the sa'angreal she wears, and offers herself to link with Litheene.
Stephen will point to the black wall This is the way out. if you woman need to use your remaining power it should be on figuring this he says calmly
Litheene smile wearily Yes, Alathea wanted to be a Red, it makes sense for her to view this weave with mixed emotions. And she is right to worry on account of my recent displays Looking Alathea straight in her eyes I will not. The thing I did ... was something that now is not the time to explain. I can restore his ability, and I intend to do it ... in a way you'll be able to see and understand. It will require a lot of the power however, be warned
With that Litheene links with Alathea, drawing as much of Saidar as she can. Light! She was strong before, but she must have an Angreal much more powerful than the one they had to increase her power so.
Litheene takes a deep breath, and then it begins. Letting more Saidar than she ever felt flood her, the tremendous rush of Saidar is so overwhelming, rivaling the lure of the other power. Worry, amazement at Alathea's strength, all vanish as she works.
Again she probes into Kodokura, to the place where the vessel of Saidin is severed, but this time, she guides her weaves to swirl around that place. And then the five powers combine, binding the two once again, the soul and it's destine, the power that that turns the wheel of time.
Through her trepidition and jealousy, Alathea still wonders at the subtle beauty and dizzying complexity of Litheene's weave. So that is how it is done! I would never have tried that...but it makes sense. Though the fact that Litheene is Healing her Kodokura when she so wishes to do it herself stings, the discovery of such an unimaginable ability helps to soothes her pride, even if she doesn't quite grasp how to do it herself just yet.
Rhoekk stands ready as always, his back to the rest of the group, the strange white bow held in his hands, with a fresh arrow fitted to the string and two more held in the fingers of his bow hand. His face is stony and impassive as always, but his eyes dart around, looking for danger. Strange as it may be, the quickly darting motion of his eyes is probably the closest anyone has seen him to panic.
"What is going on now? What is our plan? You mentioned gateways, like the one's the Car'a'carn makes? But I gather it is not possible here for some reason... so what are we doing?" Rhoekk calls back over his shoulder through gritted teeth, all while looking about for any more of the myrrdraal, or the maniacs from the previous room.
The tip of his arrow roams about, as if seeking a target.
The five threads, fire, earth, air, water, and spirit flow into Kodokura, knitting into a solid cup, tiny in size, yet immense in complexity. Layer upon layer the threads seem to fill a void within the essence of Kodokura, and with each layer a more steady connection with himself is established. A long heartbeat passes, then another, and another, until suddenly! Kodokura's eyes snap wide open, shock prevelant upon his face
a faint whisper, barely audible over the noise that surrounds you, pips in your ear. The voice, though low, is one you recognize as the man who sent you here. -Time-... -knowledge of time-... -within without-
I'll bring it up once the whole, "I can channel again!" thing is done :) Oh, and thanks for the level up!
Once again the Power, the Light-blessed Power, rushes through Kodokura, and he throws his head back, exulting. A moment later, his eyes seek out Alathea, and as he looks at her she can see that his eyes are no longer hollow and flat - truly a window to his soul, they shine with life and love. Sheathing his weapon, he steps to Alathea, hoists her off the ground with his hands on her waist, and spins her in a circle. As she lands, he embraces her, holding her tight, breathing in the scent of her hair.
Sill holding Alathea, Kodo looks to Litheene. "Thank you, Aes Sedai," he murmurs fervently, his eyes shining with the Power he holds. "Can I help us get out of here?"
"Only if you know a way to get us all out of here," Ryvin says.
Her eyes flick to Alathea, and disapproval shimmers in their dark depths.
"Light's mercy, woman! Wanting to help restore him is not the same as wanting to winkle him out of your arms and into someone else's bed!"
Litheene smiles, enjoying both Alathea's and Kodokura's happiness. Great satisfaction fills her, as she had over come a challenge even the forsaken from the Age of Legends failed at, using the Right power to do so. Though the knowledge dwells in her, that she has little ability to go on using Saidar like this.
You are most welcome, and yes, you might Well, she isn't the typical Red, that is for sure Litheene thinks, as she finally notices Alathea and Kodokura's relationship, her mind too foggy from all the other things going on.
Now Litheene says looking back to Stephen and Rhoekk. You are both correct. We need to get out of here, and Gateways don't seem to work. I won't say it's not possible, I felt like I almost had it, but I can;t form a Gateway here. I doubt more power will help. She points at the wall When came through there, we were still in more or less the same time we are used to, in a tunnel beneath Tar Valon's walls. Then, things got strange. We ended up coming here to escape the raising water in the tunnel, then there was a strange feeling, not unlike the one we experienced when going into the room that made Vala's pregnancy advance. Only that time, we found ourselves here, in Aginor's laboratory, back in the Age of Legends. It seems as through some kind of time altering effect changes the pattern here. The shadowspawn here are strong and dangerous. The people mad, and also dangerous. And above all, Aginor himself is presumed to be around
Alathea stiffens when she sees the spark return to Kodokura's eyes. Though she had hoped to see it return one day, now that had...well, she had not assumed it would happen like this. Even so, she relaxes as he picks her up, twirls her around, and holds her close.
At Ryvin's words, however, she whirls to face the woman, as tense as before. "No! You are right, Ryvin," she scolds, "it is not like he is loving another, yes? Love can be given and taken from more than just one, but this? Litheene has given him the One Power again, given him life!" She glares at Ryvin, face flushed and lips twisted in anger. "Were it only that he was in someone else's bed--that I can compete with, yes? But how can I ever compete with this?"
Turning her back on Ryvin, she turns back to Kodokura. "I am happy for you, my Heart," she says, once more appearing to be in command of her emotions. "Now, though, we must leave this place, yes?"
Fiallain crumples in on herself and slides to the floor, silent and oblivious to all going on around her. As the others gather and join their power to attempt to heal the ashaman, she rolls into a ball and rocks, whispering over and over in a voice too low to hear, No way out.. Can't get out... blocked... She continues like this even as the others heal Kodokura, apparently unaware of the huge amount of power being channeled as she stares unseeing into space.
Within her own mind, Fia crashes into the door, fingers scrambling at the latch. At last! She is able to grab hold and she flings the door wide. She does not hesitate but runs down the stone corridor as fast as only an Aiel can. Though her touch should be feather light, the sound of each of her footfalls crash like thunder in her ears, echoing loudly down the long tunnel and waking the darkness within. Her heart races. They will catch me! WHERE DO I GO?! Her pace quickens even as the darkness closes in, the path twisting and turning in a myriad of senseless patterns. Her eyes dart about in despair. She was lost! Her scream echoes down the corridor.
Kodokura - your ability to perceive Saiding weaves will be greatly appreciated. Considering this is the Age of Legends, we were half blind so far. Which brings to mind an interesting question - do you feel the taint on Saidin here?
Turning towards Fia, Litheene asks in concern I felt no channeling ability from Fiallain since we reunited, does she require similar attention?
In response to Litheene's first statements, Kodo's eyes blink rapidly. "Age of Legends? Aginor?" As his heart begins to thump heavily at the name, he tries to focus on what's going on. "There was... a voice. The same voice," he says pointedly to his fellow, newly-arrived companions. "He said something about 'knowledge of time, within and without'. I don't know what it means, but he sent us here, to you folk." His mind still reeling from the mention of Aginor, he slips his hand into his belt pouch, fingering the turtle sa'angreal.
After Alathea gives Ryvin a piece of her mind, Kodo moves closer to her, holding her gaze with his own. "Alathea. Dear one. It is because of you that I'm still here at all. She may have done the weaving, but I am yours, heart and soul. You have given me life. I need, and want, no other." Taking her head in his hands, he kisses her forehead gently.
Alathea allows Kodokura to kiss her, and leans into his embrace. "I know that you are mine, my Heart. Just as I am yours, yes? It is just...I know how much you hurt while you could not touch the One Power, and I had hoped to make you well." She smiles for him, even if it looks a bit forced. "Truly, I am happy for you, happy that you are whole again. It is just that it is not how I had dreamed it."
Alatheas smile fades at the mention of Kodokura's voice. "He is still speaking to you? Even here, in this world?"
"A dream in one hand, reality in the other," Ryvin says, brusquely, her eyebrows drawn down in anger. "Put your hands together and work with what you get! Now! Might this mystery person mean that time outside this filthy pit works differently from within?"
" By the Light I hope not, I don't know how much of this i can take" Vala says her sword still in hand as she stands somewhat wobbly.