Morrigain laughs, which much like the queen is at once beautiful and terrible to behold, ”Larastal, or something like that. I believe I remember you from long ago. You seem to have brought some friends as well, mortals if I am not mistaken.” With that she sneers slightly before continuing, ”If I am to have filth in my court, I should at least know who I am speaking with.”
Zaidel gulps and steps forward and bows in a courtly manner. "Zaidel Michigan, formerly of Earth."
"I'm Kei." Kei says quietly from the ground.
Qillion looks at the queen closely studding her, there is no disrespect in this, she is just interested in her,. Then after a moment Qillion's mind enters the room..
She is carful not to inclose those that have asked for her not to project into there mind. All in the space that wish to can here her thought projection. She is carful not to go any deeper than that.
::"Exalted ruler of this realm, I am known as Qillion De-Shard from another time and place"::
Then it has passed, the voice was soft but ferm.
”Now that I at least know your names, tell me what you want out of the barrow of Umraidh the Pretender?”
"Someone was trying to access the vault/barrow thing, and, well, we are here to...stop them?" he glances at Lir as he finishes the last part of his sentence.
Morrigain leans forward, cupping Kei's chin in her hand as she says with a slightly smug smile, "You seem...unsure. What is the truth, if you are in any state to tell it."
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"I'm not really sure what is going on here myself, as I just came to help my friends."
”Hmm, let us see then one of your friends can elucidate.”
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The god-blooded warrior takes a deep breath. "Your Dark Majesty, Lord Liriiestil and his band of heroes have come before you to tell you of our plan to storm The Pretender's Barrow and ask for your blessing in the matter, so your court will not see the attack as a act of war against the Unseelie."
Zaidel continues with a short bow, "Lord Liriiestil respects the current treaty and your reign to jeopardize the peace over a skirmish."
”I had thought that was your reason. My scouts have seen forces of the Pretender around his barrow. Tell your King of Dandelions that I accept his offer, so long as none of his court approach the barrow. If they do...” Morrigain snaps her fingers and her court breaks into a frenzy, drawing weapons and letting out roars, yells, screeches, and an arroy of stranger sounds in a terrifying display. She raps her staff on the ground and they immediately fall silent, ”My warriors shall meet his.”
Bumping a bit.
Qillion stepped forward.
::"Understood, Then if we are agreed, may we pass through your lands, to investigate who is doing this"::
She sends.
The King of the Elves bows deeply "I believe we have an accord then. Only we here in this court before you shall enter the barrow."
Mildly startled by the display of force, Zaidel attempt to help Kei off the ground.
"Come on, Kei", whisper the big warrior. "Let's get out of here before the Edgelords get edger."
"Good idea." says Kei as he stands and follows out Zaidel, carrying his pack in front of him.
Qillion turns and follows the others. As she moves she Closes her eyes. Form the neck of her uniform a skin forms and covers her head and face, and solidify into place as a featureless helm. Where her face had been there is now a golden reflective surface.
::"I bid you a good dance."::
and leaves.
The party steps out of the dark palace and finds themselves quickly transported to the court of the King of Dandelions. Before them they see a familiar face, Alyssa Mirai.
Zaidel walks up and greets his missing companion.
"Hey, Alyssa! When did you get here?"
"Ummm...huh?" says Kei, unsure of how or why Alyssa would be here.
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Alyssa looks around at the group of her assembled friends. "Sir Roderick and I have been cleaning up in the city. Meanwhile, you lot go rushing off into the Fey Realms, whatever that is, to here. And you thought you could do that without me?"
Her lips pursed, she looks to John. "I trust you've been keeping everyone safe?"
Liriiestil smiles upon seeing Alyssa "It's about time you finally joined in on the fun. We've missed you!"
He nods to her question "Of course, though I must admit, Sir Zadiel did a fabulous job handling the tricksy politics of the Winter Court."
"Hardly", Zaidel said, shrugging off the compliment. "I've been a bulls#|+er from way back. A background in retail doesn't hurt, either."
"You worked at a convenience store?" asked Kei, a little surprised.
The big warrior begins counting on his fingers. "Convenience store, toy store, clothing store, rental merchandise store, movie theatre, fast food,", Zaidel recounts, "It goes on and on."
"Well, we explained our position to Morrigain, and after a little spear-rattling, she gave her blessing and teleported us here", Zaidel said loud enough that the whole room could hear.
The talk of what Zaidel had done in his past life triggered something in Qillion.
"I was going to be a diplomat, I remember now, I was getting ready for collage. Shopping with my mother, I needed books form the store in town."
She said as if trying her best to bring the memories back, force them back. Then again she stopped and her still coldness was back.
"All this catching up is fine and dandy, but don't go forgetting exactly what we've agreed to. 'Only we here in this court before you shall enter the barrow.' Alyssa, you're going to have to stay behind on this one."
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Alyssa starts, and begins to say something as Quillion recalls her memory, but is stopped by Lucas' words before she can answer.
Her eyes raise slightly, her lips purse, and her hands move to her hips, indicating a manner of supreme confidence. "Are you saying I'm not wanted, Lucas?" she asks. "Do you think I'm not capable?" She smiles a little smile.
"Tell me exactly your conversation."
Lir chuckles at Lucas quoting him. "Considering those were my words, I believe I know how best to get around them. After all, that's the point of many a fae bargain, twisting the words to meet your own desire."
"The entire point was to promise Morrigain that none within the Summer Court would enter the barrow. As I am pretty sure Alyssa is not a member of said Court, nor is she at all fae, her coming with us would not violate the agreement."
Lucas raises his hands in a gesture of surrender and says, "You'll know better than I how much an agreement can be bent without things going... awry. I'm just saying that Morrigain's phrasing was vague enough to allow it, but you were very specific, points and intentions notwithstanding."
Lucas immediately turns to Alyssa with a wry grin, "And to answer your questions: No. I am not saying that you are not wanted or not capable, only a fool would claim otherwise. But someone has to pay enough attention to say 'I told you so!' when things don't go as planned."
Still not stopping to let anybody else get a word in edgewise, "And speaking of plans, when are we conducting this operation? I'd like to purchase, or craft some ammunition that will be a bit more effective than the stuff I have on me."
"Why are you assuming that things will go poorly?" asked Kei as he smiled and waved at Alyssa, clearly glad to see her.
"Because I have a healthy respect for reality. We still don't know for sure what brought us here after our Earthly deaths, and I'm not particularly keen on finding out if we get another go after this one."
"Because I have a healthy respect for reality. We still don't know for sure what brought us here after our Earthly deaths, and I'm not particularly keen on finding out if we get another go after this one."
Zaidel steps forward. "Listen. This looks like another big fight." Shaking his head in confusion, the big warrior continues. "I've forgotten how many 'big fights' we've had today" Zaidel sighs. Lucas, we'll give you as much time to make whatever ammo you need, as will any of us do what we need to do to get ready." Zaidel rubs the bridge of his nose. "And about the Death part, you would think with all the times I died today, I could give you a better answer, cowboy".
"I have never died." says Kei.
The day seems to wear on the group, and night comes upon the fey court. The party is treated to a lavish feast, with seemingly endless varieties of meats, breads, alcohols, and even stranger foodstuffs. They are then shown to their guest quarters, the splendor of which could match or exceed that of the greatest kings. Sleep comes easily. The next day, the sky is bright with a few wisps of clouds and the sun shines warmly. Breakfast is simpler, though not by much. In fact, the party is presented with such a wide variety of fruits that not even Lirieestil or Qillion can identify some of them. Of particular note is an incandescent purple torus that sings when bitten into. The King of Dandelions calls for the group again and says, "How were the accommodations my friends? Sufficiently elaborate I'd hope? In any case, you've got a job to do, and I'd best not keep you from it. Are there any final questions you might have? I can certainly do my best to answer them if I have the knowledge to."
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Zaidel, along with the rest of The Returned, are treated to a lavish dinner courtesy of The King of Dandelions. The big warrior sat across from Liriiestil , which was fortunate, because Zaidel had a few questions about some of the food items he could not recognize. Thankfully, his noble fey friend was willing to explain some of the more stranger offerings. During the meal, the god-blooded warrior noticed a few fey maidens looking over their delicate hand fans at Zaidel, which was a new experience for the former hard-on-his-luck hotel auditor he was on Earth.
Earth. The Prison. No wonder most of his life Joe..I mean, Zaidel felt stifled. His life on Earth had some good points, but the more he looked back at his former life, the more Zaidel could see the metaphorical bars on the windows.
After his sumptuous meal, Zaidel was going to get up and see if he could 'chat up' one of the beautiful fey ladies at the dinner. Yet, as soon as he stood up from the table, the big warrior finally began to feel the weight of the day. The very VERY long day. When asked by a court page if Zaidel and the others would follow them to their rooms, the god-blooded warrior did not object. As Zaidel entered his room, he was amazed at it's extravagance and size. It was easily as large as a gymnasium. With a large, well-made gilded bed in the center. The big warrior was going to find his coin purse and tip the page, but the young fey had already left.
Now that he was in his sleeping quarters, the feeling of sleep grew stronger. As he was removing his armor and boots, the need for sleep got noticeably stronger. In a not-at-all natural kind of way. Zaidel began to panic. What's going on?! This! This feels wrong! I gotta get out of here!!
Zaidel walked a few steps toward the end of the bed, when his body collapsed on the soft larger-than-King bed. Eyelids feeling like they had a thousand pounds on them. Zaidel mumbled a futile cry for help, then fell right to sleep.
The forty-something overweight balding man stood outside the front door of Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The night auditor could clearly see the school's sign on the lawn: Union High School. Home of the Redhawks. The rusty red-bricked complex loomed over Joe. He swore he would never return to this hellhole! 'I did my four years', Joe would always say, 'And I'm never going back! Even if I won the Nobel Peace Prize or something! NEVER!' But he was here. And with nothing better to do, the former student walked in the front doors.
Despite the lights in the hall being on, the place looked deserted. No students. No faculty. Nobody. Joe found himself putting one foot in front of the other and began to walk the halls. The lockers. Posters for upcoming events. Clocks mounted on the walls. They were all still there. Nobody else though. And for some reason, Joe liked it that way. After passing the large cafeteria, the Union High School alumni took the nearby stairway up to explore the second floor. The stairs. The railing. The windows looking out. All the same. At the top of he stairs, Joe heard a loud clicking sound at the bottom of the stairs. Looking down, it looked like someone had turned all the lights off on the first floor, for the window in the hallway door was dark. Oddly, Joe Waskalis did not feel afraid, just confused. Huh. Weird.
The big man began to walk the second floor hallway. he would sometimes stop to look inside deserted classrooms, reminiscing. This is where I took Algebra as a sophomore. God that was boring. And just after lunch, so I was super-tired. Joe walked until he got to a intersection of halls. Once there, the hallway lights leading down the hallway to the left went out. Then the hallway behind him lost it's lights, illuminating the hallway ahead of him. Very strange, but for some reason, not troubling.
"I guess I go this way", Joe said to no one in particular.
At the end of the hallway, one of the classroom doors were open, and the closer Joe got to the room, the overhead lights in the hallway began to turn off as he passed them, clearly leading the former c-average student to the open classroom. As Joe arrived at the open classroom, he saw only two desks: one teacher desk and one student chair with the classic built-in desk. Joe wedged his body into the student desk. Man! I gotta lose some weight!
Joe sat in that chair for a bout a half a minute, until he could hear someone walking up the hallway toward the classroom. The person that walked in looked very familiar. His gangly appearance was one he wore around most mortals, but Joe knew him to be The Vulture King, who sat down behind the teacher's desk.
"Hey, V.K.! How's it going?"
The deity looked puzzled at himself and his surrounds.
"I-I don't think I'm really The Vulture King", the gangly man pondered aloud. "Rather I think I'm a representation of The Vulture King. Or maybe I am. I'm not sure. Mortal dreamscapes are most confusing. Oh, you are dreaming, by the way."
Joe looked around his surroundings as well.
"Makes sense, I guess. I would never come here otherwise."
The man in his forties frowned. "I hate these dreams! I graduated over twenty ago. I should not be dreaming about this place anymore!"
The representation of The Vulture King nodded. "I believe your brain is using this memory of your school as a basis for a 'place of learning'".
"Aw, man! Is this one of those profound dreams you learn something true about yourself then forget it minutes after you wake up. So damn annoying!"
V.K. frowned as he pondered Joe's words. "No. I believe the polar opposite is in order." The deity stood up and picked up a large picture frame covered in a white cloth in the corner that Joe didn't notice before, and walked in front of Joe's desk.
V.K., or the representation of V.K. removed the white cloth with a flourish, revealing a mirror.
Joe gazed into the mirror to find a astonished Zaidel Michigan staring back at him. Wearing his armor and weapons, the god-blooded warrior who helped end a siege on a fantasy city hours earlier, blinked in surprise.
"This, currently", The Vulture King said, "is who you truly are!"
Joe..no, Zaidel asked, "Wait! What do you mean 'currently'?"
V.K. sighed and explained, "Zaidel is what is called a 'larva' stage. Zaidel Michigan is a construct you created for your mind to accept that you are not a mere human, but the half-divine offspring of a diety, or god. A godling."
The Vulture King walked back to the teacher's desk to prop the mirror against he wall and sit down. Zaidel looked down and only saw the heavily-muscled warrior he now knew himself to be.
"See!" The God of Avian Creatures said. "Even now, Joseph Waskalis is becoming a distant memory. In time, you will uncover greater truths about yourself, and you will fly as the preverbal butterfly."
Zaidel was going to ask some more questions, but V.K. held up his hand.
"Even in this timeless place, Time is short", The Vulture King said. "That makes no sense. Dream logic, I suppose."
V.K. then began a lecture about what Zaidel might expect being a godling, such as fighting divine minions of the godly rivals of his deific parent, explaining his domain lineages and divine traits.
At the end of the lecture, V.K. walked to the classroom door.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Zaidel asked The Vulture King.
"My time is over here. I believe I wlll either dissolve back into your psyche or, if I really am The Vulture King, or V.K., as you call me. I will see you..soon?"
"V.K.! Do you know who my god-parent is?"
"Not a clue. Good luck, young Zaidel."
The godling was going to get up from the chair, but again The Vulture King held up his hand.
"No. Stay. Learn." At that, a clipboard appeared in V.K. hand and read it.
"Looks like at least one more teacher is to arrive very soon. Sit tight, as the saying goes."
With a friendly wave, The Vulture King walks out of the classroom, closing the door behind him.
Either a few seconds or several millennia pass, until a large poof of purple smoke materialized behind the teacher's desk. Stunned, Zaidel sat there as the now-very old man in a long white beard, balding head, wearing clearly wizard's robes, took out a piece of chalk and wrote his name on the chalkboard. One word: Merlin.
"THE Merlin?!" Zaidel asked enthusiastically.
"How the hell should I know? This is your dream! Now! Kindly do not interrupt and listen!"
Merlin, or the dream equivalent, began a lecture on magic, more to the point, godling magic. The old wizard explained how godling magic works differently from traditional non-divine arcane magic, such as it's dispel resistance, lack of concentration needed, spontaneous castings, and lack of spell failure. Merlin also explained ascendancies, both minor and major, and spell selection. With every sentence understood, Zaidel could feel his mind unlocking those spells from deep within himself, and by the end of the lecture, Zaidel felt he could fully access those spells. A great feeling of relief and accomplishment washed over the godling.
After the lecture, Merlin sat up from the desk, looking like he was about to leave.
"What now?" The godling asked.
The old wizard looked around the room. "I believe...", Merlin paused, "the proprietor wishes to say a few words. Good luck, kid. Who knows. You might actually find me someday."
Looking to the door, the wizard of legend decided, "I think I use the door this time." At that, merlin opened the door and closed it behind him.
As the door clicked, all lights went out. Zaidel could no longer feel the desk under him. The godling seemed to float in a dark..universe..sky..nothingness. Then Zaidel noticed a flurry of lights rising up to meet him. As they got closer, the godling could make out the creatures: they looked like fluorescent butterflies. They flew up and circled Zaidel for a few seconds until flying to swirl several feet in front of him. As the swirling butterflies began to take the shape of a humanoid, the emptiness around him disappeared, replace by a country landscape at dusk. Turning back to the buttlerfies, Zaidel was amazed to find a beautiful dark-haired elven maiden in a flowing purple dress.
"Greetings, Zaidel", the elven woman said. "Can you guess who I am?"
The godling blinked as he remembered several Pathfinder books and novels, describing the ancient deity before him.
"Desna?!"
The Goddess of Dreams and Luck clapped her hands in satisfaction. "Well done, little godling. How are you?"
Zaidel quickly knelt in front of the formerly-believed fictional diety.
"Arise, Zaidel. I appreciate the sentiment, but that's not necessary", the diety cooed.
"Look at you", Desna commented, "My, you are growing big."
A question flashed in Zaidel's mind. "Um, Lady Desna? Do you know who my god-parent is?"
Desna sighed. "Yes. But I will not tell you. This you must find out on your own. I'm sorry, but that is an intrigual part of your journey."
"Is my god-parent a god of Golarion?"
The realm of Dreams crosses multiple universes and worlds, even Golarion, again I can not say," Desna conceded.
"Well", Zaidel asked. "What can you tell me?"
"Zaidel. The road ahead of you will not be easy. You already have some idea of what may be in store for you and the other Returned. Even I do not have the right to tell you what you should do. I would like to ask that you continue to do good works throughout your journey, and be aware of hubris, the failure of many godlings."
Desna looked around the rolling hills around her. "I created this time for you to begin your journey in earnest. I did not necessarily see eye-to-eye with your god-parent, yet I saw the need to at least help you with your first steps into a greater existence."
"Unlike most dreams, Zaidel, you will remember it all. Use the knowledge learned here to move forward."
Zaidel bowed his head in submission of these truths.
"Goodbye, Zaidel", Desna reached forward to embrace the godling. "With your godling nature, you do not need to sleep, so I'm not sure if we will meet again like this. If you feel as tired as you did before, do not fight it, unless it is a powerful sleeping spell, of course. It will be me, calling you, for another chat."
Desna then patted Zaidel's head, and whispered the words, "Awaken."
Zaidel woke up like a shotgun blast. The godling found himself under the covers of the lavish bed he fell unconscious on. Zaidel did remember everything about the dream. The godling got out of bed, and could smell he needed a shower..or did he? Concentrating on the spell now clearly in his find, by divine force of will, Zaidel casts prestidigitation on himself! The godling spells were there, in his mind..in his very being. After he cleaned himself by arcane means, the godling sat down on the bed, staring out into space.
"Thank you, Desna", Zaidel whispered to the universe.
Still reeling from the dream education he received, Zaidel made his way down to breakfast, explaining his dream to anyone who asks about the peculiar look Zaidel wore at the breakfast table.
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Qillion did not touch food or drink at the meal. Sitting there she was inhumanly still and unblinking. As other talked and chatted about this and that. She smiled when others wanted to talk, a nod of the head and a polite response. But nothing of meaning, she gave nothing away.
Then when it was time for the others to rest she got up and walked to the room they said was hers.
Entering she went to the center of the room and stood, closing her mind and pushing her focus inside.
Then Qillion was in her mindscape focusing in trying to peace together he her broken mindscape. It was just a jumble, madness, Chaotic. It was hard to think about, she was broken. She thought on the events that had happened from the moments she had awakened. She had killed and felt bad, but was that here. The Fey and the court. The others it was all...
Then something pulled at her mind, another space, something there something close. Qillion pushing her focus now out, and seeking this other space.
Then she was standing on a side street, it was night and a forty-something overweight balding man was standing outside the front door of Union High School, he seemed to be thinking.
She looked at herself and a name came to mind, 'Erica' and this was 'earth' she know this was true. She looked up to see the man had entered the school. She did not follow. She looked around at the dreamscape. yes that was what it was, and with that word came meaning and understanding.
This was how they made simulacrums. How agents like her crafted personae to where on the missions. She shifted back to her own mindscape. There where spheres around her, each held a life lived. They spun around each other. Echos of events, loves and hates, pains and joys. None of them hers, they where simulacrums, she know that now. Echos of others, on worlds on meany plans. Earth was a world the others had talked about, the prison world. She was now flouting in front of that Life simulacrum. Ericka Goldberg born in London Finchley, to an wealthy Jewish family. She had finished prep school in Switzerland, passed her classes and now was going to Imperial collage to study politics and economics. Earth, the year on earth was 1977. Clothing was large and flashy, music the same. Her boyfriend had just got blue Jaguar XJ6, just like the ones she had seen on ITV cops shows. She had gone for a ride with in it and with him the night before. After they had played tennis at his place.
More information came, books shops, friends, time of year, holidays, a bedroom, reading Jacke a teem magazine. The NME, radio 1 and top of the pops. Going to a gig, walk of films and holidays. Star Was and Kate Bush. more much more came. She knew now that Erica was dead, long dead, and that this orb was a copy of her mind. From birth to death in her boyfriends car the day before she started collage in the earth year 1977. A crash on the M25 and cremated a week later.
This life has had been collect by a fellow agent and implanted in Qillion to be used for....
And this is when it became hard, why, why had this Erica been implanted. She pushed the walls of her mind, but nothing. It felt like a mind blank. So there was only one way to find out why, and that was to become Erica. But what is Qillion was lost. But she had to know.
Qillion reached into the orb and pulled out the life. Taking it into herself. Until it was the only life.
Erica blinked and looked around the room then down at her clothing
"What the F**K!!...Mummmmm!"