"I would love to go but...I have work to do. Things to plan"Fyr saves as she begins to work on the robe again.
There was little in the Yggdrasil world that unnerved Willow, but running water was one of them. Tobias would laugh in his head at the odd sentiment. Running water was normally a luxury to people in the real world, but here it could mean his demise.
After safely landing and transforming back into their normal form, Willow would reach back out to his minion to have it relay his findings to Desseer.
"After taking a closer look at the obelisk, it has become clear that their is some kind of conjuration magic at play upon it and four others that are surrounding it." Turning their eyes to the sun and then the obelisks once more, he takes the time to consider whether the smaller obelisks are heading in the four cardinal directions from the main obelisk.
"Sounds fair. I will go with you, Desseer. I am curious to find out about the denizens of this world. I forget, do you have means of communicating in strange languages without resorting to telepathy? If everything here is as other places, telepathy is not always a good road towards trust." So'ren continues to make conversation, trying to plan things out a bit more."I have the means to understand what they're saying, at least."
"Yes," Desseer responds simply. "Oddly, I do not have telepathy. That was to be obtained later, but here we are now."
He then turns his attention to the recently returned Inennarra. "Inennarra, if you aren't terribly busy, would you mind coming over here please?"
Desseer's face turns a little troubled as he looks at Inennarra. "I have information that I want to share with you, that may be tough to receive. We," and he gestures to himself, So'ren, and Fyr, "Come from a...different...plane, as it were. Our bodies here, are not our original bodies, but more of...puppets that we possessed. The reason we have acted strangely recently is because we seem to be trapped in these puppets, unable to return to our home plane. Does this make sense?"
Galah'ad strikes the part of the engine he has opened to and finds that his strike does a good amount of damage. The engine groans to a stop and you can see a white light bleeding through the cracks.
☆☆☆
you keep a look out but for the hundreds of mandrakes... wait... there is no life among this forest except for the mandrakes!
Galahad barely has time to savour his triumph in suddering the large engine before the light coming from the cracks calls his attention
"Light? What the hell...?" - He had expected the construct to be pitch black inside but the light coming from it makes him realize this thing might not be what he thought it was. Galahad decides to use his incorporeality to try and slip inside the construct and see what exactly is going on inside of it
She gladly comes over to Desseer with a skip in her step. She nods with understanding and says, "Of course you Master's of the guild are from another plane, otherwise you would have been with us always." Then giddy like a school girl her voice finds a higher octave she excitedly says, "Yes it makes sense, now we can serve you forever!"
If you try to leave you can't.
Two forms stand before you in the orb. One is an elderly aassimar male in decorative armor and holding a spear. The other is an elven woman in an elegant kimono but also holding fans in each of her four hands. They are both see through and likely incorpreal like you. The elderly man states, "Welcome to your new eternity." Then he turns and walks a few steps dropping the spear before sitting down in an ornate ghostly throne that wasn't there just a moment ago.
She then comments with the slyness of a snake, "Oh don't be that way. Hopefully he has allies that can finish destroying the engine. Right you have allies outside of the Crab?"
Even with Myriana's see invisibility you can't see Galah'ad anymore. The light from that position also fades. You watch as the legs unlock and lower the crab to the ground. The mud and muck slowly take in the massive monstrosity as the mandrakes nearby get crushed and broken. As they get crushed you can see a white and green liquid splatter the area.
Desseer reacts to Inennarra's giddiness with a pained expression. He takes a deep breath, exhales, and then continues, "Inennarra, that isn't the tough part. The tough part is..," he pauses as if struggling to will himself to say it. "The tough part is...that, just as we created our bodies. So did we also create our servants and cohorts, well most of them." Desseer pauses, his expression still pained, "Like you Inennarra. I created you, including your personality. I just thought you deserved to know."
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Depends on who's asking and what you just meant with that."
He says, trying to make them give their names, but also secretely hoping that someone will come to get him out of this place.
Willow will take the time to make one final report about the obelisks. "These obelisks seem to be set in a pattern with the four smaller obelisks representing the cardinal directions. Unfortunately with the running water I am at some what of a standstill for investigating them further. I would suggest we assign some others to explore the structure. For now, I'm going to work on returning home," they state. After giving their minion time to report to Desseer and confirm no further requests were made, Willow will work on expediently making their way back.
"Sounds good Willow. Thanks for the updates. Come on back. We might have another excursion you would be interested in. Talk more when you return. Over...do I have to outro? So, are we done?"
She seriously states, "I and your other servants know this, we were made for you, for the Seeds of Slaughter. We are but tools for you to use as you wish."
Then she steps forward right next to Desseer's ear and whispers, "We would not exist without our masters. I do hope you will let me show you my love."
She replies proudly, "High concubine of the Asua Clan, Serisha Le Tearsu. You may call me dame or mistress Tearsu. If you don't then you are for sure stuck here with us."
The aasimar looks to shift his age to that of a pristine adult, and states proudly as well, "Warlord John Morgrave of the Black Blades of Divinity."
Five of Desseer's personal soldiers approach. Four of them drop to their knees as the captain bows deeply. He quickly states, "Lord Desseer we would like to volunteer to investigate for you sire! Just tell us where and what you would like explored or found!"
"Huh," Desseer responds. "I-" he is cut off as Inennarra whispers in his ear.
Desseer's face begins getting a little red. "I...uhh..," he starts, clearly flustered, "Uhh...time and place Inennarra. I'm..uhh..going to go check if Willow's minion is back.."
Desseer turns to go to leave when his soldiers show up.
"Wait," the elf/fiend looks confused. "You guys are here? I mean..." He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. He holds that for a second before suddenly popping his head back up with his eyes wild. "Has anyone bothered Kaiedees?!" he asks, panic in his voice. "Please tell me no one has gotten him!"
So'ren watches Desseer's discomfort, echoing her own around Peony and Saffron, but a bit worse due to the overt sexualized nature of the relationship.
You might want to tap that, bro. Ain't like any of the 'ladies' here are likely to be as eager. Zander thought, then brushed the thought away. What am I even thinking. I'm the one stuck in a lady body. Crap, I've got some new 'plumbing' to figure out.
"Ok, let me know when you're ready to depart. I'm going to, er freshen up." So'ren says, headed to her private quarters and restroom.
Undead too, huh? Guess even in this world undead are still seen as enemies by most races. But to have such powerful contraptions...
He thought, if this world had a war against the undead that produced machines like this then it was natural to assume he and several of guildmates wouldn't be welcome at some places, also he would have to warn all of them to be double careful from now on.
I am Galahad, necromancer warrior from the Seeds of Slaughter, pleased to meet you.
He says with a slight bow
For a moment he thought about introducing himself as a Warlord too, since that was the official name of his class in YGGDRASIL, however, there was no telling if Warlord meant the same thing in this world. Same went for concubine, Galahad wanted to avoid asking such a thing since it could offend the woman if they were not the same thing.
I take it you have never heard of us, we are a... fairly new organization. However, I also never heard about yours, Asua Clan and the Black Blades was it? By what you dame and mister have told me it's been a fair while since you were here, do you groups still exist? - He says, taking this opportunity to try and gather more information on this world
"Wait," the elf/fiend looks confused. "You guys are here? I mean..." He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. He holds that for a second before suddenly popping his head back up with his eyes wild. "Has anyone bothered Kaiedees?!" he asks, panic in his voice. "Please tell me no one has gotten him!"
The captain offers, "No sir, at least not to our knowledge. The guards you stationed are still there. We walked by them on the way here."
"Huh," Desseer responds. "I-" he is cut off as Inennarra whispers in his ear.
Desseer's face begins getting a little red. "I...uhh..," he starts, clearly flustered, "Uhh...time and place Inennarra. I'm..uhh..going to go check if Willow's minion is back.."
She let's it drop and walks back to her station.
Desseer waves a hand at So'ren in acknowledgement as he listens to the captain.
"Oh, good," he says with relief. After thinking for several moments he says, "Actually, what I'd like you all do is station yourselves at windows and keep a lookout. We are going to be getting an illusion over this place before long and I'd like a lookout kept from inside the illusion. So we might as well set it up now." Desseer nods to himself, thinking this was a good idea.
"But," he adds quickly, "don't go into any of the master's rooms."
Fyr comes back and holds a spidersilk robe in her hands."I finished it!"
It was more a coat lacking toggle buttons, but it was done. She smiled as she held it up and looked at Desseer.
"Now I just need to dye it black and pink! Youll look adorable in it right Inennarra. Hed look surprisingly handsome and dashing" it came with a wicked grin of fangs.
The captain and soldiers salute and head out of the room to follow Desseer's orders.
"Well, since we've been properly introduced and you madam and sir look friendly I will admit that I do have allies who will likely come to my rescue some time soon, with that said there's two things I need to ask, first is that if you have tried to dispell the sealing magic inside this dimension or a switch position spell? I can likely do that. Second is a little more complicated, but... I do believe that my friends and I would require the assitance of someone more familiar with this worl... society in order to blend in. I believe the three of us will be expeled from this place once I'm out? If you two so desire you could join us, we welcome anyone who can aid us, being undead is not an issue - He indicates, pointing to the fact that he's a Ghost like them.
After receiving the update, Willow makes their way back as quickly as they can. Upon making it back to the castle, they take a moment to catch up with their minion and find out Desseer's current location.
Quickly they navigate the castle, knowing it fondly from the many years spent within it through a more virtual sense.
"Desser, I have returned. As my underling mentioned, the obelisks were the most interesting landmark. The rest was fairly mundane. What was it that you thought might garner my interest?"
Desseer looks at the newly spun robe and then to Fyr. "I am eager to to see the final product Fyr."
Desseer spins quickly to Willow with a joyous smile. "Willow! I'm glad you are back!"
He listens to Willow's report with a nod and a "Hmm". He then answers, "Off to the east, about five miles, is a little village of ten ladies with many small animals. No children. I suspect witches. I'm going to head there in a few hours, after nightfall, to make contact. I thought you might be interested in joining. So far it will be myself and So'ren."
"Fyr, here," he says dramatically, "rejected me! Saying she would not join! I am simply distraught! Truly my pride is wounded!" He gives Fyr a playful smile and turns back to Willow. "Honestly, I wanted a minimum of three peeps and Galah'ad and Myriana haven't returned. My plan Z is to bring Kaiedees to make the third, so no worries if you want to stay behind. That said, going on a trip with those two...well...needless to say, I'd love to have you along." He ends with another charming smile.
The man nods.
The engine is not ruined, it is intact though not functioning. It seems to have gone into a dormant status.
There is nothing that gives you an indication of where Galah'ad has gone.
" Willow! Hi' Fyr says the Drider in a pink kimono comes over to give Willow a Hug. She then looks over at Desseer and pouts.
" I am more spiser then human, you can blend in better then me." she then lets go of Willow and smiles.
" Glad to see you Willow!"
In order to be able to find it again later Myriana knew it needed to be trackable, or at least have a way to locate it again. With that in mind she cast a spell and reached inside of the engine area tracing an invisible rune only she would be able to see on the inside of the machine where it would likely not be seen. With that done she looked for a piece of the machine that Galah'ad might have broken off when he assaulted it that she could take with her.
Once she had finished with all of that she flew back up and hovered well up in the air invisibly as she waited to see if Galah'ad would show up again. If he had not reappeared by the time the machine had sunk fully into the muck Valeria would return to the guild and report in about what had happened and see if she could get some help searching for Galah'ad.
You'll be welcome, I'm also interested in discovering the status of your organizations and lord knows we need the help of someone native. Well... Here goes nothing
Galahad casts dispell magic, hoping it will get them out of this place and back to the swamp
Willow listens intently and starts to respond before finding themselves lifted from their feet in a tight hug. They found it odd that they were not repulsed at first sight of the being holding them aloft, but something seemed changed within their mind and quickly they came to realize it was a fellow guild mate.
Wrapping the drider in their own arms, he greets them. "Welcome back Fyr. It is truly lovely to see you, though I wish it was under better circumstances."
After reclaiming their footing, they turn to Desseer and respond properly. "I would be happy to assist. With our abilities I do believe we can quite adeptly deal with any situation that comes our way. You mentioned that Galah'ad and Myriana have not returned. Have you heard any reason for why?"
"They explored north and came across a river or something like that and said that they would explore further. I suspect, as they were likely following a river, they came across some sort of settlement and are scoping that out. Without any indication as to which way they went, a search would be ill advised. I'm hoping we hear from them soon. I have faith in their abilities, but can't shake some concern."
Willow would raise a delicate looking hand to cradle their chin between their pointer finger and thumb as a thoughtful expression comes upon their face. "I would agree with your sentiment to an extent. If they are not back by nightfall, we can send out some of my more immediate subordinates to search for them since I can check in with them as long as they remain upon this plane of existence. Just in case, I can also make sure they turn back with plenty of time to return before sunrise."
Turning their gaze back Desser, they raise an inquiry. "Would you agree? Otherwise, I am ready to set out when you and So'ren are."
"That is true. I look alot better without rhe spider half. Though this is a dead sexy form too. I mean my boobs are definitely bigger" Fyt says happily. She wasnt undead like many in the Guild but was flesh and blood but also seemed to crave strange foods.preferrably alive.
" I also see better no more contacts and Jimmy is here too!" she says holdinf up her scorpion familiar!
The spell most likely fizzles upon the wall.
Desseer looks to the breasts being referred to, almost says something, and then turns back to Willow.
"Actually, I was planning to wait to go to the village until after dark anyway. It would certainly put my mind more at ease knowing that they were being looked for. Though," he adds raising his pointer finger, "we may be getting ahead of ourselves. Nightfall would be a reasonable time marker to plan to check back in. Let's just wait until dark and decide then."
He walks over to the table with the newly started map and gestures at Willow to join him, "Come see if I've got the markings right with what you found. Plus, you can see the rest."
Desseer intends to collaborate and share the map and information he's received thus far from everyone.
This can't be an anti-magic zone, after all this place is magical in and of itself. So perhaps magical resistance? But how can a magical place have spell resistance? Whoever built this place doesn't seem to follow the usual rules of magic
He mutters, making another note to tell his companions.
Bad news folks, seems like this place doesn't follow the rules I'm acostumed to. I could try to investigate a little but I don't know if it'll bear any fruit. But on the positive side I believe help will come anytime now. Meanwhile, why don't we talk? I'd very much like to know a about your organizations and how you came to be, your stories will be at least much more interesting than mine that's for sure
So'ren moves about her private quarters after her trip to the lav, packing her gear up and changing into a fresh outfit. She looks at the bright pink silken shirt with the words Thanks for the fun! written in web-like lettering on the front of it. She chuckles "Why the f!%! not." she says, throwing it on over her outfit.
Soon thereafter, she returns to the meeting room. "Heya, Willow, welcome back. How'd the exploring go?"
** spoiler omitted **
The crab stopped sinking about halfway out of the muck and Myriana was relieved. She was worried it would have been fully submerged and able to disappear before she could return with help to find Galah'ad. After a few more minutes of waiting for the ghostly man to re-appear Myriana finally gave up and decided to return to the guild for help.
Knowing she could make it back to the guild hall if she didn't dawdle Myriana began to retrace their route when she spotted Zhang near the edge of the swamp. She dropped down, coming toa stop hovering just above him, and said, "I've lost Galah'ad, Zhang! He fought some machine thing but disappeared after the thing emitted a bright flash of light nya!"
Myriana gestured back the way she came and said, "If you go straight that way you will see the thing, I am heading back for help nya. Can you go stay at the wrekage and let Galah'ad know what happened if he re-appears?" Once she was done relaying events to Zhang Myriana took off, quickly retracing her route back to the guild hall.
Back at the Guild Hall
Myriana came flying in, breathless from her exertions even though she did not need to breathe, lugging a small slab of metal as she went to the central meeting hall where the others were with a frantic look on her face. "I need help nya! We ran across...a metal crab thing and Galah'ad fought and stopped it, but it made a flash of light and then he was gone nya!"
She set the metal on a nearby table and continued, "I couldn't find him, nya, and he didn't show up again after a few minutes, nya, so I came back here to get help to find him," she said in a flustered tone of voice.
Fyr was standing about, but then began to walk up the wall agai and smiles. She saw So'ren wearinf her shirt and beams." You are wearing the shirt!!! Thank you, Thank you Thank you!!!" that led to her envelopinf So'ren in her arms lifting her off the fround in a great hug. She the. Let rhe drow down and saw Myriana.
" SO CUTE!!!" she says as she sees Myrians and then giggles at the nya. Then she said Galah'ad was in trouble. She looks to the others and begins to move to rhe cieling and leave.
"Ill go get ready"
"Oof" So'ren says as Fyr squeezes her. "You're welcome, sweetie. Least I could do after you spent all that effort to make it."
When Myriana reports Galah'ad's vanishing, her face turns deadly cold. "That definitely doesn't sound good. I'm already packed for the witches, but this sounds like priority."
** spoiler omitted **
Hearing Myriana's words Zhang's eyes turn wide, if the face of an undead could turn red with rage then that's probably what would have happened now.
"My Lord! That's outrageous! I'll head there immediately Lady Myriana, if you believe you must address them in person then by all means go, I'll use my Whispering Wind to warn the other servants of my Lord, they will most definitely offer themseves immediately if you ask of them!"
When Myriana leaves Zhang casts Whispering Wind to Lu Dongbin, considered to be the leader of the Immortals before darting towards the direction of the construct
Lord Galahad is in danger, Lady Myriana is going back. Be alert and present yourselves. If necessary, release Shere Khan.
After Myriana explains the situation a man in armour wielding a lance and a extremely pale spectral woman enter the room and bow to her and to the other guild members.
"I, Cao Guojiu of the Immortals, humbly offer my services to the Supreme Beings. I have been granted permission to bring Shere Khan, that beast can support two on it's back. The swamps are treacherous lands, if you accept we shall gladly lend him to you, oh Supreme Ones."
The woman bows as well, her dark hair flowing with her movements.
"He Xiangu of the Immortals. I am capable of flight as well as my Lord if you wish then allow me to be of service"
Desseer listens intently to Myriana and buries his chin in one of his hands. After the excitement that follows, he holds up a hand to the room.
"Wait a minute!" he semi-shouts to quiet the room. "This is an emergency, but let us not lose our heads!" He then turns to individuals one at a time in a calm, calculated manner.
"Myriana, can you go to that large parchment on the table and mark where the location is? If needbe, draw any referencepoints to be aware of."
"So'ren, can Burning Dawn carry both you and Myriana? If so, once Myriana has marked the location, you two should go on ahead. Once you arrive, can you put up some sort of light the rest of us can spot?"
"Fyr, Willow, your with me. We'll leave as soon as we're ready here."
"Cao Goujiu and the Immortals, coordinate with the other forces of the other Supreme Beings. All of your tasks are to defend the Abattoir while we are away. Do not do so outside of the illusion unless a force approaches. He Xiangu, I want you to ensure that we are made aware of any dangers to the Abattoir."
"Inennarra, head up the forces here. All of you, you report to Inennarra."
He takes a breath and then looks around with a smile, "Break on 3?"
Whereas the woman slyly spins a yarn that is believable...
Myriana went to the map as requested and tried to add her map like she would have back in YGGDRASIL only to realize that it wouldn't work since they seemed not to be in YGGDRASIL any longer. Unable to figure out the distance herself Myriana finally gave a frustrated hiss and said, "We went north to the shore then east until we found the river, nya, then followed the river back inland to the swamp nya." She gestured vaguely on the map, "I don't know quite how far it was nya. Zhang will be there watching for us nya and if someone can home in on him we can get there quicker nya."