The visit by the Steel Tsar has had an effect on the Warden. He has grown slightly, the muscles on his arms have grown more defined.
without a word, he disappears.
JH forms out of the earth, holding Lyn in his arms.
What has happened, Fathers?
LJ is bloody and her wounds are not fully healed. There is a vertical gash along her midsection.
The music stopped. It hurt so much. she murmurs
E7 returns to treant form.
Steel Tsar has returned. He serves Serafina.
He pauses
He tried to destroy the Palace of Winds...but I sense it still?
Yes, it still exists. The dance is changed. But the song has started again.
LJ whimpers and her wound begins to bleed again.
No, please, don't fight. It hurts.
It is the Warden.
E7 surveys the damage wrought by the Steel Tsar. He walks thru the path of destruction trimming or bolstering some stems. Othertimes he gathers seds from those beyond help, and replants them.
LJ whimpers and her wound begins to bleed again.
No, please, don't fight. It hurts.
JH gathers water from the Spring, and pours it slowly over Lyn's wounds. He starts at her words.
Who fights?
LJ whimpers and her wound begins to bleed again.
No, please, don't fight. It hurts.JH gathers water from the Spring, and pours it slowly over Lyn's wounds. He starts at her words.
Who fights?
Dragon. Warden. PlantJack. Dragon wants to control. PlantJack doesn't want to let him. Warden is confused. Not healing rift.
The water slows the bleeding, once more stabilizing her wound, although it still refuses to heal entirely.
Alaina pumps her friend with healing powers
JH! Can you go and see who is stabilizing the Place of Winds?
To Lynora-Jill
Stay with me honey, we'll make it better...
Looks at JH
JH melds into the Earth once more, followed by E7
LJ's breathing eases, and the wound finally closes. For a moment there is a long vertical scar, and then it seems to reform itself into the shape of a swirling galaxy of stars, standing out in sharp relief against her golden skin.
Alaina sobs
Oh thank Sunny! Lyn can you hear me?
Yes I can hear you. Can you get me some of the water from the spring? I'm so thirsty.
She looks weak and tired but no longer on the verge of death.
Of course Lyn!
Alaina runs to the spring and brings an ewer of water for her friend
LJ drinks deeply, going translucent as she does, although her star shaped scars glow brilliantly. She looks much more herself when she is done.
I'm not really sure how to do it, but I need to pull my essence away from the place of the winds. I can't risk having that happen again.
Alaina tries to make her comfortable
I don't know Lyn. You are the Champion of the Winds. Maybe your grandfather knows a safe way to tether you essence to the power of wind directly?
Alaina tries to make her comfortable
I don't know Lyn. You are the Champion of the Winds. Maybe your grandfather knows a safe way to tether you essence to the power of wind directly?
What can I do to help? Doyou think its wise to leave the sanctum unguarded? Oh wait a minute?
I'm not sure. I think my grandfather will be here soon. He was at the place of the winds. He was trying to help. But I'm not sure if he even knows what I am supposed to do.
Corin, you're right. We shouldn't leave the Sanctum unguarded. I want to stay here. The positive energy of this place helps. But you can feel free to go back if you need to.
I'm not sure. I think my grandfather will be here soon. He was at the place of the winds. He was trying to help. But I'm not sure if he even knows what I am supposed to do.
Corin, you're right. We shouldn't leave the Sanctum unguarded. I want to stay here. The positive energy of this place helps. But you can feel free to go back if you need to.
"I await your return." He Looks at her and Alaina then depart through a portal of his own devising.
E7 and JH return to the Grove. JH rushes to check on LJ.
Are you better?!
Weird stuff in that place, but it seems settled for now.
E7 and JH return to the Grove. JH rushes to check on LJ.
Are you better?!
Weird stuff in that place, but it seems settled for now.
Yes, I'm better.
The wound has healed over, and apart from an interesting scar she looks unharmed.But I have to find a way to separate myself from that place so that can't happen again. It gives our enemy too much power over me.
E7 and JH return to the Grove. JH rushes to check on LJ.
Are you better?!
Weird stuff in that place, but it seems settled for now.
Yes, I'm better.
The wound has healed over, and apart from an interesting scar she looks unharmed.
But I have to find a way to separate myself from that place so that can't happen again. It gives our enemy too much power over me.
You do seem to find yourself in the center of epic tugs-of-war.
JH traces the curves of Lyn's new scar, possibly tickling her in the process, but he seems solemn about his actions.
She blushes as she looks at him tracing her scar.
I - uh - think it's a holy symbol.
I had some weird stuff once. It made me see everything in shades of lilac.
She blushes as she looks at him tracing her scar.
I - uh - think it's a holy symbol.
He seems startled at her voice, and stops what sounded to be the start of a purr. Err...yes...a holy symbol.
His demeanor changes But what else would adorn the most perfect body in the worlds? ;)
Without turning, he says 'Yes, I know you're there', and turns. The little squirrel is back, her fur ragged from the Steel Tsar's attack. Without hesitation she runs to JH and tries to hide against his body. She trembles. He smooths her fur as best he can, and makes gentle shooshing noises.
Whoah dudes! Get a room!
She smiles at the compliment.
LJ blows a healing spell to the squirrel.
When they cut through reality like that, it interrupts the dance. Planets skitter off, stars die, comets collide, and the whole slips a little more towards the Black. They should not have such power.
She smiles at the compliment.
LJ blows a healing spell to the squirrel.
When they cut through reality like that, it interrupts the dance. Planets skitter off, stars die, comets collide, and the whole slips a little more towards the Black. They should not have such power.
The squirrel scampers over to LJ and curls up beside her. Within moments its eyes close.
Granddaughter, you are alright, the elder elemental says with relief. That was much too close a call. You must transfer your being away from that place, away from any physical place, lest it happen again.
I know that, but I have to have an anchor in the physical world, or I'll just drift away. I'm open to suggestions if you have them.
She seems peaceful in spite of the frustration in her voice.
Azuri'ith looks flummoxed. Which is a rather difficult thing for an air elemental to do.
If you weren't so determined to stay with the Earth Champion...but you are so I suppose that's a moot point. I am unsure of where you can safely 'anchor' yourself. But you must not keep your connection to the place of the wind. It attracts evil there and makes you vulnerable, neither of which are good.
I know that, but I have to have an anchor in the physical world, or I'll just drift away. I'm open to suggestions if you have them.
She seems peaceful in spite of the frustration in her voice.
I couldn't forgive myself if you were hurt because you are tied to me. Your safety is more important than me.
But if you think you have to have an anchor, what would the strongest one be?
I couldn't forgive myself if you were hurt because you are tied to me. Your safety is more important than me.
But if you think you have to have an anchor, what would the strongest one be?
I cannot change my heart, love, and it belongs to you, so I am tied to you whether it is safe or not.
As for the other, I need something that will keep me tied to the physical world that cannot be easily destroyed. A tall order. I'm still not sure what I should use.
I couldn't forgive myself if you were hurt because you are tied to me. Your safety is more important than me.
But if you think you have to have an anchor, what would the strongest one be?
I cannot change my heart, love, and it belongs to you, so I am tied to you whether it is safe or not.
As for the other, I need something that will keep me tied to the physical world that cannot be easily destroyed. A tall order. I'm still not sure what I should use.
If you need something dense you could use my head. ;)
If you need something dense you could use my head. ;)
Oh, you, she says with an exasperated smile. Why you continue to disparage your intelligence is a mystery to me.
Short of anchoring yourself on Yggdrasil iteself, I'm afraid I can't actually think of anything productive. I am sorry.
Short of anchoring yourself on Yggdrasil iteself, I'm afraid I can't actually think of anything productive. I am sorry.
At these words E7 stops tending the damage and turns his head.
"This is bad. Who made that thing new armor anyway? I thought The Bard had everthing but it's helm, and the Jack's have that. Looks like I should call some old friends..."
Kiba shifts to his dire wolf form, and realese a howl so primal adrenaline rushes through the bodies of those near. Soon shapes begin to dart between the trees.
Short of anchoring yourself on Yggdrasil iteself, I'm afraid I can't actually think of anything productive. I am sorry.
Is that even possible? she asks, startled by the suggestion.
Short of anchoring yourself on Yggdrasil iteself, I'm afraid I can't actually think of anything productive. I am sorry.Is that even possible? she asks, startled by the suggestion.
We are all bound to Yggdrasil already, to varying degrees. It is the Giver of Life. The Winds tend to avoid the anchoring aspect of the tie.
Oh, you, she says with an exasperated smile. Why you continue to disparage your intelligence is a mystery to me.
If you need something dense you could use my head. ;)
JH shrugs. Force of habit I guess. Keeps your enemies at a disadvantage.
As for anchoring yourself, what would that do?
Short of anchoring yourself on Yggdrasil iteself, I'm afraid I can't actually think of anything productive. I am sorry.Is that even possible? she asks, startled by the suggestion.
The squirrel seems to be bothered by all the talking and nuzzles closer to Lyn, burying its head against her skin.
Well then, maybe it's time for the Winds to change. She looks up at JH This could take awhile. First I have to draw myself out of the Place of the Winds. Then I have to move that power here. I need you to keep me steady during that between time. I'm sorry to have to ask so much.
As for anchoring yourself, what would that do?
It helps keep me from burning myself out. I have the potential for nearly unlimited power, but my body can't handle the stresses. So I need somewhere to send it, to keep me safe, to tie me to myself so I don't destroy my physical self before I'm ready for the next step.
Well then, maybe it's time for the Winds to change. She looks up at JH This could take awhile. First I have to draw myself out of the Place of the Winds. Then I have to move that power here. I need you to keep me steady during that between time. I'm sorry to have to ask so much.
Ask it and I will drag the Place of Winds to you.
The squirrel seems to be bothered by all the talking and nuzzles closer to Lyn, burying its head against her skin.
She gently strokes the squirrel's fur, surrounding it with soothing lullabies.
It helps keep me from burning myself out. I have the potential for nearly unlimited power, but my body can't handle the stresses. So I need somewhere to send it, to keep me safe, to tie me to myself so I don't destroy my physical self before I'm ready for the next step.
As for anchoring yourself, what would that do?
I kinda like your physical self. Just a little. ;)