The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[NameIess]

3 hours ago, Through the Living Wrath said:

Afterimage considered those that broke free. “Interesting.” He rose a hand, and a bitter cold rose. “I am curious how Entropy reacts when it is deprived of what it destroys.”

A purple ring surrounded one of the escaped Withergeists, and the air around them—as well as the ground beneath them—disappeared. A force, detached from his construct, quickly accelerated them downwards into the pit. “Goodbye.”

Hopefully it worked. He wasn’t quite sure how to deal with them.

The withergeist screamed in rage as it was dragged down into the pit. Its cries continued as it fell, removed from the battlefield but not slain.

3 hours ago, ThatOneGuyOverThere said:

The Outlier didn't even have time to curse as he dove out of the way. He rolled and broke his fall a little, but he bruised his shoulder. He didn't pay attention; his natural regeneration would take care of it. 
Quickly standing back up, he whipped his chain around the corpse's neck. Using all his strength, he pulled the corpse into several others. He quickly yanked his chain back. 
"Wow... You're good!" The voice said.
He sighed. "Can't really talk right now."
That's when he heard Vlanis yell.
-
Vlanis bolted, throwing chairs out of his way. That's what I get for deciding to stay.
He shot several withergeists before digging through his pockets.
He ripped out shaded goggles and a bottle of white liquid. It was his last Flashwater bottle from a few universes ago. 
Let's see how these things react to very bright, sacred light.
He hastily put on his goggles and yelled at the top of his lungs, "EVERYBODY CLOSE YOUR EYES!"
He threw the bottle over his shoulder.
When the bottle broke as it hit the ground, a flash almost as bright as the sun lit the room.

The possessed adventurer's head was ripped cleanly off, withergeist within expelled from the now truly dead body.

--

The withergeists screamed in pain and terror at the incredible flash of light. Those nearest to Vlanis were burned away in the flash, destroyed by the  light. Those further away survived, though weakened and wounded by the light. The withergeist-bonded adventurers were briefly dazed and disoriented, but recovered quickly and continued to attack the remaining living adventurers.

Two such ran through the battered crowd of withergeists to attack Vlanis. One's hands were overgrown with dark claws, and the other's body seemed to be taking on some of the insubstantiality of an unbound withergeist.

4 hours ago, Through The Living Grass said:

9/10mmHB#2 did not like pain. It felt beneath him.  The satisfaction of destroying the mordite staff was overridden by intense anger at the burns on his hands, and he almost used a projection to teleport away- but stopped. He was nearly out of Ordered Light, and wouldn’t be able to heal his hands or deal with any other withergeists if he ran away. Besides, he had ran from every confrontation up to this point, and it was getting embarrassing. So he poured what was left of his ordered light into his hands, healing them. He raised the bone dagger with a snarl on his face. If things went wrong here- his time as a character was finished, and he would lose his sense of self forever. 

9/10mmHB#2 was prepared to fight until either he or his enemy was dead, but when Vlanis threw the Flashwater, he suddenly found his supply of Ordered Light recharged slightly. Not enough for a projection, no, he would need rest and sunlight and plot armor for those, but enough to make Inconsistency glow a fierce white, charged with Ordered Light. He lashed out at the withergeists forming between him and the wizard, cutting them down with a flurry of stabs to get to the wizard.

9/10, aided by the disorientation caused by the flash of light, easily cut through the withergeists between him and the dark wizard. The wizard, not so vulnerable to light as his minions, sent darkness through the floor at 9/10's feet, causing tendrils to grow up and grasp at the flaw's legs.

[Through The Living Grub He/Him]

15 hours ago, NameIess said:

Glyer’s eyes were half-closed, and he gripped his sword tightly, muttering to himself. The single aide turned at Skylight’s approach, bringing up a Mordite blade in a defensive posture.

"Out of my way!" Skylight screamed as he charged the aide. He pulled a throwing knife from his belt and tossed it at the opponents heart. Not waiting for it to land, he flips his knife upside down and swings for the aide's neck.

[IAmThatOneGuy He/Him]

15 hours ago, NameIess said:

The withergeist screamed in rage as it was dragged down into the pit. Its cries continued as it fell, removed from the battlefield but not slain.

The possessed adventurer's head was ripped cleanly off, withergeist within expelled from the now truly dead body.

--

The withergeists screamed in pain and terror at the incredible flash of light. Those nearest to Vlanis were burned away in the flash, destroyed by the  light. Those further away survived, though weakened and wounded by the light. The withergeist-bonded adventurers were briefly dazed and disoriented, but recovered quickly and continued to attack the remaining living adventurers.

Two such ran through the battered crowd of withergeists to attack Vlanis. One's hands were overgrown with dark claws, and the other's body seemed to be taking on some of the insubstantiality of an unbound withergeist.

9/10, aided by the disorientation caused by the flash of light, easily cut through the withergeists between him and the dark wizard. The wizard, not so vulnerable to light as his minions, sent darkness through the floor at 9/10's feet, causing tendrils to grow up and grasp at the flaw's legs.

Vlanis fired his last two shots at them before grabbing the nearest chair and slamming the clawed one as hard as he could with it. He spun and smashed the slightly incorporeal one as well. Vlanis then moved back, reloading his gun.

Edited March 31 by ThatOneGuyOverThere

[Verdance he/him]

15 hours ago, NameIess said:

The withergeist screamed in rage as it was dragged down into the pit. Its cries continued as it fell, removed from the battlefield but not slain.

The possessed adventurer's head was ripped cleanly off, withergeist within expelled from the now truly dead body.

--

The withergeists screamed in pain and terror at the incredible flash of light. Those nearest to Vlanis were burned away in the flash, destroyed by the  light. Those further away survived, though weakened and wounded by the light. The withergeist-bonded adventurers were briefly dazed and disoriented, but recovered quickly and continued to attack the remaining living adventurers.

Two such ran through the battered crowd of withergeists to attack Vlanis. One's hands were overgrown with dark claws, and the other's body seemed to be taking on some of the insubstantiality of an unbound withergeist.

9/10, aided by the disorientation caused by the flash of light, easily cut through the withergeists between him and the dark wizard. The wizard, not so vulnerable to light as his minions, sent darkness through the floor at 9/10's feet, causing tendrils to grow up and grasp at the flaw's legs.

9/10 rushed at the wizard, ignoring or breaking the hold the tendrils had on him, trying to kill his enemy before he got the chance to burn him again. He raised the dagger for a killing blow- then faltered. In the span of a second, thoughts tan through his mind. He wanted to kill this person. He had no moral inclination to spare him. But the luxite in his system would certainly rebel, and he would lose his powers. But if he didn’t, at the very least the Witherlord would have a good measurement of 9/10’s powers at this point, disregarding the fact that 9/10 and others might just die. The glow on the dagger flickered, and 9/10 decided. He threw a savage kick into the wizard’s chest, knocking him backwards into a Rift. A rift that led into the sealed nullite vault currently in the possession of the Enullers, who would be taking inventory right now. Not 9/10’s problem.

[Through The Living Star She/Her]

Ennalee spun, her sword piercing yet another withergeist. Still, there were too many. There was a man who had silently joined her side, though only for a moment. Still, she would keep fighting. She didn't know what she wanted, other than to stay alive. 9/10 had been dueling with the wizard, and Skylight was going after Glyer for some reason. She just wanted to get out of this horrid place. 

More and more though, it was looking like she wouldn't get the chance. 

[NameIess]

7 hours ago, Through The Living Grub said:

"Out of my way!" Skylight screamed as he charged the aide. He pulled a throwing knife from his belt and tossed it at the opponents heart. Not waiting for it to land, he flips his knife upside down and swings for the aide's neck.

The aide turned, taking the dagger in the shoulder instead of the chest. It caught Skylight’s other dagger on its left ark, not flinching at the pain such a wound should have caused as it rammed the Mordite dagger towards Skylight’s own heart.

Glyer, for his part, remained in his trance-like state. He still did not show any visible reaction to the attack.

2 hours ago, ThatOneGuyOverThere said:

Vlanis fired his last two shots at them before grabbing the nearest chair and slamming the clawed one as hard as he could with it. He spun and smashed the slightly incorporeal one as well. Vlanis then moved back, reloading his gun.

The clawed witherbound was knocked to the ground, but the chair simply passed through the incorporeal one. That witherbound bellowed in triumph, grabbing Vlanis’s head in his hands to drain the life from him-

or tried to. His hands passed through Vlanis’s head with nothing more than a slight sensation of cold. Clearly, the witherbound had not quite mastered his newfound power.

2 hours ago, Through The Living Grass said:

9/10 rushed at the wizard, ignoring or breaking the hold the tendrils had on him, trying to kill his enemy before he got the chance to burn him again. He raised the dagger for a killing blow- then faltered. In the span of a second, thoughts tan through his mind. He wanted to kill this person. He had no moral inclination to spare him. But the luxite in his system would certainly rebel, and he would lose his powers. But if he didn’t, at the very least the Witherlord would have a good measurement of 9/10’s powers at this point, disregarding the fact that 9/10 and others might just die. The glow on the dagger flickered, and 9/10 decided. He threw a savage kick into the wizard’s chest, knocking him backwards into a Rift. A rift that led into the sealed nullite vault currently in the possession of the Enullers, who would be taking inventory right now. Not 9/10’s problem.

The Dark Wizard was once again caught by surprise, and fell backwards into the rift , arms flailing to the sides. The rift snapped shut behind him, leaving the room populated only by a haggard group of adventurers, a disorganized mass of withergeists, and a few gleeful Witherbound.

1 hour ago, Through The Living Star said:

Ennalee spun, her sword piercing yet another withergeist. Still, there were too many. There was a man who had silently joined her side, though only for a moment. Still, she would keep fighting. She didn't know what she wanted, other than to stay alive. 9/10 had been dueling with the wizard, and Skylight was going after Glyer for some reason. She just wanted to get out of this horrid place. 

More and more though, it was looking like she wouldn't get the chance. 

The adventurers guarding the exit looked to one another, clearly coming to a similar conclusion about the chances of those still in the room. They turned and vanished into the night. Shortly after, screams, crashes, and horrific crunching noises sounded from outside. Perhaps the outside was not so safe as they had assumed.

Ennalee didn't have much time to consider these things, as the withergeists continued their onslaught. Ahead of her, the silent adventurer fought his way towards the exit, blade flashing grimly as he led a small group of surviving aides and adventurers towards the exit.

One of the witherbound worked her way around this group, and moved towards Ennalee. Dark mist emanated from her, eating away at the fallen weapons, the floor, and anything it touched. The witherbound outstretched a pale hand towards Ennalee, smiling with intimidating grace. Then she tripped on a hole in the floor her mist had created.

On 3/27/2026 at 12:21 AM, Through the Living Heir said:

Jack's eyes widened. "You do?"

Lyric frowned. “Yes. How could I forget?” His eyes grew distant. “It seems so long ago now. Though surely, it cannot have not been more than… ten years, perhaps? I… wonder how my family is doing. How they reacted to…” He seemed to realize where he was abruptly, blinking rapidly. “Er, how much… did I tell you about my past?”

[Verdance he/him]

34 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The aide turned, taking the dagger in the shoulder instead of the chest. It caught Skylight’s other dagger on its left ark, not flinching at the pain such a wound should have caused as it rammed the Mordite dagger towards Skylight’s own heart.

Glyer, for his part, remained in his trance-like state. He still did not show any visible reaction to the attack.

The clawed witherbound was knocked to the ground, but the chair simply passed through the incorporeal one. That witherbound bellowed in triumph, grabbing Vlanis’s head in his hands to drain the life from him-

or tried to. His hands passed through Vlanis’s head with nothing more than a slight sensation of cold. Clearly, the witherbound had not quite mastered his newfound power.

The Dark Wizard was once again caught by surprise, and fell backwards into the rift , arms flailing to the sides. The rift snapped shut behind him, leaving the room populated only by a haggard group of adventurers, a disorganized mass of withergeists, and a few gleeful Witherbound.

The adventurers guarding the exit looked to one another, clearly coming to a similar conclusion about the chances of those still in the room. They turned and vanished into the night. Shortly after, screams, crashes, and horrific crunching noises sounded from outside. Perhaps the outside was not so safe as they had assumed.

Ennalee didn't have much time to consider these things, as the withergeists continued their onslaught. Ahead of her, the silent adventurer fought his way towards the exit, blade flashing grimly as he led a small group of surviving aides and adventurers towards the exit.

One of the witherbound worked her way around this group, and moved towards Ennalee. Dark mist emanated from her, eating away at the fallen weapons, the floor, and anything it touched. The witherbound outstretched a pale hand towards Ennalee, smiling with intimidating grace. Then she tripped on a hole in the floor her mist had created.

Lyric frowned. “Yes. How could I forget?” His eyes grew distant. “It seems so long ago now. Though surely, it cannot have not been more than… ten years, perhaps? I… wonder how my family is doing. How they reacted to…” He seemed to realize where he was abruptly, blinking rapidly. “Er, how much… did I tell you about my past?”

9/10mmHB#2 stopped to catch his breath, then surveyed the room from the stage. Several people were in fact, still alive. And it was likely that without his intervention, they would not be. Good enough. A few withergeists tentatively approached, but shied away when 9/10 brandished Inconsistency, glowing with Ordered Light. An unexpected urge came upon him, and he sighed and called out to the survivors, desperately fighting the withergeists. “I don’t suppose any of you need help?”

[IAmThatOneGuy He/Him]

31 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The aide turned, taking the dagger in the shoulder instead of the chest. It caught Skylight’s other dagger on its left ark, not flinching at the pain such a wound should have caused as it rammed the Mordite dagger towards Skylight’s own heart.

Glyer, for his part, remained in his trance-like state. He still did not show any visible reaction to the attack.

The clawed witherbound was knocked to the ground, but the chair simply passed through the incorporeal one. That witherbound bellowed in triumph, grabbing Vlanis’s head in his hands to drain the life from him-

or tried to. His hands passed through Vlanis’s head with nothing more than a slight sensation of cold. Clearly, the witherbound had not quite mastered his newfound power.

The Dark Wizard was once again caught by surprise, and fell backwards into the rift , arms flailing to the sides. The rift snapped shut behind him, leaving the room populated only by a haggard group of adventurers, a disorganized mass of withergeists, and a few gleeful Witherbound.

The adventurers guarding the exit looked to one another, clearly coming to a similar conclusion about the chances of those still in the room. They turned and vanished into the night. Shortly after, screams, crashes, and horrific crunching noises sounded from outside. Perhaps the outside was not so safe as they had assumed.

Ennalee didn't have much time to consider these things, as the withergeists continued their onslaught. Ahead of her, the silent adventurer fought his way towards the exit, blade flashing grimly as he led a small group of surviving aides and adventurers towards the exit.

One of the witherbound worked her way around this group, and moved towards Ennalee. Dark mist emanated from her, eating away at the fallen weapons, the floor, and anything it touched. The witherbound outstretched a pale hand towards Ennalee, smiling with intimidating grace. Then she tripped on a hole in the floor her mist had created.

Vlanis regarded the witherbound with a raised eyebrow. "Well done. Give it some practice, and you might just give me a cold."
His voice trailed off when he noticed one of Glyer's aids holding their black dagger.
Mordite... Glyer's voice echoed in his mind.  ...Kill almost anything...
He raised his gun and shot the aide's chest.
-

6 minutes ago, Through The Living Grass said:

9/10mmHB#2 stopped to catch his breath, then surveyed the room from the stage. Several people were in fact, still alive. And it was likely that without his intervention, they would not be. Good enough. A few withergeists tentatively approached, but shied away when 9/10 brandished Inconsistency, glowing with Ordered Light. An unexpected urge came upon him, and he sighed and called out to the survivors, desperately fighting the withergeists. “I don’t suppose any of you need help?”

The Outlier looked towards 9/10. He was too tired to act sarcastically.
"Yes, please," He uttered wearily. 

[Verdance he/him]

9/10 hesitated. He glanced back over the last few pages momentarily, intrigued, then looking at the crowd of withergeists and assorted combatants, sighed and used a Rift to appear behind Outlier. “We don’t have to kill them all,” he advised. “Just clear a path to any survivors. I’ll watch your back, and get them out of danger. Oh, and listen to the voice in your head. From experience, they are wise and powerful, and you should believe everything they say,” he finished with a wry smile.

——

Inkwell was tired of waiting for the Master’s Dragon to wake up and respond. He felt a sense of spite that such power should go to waste. The new gods of this world would be the ones that lived, not those who slept. And he could find another way to grow more powerful. The sword was not the only way to serve his mas- what was he thinking? Inkwell shook himself, falling through the Void blindly. He wasn’t a withergeist. He didn’t want power or violence or darkness. He wouldn’t give in to the mordite, he couldn’t. But the mere thought caused him to feel nauseous and weak, and he quickly returned to his primal state. The tiny shard of ration realized that curing himself would be… difficult.

Edited April 1 by Through The Living Grass

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

20 hours ago, NameIess said:

The withergeist screamed in rage as it was dragged down into the pit. Its cries continued as it fell, removed from the battlefield but not slain.

The possessed adventurer's head was ripped cleanly off, withergeist within expelled from the now truly dead body.

--

The withergeists screamed in pain and terror at the incredible flash of light. Those nearest to Vlanis were burned away in the flash, destroyed by the  light. Those further away survived, though weakened and wounded by the light. The withergeist-bonded adventurers were briefly dazed and disoriented, but recovered quickly and continued to attack the remaining living adventurers.

Two such ran through the battered crowd of withergeists to attack Vlanis. One's hands were overgrown with dark claws, and the other's body seemed to be taking on some of the insubstantiality of an unbound withergeist.

9/10, aided by the disorientation caused by the flash of light, easily cut through the withergeists between him and the dark wizard. The wizard, not so vulnerable to light as his minions, sent darkness through the floor at 9/10's feet, causing tendrils to grow up and grasp at the flaw's legs.

Afterimage looked down, grimacing. “I see. I didn’t want to do this.”

Energy. Volatile. Unconfined, in the small space it was constrained to.

The plasma reached a temperature… somewhere around 10^25 times the heat of the Sun.

The Adari structure began to be strained, something Afterimage had never experience, and the Withergeist was torn to pieces—the mere gravity of the dust around it at that heat pulling its host apart molecule by molecule. 

“I hope that worked.”

ya know I realized that if there was a maximum speed, the speed of light, there should be a maximum temperature as well. I was right… sort of.

What I didn’t expect was how weird it was. At the temperature, the particles go so fast that their mass increases (something I forgot about), and their gravity is so strong that it overcomes the strong force and essentially performs fission with just gravity.

But it doesn’t stop there.

 

The gravity is so strong that each individual particle becomes a little black hole, with an escape velocity faster than light.

We have no idea what happens at that point. But it isn’t pretty.

 

Luckily, Afterimage is able to contain it.

(Wow! AI is so smart!)

[NameIess]

1 hour ago, ThatOneGuyOverThere said:

Vlanis regarded the witherbound with a raised eyebrow. "Well done. Give it some practice, and you might just give me a cold."
His voice trailed off when he noticed one of Glyer's aids holding their black dagger.
Mordite... Glyer's voice echoed in his mind.  ...Kill almost anything...
He raised his gun and shot the aide's chest.

The aide stumbled, but did not fall. Nor did it bleed. A misty grey substance leaking from its chest, the aide turned to glare at Vlanis.

The Witherbound, meanwhile, was focusing. With effort, he was able to make his hands corporeal again. triumphantly, he turned towards Vlanis, seemingly not realizing that his entire body was now physical, not just his hands.

1 hour ago, Through The Living Grass said:

9/10 hesitated. He glanced back over the last few pages momentarily, intrigued, then looking at the crowd of withergeists and assorted combatants, sighed and used a Rift to appear behind Outlier. “We don’t have to kill them all,” he advised. “Just clear a path to any survivors. I’ll watch your back, and get them out of danger. Oh, and listen to the voice in your head. From experience, they are wise and powerful, and you should believe everything they say,” he finished with a wry smile.

As if noticing the brightening hopes of the living, the situation decided to worsen itself.

There came a great roar from outside the building, followed by the impact of something very large against the far wall. Cracks formed, then the entire wall imploded.

The dragon from earlier thrust its head into the building. Its hide was desiccated, with great gashes exposing grey flesh from its fight against the withergeists that had pursued it. The dragon's scales were shiny and black, its eyes empty sockets bleeding dark liquid. The dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of boiling black liquid at 9/10 and Vlanis, burning away aides, adventurers, and withergeists alike as the blast shot across the room.

22 minutes ago, Through the Living Wrath said:

Afterimage looked down, grimacing. “I see. I didn’t want to do this.”

Energy. Volatile. Unconfined, in the small space it was constrained to.

The plasma reached a temperature… somewhere around 10^25 times the heat of the Sun.

The Adari structure began to be strained, something Afterimage had never experience, and the Withergeist was torn to pieces—the mere gravity of the dust around it at that heat pulling its host apart molecule by molecule. 

“I hope that worked.”

Though the withergeist was not formed of molecules, the concentrated heat and light worked nonetheless. The withergeist wailed as it was burned into nothing.

That left only about eighty withergeists, as well as perhaps a dozen Witherbound, and the massive Witherbound dragon that had just destroyed the far wall.

@Through The Living Grub @Through The Living Star

--

Jim the Ennuller stand-in was having a particularly bad day even before one of the most dangerous Witherbound in the entire Thread dropped from an inexplicable portal right in front of him. 

For one, he'd been stuck on cataloging duty. Jim hated cataloging duty. Counting things all day? Doing countless pages of paperwork that basically amounted to 'we have this much of this thing' and 'yes, I really did check to make sure'. It was worse than torture. If he made just a single mistake in the paperwork, his supervisor would get onto him about 'keeping to proper standards of documentation' and 'not taking the solemn duties of an Ennuller stand-in seriously'.

Perhaps, he reflected, this was why he had never made a very good Ennuller. Ennullers were orderly, as a rule. with an orderly organization, and orderly powers. There was so much order, so much paperwork that no one could ever get anything done. Why, the Witherlord had returned, and they'd done nothing about it! Sure, the Wall would hold, but what about the Thread, and those living in it?

Jim kept these thoughts to himself. His superiors likely would not respond well to an Ennuller wash-out like himself voicing such critical concerns. Besides, he didn't always hate his job. Sometimes, it was fun. And the benefits were rather nice, sometimes. 

Still, even if Jim had loved cataloging, he doubted he'd have enjoyed this assignment. An entire vault filled with Nullite, just given to a random Ennuller in the form of a paper bag? Besides that, the place was just... empty. no darkness, no light, nothing. It shouldn't even be able to exist, for there was no fundamental force making up its reality!

All that to say, Jim was filling out paperwork as quickly as possible, counting the Nullite spheres and cataloging their purity and density, when a rift opened in the air. Terrified, he'd leapt to the side, hiding behind one of the racks of Nullite.

The figure who'd dropped through glowed with the dark power of the Void, and was clearly very angry. Eyes widening, Jim recognized him from a warning sheet he'd read. This was the Great Wizard! Or, the Dark Wizard now, he supposed. A wizard who, long ago, had bound a withergeist in order to have greater power to help people. He'd been involved in some plot involving Protagonist and Antagonist, back when no one had been sure how someone actually getting one of those Blades would go. More recently, he'd shown signs of fully succumbing to the withergeist within him, and with the Witherlord returned...

Jim gulped softly, and began rifling through his clipboard. Where was it, where was it... there! He pulled free form ID #4217, Request for Immediate Aid due to Imminent Danger of the Void. Hurriedly, he uncapped his pen and began checking boxes, signing, and initialing as quickly as he could.

Are you an affiliate of the Ennullers? Answer: Yes

Are you in an Ennuller-affiliated locale? Answer: Yes

Have you, or any close associates, been infected with any serious magical diseases in the past thirty pages? Answer: 

Jim counted back the pages, struggling to remember when exactly that had happened. He risked a quick glance up at the Wizard, who seemed to be examining the wall of the pocket dimension. He looked back down at his form and scribbled in an answer in the negative.

What is your mother's maiden name?

Answer: Greene

In how many business days do you need your help to arrive?

Answer: ZERO 0.002 or less

What dangers are you currently facing?

Answer: An extremely dangerous Witherbound has inexplicably infiltrated the Ennuller-claimed facility I was cataloging. I am hiding, but will doubtless soon be discovered.

Jim continued filling out the form, checking countless boxes and writing countless answers. Finally, he finished the form, signing, initialing, and dating it. The form vanished, leaving Jim to wait, trembling, hoping for a quick answer.

@xinoehp512

--

The Witherlord appeared before the gates of Heaven. It seemed a good time, with some of his foes distracted, and the others absent.

There were a few defenders here, but he had made his rift too close to the gates for any of them to stop him. He rested his hand against the glowing golden gates, and pressed his will against them.

Open to me. He commanded. Let me in, that I might kill, ravage, and destroy all that is good within you.

@Through the living keigs

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

2 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The aide stumbled, but did not fall. Nor did it bleed. A misty grey substance leaking from its chest, the aide turned to glare at Vlanis.

The Witherbound, meanwhile, was focusing. With effort, he was able to make his hands corporeal again. triumphantly, he turned towards Vlanis, seemingly not realizing that his entire body was now physical, not just his hands.

As if noticing the brightening hopes of the living, the situation decided to worsen itself.

There came a great roar from outside the building, followed by the impact of something very large against the far wall. Cracks formed, then the entire wall imploded.

The dragon from earlier thrust its head into the building. Its hide was desiccated, with great gashes exposing grey flesh from its fight against the withergeists that had pursued it. The dragon's scales were shiny and black, its eyes empty sockets bleeding dark liquid. The dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of boiling black liquid at 9/10 and Vlanis, burning away aides, adventurers, and withergeists alike as the blast shot across the room.

Though the withergeist was not formed of molecules, the concentrated heat and light worked nonetheless. The withergeist wailed as it was burned into nothing.

That left only about eighty withergeists, as well as perhaps a dozen Witherbound, and the massive Witherbound dragon that had just destroyed the far wall.

@Through The Living Grub @Through The Living Star

--

Jim the Ennuller stand-in was having a particularly bad day even before one of the most dangerous Witherbound in the entire Thread dropped from an inexplicable portal right in front of him. 

For one, he'd been stuck on cataloging duty. Jim hated cataloging duty. Counting things all day? Doing countless pages of paperwork that basically amounted to 'we have this much of this thing' and 'yes, I really did check to make sure'. It was worse than torture. If he made just a single mistake in the paperwork, his supervisor would get onto him about 'keeping to proper standards of documentation' and 'not taking the solemn duties of an Ennuller stand-in seriously'.

Perhaps, he reflected, this was why he had never made a very good Ennuller. Ennullers were orderly, as a rule. with an orderly organization, and orderly powers. There was so much order, so much paperwork that no one could ever get anything done. Why, the Witherlord had returned, and they'd done nothing about it! Sure, the Wall would hold, but what about the Thread, and those living in it?

Jim kept these thoughts to himself. His superiors likely would not respond well to an Ennuller wash-out like himself voicing such critical concerns. Besides, he didn't always hate his job. Sometimes, it was fun. And the benefits were rather nice, sometimes. 

Still, even if Jim had loved cataloging, he doubted he'd have enjoyed this assignment. An entire vault filled with Nullite, just given to a random Ennuller in the form of a paper bag? Besides that, the place was just... empty. no darkness, no light, nothing. It shouldn't even be able to exist, for there was no fundamental force making up its reality!

All that to say, Jim was filling out paperwork as quickly as possible, counting the Nullite spheres and cataloging their purity and density, when a rift opened in the air. Terrified, he'd leapt to the side, hiding behind one of the racks of Nullite.

The figure who'd dropped through glowed with the dark power of the Void, and was clearly very angry. Eyes widening, Jim recognized him from a warning sheet he'd read. This was the Great Wizard! Or, the Dark Wizard now, he supposed. A wizard who, long ago, had bound a withergeist in order to have greater power to help people. He'd been involved in some plot involving Protagonist and Antagonist, back when no one had been sure how someone actually getting one of those Blades would go. More recently, he'd shown signs of fully succumbing to the withergeist within him, and with the Witherlord returned...

Jim gulped softly, and began rifling through his clipboard. Where was it, where was it... there! He pulled free form ID #4217, Request for Immediate Aid due to Imminent Danger of the Void. Hurriedly, he uncapped his pen and began checking boxes, signing, and initialing as quickly as he could.

Are you an affiliate of the Ennullers? Answer: Yes

Are you in an Ennuller-affiliated locale? Answer: Yes

Have you, or any close associates, been infected with any serious magical diseases in the past thirty pages? Answer: 

Jim counted back the pages, struggling to remember when exactly that had happened. He risked a quick glance up at the Wizard, who seemed to be examining the wall of the pocket dimension. He looked back down at his form and scribbled in an answer in the negative.

What is your mother's maiden name?

Answer: Greene

In how many business days do you need your help to arrive?

Answer: ZERO 0.002 or less

What dangers are you currently facing?

Answer: An extremely dangerous Witherbound has inexplicably infiltrated the Ennuller-claimed facility I was cataloging. I am hiding, but will doubtless soon be discovered.

Jim continued filling out the form, checking countless boxes and writing countless answers. Finally, he finished the form, signing, initialing, and dating it. The form vanished, leaving Jim to wait, trembling, hoping for a quick answer.

@xinoehp512

--

The Witherlord appeared before the gates of Heaven. It seemed a good time, with some of his foes distracted, and the others absent.

There were a few defenders here, but he had made his rift too close to the gates for any of them to stop him. He rested his hand against the glowing golden gates, and pressed his will against them.

Open to me. He commanded. Let me in, that I might kill, ravage, and destroy all that is good within you.

@Through the living keigs

Afterimage noted the effectiveness of the strategy and began sending orbs of this energy  as projectiles, passing them through as many Withergeists as possible.

didnt see nothing bout a dragon till now... guess i should help

Afterimage turned his attention to the dragon. Chaos. Rampant entropy. But entropy was in itself a form of action. Not a true manifestation of darkness.

The Deep within him began to pulse, and he struggled to reign it in. How it managed to pulse, he did not know.

But the Deep knew darkness. And it was eager to deliver.

this is why I can't consider him ordered light.

[IAmThatOneGuy He/Him]

19 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The aide stumbled, but did not fall. Nor did it bleed. A misty grey substance leaking from its chest, the aide turned to glare at Vlanis.

The Witherbound, meanwhile, was focusing. With effort, he was able to make his hands corporeal again. triumphantly, he turned towards Vlanis, seemingly not realizing that his entire body was now physical, not just his hands.

As if noticing the brightening hopes of the living, the situation decided to worsen itself.

There came a great roar from outside the building, followed by the impact of something very large against the far wall. Cracks formed, then the entire wall imploded.

The dragon from earlier thrust its head into the building. Its hide was desiccated, with great gashes exposing grey flesh from its fight against the withergeists that had pursued it. The dragon's scales were shiny and black, its eyes empty sockets bleeding dark liquid. The dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of boiling black liquid at 9/10 and Vlanis, burning away aides, adventurers, and withergeists alike as the blast shot across the room.

Though the withergeist was not formed of molecules, the concentrated heat and light worked nonetheless. The withergeist wailed as it was burned into nothing.

That left only about eighty withergeists, as well as perhaps a dozen Witherbound, and the massive Witherbound dragon that had just destroyed the far wall.

@Through The Living Grub @Through The Living Star

--

Jim the Ennuller stand-in was having a particularly bad day even before one of the most dangerous Witherbound in the entire Thread dropped from an inexplicable portal right in front of him. 

For one, he'd been stuck on cataloging duty. Jim hated cataloging duty. Counting things all day? Doing countless pages of paperwork that basically amounted to 'we have this much of this thing' and 'yes, I really did check to make sure'. It was worse than torture. If he made just a single mistake in the paperwork, his supervisor would get onto him about 'keeping to proper standards of documentation' and 'not taking the solemn duties of an Ennuller stand-in seriously'.

Perhaps, he reflected, this was why he had never made a very good Ennuller. Ennullers were orderly, as a rule. with an orderly organization, and orderly powers. There was so much order, so much paperwork that no one could ever get anything done. Why, the Witherlord had returned, and they'd done nothing about it! Sure, the Wall would hold, but what about the Thread, and those living in it?

Jim kept these thoughts to himself. His superiors likely would not respond well to an Ennuller wash-out like himself voicing such critical concerns. Besides, he didn't always hate his job. Sometimes, it was fun. And the benefits were rather nice, sometimes. 

Still, even if Jim had loved cataloging, he doubted he'd have enjoyed this assignment. An entire vault filled with Nullite, just given to a random Ennuller in the form of a paper bag? Besides that, the place was just... empty. no darkness, no light, nothing. It shouldn't even be able to exist, for there was no fundamental force making up its reality!

All that to say, Jim was filling out paperwork as quickly as possible, counting the Nullite spheres and cataloging their purity and density, when a rift opened in the air. Terrified, he'd leapt to the side, hiding behind one of the racks of Nullite.

The figure who'd dropped through glowed with the dark power of the Void, and was clearly very angry. Eyes widening, Jim recognized him from a warning sheet he'd read. This was the Great Wizard! Or, the Dark Wizard now, he supposed. A wizard who, long ago, had bound a withergeist in order to have greater power to help people. He'd been involved in some plot involving Protagonist and Antagonist, back when no one had been sure how someone actually getting one of those Blades would go. More recently, he'd shown signs of fully succumbing to the withergeist within him, and with the Witherlord returned...

Jim gulped softly, and began rifling through his clipboard. Where was it, where was it... there! He pulled free form ID #4217, Request for Immediate Aid due to Imminent Danger of the Void. Hurriedly, he uncapped his pen and began checking boxes, signing, and initialing as quickly as he could.

Are you an affiliate of the Ennullers? Answer: Yes

Are you in an Ennuller-affiliated locale? Answer: Yes

Have you, or any close associates, been infected with any serious magical diseases in the past thirty pages? Answer: 

Jim counted back the pages, struggling to remember when exactly that had happened. He risked a quick glance up at the Wizard, who seemed to be examining the wall of the pocket dimension. He looked back down at his form and scribbled in an answer in the negative.

What is your mother's maiden name?

Answer: Greene

In how many business days do you need your help to arrive?

Answer: ZERO 0.002 or less

What dangers are you currently facing?

Answer: An extremely dangerous Witherbound has inexplicably infiltrated the Ennuller-claimed facility I was cataloging. I am hiding, but will doubtless soon be discovered.

Jim continued filling out the form, checking countless boxes and writing countless answers. Finally, he finished the form, signing, initialing, and dating it. The form vanished, leaving Jim to wait, trembling, hoping for a quick answer.

@xinoehp512

--

The Witherlord appeared before the gates of Heaven. It seemed a good time, with some of his foes distracted, and the others absent.

There were a few defenders here, but he had made his rift too close to the gates for any of them to stop him. He rested his hand against the glowing golden gates, and pressed his will against them.

Open to me. He commanded. Let me in, that I might kill, ravage, and destroy all that is good within you.

@Through the living keigs

Vlanis smiled as the witherbound turned physical. "I'd thought that would happen. "
He quickly turned and shot it several times.
Then he saw the dragon. He sighed once again. "Just great."
 

[Verdance he/him]

26 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The aide stumbled, but did not fall. Nor did it bleed. A misty grey substance leaking from its chest, the aide turned to glare at Vlanis.

The Witherbound, meanwhile, was focusing. With effort, he was able to make his hands corporeal again. triumphantly, he turned towards Vlanis, seemingly not realizing that his entire body was now physical, not just his hands.

As if noticing the brightening hopes of the living, the situation decided to worsen itself.

There came a great roar from outside the building, followed by the impact of something very large against the far wall. Cracks formed, then the entire wall imploded.

The dragon from earlier thrust its head into the building. Its hide was desiccated, with great gashes exposing grey flesh from its fight against the withergeists that had pursued it. The dragon's scales were shiny and black, its eyes empty sockets bleeding dark liquid. The dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of boiling black liquid at 9/10 and Vlanis, burning away aides, adventurers, and withergeists alike as the blast shot across the room.

Though the withergeist was not formed of molecules, the concentrated heat and light worked nonetheless. The withergeist wailed as it was burned into nothing.

That left only about eighty withergeists, as well as perhaps a dozen Witherbound, and the massive Witherbound dragon that had just destroyed the far wall.

@Through The Living Grub @Through The Living Star

--

Jim the Ennuller stand-in was having a particularly bad day even before one of the most dangerous Witherbound in the entire Thread dropped from an inexplicable portal right in front of him. 

For one, he'd been stuck on cataloging duty. Jim hated cataloging duty. Counting things all day? Doing countless pages of paperwork that basically amounted to 'we have this much of this thing' and 'yes, I really did check to make sure'. It was worse than torture. If he made just a single mistake in the paperwork, his supervisor would get onto him about 'keeping to proper standards of documentation' and 'not taking the solemn duties of an Ennuller stand-in seriously'.

Perhaps, he reflected, this was why he had never made a very good Ennuller. Ennullers were orderly, as a rule. with an orderly organization, and orderly powers. There was so much order, so much paperwork that no one could ever get anything done. Why, the Witherlord had returned, and they'd done nothing about it! Sure, the Wall would hold, but what about the Thread, and those living in it?

Jim kept these thoughts to himself. His superiors likely would not respond well to an Ennuller wash-out like himself voicing such critical concerns. Besides, he didn't always hate his job. Sometimes, it was fun. And the benefits were rather nice, sometimes. 

Still, even if Jim had loved cataloging, he doubted he'd have enjoyed this assignment. An entire vault filled with Nullite, just given to a random Ennuller in the form of a paper bag? Besides that, the place was just... empty. no darkness, no light, nothing. It shouldn't even be able to exist, for there was no fundamental force making up its reality!

All that to say, Jim was filling out paperwork as quickly as possible, counting the Nullite spheres and cataloging their purity and density, when a rift opened in the air. Terrified, he'd leapt to the side, hiding behind one of the racks of Nullite.

The figure who'd dropped through glowed with the dark power of the Void, and was clearly very angry. Eyes widening, Jim recognized him from a warning sheet he'd read. This was the Great Wizard! Or, the Dark Wizard now, he supposed. A wizard who, long ago, had bound a withergeist in order to have greater power to help people. He'd been involved in some plot involving Protagonist and Antagonist, back when no one had been sure how someone actually getting one of those Blades would go. More recently, he'd shown signs of fully succumbing to the withergeist within him, and with the Witherlord returned...

Jim gulped softly, and began rifling through his clipboard. Where was it, where was it... there! He pulled free form ID #4217, Request for Immediate Aid due to Imminent Danger of the Void. Hurriedly, he uncapped his pen and began checking boxes, signing, and initialing as quickly as he could.

Are you an affiliate of the Ennullers? Answer: Yes

Are you in an Ennuller-affiliated locale? Answer: Yes

Have you, or any close associates, been infected with any serious magical diseases in the past thirty pages? Answer: 

Jim counted back the pages, struggling to remember when exactly that had happened. He risked a quick glance up at the Wizard, who seemed to be examining the wall of the pocket dimension. He looked back down at his form and scribbled in an answer in the negative.

What is your mother's maiden name?

Answer: Greene

In how many business days do you need your help to arrive?

Answer: ZERO 0.002 or less

What dangers are you currently facing?

Answer: An extremely dangerous Witherbound has inexplicably infiltrated the Ennuller-claimed facility I was cataloging. I am hiding, but will doubtless soon be discovered.

Jim continued filling out the form, checking countless boxes and writing countless answers. Finally, he finished the form, signing, initialing, and dating it. The form vanished, leaving Jim to wait, trembling, hoping for a quick answer.

@xinoehp512

--

The Witherlord appeared before the gates of Heaven. It seemed a good time, with some of his foes distracted, and the others absent.

There were a few defenders here, but he had made his rift too close to the gates for any of them to stop him. He rested his hand against the glowing golden gates, and pressed his will against them.

Open to me. He commanded. Let me in, that I might kill, ravage, and destroy all that is good within you.

@Through the living keigs

Peak

9/10mmHB#2 sighed. “A dragon. Excellent.” As an immediate defense against the chaotic dark breath weapon, he closed his eyes and with much effort, summoned a Rift the diameter of a small car, which redirected the breath weapon somewhere else. He immediately dropped to the ground, surprised at how much that took out of him, struggling to stay awake as for some reason, he suddenly felt the strong desire to fall asleep. As he did, something curious happened. The fabric of reality in any story isn’t really supposed to be torn apart by extradimensional forces of creative entropy, and generally responds by sealing itself back up. Here, the Rift was exceptionally large, and reality had a hard time keeping up. Incidentally, the rift didn’t seal at all. The fraying edges of different layers of reality, order, chaos, light, dark, all stopped coordinating here at the rift, fundamental energy based entities’ stores of power fluctuating wildly. Gravity from the other side interfering with the normal forces of this region of the universe started to pull everything subtly towards the Rift, and in general, bad things were happening.

[Through The Living Star She/Her]

A dragon. A Lights Cursed dragon. How had it turned into a witherbound?  

Ennalee was growing tired. Her sword seemed to weigh more than it had before. Each thrust was straining her. They were fighting back, however. The small band of adventurers that were left fought valiantly against the withergeists, pressing towards the door. They needed her to fight, she knew. But she was so tired...

Logic said she couldn't do any more. She knew that. She trusted in the logic.

A few people, such as 9/10, hadn't left yet, though they clearly could have. They were helping. She couldn't let any of them down. 

Logic... the voice whispered. Logic is flawed. It may provide the path, but you must provide the reason. The reason to care. The reason to fight. Without it... you will fail, no matter how hard you try. 

Ennalee was so tempted to listen to the voice. But logic had never failed her. 

She swung her sword back around to pierce a witherbound, the steps practically rote to her. Step. Step. Thrust. Dodge. Swing. Shuffle back. Thrust. Go for the finishing blow. 

The methodic sway of the battle provided a sort of calm to Ennalee, even as the dragon sprayed another blast of bubbling black tar. She found a sort of clear headedness in the chaos. 

Logic may say I can't do more. SO THE LOGIC MUST CHANGE. 

Something warped, and Ennalee split. A second version of herself, looking the exact same, wielding a pristine white blade. 

The logic matches now. The voice said eagerly. 

Huh. Ennalee thought. 9/10 was right. The voice in my head is smart sometimes. 

And even though the way things happened made her head hurt, she began to fight back with a renewed energy, the duplicate of her charging forward to face the dragon. 

[Keke They/he]

10 hours ago, NameIess said:

The Witherlord appeared before the gates of Heaven. It seemed a good time, with some of his foes distracted, and the others absent.

There were a few defenders here, but he had made his rift too close to the gates for any of them to stop him. He rested his hand against the glowing golden gates, and pressed his will against them.

Open to me. He commanded. Let me in, that I might kill, ravage, and destroy all that is good within you.

A person, presumably angel, appeared on the other side of the gates. She had short cut hair that looked like she did it herself. And an outfit i have drawn but no photo of as of right now I’ll post it later. “That wont work.” She said, and regardless of how much he tried he cant reach anything beyond the gates. He warped back down because you cant see the gates of heaven unless your Intent is well. 

[Through The Living Grub He/Him]

10 hours ago, NameIess said:

The Witherlord appeared before the gates of Heaven. It seemed a good time, with some of his foes distracted, and the others absent.

There were a few defenders here, but he had made his rift too close to the gates for any of them to stop him. He rested his hand against the glowing golden gates, and pressed his will against them.

Open to me. He commanded. Let me in, that I might kill, ravage, and destroy all that is good within you.

The little companion floated gently behind. It was embarrassed by the lecture earlier, and had remained quiet through the entire trip to Heaven. Standing before the golden gates was an incredible experience. Many dreamed of this moment, though few saw it come to life. The ball watched the stunned guards shake awake and panic at the sudden appearance of everything they stood against.

Should it help? Who to help? The Witherlord had chastised it when it tried to help, but seemed to be fine when others did what it wanted. Could the ball open the doors? Would that be ok? Should it kill the guards?

Wait...where had that come from?

The Void pulsed inside. It had corrupted the ball during the journey, aligning it with the darkness. The tiny companion stood motionless.

For inside it, a battle raged.

_____________

10 hours ago, NameIess said:

The aide stumbled, but did not fall. Nor did it bleed. A misty grey substance leaking from its chest, the aide turned to glare at Vlanis.

"Pay attention!" Skylight screamed. He hated a combatant that ignored the fight. He leapt on the aide, trying to use his weight to force the Mordite knife into his opponent. 

What should we do about the dragon? "Nothing," Skylight whispered as he fell on his opponent. "We shall take the Blade and run. We can escape this cursed Thread and find somewhere to rule."

But, what about my friends? "What friends? Everyone you tried to interact with grew to hate you. They are scared of you, and you are scared of them."

But, you are the one who drove them away. Skylight remembered time on a world with real friends, time spent soaring in the sky and being close to the sun. They had nicknamed him Skylight for that. He missed those people.

"They would grow to hate you eventually." 

But that's only because of you. 

"No." 

Yes.

"NO!"

"YES!" Skylight screamed and forced the knife down. The poor aide withered and died. "I will not let you take this chance from me. I will live for myself and my friends. You WILL submit to that." The voice in Skylight withdrew.

"Vlanis!" Skylight yelled across the chaos, "Thanks for the distraction! Here, take this knife and see if you can finish off the other whithergiests." Skylight kicked the aide's dagger across the room so it slid to Vlanis's feet. "I bet Glyer's Blade can finish of that dragon. Once I get it, let's take it together!" He offered a salute with the knife, then turned to Glyer.

"Hello Glyer. I'm afraid I have a favor to ask of you."

[NameIess]

13 hours ago, Through the Living Sherma said:

Afterimage noted the effectiveness of the strategy and began sending orbs of this energy  as projectiles, passing them through as many Withergeists as possible.

didnt see nothing bout a dragon till now... guess i should help

Afterimage turned his attention to the dragon. Chaos. Rampant entropy. But entropy was in itself a form of action. Not a true manifestation of darkness.

The Deep within him began to pulse, and he struggled to reign it in. How it managed to pulse, he did not know.

But the Deep knew darkness. And it was eager to deliver.

this is why I can't consider him ordered light.

It flew away once the fight started, but was caught by a few withergeists offscreen.

13 hours ago, ThatOneGuyOverThere said:

Vlanis smiled as the witherbound turned physical. "I'd thought that would happen. "
He quickly turned and shot it several times.
Then he saw the dragon. He sighed once again. "Just great."
 

The Witherbound dropped, cursing as his withergeist began healing him. The one with claws stood up from where he’d been knocked to the ground, only to be annihilated by the dragon’s breath attack.

12 hours ago, Verdance said:

Peak

9/10mmHB#2 sighed. “A dragon. Excellent.” As an immediate defense against the chaotic dark breath weapon, he closed his eyes and with much effort, summoned a Rift the diameter of a small car, which redirected the breath weapon somewhere else. He immediately dropped to the ground, surprised at how much that took out of him, struggling to stay awake as for some reason, he suddenly felt the strong desire to fall asleep. As he did, something curious happened. The fabric of reality in any story isn’t really supposed to be torn apart by extradimensional forces of creative entropy, and generally responds by sealing itself back up. Here, the Rift was exceptionally large, and reality had a hard time keeping up. Incidentally, the rift didn’t seal at all. The fraying edges of different layers of reality, order, chaos, light, dark, all stopped coordinating here at the rift, fundamental energy based entities’ stores of power fluctuating wildly. Gravity from the other side interfering with the normal forces of this region of the universe started to pull everything subtly towards the Rift, and in general, bad things were happening.

The dragon roared again, stomping further into the room. It snatched up a passing adventurer in its jaws and swallowed her whole, then reached out with shiny black claws and tore a gash in reality.

the hole into the Void competed with 9/10’s rift to suck everything toward it, and, aided by the large concentration of Chaotic-dark aligned entities, began to slowly expand.

12 hours ago, Through The Living Star said:

A dragon. A Lights Cursed dragon. How had it turned into a witherbound?  

Ennalee was growing tired. Her sword seemed to weigh more than it had before. Each thrust was straining her. They were fighting back, however. The small band of adventurers that were left fought valiantly against the withergeists, pressing towards the door. They needed her to fight, she knew. But she was so tired...

Logic said she couldn't do any more. She knew that. She trusted in the logic.

A few people, such as 9/10, hadn't left yet, though they clearly could have. They were helping. She couldn't let any of them down. 

Logic... the voice whispered. Logic is flawed. It may provide the path, but you must provide the reason. The reason to care. The reason to fight. Without it... you will fail, no matter how hard you try. 

Ennalee was so tempted to listen to the voice. But logic had never failed her. 

She swung her sword back around to pierce a witherbound, the steps practically rote to her. Step. Step. Thrust. Dodge. Swing. Shuffle back. Thrust. Go for the finishing blow. 

The methodic sway of the battle provided a sort of calm to Ennalee, even as the dragon sprayed another blast of bubbling black tar. She found a sort of clear headedness in the chaos. 

Logic may say I can't do more. SO THE LOGIC MUST CHANGE. 

Something warped, and Ennalee split. A second version of herself, looking the exact same, wielding a pristine white blade. 

The logic matches now. The voice said eagerly. 

Huh. Ennalee thought. 9/10 was right. The voice in my head is smart sometimes. 

And even though the way things happened made her head hurt, she began to fight back with a renewed energy, the duplicate of her charging forward to face the dragon. 

The dragon turned to face this threat, firing another blast of boiling breath.

2 hours ago, Through the living keigs said:

A person, presumably angel, appeared on the other side of the gates. She had short cut hair that looked like she did it herself. And an outfit i have drawn but no photo of as of right now I’ll post it later. “That wont work.” She said, and regardless of how much he tried he cant reach anything beyond the gates. He warped back down because you cant see the gates of heaven unless your Intent is well. 

The Witherlord growled as the fabric of this reality struggled to banish him. As he was expelled, he saw the gates of Heaven for what they were: not a mere physical construct of gold, but a construct of glowing lines of Ordered Light, the foundation upon which Heaven’s reality was built. Even he could not destroy such a construct from the outside.

”Fear me, angel.” Hissed the Witherlord as he began to fade. “You think your gates will protect you? I will destroy everything you are sworn to protect.”

And then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his threats and a stain of darkness.

1 hour ago, Through The Living Grub said:

The little companion floated gently behind. It was embarrassed by the lecture earlier, and had remained quiet through the entire trip to Heaven. Standing before the golden gates was an incredible experience. Many dreamed of this moment, though few saw it come to life. The ball watched the stunned guards shake awake and panic at the sudden appearance of everything they stood against.

Should it help? Who to help? The Witherlord had chastised it when it tried to help, but seemed to be fine when others did what it wanted. Could the ball open the doors? Would that be ok? Should it kill the guards?

Wait...where had that come from?

The Void pulsed inside. It had corrupted the ball during the journey, aligning it with the darkness. The tiny companion stood motionless.

For inside it, a battle raged.

_____________

"Pay attention!" Skylight screamed. He hated a combatant that ignored the fight. He leapt on the aide, trying to use his weight to force the Mordite knife into his opponent. 

What should we do about the dragon? "Nothing," Skylight whispered as he fell on his opponent. "We shall take the Blade and run. We can escape this cursed Thread and find somewhere to rule."

But, what about my friends? "What friends? Everyone you tried to interact with grew to hate you. They are scared of you, and you are scared of them."

But, you are the one who drove them away. Skylight remembered time on a world with real friends, time spent soaring in the sky and being close to the sun. They had nicknamed him Skylight for that. He missed those people.

"They would grow to hate you eventually." 

But that's only because of you. 

"No." 

Yes.

"NO!"

"YES!" Skylight screamed and forced the knife down. The poor aide withered and died. "I will not let you take this chance from me. I will live for myself and my friends. You WILL submit to that." The voice in Skylight withdrew.

"Vlanis!" Skylight yelled across the chaos, "Thanks for the distraction! Here, take this knife and see if you can finish off the other whithergiests." Skylight kicked the aide's dagger across the room so it slid to Vlanis's feet. "I bet Glyer's Blade can finish of that dragon. Once I get it, let's take it together!" He offered a salute with the knife, then turned to Glyer.

"Hello Glyer. I'm afraid I have a favor to ask of you."

The Witherlord noticed the orb’s struggle, and also that it was not immediately expelled as he had been. The conflict, it seemed, allowed the sphere to persist, at least until that conflict was lost.

—

Glyer’s eyes snapped open, and he turned to face Skylight with a muttered oath. As his concentration broke, every Aide still fighting immediately dropped like puppets whose strings were cut.

”Idiot!” Glyer exclaimed. “You think you deserve my Plotblade?” He stepped forward, brandishing his plain sword dramatically. “You can take it from my cold, dead body!”

[Keke They/he]

11 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The Witherlord growled as the fabric of this reality struggled to banish him. As he was expelled, he saw the gates of Heaven for what they were: not a mere physical construct of gold, but a construct of glowing lines of Ordered Light, the foundation upon which Heaven’s reality was built. Even he could not destroy such a construct from the outside.

”Fear me, angel.” Hissed the Witherlord as he began to fade. “You think your gates will protect you? I will destroy everything you are sworn to protect.”

And then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his threats and a stain of darkness

Cade appeared next to him. "Yeah have fun with that. Its practically impenetrable."

[NameIess]

5 minutes ago, Through the living keigs said:

Cade appeared next to him. "Yeah have fun with that. Its practically impenetrable."

The Witherlord smiled. “What about impractically? I can think of several plans to destroy heaven, the first of which is most certain to work, though also less… satisfying than other alternatives.”

[IAmThatOneGuy He/Him]

10 minutes ago, NameIess said:

It flew away once the fight started, but was caught by a few withergeists offscreen.

The Witherbound dropped, cursing as his withergeist began healing him. The one with claws stood up from where he’d been knocked to the ground, only to be annihilated by the dragon’s breath attack.

The dragon roared again, stomping further into the room. It snatched up a passing adventurer in its jaws and swallowed her whole, then reached out with shiny black claws and tore a gash in reality.

the hole into the Void competed with 9/10’s rift to suck everything toward it, and, aided by the large concentration of Chaotic-dark aligned entities, began to slowly expand.

The dragon turned to face this threat, firing another blast of boiling breath.

The Witherlord growled as the fabric of this reality struggled to banish him. As he was expelled, he saw the gates of Heaven for what they were: not a mere physical construct of gold, but a construct of glowing lines of Ordered Light, the foundation upon which Heaven’s reality was built. Even he could not destroy such a construct from the outside.

”Fear me, angel.” Hissed the Witherlord as he began to fade. “You think your gates will protect you? I will destroy everything you are sworn to protect.”

And then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his threats and a stain of darkness.

The Witherlord noticed the orb’s struggle, and also that it was not immediately expelled as he had been. The conflict, it seemed, allowed the sphere to persist, at least until that conflict was lost.

—

Glyer’s eyes snapped open, and he turned to face Skylight with a muttered oath. As his concentration broke, every Aide still fighting immediately dropped like puppets whose strings were cut.

”Idiot!” Glyer exclaimed. “You think you deserve my Plotblade?” He stepped forward, brandishing his plain sword dramatically. “You can take it from my cold, dead body!”

Vlanis was tired and angry as he watched the knife at his feet.
He had come to this seminar in hopes of finding a way to kill Mistair, but all he had gotten was a piece of information that was very nearly useless.
He had gained almost nothing by coming.
Vlanis would not make this a waste.
He grabbed the dagger and began by stabbing the withergeist in front of him.
-
The Outlier growled, fighting 3 withergeists at once. "9/10! Your portal thing isn't helping!"
He quickly killed the beings, then yelled at the dragon, trying to distract it from the adventurers.

[Keke They/he]

3 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The Witherlord smiled. “What about impractically? I can think of several plans to destroy heaven, the first of which is most certain to work, though also less… satisfying than other alternatives.”

Cade nodded. "I think theres good that could come of keeping heaven." 

[Through The Living Grub He/Him]

38 minutes ago, NameIess said:

”Idiot!” Glyer exclaimed. “You think you deserve my Plotblade?” He stepped forward, brandishing his plain sword dramatically. “You can take it from my cold, dead body!”

"You dare call me the idiot," Skylight yelled. "I'm not the one who conned the Witherlord." Skylight fell into an aggressive stance, Mordite blade pointed towards Glyer's throat. "You are the one who killed these people. You are responsible for this entire mess." Skylight drew his side knife. "May your death bring life to those remaining."

Skylight swung his blades, feeling the voice inside lending him strength.

________

38 minutes ago, NameIess said:

The Witherlord noticed the orb’s struggle, and also that it was not immediately expelled as he had been. The conflict, it seemed, allowed the sphere to persist, at least until that conflict was lost.

What is good?

The angel expelled the Witherlord from Heaven, so was he evil? The Void in the companion said that the Witherlord did what it was designed to do. Chaotic-Void fulfilled its purpose, same as Ordered-Light.

What is evil?

Heaven showed a conflict on the other side of the Thread. Men dying for the sin of existing. Pain. Suffering.

What am I?

Neither side answered. They couldn't.

Why?

Edited April 1 by Through The Living Grub

[Through The Living Star She/Her]

2 hours ago, NameIess said:

It flew away once the fight started, but was caught by a few withergeists offscreen.

The Witherbound dropped, cursing as his withergeist began healing him. The one with claws stood up from where he’d been knocked to the ground, only to be annihilated by the dragon’s breath attack.

The dragon roared again, stomping further into the room. It snatched up a passing adventurer in its jaws and swallowed her whole, then reached out with shiny black claws and tore a gash in reality.

the hole into the Void competed with 9/10’s rift to suck everything toward it, and, aided by the large concentration of Chaotic-dark aligned entities, began to slowly expand.

The dragon turned to face this threat, firing another blast of boiling breath.

The Witherlord growled as the fabric of this reality struggled to banish him. As he was expelled, he saw the gates of Heaven for what they were: not a mere physical construct of gold, but a construct of glowing lines of Ordered Light, the foundation upon which Heaven’s reality was built. Even he could not destroy such a construct from the outside.

”Fear me, angel.” Hissed the Witherlord as he began to fade. “You think your gates will protect you? I will destroy everything you are sworn to protect.”

And then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his threats and a stain of darkness.

The Witherlord noticed the orb’s struggle, and also that it was not immediately expelled as he had been. The conflict, it seemed, allowed the sphere to persist, at least until that conflict was lost.

—

Glyer’s eyes snapped open, and he turned to face Skylight with a muttered oath. As his concentration broke, every Aide still fighting immediately dropped like puppets whose strings were cut.

”Idiot!” Glyer exclaimed. “You think you deserve my Plotblade?” He stepped forward, brandishing his plain sword dramatically. “You can take it from my cold, dead body!”

Duplicate Ennalee, or Enna, as she decided she was to be called, dove to the side, dropping her sword as she did so, so as to not cut herself. Coming out of the maneuver, Enna leapt to her feet, scooping the sword back up. 

She was different from Ennalee. Yes, she was a Duplicate, but she was different. Some pieces were missing. Enna understood the Thread, and what Authors were. She understood her abilities- or rather, Ennalee's abilities. 

Her feet thundered against the stony ground, her golden hair fluttering out behind her, unrestrained. Ennalee was busy fighting withergeists and witherbound, leaving Enna to deal with the witherbound Dragon. 

Spinning past yet another blast of boiling breath, Enna dropped into a swordsman's stance. Her steps were light and unharried, though she felt a strange pulsing sense of worry when she Felt Ennalee. Enna was better than that. She was Ennalee without the obsession with Logic, and without the worry that everything was going to fail. 

Step step thrust step back. Enna swung at the dragon, nicking one of his feet. The dragon trumped in anger, swiping at her with a massive talon. 

Dodging, she Felt Ennalee. A faint connection between the two. Are you doing well? Enna sent.

                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ennalee ducked behind the table-barricade, her forehead beaded with sweat. A voice popped into her head. Are you doing well? It was from the duplicate she had made. It seemed she was calling herself Enna. Somewhat. Ennalee thought, breathing in deeply. Her arms burned, but she needed to get back out there. She clambered to her feet and stood up, letting others fill the spot she had been, taking a brief respite. How are you faring? Ennalee asked. 

Rather well. I will let you know how it goes later. For now, I must concentrate. 

Ennalee could feel mild annoyance from Enna, which flared her own. Enna was the one who had reached out. 

Nevertheless, she must persist. 

Dashing forward, she rejoined the battle. 

 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

2 hours ago, NameIess said:

It flew away once the fight started, but was caught by a few withergeists offscreen.

The Witherbound dropped, cursing as his withergeist began healing him. The one with claws stood up from where he’d been knocked to the ground, only to be annihilated by the dragon’s breath attack.

The dragon roared again, stomping further into the room. It snatched up a passing adventurer in its jaws and swallowed her whole, then reached out with shiny black claws and tore a gash in reality.

the hole into the Void competed with 9/10’s rift to suck everything toward it, and, aided by the large concentration of Chaotic-dark aligned entities, began to slowly expand.

The dragon turned to face this threat, firing another blast of boiling breath.

The Witherlord growled as the fabric of this reality struggled to banish him. As he was expelled, he saw the gates of Heaven for what they were: not a mere physical construct of gold, but a construct of glowing lines of Ordered Light, the foundation upon which Heaven’s reality was built. Even he could not destroy such a construct from the outside.

”Fear me, angel.” Hissed the Witherlord as he began to fade. “You think your gates will protect you? I will destroy everything you are sworn to protect.”

And then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his threats and a stain of darkness.

The Witherlord noticed the orb’s struggle, and also that it was not immediately expelled as he had been. The conflict, it seemed, allowed the sphere to persist, at least until that conflict was lost.

—

Glyer’s eyes snapped open, and he turned to face Skylight with a muttered oath. As his concentration broke, every Aide still fighting immediately dropped like puppets whose strings were cut.

”Idiot!” Glyer exclaimed. “You think you deserve my Plotblade?” He stepped forward, brandishing his plain sword dramatically. “You can take it from my cold, dead body!”

Ah

Afterimage’s drone shifted, appearing near the dragon. He eyed the gash in reality, rolling his eyes and placing a hand forwards. Ordered Dark oozed from deep within his being, creating a protective barrier against the gap. Stopping time completely around it.

”I think you need my help.”

 

 

————

It had been some time since it had happened, but Afterimage finally accepted the spark that the Scribe gave him, symbolic of the Flame that had given him life. Awareness. And the Flame that had set him apart.

His eyes.

He was not a Narrator, though he leaned towards Narration, occasionally. And he was not an Enuller, though he leaned towards Nullification. Occasionally.

But he was Aware.

————

 

Afterimage sized the dragon up and down. “A bug in reality, is it?”

He looked to 9/10. @Verdance

“What would you have me do?”