The North Sea

[+Sorana she/her]

Hesitantly Damaya walked over. She really hoped Araha was right. She already had bonded a spren, she wasn't sure if she needed another one. But she trusted Araha and placed her hand on the gemheart, waited if something happened.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

The island felt the touch of the other. She reached out and linked with the woman.

Welcome, little one. Do not worry. You are not hurting me.

[+Sorana she/her]

What does the link mean?

Damaya asked, subtle fear painting her words.

What do I have to do? What does it change? Is there anything I need to heed?

She was going a bad job with Coru, she didn't even manage to keep that sorted, to face whatever she was supposed to do there. Another link felt like another burden, like a second set of oaths, when she couldn't manage the first one.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

The island heard the worry in the woman's voice.

Do not worry. This bond comes with no obligations. It merely allows me to speak with you.

[+Sorana she/her]

Damaya nodded hesitantly.

Why did you bring us here?

She asked.

[Archer he/him]

Klasten quietly circled the gemheart, looking at the rock around it. Araha's promise that the island could speak with them tempted him, but he held off. He'd learned early in life never to start a conversation with someone of superior intelligence without first mentally preparing some arguments. Even so, his movements were rushed. He couldn't remember the last time he had properly spoken with another... 

Klasten blinked, freezing in place. He realized his arm was outstretched, reaching for the heart. Control yourself. Prepare, plan. Observe. Slowly, he lowered his arm and stepped backwards. 

Just how powerful are you? he wondered. He thought back to the times it had manipulated its form to direct them. Can you see on your own? Or do you see through the eyes of those you've bonded with? 

While he searched his memories to figure that out, he crouched to inspect the floor. It was oddly clean. What are we to you, he pondered. We're in no position to be predators. Prey? Are you going to magic us into lunch?

He narrowed his eyes at the rock. It didn't seem to respond, or even notice his skepticism. So much power. There must be leaks. And creatures to capitalize on them. But where are they? 

He straightened up, taking a few aggressive strides towards the gemheart. Frantically, he ran his fingers along the outcroppings nearest to it. No signs of free-loading organisms anywhere. Which means... Oh.

He slapped his hand on to the gemheart, hoping it would be able hear his thoughts. Island? I hope you can hear me. Are we parasites? 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 hour ago, Sorana said:

Damaya nodded hesitantly.

Why did you bring us here?

She asked.

The island hesitated for a moment. I will tell you once all of you have connected.

As she sent that, the invisible one touched her. She formed a connection with him.

No, you aren't parasites. What makes you think that?

There was only one left. Unfortunately, it was the most important one.

~~~~~~~

Nogard stood transfixed at the entrance. He heard Araha tell them that the island wanted to them to touch the heart. He wanted to. But his feet wouldn't move.

@Archer

@Sorana

@Ark1002

Edited January 2, 2019 by xinoehp512

[+Ark1002]

Araha looked at him. Why was he hesitated. Finally, she walked up behind him. And shoved him at the gemheart as hard as she could.

@xinoehp512

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Nogard was hurled towards the gemheart. A juiced-up Radiant could push with a lot of force.

He slammed into it. Hard. His stormlight healed his physical damage quickly, but a different kind of damage had already been done.

~~~~~~~

The island felt the touch of the final human. She reached out and connected instantly.

Beyond the human, she could feel the connection of another island.

Yes...

[old man moomba he/him]

Quote

Oh?

 

[+Ark1002]

Quote

Mua ha ha.

I made my least evil character do something evil

 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Michael saw the island appear on the horizon, surrounded by the smaller alleycane. It wasn't doing so well against the birds, but that didn't matter. The birds weren't doing so well either, which was what was important.

As they rushed towards the island, he noticed another island beside it. Could it be...?

Sister, he thought-spoke to Kate, What do you think?

They wouldn't dare, she responded grimly. And if they do...

She flashed a few sparks of lightning, sending thunder rolling across the waves.

Ah, yes, he responded. I'd forgotten about that...

~~~~~~~~

Rotcennoc didn't really understand why the island had insisted that all of the travelers be let come here. But he wasn't going to argue. They couldn't do anything to stop him, anyway.

He stepped out from the shadows of the cavern into the soft light of the gemheart. "Welcome, travelers."

[+Ark1002]

Araha turned, curious. "Hello. Who are you?"

[Archer he/him]

Quote

That name sounds familiar. Unfortunately, I can't place it. But I have a vague recollection of an Epic named the Connector or something similar in some character's backstory. Of course, it's entirely possible it's one of my scrapped character bios I'm thinking of. No matter, let's do this. 

Klasten cringed as the voice spoke directly to his mind. That's what I was afraid would happen, he thought, then immediately regretted it. Maybe he was imagining it, but as soon as he projected those words he got the impression that the island was laughing at him. Carefully, and with extraordinary effort, he got to work controlling his thoughts. 

Nevermind, he thought at the island. Just a theory about- He stopped himself before he said anymore. Instead, he drew upon un-sensitive memories: poems and songs he had memorized. Klasten intentionally chose the most annoying one and began repeating it over and over. I will not let you find out about SONG THAT NEVER ENDS LA LA LA! It was hard.

"Welcome, travelers." Klasten's concentration broke as, to his surprise, a man emerged from the shadows. Momentarily his thoughts scrambled, exposing a frighteningly large amount of information to the island. Who? How? Would have seen him earlier. Vanilla cheesecake. Nice shoes. Scud it. 

In his mind, he set a verse of 'The Ballad of Mitosis' loose. Clone number six was a snobbish young fella, but wait 'til you see number seven. What does this guy want? Please hurry up and say something captivating. Resolve is weakening. 

Klasten began to shake imperceptibly. He looked at the man pleadingly, lips mouthing a silent cry for rescue. Help. Me. Please. 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Quote

Archer, how invisible is Klasten right now?

 

1 hour ago, Ark1002 said:

Araha turned, curious. "Hello. Who are you?"

Rotcennoc thought for a moment. What should he say?

"I suppose I'm... an explorer. A scientist. A collector, perhaps." He turned his eyes to the softly glowing silver and black glove on his left hand, then back to the group. "But I am here to help the island."

[Archer he/him]

Quote

3 hours ago, xinoehp512 said:

Archer, how invisible is Klasten right now?

Only his head is visible, and a small swathe of neck. The invisibility is spreading upwards, so the level of his chin will be the next to go, followed by nose level, then forehead, until he's just a floating mop of hair. But soon that will disappear too, and... I don't know what will happen then. Probably a lot of internal monologue about following people around and eavesdropping. Or maybe he'll hit his head and slowly bleed to death as his companions stand mere feet away, unaware of the tragedy unfolding.  

The alarm bells in Klasten's head started ringing. Evil! Evil! Evil! But of course, all he could do was stick out his tongue at the man. Where are you hiding your hideously deformed biological experiments, eh Mr. Mad Scientist? Nevermind that Klasten himself was just a floating head, he had very strong views on mad sciencery. 

The island reprimanded him. Instinctively, Klasten spun to glare at the gemheart. Fine! he projected. I'll do it. But you owe me one. 

With a sigh, he retracted his tongue. He even waved at the newcomer, but no one could see him do so. Bah. Still say he's evil.

[Voidus]

1 minute ago, Archer said:

Or maybe he'll hit his head and slowly bleed to death as his companions stand mere feet away, unaware of the tragedy unfolding.  

Quote

Or maybe Voidus escapes first and tracks him down and murders him. 

 

[Archer he/him]

1 minute ago, Voidus said:

Or maybe Voidus escapes first and tracks him down and murders him.

Quote

Good point. I'm going to have to speed up the transformation as a matter of self presentation. 

Klasten played 'got your nose' with himself as he waited. He lost, because his nose chose that moment to disappear and he couldn't find it again. 

Quote

But little did Klasten know, Voidus wasn't hindered by little things like invisibility... 

 

[+Sorana she/her]

Damaya rushed to Nogard's side, short an angry look at Araha. It wasn't like her friend to so something like this.

"Do you need help? Did you hurt yourself?"

@xinoehp512

She asked him, when a man stepped out of the shadows. She turned around and looked at him, but kept quiet for the moment, not wanting to put herself in the spotlight with asking the next question.

Edited January 3, 2019 by Sorana

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Nogard raised his hand to his head, then blinked a few times. He got to his feet shaking his head. "I'm good. Thanks for asking." 

His eyes fell on the newcomer, who smiled back. Nogard did not return the smile. Something was off about the man, although he couldn't quite tell what it was.

~~~~~~~

Rotcennoc turned back to the group. "Now, what's about to happen may very well seem alarming." He smiled reassuringly. "Trust me, there is no need to be alarmed." He looked upwards and closed his eyes.

Far above, a hole began to open, letting the sunlight stream down into the dim cave below

~~~~~~~

Kate felt a pulse-message from Michael. Wait.

She slowed, letting him catch up. What is it?

We can't just go rushing in like we did last time, you know, he responded reproachfully. We have the bigger island to think about. It can't just fly away.
Excellent, responded Kate. She sparked again. That means they can't escape.

Sister! I sincerely hope you didn't mean that.

Kate sighed. I suppose not. But it irks me, letting that other one get away with bringing those birds into our territory. 

This island isn't the one that did that, though.
No, she responded grimly, but that smaller one is.

What? Really? Are you sure?

Very. And the other island shouldn't be bringing birds this close either. The Pass of Silence is only a few miles away.

Nevertheless, Michael spoke sternly. You should not be trying to create strife, Sister. You know what could happen.

Kate sighed. Again.

 

@Sorana

@Archer

Edited January 3, 2019 by xinoehp512

[+Sorana she/her]

Damaya stared up at the light and instinctively took a step back, bumping into Nogard.
"Sorry."
she murmured and then looked up, at the hole opening.

"Why can you do that?"
she asked the man. He seemed suspicious, how he arrived, what he told them, what he did right now. She didn't know him, but then she didn't really know Nogard or the other guy either. And yet the others had tried to help her and Araha, so for now, she was perfectly fine with staying with them. And Nogard had told her, that you couldn't soulcast the rocks of the island. Because it was alive. Damaya suspected, there was something going on, something she didn't even had a chance to understand or to grasp, something far beyond her experience, but did that mean she needed to keep silent? She had kept silent for so many years, maybe it was time to finally ask some questions.
"And how exactly do you plan to save the island? It seems pretty content to me."

@xinoehp512

Quote

I want to stress, that Damaya's knowledge about investiture is limited. Araha taught her some basics, but that's it. She knows more about her surges thanks to Mr. Amber (theoretically at least), but she has nothing to compare actions too, to file and interpret them correctly.

 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

The island rumbled. He speaks the truth, small one. He is here to rescue me. Rescue me from this half-life here, back to the skies.... She trailed off.

She opened the hole at the top a little wider. At the top of the cavern, wing-beats stirred, hidden to the people below.

The island turned her attention to Nogard. Do not be alarmed, small one. I will not harm you.

With that, she reached into his soul and grasped his connection to the other island.

~~~~~~~

Nogard let out a gasp. Something had just happened, although he wasn't too sure what. Everything seemed to have taken on a dreamlike quality. It all seemed strangely far away.

 

[+Sorana she/her]

10 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

He speaks the truth, small one. He is here to rescue me. Rescue me from this half-life here, back to the skies.... She trailed off.

Damaya nodded hesitantly and then turned to Nogard when he gasped. His eyes were unfocused and she adressed him, unsure if that even was the right thing.

"Nogard?"

 

 

[+Ark1002]

Araha looked at him. She had to protect him. She had to. She shook him. "What's happening to you?"

[Archer he/him]

New guy shows up, then seconds later this happens to Nogard? Is no one else seeing this? He's E V I L! It was hard thinking in all caps, but Klasten managed it. He briefly considered moving forward to help, but he knew what the real root of the problem was. 

Quietly, he moved along the wall. He was just about to grab a rock to hit the stranger with, when a feeling gave him pause. He looked at the rock. On it was inscribed a cryptic message in ancient text. 

Bah. Stupid side plot warning going off again. He chucked the stone aside. He didn't have time for distractions. Instead, he began providing moral support for Araha in the form of thumbs up and encouraging positive thinking.