plot The Cosmic Battle to Save the Thread

[xinoehp512 he/him]

19 minutes ago, Shard of Thought said:

Star grinned. "The real you was trapped inside of here. Hopefully now that we've freed your consciousness you'll be free from those nightmares too." She sighed, straightening her back. "It's time to go home."

Ember ran, her surroundings blurring past her. She jumped down the steps four at a time, some splinters of wood flying up in protest of her considerable weight. But never mind that. There were far more pressing things to deal with. As she moved, she sent a prayer to TVG, begging her deity to keep Heather safe and also pleading for forgiveness. She dearly hoped that she was doing the right thing by going to get Star. 

Ember’s mental capacity allowed her to instinctively remember each and every turn that they had made within the Branch. Star’s signature was getting stronger. Unfortunately, the same interference that had kept Ember from fully feeling her master’s soul song was also weakening Ember’s protective influence on Heather’s mind. That was just another reason for her to run faster.

The surroundings began to stir around her in response to her worry, in almost a curious way.

Pheonix flinched for no apparent reason as the pod snapped shut behind Jaywalk. "Oh..." he said softly. "The Tree doesn't like this. Not at all."

[Jaywalk he/him]

15 minutes ago, Shard of Thought said:

"Out of the Branch and in Tom's ship. We've been there ever since the Universes were split. Well, I suppose that's not entirely true. Xino and I went to Silence's Realm as well. And I... killed Silence himself. Hopefully with him gone things will start to cool off in the plot. We can... settle down..." Star trailed off, looking longingly at the floor.

“Please,” he said, gritting his teeth. “Let’s leave here. Go anywhere but here.”

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"All the more reason for us to get going," Star said. 

The Destroyer pumped her legs faster, willing herself to move as quickly as her body would allow. Oddly enough, the ground did not crack under her as it probably should have. Ember didn’t have to possess a mind as powerful as a Shard to understand that this place was not quite in line with natural law. Moving with her superhuman speed, Ember passed the distance that Xino, Star and Pheonix had traveled on the disc in half the time they had managed. She came to the door quickly, racing through the opening. “Star!” she cried. “Star!” Ember slowed her stride, hastily kneeling at her master’s feet. 

“Ember?” Star asked in surprise. “Why aren’t you with-”

“Heather is behaving oddly. I am deeply concerned for her safety, you must come quickly!” Ember bowed her head, shame pulsing in her Core. “I could not do as you asked. Forgive me. My soul aches with-”

“Oh, Ember. I’m sure you did wonderfully. Now, we’ve got to-” Suddenly, Star gasped sharply, feeling a stabbing phantom pain. She fell to her knees, head spinning as she caught herself with her hands. She breathed shakily, vision focusing in and out. Heather… Heather was in great pain. “By the Author… Xino, Pheo, Jay. We have to-” Star cried out, wincing as she felt vicarious pain. 

Ember scrambled to her feet. “Master?!”

“Get me to Heather. As fast as possible.”

 

[BringerofShadows she/her]

@xinoehp512 or @Jaywalk

 

Suddenly, Heather was hit with a wrecking ball of pain. She gasped and sat back, and felt as the water from the shower were like ice cold knives being driven into her wounds. The Inquisitor began to panic, driving up her heart rate and making the blood ooze out faster. But this moment did not last long, as she slowly began to lose consciousness. Oh…my god, I’m…dying… And she finally blacked out. 
 

@xinoehp512 and @Jaywalk

Edited April 1, 2020 by BringerofShadows

[xinoehp512 he/him]

"Guys..." said Pheonix, panic edging into his voice. "Guys...?"

Around them, black shadows began to ooze from the ground, twisted ghosts in tattered cloaks of darkness.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Star's eyes widened. Oh no.... "Ember," she said. "Run to Heather. Now."

"But Master-"

"Don't worry about me, GO! Do what you can to heal her with Narration, you’ll be able to get to her faster than I will. If you’re unsure what to do, simply ask.”

Ember opened her mouth. "I... Yes, Highness." She bowed her head quickly, then turned on her heels and began running again. She was out of sight within seconds. 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Quote

Ember's really just a projection, so she could probably just will herself to awaken to get back to the ship faster.

But the tree had awoken, now- felt the anxiety and fear of the souls who had so foolishly wandered into it, and responded in like kind. More withergeists poured from the ground as the tree drew fear from their minds.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Quote

Ember doesn't know that. Either way, the girl's very fast. Heather will be just fine...

Star watched with mounting fear. Everything in her screamed that she needed to get to Heather. She could feel her pain, even a Universe away. Clutching her waist, Star tried to get to her feet. She didn't get very far and fell right back to the ground. Tears formed in her eyes. I. Have. To. Get. To. Her.

Ember forced herself not to look back. She did not want to think about the fact that she was leaving her master alone. Star had seemed much more worried about Heather than herself. But what was more important; following Star’s command or guarding her? Ember shook her head. She did not like to think about it.

As Ember moved out of the Dream Branch, Heather’s signature slowly began coming back. At first, Ember thought that the distance was what was making it so faint. But as she ran further, she realized the horrible truth; Heather’s signature was weak because the girl was half dead. Ember grimaced. I am coming, Heather, she thought to herself. She raced through the corridors of Tom’s vessel, guided by the quiet bells of Heather’s Soul Song. Going to get Star had been the right thing, right? Could Ember have prevented this herself? Probably… Ember clenched her fists, feeling angry at herself. Stupid Ember. 

[BringerofShadows she/her]

Quote

EMBER DON’T THINK THAT

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Soon enough however, she was able to find the room that Heather was in. She grew her armor and tried opening the door, but it was locked. That was no matter. Ember was made for things like this. 

Lava dripped off of her right arm, coalescing into a long blade of molten steel. She shoved the end of the huge sword through the door and brought it all the way up to the ceiling. The door promptly fell in. There. Much better. Ember dismissed her blade, then walked over the smoldering pieces of the broken gateway. Her eyes widened in horror. “Heather,” she said, pulling a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Heather. Oh, no…” It was awful, so awful. The poor thing looked dead already, drenched in her own blood and soaked with water. Blood was an odd thing, to Ember. What would it be like to be mortal and cuttable and soft? Not enjoyable, certainly. But then, at least with flesh, you didn’t burn up what you touched with your bare hands.

Heather ceased bleeding and her wounds closed up, her body reknitting and healing, Ember Narrated reverently. Ember couldn’t see any visible changes yet, but she supposed that didn’t really matter. There was still a lot of blood in the bathtub, so stopping more blood from coming wouldn’t be all that noticeable. 

The Destroyer grew her armor on every part of her body, her brown shell covering everything from her toes to her chin. Then, she knelt down and scooped Heather into her arms. The girl was soaking wet and some of the water made its way into the cracks between Ember’s armor. She stiffened, shocked by the sudden stinging. The sensation of water evaporating on her skin was not a very pleasant one. To prevent more of this from happening, she Narrated again. Heather was dried off. The moment her Narration finished, Heather was completely dry. That was better. 

Ember regarded Heather with concern as she held her, standing in the bathroom, the sound of the still-going shower echoing unnoticed in the background. Ember sighed, relieved. She is alright, Star, Ember said telepathically. I have healed her and she is alright. 

Ember set Heather down onto a bed in another room. She looked awfully peaceful laying there, blood-stained tank-top and all. The Destroyer sat down beside her friend and looked over her from top to bottom. She cocked her head, waiting patiently. “When will Star come, I wonder?” Ember muttered aloud. She reached over, brushing Heather’s hair out of her face gently. “There you go.” She sighed and rested her cheek on her fist. 

Edited April 2, 2020 by Shard of Thought

[BringerofShadows she/her]

Quote

Aww…

Heather slowly regained consciousness, and started to panic, but then she realized there was no pain…and Ember was there. 
 

And she began to sob.

Edited April 2, 2020 by BringerofShadows

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Ember's eyes widened in shock. Why was she crying? Had she done something wrong? "Umm..." Ember began picking at her nails nervously. "Hello. Star is coming soon to help you."

[Jaywalk he/him]

38 minutes ago, Shard of Thought said:

Star watched with mounting fear. Everything in her screamed that she needed to get to Heather. She could feel her pain, even a Universe away. Clutching her waist, Star tried to get to her feet. She didn't get very far and fell right back to the ground. Tears formed in her eyes. I. Have. To. Get. To. Her.

Jaywalk pulled himself out of the pod and limped over to Star. “Come on, you gotta get up. Let’s go.”

[BringerofShadows she/her]

3 minutes ago, Shard of Thought said:

Ember's eyes widened in shock. Why was she crying? Had she done something wrong? "Umm..." Ember began picking at her nails nervously. "Hello. Star is coming soon to help you."

But Heather kept sobbing, unable to make any cohesive words.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

2 minutes ago, Jaywalk said:

Jaywalk pulled himself out of the pod and limped over to Star. “Come on, you gotta get up. Let’s go.”

"I'm trying," Star said. She tried to push herself to her feet again. This time she was actually able to stand for a moment before, feeling wobbly, she grabbed onto Jay's arm for support. She breathed in and out. Okay, okay, we've got this...

2 minutes ago, BringerofShadows said:

But Heather kept sobbing, unable to make any cohesive words.

Ember swallowed. "H-Heather?" She scooted forward, unsure. "Is there anything I can do to assist you?"

[BringerofShadows she/her]

“No…” She moaned, moving to face away from Ember.

Edited April 2, 2020 by BringerofShadows

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh," Ember said. "Alright." She continued to pick at her nails awkwardly, looking down at herself and feeling uncomfortable. Ember's lips upturned into one of her odd smiles. "I saved you!" she said excitedly. "I am sorry you were hurt. I should have been there earlier."

[BringerofShadows she/her]

That made Heather sob harder.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Ember grimaced. Her mouth worked up and down for a moment before she finally remembered their hug from earlier. That had worked quite well. But... Ember wasn't so sure she wanted to be touched again. Even by Heather. And so, she held back. Star would be able to help her better. "Star is coming, though."

Suddenly, Star remembered something. Ember, I need you to give Heather something. She relayed a long-memorized recipe to the Destroyer. You can Narrate it, tell her to rub it around her spikes, it will make her feel better.

Ember perked up. "Oooh." She followed Star's instructions and a jar full of green gel appeared in her hand. "Star says that if you rub this around your spikes it will make you feel better." She handed the jar over. 

[BringerofShadows she/her]

Heather didn’t make a move for it. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Ember blinked. That was odd. She sighed, hoping Star would come soon. "I-I... I want you to be okay," Ember said quietly. 

[BringerofShadows she/her]

“WELL THATS IMPOSSIBLE.” The Inquisitor yelled. The lines between physical and emotional suffering were blurred. She just…hurt. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Ember pulled her legs into her chest and bit her lip. She was growing increasingly more uncomfortable. 

[BringerofShadows she/her]

“Go…” She croaked. “You can’t help.” 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Ember shook her head. She would not leave Heather again. Again, she offered the jar. "Please take it. It will help you. Star said."