Lexianna

I shake my head at Karnariel. “Not if the lords can be changed and in turn help you. Lord Shadow didn’t even realize what was going on. He’s powerful. One less powerful foe to fight means less lives lost. I understand you want blood for blood but if you go down that path it doesn’t end.”

I put my hands on the top of the children’s heads and heal them. Grant has back his sight. Sophie her tongue. They will always have the scars on their hearts though. On every planet where I’ve seen this type of treachery it’s made the victims…no survivors stronger.

“A better world can happen without the lords’ death. Your souls will be saved from the poison of guilt and revenge as well. I’ll help you but the lords live, unless they’re beyond salvation. What happened to you that made you so obsessed with their death? I’ve heard the stories of the others. Care to share yours?”

While talking with Karnariel, I send a message to the group heading to West Point telepathically.

“Hello dears. While you’re there, could you check in with the locals? Ensure the subjects are being treated fairly? Shadow says the other lords are doing splendid work. Karnariel insists they all should be slaughtered. There’s two sides to this feud story. I want to make sure I get the right one.”

Lexianna -Shadowhold-

I take the pipe from Shadow as to not be rude but I don’t smoke. I fiddle with it for a moment as he speaks and then hand it back.

“Taking Karnariel’s head isn’t going to make the thirst for blood stop. It’ll just strengthen the resistance, make him a martyr. Then it would take even more deaths to calm the resurgence. Don’t you see that? “I sigh deeply. “If I put you in a room with Karnariel. Would you try and kill him?”

Blackout
Shadowhold
Shadow thinks for a long while. He takes the occasional puff from his pipe.
"Before The Admiral disappeared I would have said yes. But, now... If you can discover how they got Admiral I'll agree to meet with the boy." Shadow takes the Gem and slides it into his pocket. "Until then, I'll be here. Doing... something. Anything, I suppose, to make this better."

Rebel Camp
Karnariel scowls at Lexianna. He's grateful to her for healing them. But everyone in the camp is in the same mental and emotional state now.
"It must be nice to just snap your fingers and wish away all your problems. But what about us? What about those we've lost? People who struggled and fought and died scared and alone far from their homes? There's no afterlife waiting for them. Where's their salvation? We carried on with the fight for their sake. But now you show up and trivialize it all with each miracle you perform. Every broken heart. Every dead brother in arms. Every hero buried in a shallow grave. Why did we even fight if you were going to just prance in and magic away all our problems? You're not saving us for our sake. You're saving us for your own gratification." The bitter hope permeates every rebel soul present. Karnariel's words hit home for every soldier in camp but not because of his charisma or natural leadership. Karnariel can speak so clearly for the rebellion because it's true for him too. Karnariel turns from Lexianna, setting his sword on the table. "Whatever... Get me those troops. Do that and I'll meet with Shadow."

Oasis
Zaak pauses a moment. His eyes return The First's disective gaze. Zaak has a urgency and seriousness that is so unlike his usual flipant demeanor.
"I... I'm not sure. After the battle. I can't remember anything. The first thing I can remember since is waking in that reality. I managed to keep myself together long enough to find the Umbral Seed. From there... well. You saw." Zaak turns his attention to Lilianna as she asks for the weapon Omega left to her. His blighted hatred manifest and bound to steel. A ruined and decrepit sword that is eternally drenched in blood. His Cursed Vengeance. Zaak musters a bit of Umbra, shaping it into what he needs.

"I know where it is. Follow me."

Zaak stares in mild horror. Followed quickly by anger.
"The sword. My sword. He smelted it down... and made a gun. A fucking gun. The manifestation of hatred and resentment given physical form... and he turns it into a gun."

Sia

"Fuck it I'll ask her" Stepping out if the portal I make my way iver too the small campsite, plopping down next to the fire I turn too the woman. "so seeing as these are your lands ill assume your the Lady Rider were hear too see. I have some questions and possibly some trade. We have money and are willing too deal. We didn't come too fight."

Blaze

With Sia out of the portal I have no choice but to follow. I know full well she can take care of her damn self but that doesn't discount my inherent need to make sure my Bombshell stays safe. That is, at least until we rescue Razz and he can do it.

I leap from the portal to the ground below. My sister follows without question. I curl up behind Sia creating an imposing picture. Flame takes a seat on my giant paw and we wait.

Blackout
West Point
Rider pokes at some bacon and eggs in a pan while waiting. She produces a small tin full of self rolled tobacco. As Sia, Blaze, and Flame exit the pocket Rider takes one and lights it on the camp fire.
"I am her. I don't like questions. Like money. And love a good fight. And you are apparently into some weird shit." Rider says looking at the giant fox and foxgirl behind Sia. Her cigarette bounces between her lips as she speaks. Chron sniffs towards the pocket where Ghual still remains. Ryder takes note and shifts uneasily. "How long does it take to put clothes back on? Or are you the only ones joining me?" Rider takes a drag, stabs a cut of bacon with her knife, chomps into it, and takes a drink before exhaling a small cloud of smoke.

Gaul, seeing that everyone has left the portal, sighs and sinks the blade of his axe into the floor of the pocket dimension before following them out. He briefly muses on how to pass as a prisoner with a huge axe, and then his feet hit the ground. It isn’t until they do, however, that he remembers that he isn’t wearing his boots...or a shirt. He only has his cloth pants on, which he realizes makes it easier to play up the prisoner bit as he shuffles up behind the others, looking as meek as a man his size possibly can.

Sia

Pulling my own cigarettes from my pack I light one and toss a purple glowing stone that fits in my palm too her. "If you think this is weird you should see what one of the people were looking for can do. We hear you keep mqn slaves, not judging, kinda jelious actiually, Anyway, he's almsot 7 foot tall white hair tan skin bleats like a goat and is expensive too feed. He can't be bred either though youed be tempted." turning too the others I point too them in turn." That's Blaze, Flame, and Gual. Im Sia. And we need too talk marriage." Leaning into her I take a bite of the bacon on the end of her knife and smile.

Lexianna -Shadowhold-

With Shadow's concession I relax. My eyes lose their gold tint and return to their normal blue. I take his hand in mine. "Thank you. I think it'll be a good start. Also I do know the person who killed The Admiral is Poe of the Ravens. I haven't been able to locate him yet but I will. " Honestly I'm wondering why he's even here. I am looking forward to meeting the man due to Galen's affiliation with them. I haven't had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of any, save Nevermore. Considering Poe killed a lord, we could probably use his help. The winds are watching for me, if he shows I'll know.

I stand and prepare to leave but before I do, there's just one matter to clear up..."Lord Shadow." I look over my shoulder at him. "Your histories spoke of demons and angels as common place." I don't let my full Glory show, it would kill him. A fraction of it slips onto my skin illuminating the darkened room. My wings unfurl and their true form is also shielded but they are still radiant, "Suffice it to say, I'm far from a witch." With that, I vanish.

Li-Li

Zaak seems distressed. I take the opportunity to answer his non question. "Yes, it seems so...practical. If it makes you feel any better I can use guns just a well." I'm being a "brat" as Vincent would say and I know it. I glance at the First Lotus, honestly she's not doing much better. She's turned away, her hand covering her mouth. I'm certain she's trying to hide her smile. She catches me looking and quickly composes herself. Her eyes still dance with humor though. She clears her throat, "Come now, you must be fair not everyone can pull off edgy like you."

I nearly choke trying to keep in my laugh. I never thought I'd hear the First Lotus use the word "edgy." I distract myself by picking up the gun. Cursed Vengeance is beautiful in its hideousness. It fits to my hand perfectly, crafted for me as part of my inheritance. I repeat Galen's instructions under my breath. "Aim." I hear him like he's there whispering in my mind. Cursed Vengeance raises in my hand. "And shoot." I pull the trigger. The bullet launches out. I don't track it. I never miss.

I turn to claim my main prize from the box. Tyranny & Oppression sit beautifully arranged on a satin bed. Their intricate handles call to me. I pick the twin blades up and slam the hilts together. They connect smoothly with barely a click as I twist them into their locked position as my staff: Royal Submission. I slip the strap of the custom sheath over my shoulder. It fits snugly across my back. The staff slides in with a satisfying zip. The box has an inscription. The first father the first king, the first heir the next queen. I smile. I'm ready.

I snap us back into the Oasis. I land us in front of the massive tree but when we do I’m stricken. There’s been a change.

There’s a set of shallow wide set stairs leading up to the giant tree that binds reality. Atop the dais embedded into the tree, is a throne. My breath catches. I guess there was something I’d change after all. I take careful steps, each one echoing a pulse rippling through the stairs. I take my seat on the throne, and heave a heavy sigh. My hands shake. I grit my teeth. This is what I was born for, I don’t have time to be frightened now. I turn to Zaak and The First Lotus….my parents. They're not the parents I expected to be here. My voice is barely a whisper, any louder and I might break apart completely, “What do I do, to finish taking up the mantel?”

Blackout
West Point
Rider looks at Sia with an annoyed kinda stare. She doesn't like sharing food. At least not with strangers.
"The hell is your problem? If you're hungry I don't mind sharing a slice or two but at least ask first." She shakes her head in disapproval. "Now cut the shit. Which one of you blew up the moon? And which one put it back? I'm not an idiot. Moon blows up then some strange Offworlders show up in a spatial distortion in my lands." She looks directly at Sia. "You're cute, but it's obvious you're hiding something."

Sia

Leaning back and pouting it rider i cross my arms. " What could i be hiding? I told you what i was looking for, as for the moon yes that was us, we also put it back if it makes you feel any better. We were attacked as soon as we arrived, so maybe your the one hiding something. Were here too find our comrades not fight you or disrupt your lands.

Blackout
West Point
Rider narrows her eyes.
"Comrades? You said you were here looking for you man. You said nothing of comrades." Rider clicks her tongue a few times. "No one has entered these lands in the past few days, save for some merchants. Who, if you don't mind me asking, took him?" Rider takes a good look at Ghaul. "Does that one not have any clothes?"

Sia

"We came too you specifically looking for my man. We heard you deal in man flesh so it would make sense that he would be here. If not then the Father has them both most likely. As for Gaul don't remind him I don't mind haveing him walk around shirtless. Besides I think Flame is enjoying the show as well. "

Blackout
West Point
Rider stops. She is surprised and stammers a bit.
"The Father? Are you sure?" Rider muses deeply for a long moment. "He's never taken anyone before. Who, exactly, are you?" Rider eyes the four suspicious. She chomps another piece of bacon and takes a swig from her canteen. Just then a hole in space/time tears open. A fountain of blood erupts forth and barely clothed men come spilling out. They are intoxicated and seem to not have bathed for quite some time. With the mixture of blood and unclean bodies the air is suddenly filled with a pungent and sickening stench. The barbarians charge the small camp en masse. At least twenty with even more spilling out every second.

“I apologize for imploding your moon. I made a logical judgement, and was wrong.” Gaul begins to say that he would have his clothes on if he had had more time to wake up before the barbarians begin streaming through a portal of some kind. Realizing he has no time to grab his axe, he charges headlong into the fray without a second thought, and clotheslines the foremost combatant.

Gaul scoops up the rusty sword from the unconscious man, and swings it in a wide arc, disembowling three more, and roars his challenge to the horde.

Sia

"Apperently He knows were here." Summoning Nevershatter i smash it flat first into the first enemy sending him flying into the pile behind him, spinning through I slice the heads from two more. Throwing Nevershatter end over end two more are impaled too each other the blade weighing them down i use them as a ramp too run and jump into the next group.

Blaze

Cue our bad luck. We've been here wooing Rider for barely 10 minutes and already we've been tracked. Not that this will take long. Flame is up and ready to jump in but I nudge her back with my giant nose. She understands and gives me space.

I'm about the size of two large elephants and have a tail proportioned appropriately. So when I swing said tail it knocks the remaining men flat on their backs. I then slam my considerable tail flat on top of them. More rush out of the portal, I rinse and repeat.

Now that I've got a good amount cleared out, Flame gets up next to the portal. Each new body is met with a dagger through the neck. If they escape her they get either my tail or the others' blades. Even though we can handle them it's going to get grim eventually if we can't close that portal.

Sia

Snarling I hold Nevershatter acrossed my body and press a group of the men back twards the portal. Spinning once I reach it ice starts too form around it lifting me up over it, I reach out and grab one of the men shaking him till he drops his weapon. I'm left standing on a swirl of ice encasing the portal a grin full of shark teeth almost splitting my face as i look too rider.

Blackout
West Point
Rider reaches for her rifle but doesn't move. Chron starts to get up but Rider waves her hand and commands him to stay. She observes the four push the barbarians back to the blood gates. She's impressed. But then she senses it. Something inhuman. Old and primal. Or perhaps more than that. Ancient and primordial. Like Chron. Rider looks to Chron who sensed it as well. He bristles uneasily. Rider feels old ache. She shifts in her seat. And smiles.
"Sia..." Rider wants to use her power for it. But there is no sport in that. "Chron do it." Chron stands up and breaths deeply. Then unleashes a howl so deafening it shakes the very heavens. Spaced/Time itself shudders and blood gates destabilize violently.

"Burn the bodies. They can use them as transport for more soldiers. When you're done with that." Rider takes a sip of her coffee. "Well, then we can talk about striking a deal. To find your man."

Tip of South point
Four ships are being steadily loaded with two thousand soldiers each. It's going according schedule and will be completed soon. The beach is crowded by knights belonging to the Mystics. Mystic Knights stride about with their cloaks and Arcane swords able to summon elemental devastation with a single swing. Atop a stand with a solid golden orb is Major Knox. He has taken control of the Command Sphere and is in control of the remnants of the Admirals forces. A storm is approaching swiftly from the West.

Oasis at the Grand Arbor of Reality
Zaak feels a swell of pride. But also shame. He takes a deep breath, shaking off the hesitation, and preparing him self for his new role of Royal Protector.
"My daughter. My Sovereign. To fully ascend to station you will need not to join with The Oasis. But to become it. It will be no easy task. You have to abandon self and individuality for a state of being that is more law than human. It is a difficult thing to explain. But in a sense you will need to cease being Lilianna. You will need to abandon your ambition. And your dreams." Zaak speaks firmly yet with care as well. He knows what is necessary. But he was never able to do it. Inwardly he sighs. That is the one thing Galen did that he could not. "It is something not even I could bring myself to commit to fully. There are three levels to this. To explain it in simple terms. The first level is akin to unsheathing a sword. To draw it and make your intent clear. The second level is to wield the sword with fluency and inflict your intent on the world. The third is to become the sword. Your intent is inflicted on the world through your very existence."

Sia

Pushing the man down i drop Nevershatter flat side down on his chest immobilizing him. Fiddling through my bag i find the hairspray.
Holding out my lighter i use my impromtu flamethrower too set the bodies alight. "Blaze? Can you get me a flamethrower that will fit in here? With Darling not here fire is in short supply." Picking up the man and Nevershatter I drag him over too rider and put him in the same position. "Id love too make a deal with you beautiful , what can i do too...erm for you? You know what i want." Sitting next too her i pull out my silver flask with a skull and crossbones on it and offer it too her.

Blackout
West Point
Rider rolls her eyes.
"Don't try so hard. It's unattractive." Rider considers the flask but declines. "I have a problem. A problem I don't want to waste people or resources on. These barbarians are the last remnants of dissidents who reject my new society. Kill them, rescue the women they've taken prisoner, rescue my mountain goats, and bring them back to me. Do that and I'll have Chron search for your man. No one can escape the Great Wolf." Rider looks at the four of them. Her interest was initially on the fox girl. But after the glimpse of Sia she's sure. She can't help but to want to break this imposing new beast.

"But, I want you to follow me to my main camp." Rider says pointing to Sia. "You're hiding something. And I want to find out what. I'm sure your companions can handle the task without you."