Li-Li- Oasis

"I see you my knights. And raise you a queen." I stand and start descending the stairs with methodical steps. “We’ll all go. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Plus I need to know more about Umbra." The First looks like she wants to argue but bites back the rebuttal. “Also I advise you to not speak ill of the dead. You just recently rejoined the living."

“Had the current Lotus done her job properly there'd be no need of this." The First Lotus remarks.

I feel a spike of anger. I don't take criticism of my mother lightly, even from her past self. I turn, ready to demand of her an explanation but she immediately waves me off. " I haven't time to explain now we have a reality damning mess to clean up. Let's do this. After you, Zaakielo."

I'm thrown again by what I read in her features now. There's the slightest crack in her mask as she watches him, but it's gone just as quickly. Had I blinked I would've missed it. I'd like to know what's going on there but like she pointed out we haven't the time. I open a portal out.

Lexianna-Pirate ship

“I’d like to try and sway your thoughts on that. It's my understanding pirates are usually after lucrative payoff. Might you consider being mercenaries for hire?” I direct my question to both men. I reach out to the closest man’s mind to see what their currency looks like on this world. I’m able to fashion it quickly. I lean over the side of the boat and when I turn back to them I’m holding a bag. It’s overflowing with their currency. I set it on the floor.

“I think we can both agree that the sphere needn't stay with the ones who have it now.” My foot nudges the bag. Gold spills out towards the bow of the ship but the bag looks just as full as before.

I keep my face neutral, my voice light, and my eyes open and welcoming. Perhaps I can convince them to not be foes it'd be nice. “I think you’ll find this sufficient for your entire crew. This upfront, another bag after you’ve completed the tasks given. Or I can leave as you asked before taking this and the sphere with me.”

Blackout
West Point
Rider pins Sia to the floor by her shoulders and stares down at her.
"What do you want from me? Why are you here?" Rider grits her teeth. "I've not seen or heard from the Father since his offer. No one has. So I can't help you overthrow him. Even if I wanted to." Rider seems almost hurt.

South Point
Pirate Vessel
The speech challenged pirate scoffs.
"Ya tink dat lil baggo gol iz uhnuf t'dizway'd uhz fr'm imertaldy." The pirate smirks revealing his rotted teeth. "Cud dis bidge down!"
There is a long pause as all the pirates reload their pistols. They stand there for a long moment. Sea Wolf produces a crude blunderbuss. He eyes Lexianna. Then whirls around and blasts the pirate with the bad speech. As the pirate slumps to the ground Sea Wolf takes the decorative Captain's Pistol.
"I am Captain of the Storm Eye. Any objections?" Sea Wolf shouts in thick Scottish accent. The pirates look at him then stow their weapons. Sea Wolf approaches Lexianna. "Sorry about Rotmouth. He was a cunt. But we can't just give you the Orb. Admiral Ghat will have our heads. Plus we all like the idea of immortality."

Sia

Smirking up at Raia i reach up and cup her cheek. "If i wanted anything other than what im getting now i would've asked love. I didnt ask you too help overthrow him just too help me find Razz." Leaning up i whisper into her ear. "If you want it rough thats fine with me." Grabbing both sides of her head i spin us and end up on top straddling her. Smileing down at her i pop a chunk of sushi into my mouth and down the rest of the wine. "Why dont you tell me what you really want? Its been all about me so far. What does Raia want?"

Blackout
West Point Castle
Rider swallows hard and stares up at Sia. She tries to judge Sia's intentions. It's hard to do while intoxicated. The berry in the wine still has her spiralling. With an internal "fuck it" she tears open her robes and grips Sia by her hips.
"Tell your boyfriend not to be mad at me. Because right now I want you." Rider grabs a fistful of Sia's hair and pulls her close. "Say my name again. Softly. Like a lover would."

Sia

Smirking against her neck i peck my way too her ear. " He wont be mad love just sad he couldnt be here. Now take what you want, Raia.

Blackout
West Point Castle
Gin sighs deeply. He can hear the two of them in the room. He tried to forget the nights spent with Rider. But they haunt his waking thoughts and dreams. But if she is happy then Gin can abide it. He doesn't trust Sia though. Not because he expects her to harm his Lord. No, Sia, like all offworlders will either die or in the unlikely chance she succeeds, will leave. Gin takes a sip of the sake he set aside for himself. As he stares out the window he unconsciously fiddles with the necklace Rider gave to him years ago.

The next morning.

Rider wakes before Sia. She had thought she'd feel shame. But she doesn't. Instead she feels contented. Rejuvenated even. Like a new person. Rider quietly climbs out of the bed careful not to wake Sia who is sleeping like a rock. Rider admires the view. But then she remembers. The thing inside Sia. The Old One. The Great Horror. Rider raises her hand and prepares to use her Beast Lord power. Before she can fully cast it though she reconsiders. It's not safe here. Rider knows how to make what she's about to do safer. But it will only be safer for everyone else. Doing this will place Rider in extreme danger.

Rider traces Sia's outline. Foggy memories come drifting up through her mind. And she decides. In a bright flash of golden light Rider and Sia vanish. Gin comes rushing into the room.
"My Lady!? My Lady!?" Gin shouts. "Raia!?"

Rider is shocked, though she maintains her composure.
"I see. So this Old One isn't just inside you. It is you." Rider stares up at the horror that can only be understood through metaphor.

Percieves the world through endlessly gnashing teeth and understands by devouring. To be known by this is to be consumed. Rider changes the laws of her Throne Void to compensate. She also reaches out with her powers to calm the Old One. Finally, Sia manifests in her humanish form.

Sia

Rolling over onto my side after noticing Raias warmth gone I slowly stand and stumble my way over too her. Stopping next too her I place a hand on her chest and trip her backwards over my leg. Falling next too her I wrap all 8 arms around her snuggling into her neck. "I haven't slept like that since I arrived here, if you stay here for say 10 more minuets I'll do that trick again..." Looking up into her eyes I add breathily "Please Raia. "

Blackout
Rider's Throne Realm
Rider is taken aback. She is confused by Sia's sudden embrace.
"Sia..." Rider wants to ask Sia if she's remembers being the Old One. But watching her Rider doesn't want to frighten her if she doesn't. Instead Rider plants a kiss on Sia's neck leaving a symbol marked into Sia's skin. The mark contains Rider's power and will repress Sia's Eldritch form and impulses. "Do you want breakfast?"

West Point Castle
Gin shields his eyes from the bright flash of light. When he looks again Rider and Sia have returned. Sia is in Rider's arms cradled tenderly. Gin averts his Gaze when he realizes they are both nude.
"My Lord." Gin says kneeling.
"Sorry if I scared you. I wanted to test something." Rider says to Gin. "Grab us some breakfast. Then prepare a selection of mounts. Sia wil be joining me on my patrol today. Gin gives a salute and turns to leave.

Lexianna-Pirate Ship

I frown ever so slightly as I watch the men scoop up their fallen comrade and prepare to throw his corpse overboard. Poor unfortunate soul. At least this way, he died quickly. Had it been The First, she would have cut out his tongue, before he finished his sentence, and let him choke on it. Such violence. I’m not sure why thoughts of how she would handle things have been creeping up so often but I push it out of my mind. Now, I’m a different person. So is this man who just succeeded the former captain. I give him my full attention.

“Apology accepted sir. Now I think you might have misunderstood me. I didn’t ask for you to give me the sphere. I intend to take it. You’ve piqued my interest though. Would you mind telling me of your Admiral and how you plan on gaining immortality?” I cast a look at the ship with the sphere. They seem to be taking their time loading all the soldiers. That means I should have all the time I need to convince these gentlemen.

Flame
I jerk awake suddenly. I realize the reason why is we’ve stopped. “Flame check our position.” My brother’s gadget belt is currently in my possession. I pull up the tablet and scan our surroundings. There’s numerous heat signatures and other points I’m not completely sure about. He turns his head and I hold up the screen with the readings. “Looks like we’ve reached the booby-trapped sniper section.” He nods with confidence.

I slide off Blaze’s back and lay the tablet in front of him. “So I’m up. I’ll just be sec.”

I pick my way up the path quickly, listening for slight directions from my brother in case I get a touch close to one of the firebombs. I can hear the breathing and pulses of the snipers ahead. I let their pounding pulse guide me. There’s ten in this section. It’ll be quick.

Blaze
My sister sets off streaking up the path nimbly. She skirts some of the bombs closer than I’d like. Though I’m whispering guidance hurriedly to keep up with her quick prancing. She flits around knifing snipers before they know they’ve taken their last breath. “All clear.” She singsongs down and I slowly pick my way through the minefield she flew up.

“I think we’re almost there so look alive. You bet not be drooling on my fur.” I tell Gaul once we’ve neared my sister’s position.

Sia

Feeling a cooling sensation spread from the spot Raia kisses i tilt my head too the side, open my mouth wide and bite down between her neck and collar bone. Sucking and giving the spot one last good squeeze i lean back and inspect my work. "Its not ink but it looks good on you, and if were not going back too bed breakfast sound spectacular. After we eat i need too stock up on some things though, if you dont mind. As for a mount...why cant i just ride with you?"

Blackout
West Point Mountain Fort
A Blood Baron looks down from a watchtower on the second wall. He snarls and barks orders to his subordinates.
"How the hell did they get past the watch?!" He snarls.
"Not see. Can't see them. Wolf. Viking. Not See."
"Just go kill them."

As the Baron clangs an alarm the entire mountain fort is swarmed with the foul smelling Blood-men. A few Blood-men stand behind a shoddily made Gatling gun. As the Snipers line up with their black powder rifles small gates along the main path open and Berzerkers come flooding out by the dozens. They scream unintelligibly and charge Blaze and Ghaul with weapons that are little more than rocks and clubs. None of the barbarians seem to notice that a single watchtower is unresponsive. The Watchtower where Flame is.

West Point Castle
Rider, Gin, and Sia all stand around a pen where large animals are corralled. A large lizard, wolf, a mongoose, and an ostrich. Rider turns to Sia.
"Nobility rides. Take your pick." Rider says slapping Sia on the ass. Gin tenses slightly.

Blackout
Pirate Ships
Sea Wolf crosses his arms.
"It's no secret that those pledged to the orb are resurrected once a month. Normally to get that benefit you'd have to join, or be conscripted, to a Lord. But that orb is unbound. It's owner died. Meaning no Lord to yank our chains. Admiral Ghat is an honest man. Man of the people. If he holds the orb, well, we've got nothing to fear from no Lords." Sea Wolf kicks the bag of gold, uncorks a bottle of rum, and sets himself on a barrel. "You're willing to cut a deal. So let's deal."

Blackout 482,004,911
Zaak
I upon entering I can feel the Umbral Reality bearing down on me. But it's not suppressing my power. It has little effect at all. As The First and Lilianna emerge I wave for them to follow. Down a forest road, then down a much narrower path. There are boot prints. Recent ones. We come upon a large group of men and women. Pitchforks, torches, sickles, and scowls round out the angry mob. Slowly they all stop and turn to us. A priest makes his way back to us.
"Who, in the grace of God, are you?" The holy man says. We stick out like sore thumbs. Our fine apparel and clean skin.
"What's going on here?" I ask avoiding his question. He doesn't like that. "I'm Zaak. By the way."
"Well, Zaak of...?" The priest is trying to gather more information. I don't want to be too aggressive but this is already testing my patience.
"Everywhere, nowhere, take your pick really. This is my wife and daughter." The priest seems to only now notice them. He recoils in disgust.
"You let your woman and child dress in such a manner?!" I roll my eyes.
"They are independent, free thinking, powerful women. They can wear whatever they want." I say at the priest who grips his cross/dagger combo tightly. "Ugh, you know what I'll go talk to the witch my damn self." I push past him and feel pressure in my back. I stop and sigh heavily. "That better not be a knife in my back. Or so help me..."

Sia

"Nobility huh? Keep that up and we won't be very noble for very long." Stealing a kiss from Raia I wink at Gin and make my way over too the pen. Pointing at each animal I do a quick enee meanie and end up pointing at back at Raia. Takeing a rideing bit off the wall I make my way back over, I step up behind Raia and lean into her back, running my hands up and down the front of her thighs." I don't make the rules babe, if i ride with you ill have plenty too occupy myself with while were on the road though..."

Gaul calmly gets down from Blaze’s back and walks to the watchtower that Flamr just cleared out. As the barbarians begin to swarm towards them, he picks up a rifle from one of the dead snipers and quickly aims it up the hill. He sees a man snarling at what appear to be his subordinates and quickly placed him square in the sights. He squeezes the trigger and drops the rifle, drawing his axe in the same fluid motion. As he spins his axe, a thick fog begins to roll toward the front lines.

“Blaze! Flame! Your superior senses and technology should make this fog trivial to you. These guys won’t have any such luck.”

With that said, Gaul leaps from the top of the tower and lands in the center of a large group of hostiles. He snarls, and his facial features shift to a much more feral visage. He can feel the spirit of the berserker flow from his axe into his body, and the spectral form of a dire polar bear swirls out of the fog into reality.

He bounds through the sea of enemies, every swing of his mighty axe dropping five or more men. Pretty soon, he’s at the top of the wall, the fog emanating from Gatecrasher has covered the whole mountain, and he’s covered in blood that is not his own.

Flame
My ears lay flat back as I duck down in the Watchtower. None of the enemies have seen me. This gives me the perfect opportunity: to take them all out. I speak too low for the enemies to hear but loud enough for my brother.

"They don't see me so I have a chance to end this. Get to the girls and get them out." He starts to argue but I cut him off. "-Just trust me and go!"

I throw his pack over the side down to him and duck back down. I don't like dividing up like this but it doesn't seem like we have a choice. He has to trust me this will work. Just like I have to trust him not to die. He has fog cover and -ancestors if Gaul isn't a wondrous distraction!

I sit and concentrate. I need to take out the men closest to our targets. I slit my palm with my dagger and press my bloody hand to my face, staining half of it in red. I close my eyes...focus. I can feel them out there. I bypass most of them over. Another plan starts to form in my mind. I can kill the one's closest to the hostages and take the rest out in Frenzy. It might be the quickest way but also could be risky. I just have to make sure not to set the Phantom Spirit free. I feel out the enemies nearest our targets...and take control of their blood.

Blaze
"Plan B it is!" I grumble. Shrinking down, I scoop up my pack and throw an Arcane shield up. It'll cloak Gaul but I'm not sure he'll need it. I start running through the fog, judging by sense of smell more than anything though blood is an overarching stench. I slam into the wall with Arcane energy and blow a good size hole. I barely break my run as I leap through, heading up.

Bullets ricochet off of me, enemies run at me. I blast them and keep moving forward. Grab the girls, grab the goats, get out. That’s the plan. I hate that this is the new one but our lack of finesse gives no better options.

Blackout 0
West Point Castle
Rider picks up the saddle and plops it on the Ostrich. Ducks down and scoops up Sia in response. Rider smiles. And clicks her tongue as she nudges Chron onwards. They ride up to a elevated platform and look out over the Town Square. Rider shifts nervously in her seat. She glances at Sia and takes a deep breath. Suddenly the crowds part as caravans of Ladies and their Attendants make their way into the square. A few cast curious glances at Sia. When they are all gathered Rider speaks.

"Before we begin the address. I'd like to make an announcement." Rider is speaking sternly. If she has any reserves they aren't showing. "This is Sia of Frostback. She is an offworlder from a land far away. And I am making this announcement to say that I am in love with her. And I plan to marry her." As Rider says this she takes Sia's hand and interlocks their fingers. The soft murmuring of the crowd stops and it is dead silent. A few of the more distinguished Ladies are looking to each other as is to say: seriously?

"Attraction and intimacy between women is nothing new. We all have people we love. We should not stigmatize love in any form. Love should be love no matter the circumstances. I will defer to the Matrons for legal matters as to estate and class politics." As Rider finishes speaking a single hand goes up.
"May I ask a question?" A young attendant speaks meekly. Rider nods. "Does this apply to men as well?"
Rider smiles. "Of course it does. You should be free to be with whomever your heart desires." The meek attendant smiles wide and thanks Rider.

The rest of the address goes smoothly, though somewhere in the middle Gin leaves the platform and vanishes behind an important looking door. Rider ends the address and leads Sia's Ostrich off the platform. Once dismounted and out of the public eye Rider attacks Sia with kisses. Her heart had been pounding in her chest the entire time.
"I've made up my mind. Stay with me, please?"

Sia

Standing dumbstruck through the address, I barely notice her attentions until a particularly hard peck snaps me out of my haze."Lightning...can you understand me when i speak this?" Smiling at her raised eyebrows i cup her cheeks and kiss her with as much affection as i can muster. "Better now? Good." Pecking her again i continue. "First off, I agree if you can listen too what i have too tell you, and if you can accept it. Secondly, Im not some random off-worlder, One of my closest friends is basically God. Like capital G. Im..We are here because he asked us too intervene where he could not. Your world is not the only one. You have knowledge of dimensions, you said as much when we first met if you'll recall. There are other dimensions and who you call the father could very well be a god of this one. Pausing too plant another kiss on her lips i sit against the wall of the alley and pull her down into my lap facing me. leaning my forehead against hers and looking into her eyes i whisper, "Odds are im going too outlive your natural life span by many....many times. Im not even an eighth of the way through my own lifetime and my seals from Galen, thats his name by the way, effectively remove me from times influence. Ill likely continue too live as long as nothing kills me, and reality doesn't come completely unraveled." Pausing too gather myself i close my eyes and lean a little further into her sighing. "That brings me too the next big one. Razz. Saying that i love him could not be a bigger understatement. I need him." Opening my eyes i stare into hers. Gingerly lifting the stone from around my neck i hold it out towards her. "Dont take this out of my hand....but touch it and you might understand better. This is our bond. This is why i believe hes still alive. That and the planet hasn't broken in two as far as i can tell. I get sick and spiral when were separated. I drink, smoke, and enjoy questionable company too try and fill the hole he leaves. Were bonded empathically. The story behind that can wait as it takes quite a bit of universal law breaking. Suffice too say without him im half alive and fading. For some reason though, your helping more than i can tell you. Wed be getting married pretty early on but that doesn't really bother me. Ive been alive long enough and seen enough in my time too know when i need too do my best too hold onto something good. Your doing more than you know by being here for me and takeing care of me. Im kind of a walking disaster most of the time, but with you i haven't even had a drink today and i haven't lit anything on fire yet. Trust me when i say thats impressive. Almost as impressive as this ass of yours, of wich im sure Razz will be a huge fan of by the way." Giving said ass a squeeze, I trail a hand across her waist too he pouch lifting one of her smokes i touch it too the orange stone then let it fall back against my chest. Leaning back against the wall i smile a shark tooth grin and squeeze her again.

Blackout Zero
Mountain Fort
The foul odors shift subtly but noticeably. The Bloodmen cheer as Gaul cuts down their ranks. They surround Gaul but keep with distance from him and his bear. Then they begin snarling like rabid dogs, cutting themselves, spilling blood, and stomping their feet in the pools it forms. A Blood Baron makes his way towards Gaul with a slow menacing pace. As he nears he produces a spear and shield before dropping into a defensive fighting stance while the stomping becomes rhythmic and the Bloodmen begin barking in time with the beat.

The ones not preoccupies with Gaul give chase to Blaze by seeking out the unfamiliar scent. They crash into each other and are all snorting and sniffing through their nose as they close in on Blaze.
"Fox man! Make warm coat!" From behind the third wall there are terrifying howls as rabid and starved hounds are released.

West Point
Raia listens as Sia explains. She's quiet for the whole thing. Once Sia finishes Raia sits in silence for a moment.
"I suppose it was too much to expect to have you all to myself." Raia seems almost hurt. She raises her hand and a soft pulse of light shines from beneath her skin. "But you don't have to worry about out living me. This power I was given... this body is just a puppet. My true self lies at the core of my Throne Realm. This body is a vessel for my consciousness. It's kept young by the Light and should anything happen to it another is created and sent to replace it almost instantly." Raia sighs heavily.

"You're going to leave when this is all over. Aren't you?" Raia asks even though she knows the answer. "From what you said, you can travel between these other worlds at a whim. But I can't go. Not as things are. My people are too vulnerable. The Bloodmen are tenacious and brutal enemies. So long as they exist my people will never know peace." Raia wants to say more but instead she takes Sia's hands in her own and places them on her body. Then slowly she stands and unbuckles her pants looking out the alley, watching for interruptions.

West Point Castle Dojo
Gin squares off against Sword Master. They stand with the tips of their bamboo swords almost touching. The Master strikes Gin across the stomach with a powerful blow. Gin falls to his feet.
"Hesitation is defeat. You must clear your mind. In battle where are the victorious. And the dead. Again." The Master assumes the stance. But Gin stays on his knees. The Master lowers his guard and takes a deep breath. "Hesitation is defeat. In battle. And in Life. Often times an attack must be followed through... even if it is futile. To have reservations is to instill doubt in yourself. Remember that." The Master of the Dojo leaves quietly. Gin lies on his back and brings a hand to the his necklace.
"Even if it's futile, huh?"

Sia

"Do i really need too tell you that im going too help you and your people? I dont have too go anywhere. Im free too travel and live where i want. Razz might take some convincing though." Smiling up at her i run my hands up her legs. "Here huh? Pervert. I dont think you realize what you've signed up for here babe."