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DClassifiedViktor & Pei
It was an early morning at Mount Justice Headquarters when four firm knocks clacked against Pei’s room door. On the other side was Viktor, with his phone in hand, displaying a vibrant digital flyer. It depicted two crossed swords over a large rounded shield adorned with roses. It was an event addressed in none other than Coast City.
“Pei.” Viktor called with his voice a tad less confident than usual but she didn't hear him. And so, Viktor proceeded to knock a bit firmer this time.
Wump. Something hit the inside of the door.
Wump. Something hit it again.
Wump. Pei sighed.
“It- it’s unlocked.” She relented, stopping Viktor from going for his eighth knock. Upon opening the door, Viktor found Pei lying on her bed, head hanging over the side upside down with her pink hair dangling shortly beneath her, not quite reaching the floor. In her hand was a bouncy ball that she was now throwing up into the air and catching.
“What can I do for ya, Vik?” She asked.
“I…” He initially found it strange to talk to her while she was on her bed in such a way but he continued. “I know you lived in Coast City for a time. There's an event there that I would like to participate in and…” A big smile was forming on her face, eyes wide and bright. Regret was setting in now. Viktor never had any issues with Pei but she often made him feel uncomfortable with her disposition.
“I need a local to accompany me because it's a social function and I am not very good at those on my own. Look!” Instead of stepping closer, he displayed his phone as far out as his arm would allow him. “The Gathering Storm… L.A.R.P Event.”
Pei gasped, and brought her legs over her head, rolling over herself. Within a moment her nose was against the screen, eyes crossed. “LARP event?! Coast City?! Holy shit!! Of course, I’ll take you!” She exclaimed, now hopping up and down. Her excitement caused Viktor to wince but then he smiled at Pei accepting his invitation.
“Perfect. A trusted friend of mine told me that it could be a fun experience for me and that there might even be a combat tournament. It starts tomorrow but we can travel via zeta tube to get what we need today.” He placed his phone back into his pocket. “I’d normally advise against using them for shopping but… we have to live a little, yes?” Though those few words were not his own originally, he held them genuinely in his heart at this moment.
“Fuck yeah dude!” She looked around the room like she desperately needed something, but she couldn't figure out what it was. In case it wasn’t obvious, her room was kept at a low temperature. She’d chosen the brightest colors, and superhero posters lined every wall. Above a desk was a large corkboard that was mostly negative space. In the corner were a few pictures pinned, all selfies of Pei with different heroes next to or behind her. A reluctant smile from Green Lantern Hal Jordan, a nervous grin from Green Lantern Jessica Cruz, a blurry peace sign from a passing Flash, a neutral pose from a stoic Red Tornado, and a friendly lean-in from Black Canary. There must have been room for a hundred posted photos on the selfie wall, but only the top left corner was filled currently. Pei had the exact same stupid toothy grin in every photo. On the nightstand next to her bed were a few framed photos of a more familial variety. For Viktor, it was so different but also similar to his own room.
His room lacked the variety of colors Pei’s room had but her photographs likely served the same purpose as his collection of keepsakes from past missions. They even had some of the same posters!
Pei swooped around and pushed her shoulder against Viktor. “Live a little, live a lot. There’s not a second that goes by when we’re not fuckin’ liviiin’~” She wiggled her shoulders up and down. The slight tickle from it, plus Pei's enthusiasm summoned a weak chuckle out of him. Perhaps Viktor could grow used to Pei…
She straightened up and folded her arms behind her back, pacing away from Viktor. For a moment, she adopted a different voice. “I am very pleased you brought this matter to my attention. I will divert all resources toward its success post-haste. First, we must acquire the appropriate apparel for the expedition.”
…or perhaps he’d never get used to her.
Viktor raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was, in fact, mimicking him. Initially, he made a sour face but quickly allowed himself to relax. He dropped down to kneel while bowing his head.
“Of course, master. Looking the part facilitates our infiltration of this… gathering. I’ve already located several establishments where we might procure appropriate wares. If set out now, we can claim weapons, apparel… and something to eat, of course.” Viktor lifted his head revealing a slight smirk.
Pei stroked her chin sagely. As she turned around, she was surprised to see him down on one knee. Though she tried to conceal it. “Excellent…”
She couldn’t help it. Pei giggled, too excited. “Let us set out at once!” She pointed a finger into the air and ran forward, vaulting over the kneeling Viktor and out the door.
“I forgot my shoes!” She vaulted back over Viktor immediately.
And that’s how their story began...
Coast City Fairgrounds, the following morning
After shopping the previous day for appropriate role-playing attire, weapons, and sushi, Viktor and Pei were ready to tackle The Gathering Storm LARP event. The duo had made some fun in playing roles previously but after taking some pointers from some LARP veterans while shopping, the two were able to turn it up several notches. It was the product of two people who devoted themselves to whatever they were doing without anyone around to hold them back!
The field for the event, as vast as it was, was decorated to appear as a large high fantasy town with themed establishments and even a castle fort. Amongst all of it were others dressed to the nines in their costumes, already engaging in the thick of the fictional adventure.
CLINK! CLINK! CLINK! CLINK!
Viktor marched forth toward the fairgrounds first, suited in the armor of a Polish hussar with a red gambeson beneath and a saber sheathed on his hip. A few eyes glanced his way, but it wasn't until he suddenly leaped several meters in the air with a guttural battlecry that he drew their attention. Viktor performed a classic superhero landing onto the grass of the fairgrounds, both scaring and wowing everyone around. He remained still and in a kneeling stance… only because this was only the beginning.
Pei was dressed a little more rustic than Viktor. She was wearing a billowy white crop top with a strap across her chest to keep a cool-looking bag in place. Around her hip was a belt, and an asymmetrical pleated leather skirt that went down to about her knees. Other than that her legs were bare, and she was wearing sandals. The most expensive parts of her getup were her staff, which looked metal and had a fake gemstone on top, and her pointy ears and devil horns. She was a tiefling, and her pale blue skin saved her a fortune in time and money on makeup. For today’s outing, she had washed out her temp hair dye and let it stay black.
She clapped at Viktor’s entrance, though she wondered why his character would do that. Was he playing a showoff? …She also couldn’t help but feel that many eyes were also on her. Pei felt like a beautiful sorceress! Her charisma was legendary! Her name was…
“Sapphire,” She introduced herself to a roguish half-elf woman, gathered with others in front of a tent. “Sapphire Nightshade. The pleasure is all mine.” Pei, or rather, Sapphire, was putting on a voice. She was trying to smooth out some of the natural roughness to her voice, as well as her Rhelasian accent for something a bit more fantastical, low, and soothing. Leaning forward, she planted a kiss on the back of her hand, much to the fellow player’s delight and surprise.
As for Viktor, she made a gesture in his direction. “This cute little fellow is Perun Ironclad. Don’t let his demeanor fool you, he has a heart of gold.” She said to the group, adding a wink.
“Indeed!” Viktor, or better yet, Perun, exclaimed as he stood from the grass and claimed a spot next to Sapphire. His voice had a generic heroic flair to it, reminiscent of his limited-time alter ego, “Rainman.” “Hear me, people! Sapphire gives me too modest an introduction so as not to shake your spirits! I am Perun Ironclad, the hero of the mountain of Rhodes! Conqueror of many foes! I faced the desert serpent! I faced her beastly servants! The monstrous equestrians were no match to me! And I led an assault on a leviathan of the sea! I wrestled the King Beasts and made him an ally! My legend will continue to grow long after I die!” Perun Ironclad took a powerful step forward and unsheathed his saber, pointing it up and out in front of him. “Stand with me, and we shall conquer this gathering storm!” Much like Pei, he was really getting into character, and the other attendees were eating it up.
Sapphire rolled her eyes and blew a strand of her hair upwards, clearly unimpressed by the boisterous nature of her traveling compatriot. Inwardly, though, she was really happy with Viktor. The roguish half-elf, Elwen, responded with an amused smirk. Still, Viktor actually being tall and fit did lend him a great deal of presence.
“Pei,” he whispered. “I see people who are meant to be warriors, but they seem… less than formidable.” He frowned, feeling a bit let down.
Pei tittered. “Yeah dude,” She whispered back, eyebrows raised. She let that response hang, waiting for Viktor to complete his thought.
“This is fun so far, but I’d like a challenge.” Viktor made a low groan at his own statement. He was sure he could still enjoy the event even if it wasn't exactly what he thought it would be. “Perhaps my expectations were too high.”
Pei didn’t want to make Viktor feel foolish, so she continued reigning in her giggles as best she could. “Yes, well…” She looked around again. Actually, it might be for the public good to make this clear, regardless of Viktor’s feelings.
“Don’t punch anyone, dude, it’s just pretend! You read the rules, right?” She asked with another little laugh. “It’s roleplay.”
“Right.” He turned to Pei slightly with a small smile as he sheathed his weapon. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves after all, Sapphire Nightshade. And claim glory…” He faced Elwen before adding. “Amongst new companions.”
“Fuck yeah! I mean,” She lowered and smoothed out her tone again. “Indeed. Though, I’ve always been more interested in money, than glory.” She said with a flick of her head and hair.
Sometimes later...
“Freezing Ray!” Pei shouted, tossing a beanbag at a guy in shockingly good orc makeup. He batted it aside with his shield.
“Freezing Ray!” Pei said again, pelting it at him. This time it hit, and he roared in pain and backed off to his fellow raiding orcs.
Elwen fired off an arrow with a little plunger on the end. Carl Bimble the Wizard ran around in a circle. Tulip the Changeling was hiding somewhere. ”Eek!” Pei shouted in genuine alarm as another orc charged up on her as she ran out of spell beanbags.
Just when things seemed to get a little hairy, an orange beanbag smacked the orc’s right arm!
“Flanking maneuver!” Viktor shouted with his saber raised from the not-so-dense treeline with three others from the left side. The fronts of their costumes were lightly covered in dirt and blades of grass due to Viktor ordering the small group to low crawl part of the way to their position. It's also partially why they took so long. Brock the Barbarian let out a wild howl, stealing the attention of the orcs. Ned, the overly energetic Sorcerer, was already throwing his second orange beanbag. Meanwhile, Viktor and Sir Troy the Knight rushed the orcs, but the former was moving at a frightening speed compared to the other. “This is what I live for!” Viktor bellowed as he softly tagged the orcs in his path with his saber, cutting through their formation. He struck a pose, pointing his saber toward the remaining orcs. “Come, you foul beast. Become additions to my conquest!”
The thing about orcs is that they were often veteran players taking on an antagonistic role for fun. You didn’t just get some rando off the street to get in all that makeup. Physically, they might not be able to defeat Viktor, but their LARP tactics were unrivaled, and at that moment, that’s what mattered. They weren’t fighting Viktor, they were fighting Perun! Before Sapphire could even say ‘my hero,’ an orc shaman shouted “EALIN’ MIST!” in a ridiculous cockney accent.
The trap was laid, and Perun was suddenly surrounded by totally healed orcs!
“Huh…” Perun was completely caught off guard. He hadn't felt this vulnerable since his battle with the desert serpent!
Sapphire had to think quickly to return the favor before Perun was out of the game. She reached into her bag and pulled out a Scroll of Teleportation. “Teleport!!” She shouted.
“One, two, three…” She began counting to seven, dashing in to grab Perun, unable to be interacted with while she did. When she touched Perun, that meant he was also under the effects of teleport. “....four, five, six, seven! Come now, darlings, let’s run, I’d hate to see your pretty faces smashed in!” She called for everyone to retreat back to camp.
“Agreed!” Perun pointed his saber in the opposite direction of the orcs. While the group made their retreat, Perun stepped away from Sapphire. Stopping, he turned around to face the orcs one more time. “And for the record! We are not running out of fear! This is merely a tactical retreat, you foul orcs!” Perun shouted while waving his weapon at them.
Returning to Sapphire’s side, Perun shot her a smile.
“We may have underestimated our enemy, but I will ensure we refine our tactics for the next battle. Good work tea- band of warriors! It's time to feast! Replenish your strength!” There was a mix of ‘woo’s and ‘yeah’s that followed amongst the group as they shuffled across the grass.
“That scroll was expensive!” Sapphire complained as she ran. “You owe me big time, tinhead.”
With that, the party returned back to their faction, The Dawnbound Vanguard to fill their bellies with dried meats, bread, cheese, and apple slices. They also didn't skimp on friendly mingling and lighthearted banter at their shared table. Most of the discussion pertained to the skirmish with the orcs that failed to help the faction collect part of the ancient artifact known as the Eye of the Storm. It was a powerful relic that would grant their faction the advantage in overcoming the rival faction, the Ironfangs. Despite the setback, the group remained optimistic, especially Perun, who claimed his prowess would ensure Dawnbound Vanguard would succeed.
“I think it's time that I go procure us another one of those teleportation spells,” Perun declared.
“Are you sure you have the coin for that? It cost Sapphire a hefty sum,” Ned said as he recalled himself being short on purchasing the utility spell for himself. Perun stood up from his seat, confident and proud as always.
“A hefty sum is exactly what I have! A warrior of my stature has little need for coin in these battles! Why not use my unused resources to aid our little blue sorceress?” With a hearty smile, he tapped the back of his hand against the gemstone on Sapphire’s propped-up staff.
“All that gold. All that effort.” Sapphire complained dramatically as she slumped onto the table.
“Even if you had the gold, not like you can just buy one anywhere. But hey, worst case scenario, there’s probably something else you could get her?” Elwen offered, trying to be optimistic. Aligning with Elwen's words, Viktor faced Sapphire.
“Perhaps a million little apple slices.” Sapphire said, working the anachronistic plastic bag open. The cost of admission was totally worth it. “Or the Eye of the Storm.” Sapphire grinned.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Elwen said with an amused smirk.
“A lady can dream.” The tiefling winked.
Yet in this realm, dreams and ambitions alone were able to attract the most precarious of events.
It was not long until Perun marched from the table after making an oath to suitably compensate Sapphire, whether he found a second teleportation spell or not.
“Perun! Wait! I shall join you and lend you my guidance.” Carl Bimble, the Wizard offered as he ran up to walk beside him.
“You speak as if I’m blind, caster. Do you forget all that I, Perun Ironclad, have accomplished in my tenure as hero of justice?”
Carl shut his eyes and shook his head slowly. On the battlefield he was a mess, sure, but Carl had plenty of knowledge on how to find the best items. He had doubts they'd run into another teleportation scroll.
“I’ve heard of your ventures more than I’ve ever wanted to. You have sharp eyes on you amid battle but you might as well be blind when it comes to looking for something of worth amongst the vendors and townsfolk. You need me, warrior.” Carl’s words surprised Perun some, believing the Wizard was incapable of putting his foot down, especially towards him.
“Fine! If you offer your guidance… Perun moved quickly around to face Carl, his arms crossed at his chest.
“Jeez!” Perun had nearly startled him out of character.
“Then tell me. What is our first objective?” Perun demanded but Carl slammed his wooden staff down in an attempt to match his energy.
“Doing small favors for the needy, of course. Fetch quests!”
“Fetch quests?!”
“Fetch quests.”
“Ugh. Fetch quests… Perun sighed before he returned to the wizard’s side with a grumble. “My favorite…..”
Meanwhile...
Sapphire Nightshade looked down at her character sheet with a frown. That scroll had been a special backstory item, and if she was going to find and buy a new one…well. It was worth it to save Perun’s life. Probably.
She was standing in the market area with a few other adventurers, looking through items more in her level.
Sapphire growled. “That tinheaded idiot hasn’t even begun to pay me back for what I did for him. All that bragging, but if it weren’t for me he’d be in a bowl of stew by now.” She complained to herself.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a hooded figure, who signalled for her to follow her.
“I’ve never been known to turn down a good back alley hooded figure,” Sapphire said with a smirk and a rub of her chin.
In a more secluded corner, the figure clasped their hands together. “Sapphire Nightshaaade…” They greeted her. “We’ve been keeping an eye on your progress, and we think you have great potentiaaal…” Every final syllable trailed off into a mysterious, lasting whisper.
“I’d say I’m great as is.” Sapphire said, brushing some invisible dust off her shoulder. “But I’m glad you noticed. I’m always up for even further greatness.”
“Excelleeent…your ambition befits a sorceress of your powerrrs…we heard you were interested in the Eye of the Storm?”
“Who isn’t?” She raised a brow.
“What if we told youuu…we know where the final map fragments are?”
“I’d ask who ‘we’ is, and what I have to do with any of it.” She was growing impatient.
The hooded figure reached into their long-sleeved robe and produced a small piece of a shattered stone tablet. Sapphire would recognize that script anywhere.
“The power in your blood, demonic in nature combined with your skill, would be a great boon. Help our Order find it, and that power is yours. You would no longer have to scrape together coins or rely on incompetent allies. The people of this world would tremble before you. All we ask is one small favor in return…”
“...” Sapphire’s smile grew a little wider and a lot greedier.
“I’m listening.”
“Oh, awesome, okay, but seriously-” The hooded figure pumped their fists and pulled down their hood, revealing a woman with short brown hair and big glasses. “You’re Iceburn, right?”
Pei’s smile grew even bigger, and she nodded.
“Okay, great. I know this is a big ask, so, feel free to just do whatever but- but me and the other staff were thinking…”
Later-er...
Dusk grew nearer as the sun traveled quarterway from the sky’s center. No longer was it time for small quests or hearty banter. Banners were raised and weapons were drawn as the armies of the Dawnbound Vanguard and the Ironfangs faced each other from across the wide-open field with a “fort” on either side. This clash would be an all-or-nothing battle to obtain the Eye of the Storm. Within one of the masses, Elwen nudged Tulip, the Changeling.
“Have you seen Sapphire, Perun, or Carl? They should be with us right now.” Elwen asked with a furrowed brow to which Tulip simply gave a shrug. Prob-”
“Did someone mention Perun Ironclad!?” He called as he made his way through the gaggle of combatants that made a decent attempt at forming a fitting formation. Carl trailed behind him, his staff decorated with all sorts of random trinkets. The only notable difference in Perun was that he now sported a leather waist-bag. “Elwen, is Sapphire truly not in our midst?”
“This is the only place anyone would be… unless...” Carl looked yonder toward the Ironfangs who stood prepared to charge at a moment’s notice.
“No… NO! If they've taken her hostage, I will ensure they are left in pieces on this battlefield! Our party needs to focus on finding and rescuing her.” Perun urged, taking a step forward.
“Shouldn’t we be focused on the Eye of the Storm? We’ll win if we just defeat the Ironfangs.” Ned piped in, causing Perun to approach him with a stern expression.
“Sorcerer. The objective means nothing if we lose a member of our team.” He looked at the others now. “Our primary focus is finding Sapphire, our fellow companion. Now, huddle up! I have a plan.” Viktor said only minutes before the most decisive order was given by the commanders of each army.
“CHAAARGE!”
“CHAAARGE!”
Both armies rushed against each other, crashing into each other at the center of the battlefield! War Cries, evoked spells, and the faint popping sound of foam weapons making contact filled the air! There was no blood or tears but sweat was undoubtedly present! The boldest from either side were quickly slain! Those too slow to act found themselves slapped by a bean bag! Either side could take this battle as their numbers continued to dwindle! It seemed impossible to determine who would be the victor! The Dawnbound Vanguard?! The Ironfangs?!
“HEAR ME,” Came a voice. Perun and the others had broken from the treeline to flank the enemy fort but what they saw encroaching onto the battlefield stopped them in their tracks. “AND DESPAIR!” A lake of white mist flooded onto the battlefield, causing the fighting to stop. A woman clad in spiked armor made of ice that came to an arctic crown on her head emerged onto the battlefield. She was fifteen feet up, and every step she took, a fifteen-foot flat-topped spike erupted from the ground to meet her as the previous spikes turned to snowflakes.
“Behold, your new Tempest Queen!” She shouted. “You angry little things, with your small weapons and smaller minds, pay tribute and servitude to the most powerful sorceress who ever lived!”
“What the? Is that Pei?” Samantha, otherwise known as Elwen, asked, the spectacle breaking her character. She and the rest of the party slowly walked nearer as if to ensure their eyes weren't being fooled. “She’s taking over the world?” Elwen prepared her bow. “What happened?!” Perun couldn't give Elwen an answer. For the first time in his many ventures, he felt himself freeze in the moment.
A raging Ironfangs barbarian stepped up to the plate and flung a ‘throwing axe’ at the Tempest Queen, only for her to swat aside with a burst of snow. A high-powered beanbag smacked into his chest.
“INSIGNIFICANT, MEWLING CREATURES, HUDDLED UP IN YOUR BARREN HOLES AND UNDER YOUR WRETCHED BRANCHES. THE MOON, THE SUN, AND THE EARTH BELOW KNEEL BEFORE ME!” The Tempest Queen lifted her staff and unleashed a fusillade of snowballs high into the air, only for them to come raining down on the entire battlefield like an artillery shower. “AHAHAHAHAHA!” Both armies retreated to find cover under trees or inside tents, both armies pulling away. Spells and projectiles began flying towards the Tempest Queen, but they all fell short or went wide or were deflected by some kind of cold wind barrier coming from her feet as she walked from spike to spike towards the center of the field.
What the… Viktor just go with it. He thought as he found himself to be one of the few remaining.
“Sapphire! My companion! This cannot be true! Have you truly turned to evil?! Have you truly turned against us?!” Viktor shouted while glancing at the others around him. Their hearts were thumping like a cacophony of fast-beating drums. “Even her aura of fear freezes them.” He commented in a low voice.
“Hah! Have you turned against me?! Sapphire called out. “Are you so proud, so arrogant, that you cannot see the new Queen of this world in front of your very eyes?”
From behind her icy veil, Pei looked out of the corner of her eyes, seeing the other players moving to surround her and staying in cover. That was good, she wanted to make it a fun fight. But really, she wanted to chuck some real ice blasts at Viktor. That would make a better show.
“Kneel, Perun. Elwen. Ned…all of you! Kneel and I may spare your life.” The Tempest Queen strode forward.
“Or, better yet, resist, and let me turn your corpses into frozen statues to mount atop my frozen fortress to be as a warning to all others!”
“No! Never! I- No we will not stand for this! Vanguard! Ironfangs! We must face this new threat together! As much as it pains me, we must slay Sapphire, the Tempest… Bitch!” Perun pointed his saber up toward her but glanced at Elwen and Ned whose eyebrows were still lifted by what Perun had said. “Elwen. Ned. Lock in! I need two things from you…” All Sapphire could see was desperate whispers amongst the three while Carl was pacing back and forth. Then in a booming voice, Viktor roared a command for the others to follow. “ATTAAAAAACK! GIVE HER EVERYTHING YOU HAVE!” With that everyone charged in, figuring their numbers would overwhelm their new foe. Perun, now without his waist-pack to slow him down, charged forth at a rapid pace.
Their second attack on Sapphire was proving to be just as unsuccessful as the first, especially when Perun found himself nearly struck with ice… real ice. Finally… something to get the blood pumping.
Still, the soldiers on the field of battle continued their push. Ned and Elwen managed to follow behind Viktor's advance which was slowed by his need to maneuver away from Sapphire's projectiles.
Meanwhile, Carl the wizard was yet again aimlessly running around in circles and every so often lobbing a beanbag toward Sapphire.
I have to get closer…
The Tempest Queen had a large arsenal of beanbag spells to cast, and she did so with accompanying mist trails to really up the spectacle. “MISERABLE FOOLS!”
Viktor, however, found real ice shards coming his way. As he dodged one, a chunk broke off and slapped him across the face like a snowball. “Tempest Bitch, huh?” Pei muttered under her breath. As Viktor closed the distance, he could probably see her breathing heavily. A lot of effort was going into spectacular mist explosions and ice shards flying through the air. Every time a beanbag hit her, she stumbled backward and created another ice shard to support her before ‘falling,’ a spray of flakes flying from her armor. Under her veil, she was grinning, which fit both Pei and her Tempest Queen character quite well. She liked seeing the two sides come together.
“DIE!” She fired an ice missile at Perun, forcing him to dodge. The shard stuck in the field. She fired another, and another, each bigger than the last. They would be easy enough to jump sequentially to reach her.
There! Perun jumped from one ice shard to another, his focus on Sapphire as he steadily neared before he leaped forth with his weapon raised overhead.
“IT’S OVER!” He swung down!
Kaboom!
There was a great explosion of mist as her armor shattered, the heroes having done enough damage (if Pei’s math was right) to defeat her.
“NOOOOOoooo…!” The Tempest Queen fell from her perch, her constructs shattering in the explosion as she fell onto the grass. She cushioned her (and Viktor’s) fall with the mist and let it all disperse before she lay on her back, dead. “Blegh!” Her armor disintegrated and she returned to normal Sapphire form. Her eyes were closed and her tongue was sticking out, though using her powers so excessively had made it impossible to conceal her heavy breathing. Still! It was clear to all that the Tempest Queen was defeated. Would the war come to a ceasefire now that new threats were going to start appearing, or would they go back to tearing each other apart? The future was up to them.
In the meantime, Perun and the rest of the party gathered around Sapphire with out-of-character smiles. Ned returned Perun’s bag, and from it, the hussar pulled out a scroll.
“As evil as you were… you need to eat, and you can't eat if you're dead. Plus, I still owe you from earlier, yes? Revivify!” Perun exclaimed, sounding less like himself and more like Viktor as he held open the scroll. “Looks like we did, everyone…”
“Yeah, we won!” Ned piped.
“Nooo… We had fun!”
Pei sat up, grinning breathlessly. “I’ll….get you guys…next time…phew, fuck.” She spat onto the grass. “Can we… get dumplings?”
And that was the tale of how Sapphire Nightshade nearly conquered all the lands and how it took her own companion, Perun Ironclad, to rally two opposing factions to end her hunger for power! However, dumplings were far from safe this evening!
Ahem… Uh where was I? Oh!
Though the storm had gathered and darkened the sky, the two companions now walked off into the sunset knowing that with each storm, no matter how tumultuous and dark, brighter days would surely follow. But what might the next storm bring? One can only wonder…
