IIKittyII

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I can't help but wonder why. We'll have to see if that desire can serve as a moral compass of sorts for now. "I'm glad you feel that way as I could use your help."

Slowly, I approach the corpse of Lord Mystic and gently brush my hand over his face to close his eyes. "Rest well Your Lordship. You've done well." I turn soft eyes on Baruss.

"I'll leave you to bury him. I'm in search of the Bright Blades. They should be imprisoned here. I'm going down to look. After, if you would accompany me I'd be delighted."

I teleport to the prison. As I walk the aisles, cells start opening on those I feel have been wrongly imprisoned. Those who saw too much, those who didn't see enough, those who asked the wrong questions at the wrong time, those who asked the right questions at the wrong time, and the like. The criminals' cells stay locked without a second glance from me. Only the souls and actions matter to my eyes.

The cell block of the Bright Blades is massive and buried deep in the bowels of the Bastille. I breeze in on a ray of light. The cells all open with a snap of my fingers. "Hello gentlemen. Karnariel sent me. Pardon the delay. I was meeting with Lord Mystic and his heir." Bright light sparkles through the block and the light motes instantly rejuvenate the men.

I sweep my skirts to the side and dip a quick curtsy. "You are all free to go. Thank you for your service and sacrifice gentlemen. Karnariel is expecting you."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

What I have been able to deduce so far, is sustaining Baruss wouldn't cost additional life. It doesn't seem like he is interested in senseless death or death at all. It was a tragic outcome of his creation that all those souls were lost. He's severely logical in thought and would need to be taught a bit about compassion. The rest is yet to be determined.

I teleport into the hallway. I stand visibly in the doorway to let my presence be known, but I don't intrude. Instead opting to give them some time alone, and waiting for an invited introduction.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I'm still uncertain how to categorize Bahruss. His morphing is fascinating. Once he shatters the dome, I appear next to him.

I still haven't completed my assessment and that's top of my list at this moment. Its conclusion decides what my next steps are. Some changes may be necessary and I'm slightly concerned about my findings; but I'm determined to approach this without any bias aside from my one purpose as a guardian of life.

His aura is transparent which is rare. It could be because his nature has yet to be determined by actions and his conscience is clear. I can read a few things about his morality...or lack thereof already. It's troubling but not impossible. His outlook is logic led.

"Sir Bahruss, I apologize for the delay as you seem to be in quite a hurry but there's still a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Might you tell me about your father? What type of a man is he...morally?"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I see it. I see the energy and life force of thousands of souls sacrificed in his making. I see his incredible density. He is and isn't like anything and everything I have and haven't seen.

The Prime Mind is dormant now which means he was the directive all along but right now he doesn't seem like a weapon. He seems lost. I speak to Nichols in a low voice. "I would like you and your men if you're staying to be as still and quiet as possible. Please, stay back and be ready to leave immediately should he attack."

It's clear from the feelings of everyone present that the assessment I need to give of this new life form might not meet their expectations. They want him dead. I motion them back as I move forward. "Hello. What's your name?" I continue moving, walking a slow circle around him.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I study the machine slightly puzzled. While on course to fix one problem, another presents itself.

Whoever is in charge of this has no regard for the natural order of things and balance. It definitely unsettles me but perhaps this has something to do with why we're here in the first place. If not, I'll personally make time to handle it because this wasteland cannot continue this way. What little life does exist here needs nurturing. I have half a mind to contact Blaze and see if he can hack this technology for the answers but he'd probably need physical access.

I brush the thoughts aside and agree to the deal. "It would be most helpful if you would provide information on "The Father" please."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I'm immediately apprehensive. It's not attacking, just studying me which could be either good news or bad. I'll have to tread carefully. Slowly, so as not to be perceived as a threat, I approach the tree.

I place my hand on the tree, drawing close to it.

"Initiate language conversion.

Queue command as primary.

Conversion Modern.

Apply."

I give the tree a moment to process and accept my request before continuing.

"Greetings. I am Lexianna. You are the Prime Mind. What is your purpose here?"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

Humans never cease to amaze me in their polar differences. I'm happily surprised by this group of brave volunteers. I wasn't expecting such a reception. I wasn't expecting a reception at all and I'm instantly embarrassed. Still, I smile politely and take the gift offered. They really ought not have gone through the trouble but I will cherish the gift all the same because it came from a place of purity.

When we arrive at the wastelands, things instantly take a turn for the worst. I should have expected as much. Still it's with a heavy heart that I take in the damage to the surrounding area. I've seen technology and nature in perfect balance. There's many civilizations on planets that have done this flawlessly. This is not that. The technology here is choking out the organic life, it is an invasive species. It's subjugating and viciously converting the plant life. It's much like a virus. All the worse, it seems the same can be said of what has happened to the people.

The entire sight brings me great sorrow. It's a waste of beautiful land and a waste of precious life. Both the sentient and non-sentient.

Even though they're converted they are still human, made of organic matter and the technology emedded is mostly metal, an element I control. The converging converted are stopped in their tracks by me. I also encase them in a light shield for good measure.

I raise my voice just enough to be heard over the din of the soldiers, "If you'll please halt your fire for the moment. Remain on guard if you will. Thank you." I start moving through them so I can approach the barrier and figure out what has happened to these humans. I need to find out if there's a way to cure them and/or heal them. "Pardon me please. Thank you."

Once I reach the shield I take note of several things. Their consciousness is more akin to that of a computer than a person they also seem to be driven by a hive mind. One whose main goal is assimilation. I can't sense any humanity in them and that is the most inhumane thing of all. Though the truth is bleak, there is one silver lining: they don't seem to be existing in pain. For that I can be thankful. Still I need to figure out who would do this to a person. "Who is your master?" I whisper though I don't expect an answer. I need to figure out where their orders are coming from.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I nod at his words carefully tapping one finger against my thigh as I listen. I can feel the anxiety coming off of him in waves. Poor fellow. I decide to keep him talking for a bit, with some people just talking is enough to settle their nerves.

"Fifty. That's quite a number you must have some motivational speaking skills. Normally a small group of people is best if you're trying to infiltrate and keep things quiet but I'm sure each one will come in handy. Especially if there's a large area to watch over." That reminds me...

"Nicholas, do you happen to know anything of the lord of East Point?"

I'm wondering if once the Bright Blades are rescued, I can turn this into a visit with the lord residing there.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

I watch Jaylen bound off again. The child isn't completely wrong about Kar. I don't think he's dangerous yet but he will be if he doesn't handle the rage festering inside.

Jaylen's put me in a bit of a bind. I had hoped Karnariel would open up to me in his own time. Speaking on one's personal experience often helps. Just to have someone listen, if not give advice. Jaylen took that choice of trusting me away.

Still, I can't let him harbor this idea of vengeance forever. Not when there's an honest chance for change. I've killed nobles before. They're souls weren't salvageable but regrettably the main motivator was that it was easier. It's shameful to even think. But, I'm not that kind of Lotus anymore. Getting the lords together for discussion is critical. So, Kar and I will need to talk.

When Nicholas approaches I'm genuinely delighted. I reach out and touch is hand. " It honors me that you trust me for this. I'd love to accompany you. Please tell me all you know about East point."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Lexianna

The extent of Jaylen's knowledge is quite vast for one so young. Each answer bringing with it a new question. Tenketsu seems to sense the lengthy subject and changes to make me more comfortable. The fabric shrinks down to a simple wrap to keep me modestly covered before reshaping into a new design of white and gold. Fabric coils around my upper arm just below the shoulder in matching white cuffs. Gold beading leads from the cuff to a white bandeau around my top with a white bow in the middle edged in gold. Gold beads trail down my stomach and wrap around in a belly bracelet. The bottom piece is three layers of sheer white skirts with golden seams. It's shorter in the front for freer movement while the back hangs in varying lengths and layers creating a flowing visual. I shift crossing my legs in my seat as I listen to Jaylen my skirts shifting around me.

He explains that even when a lord dies their Blood Wish remains. It doesn't have a physical form and it's unclear if another person can acquire the remaining Blood Wish. If they can, the assumption is that they may inherit a different power as the Blood Wish grants the user's desire. Jaylen doesn't know where the False One is presently and his best guess is that our friends are located within the False One's own Soul Void. Jaylen also reveals that powers do not work on him due to his being an anomaly in this world.

I send another feathered messenger to Shadow detailing all Jaylen has uncovered about Poe with a promise to continue investigating. With it, a simple question. Is this sufficient for a meeting?

I pat Jaylen on the head and kiss his forehead. "You've done very well. Thank you for your information. I think it is passed time for you to be asleep. Off to bed." As I watch Jaylen scuttle off my posture relaxes slightly. "That was...enlightening. Even so, the boy reminds me so much of my own child. With as much as I've done this,being separate from family is never easy. There's always reminders." My voice is soft as I ask, "What about you Kar? Do you find reminders of family frequently?"

Li-Li-Blackout 482,004,911

As flora springs up The First Lotus wraps herself in a fiery vortex, slinging streams of fire at every encroaching plant. It almost looks like a dance with how her hands move. Then I look. Something is happening to her aura. Glyphs are appearing on it.

I look back at her hands and then back at her aura and put two and two together. She's making glyphs to breach reality. With each attack she throws she's also focusing her energy to create and attach the glyphs. It's what people who aren't like me with the Sight have to do to have any type of reality manipulation. If it were math, it's like me just seeing the answer to the problem where she has to write out the equation and solve it.

Galen must have taught my mother how to do that, just in case. I don't think it'll work and even if it does it might not be in time. I'll have to act quickly. I edge the entire fight and sneak into the cabin. Several pairs of little eyes watch me wary.

"Hi there. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your..." I search their minds for the right term. "...The Lady of the Woods is in grave danger and needs your help. She's fighting people that only want to talk. If she doesn't stop she might get hurt. Now if you help me out we may be able to save her."

I take the hand of the child closest to me who also seems to be the smallest. "Now all of you link up c'mon." With the children trailing behind me, I lead them all outside. As soon as I step outside,the First Lotus dodges to the side and throws another volley of fire that heads straight my way. Her eyes widen as she sees the children and the fire extinguishes seconds before reaching me.

I put my fingers between my lips and let out a high shrill whistle. "Lady of the Woods. Your kids have a request." I lean down next to the smallest child so I'm eye level and hand her a teddy bear. "He's a friend who can give people courage. Hold him close okay? He'll help you tell her what you want. She needs to stop fighting them but she won't listen to me. Maybe she'll listen to you." I stand back up and let the girl speak. I could force her to say what I want but instead I let the girl do what she will. She may help us, she may not. I look at the First Lotus and see what I figured I would. Disapproval. I hold my chin high and wait.