Valiance

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

We're visiting the heart and taking it out. I've mapped out the most direct route.
*Flashes a path from the previous planet, to the upcoming one, to an unseen third*

@Nimda

What makes it the heart?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

You have my word.
*Gold flashes across my irises*
This, however, is that accursed god who would like to retrieve his soul. At the worst possible time.

@Nimda

Then time is of the essence. You have a destination in mind, I can only imagine? Where are we going and what are we doing there?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

There was a disease from my homeworld—we called it renha. The story isn't important, but it was very deadly, and I hope we get to be just as painful today.

@Nimda

*Nods*
An analogy I can get behind. You still feeling alright? I know you resist it, but if you feel it ever even remotely affecting you, I need to know.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

I hope every germ considers my body as unpleasant as I do this beast's. And with any luck, we'll be just as deadly.
*The distance between us and the next planet becomes choppy and sporadic with each step, as if the distance traveled contracts between the worlds every so often—at each judder, a golden light tugs beyond the boundaries of my figure before being pulled back, each instance triggering some displeasure across my expression*

@Nimda

*Glances backward over my shoulder at the world we’re leaving*
As the bubonic plague or something, I hope. Common cold germs would be awful to be in this analogy.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

For me, the bugs were less unsettling. Or would one just call that settling?
When we reach one of the flesh straws, it extends and connects to a visible, distant planet that appears to be completely black, and gravity inverts to pull us onto its path*

@Nimda

This must be what a germ feels like.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Flicks my gaze at you*
It is. This powder wasn't here when I first mapped out the territory.

@Nimda

If it’s some sort of defense mechanism, I’ll take it over the bugs from before. Much easier to manage.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

*When I open my eyes, they've constricted into vertical slits which quickly revert back to normal pupils as I shake off the discomfort*
I do not want to know.
*Starts off in the target direction*

@Nimda

*Brushes my shoulders and hair off before following you*
Deceptive.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

If you were hungry before, I'm sure that problem has been fixed.
*Pulls the map back out as it begins to snow a fuzzy, warm powder*

@Nimda

*Glances upward and squints at the precipitation*
Mm. Chickpea?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*We step onto an irregular-shaped scarlet planet, decorated with enormous hollow tubes that stretch out from its surface and undulate beyond the atmosphere; the ground squishes softly on each step and oozes a viscous red liquid*
In that case, I've decided I detest fate.

@Nimda

*Looks around and the environment first, then down at the ground, and I lift my leg up to look at the bottom of my foot*
You know, don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful that this suit of armor is waterproofed.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Glances at a map, and then back at the portal*
Although I'd have rather started somewhere else.
*Rolls my eyes in concession and steps through*

@Nimda

Such a bizarre circumstance like this, with such impossible odds of happening. I’m not one to babble about fate, but maybe it actually did have a hand in this. Maybe this plan will end up better.
*Follows you*