Onward: Red

[voidtreckermods]

They are in the vortex for what seems like forever but is perhaps not that much time at all. They do not hunger, they are tired enough that it feels like they have been struggling against the chaos of the sea for a few hours yet how much time they have been flying in truth, is unknowable.

They emerge, pushing up out of the vortex. There were four rockpools and now, as they land on a vast plain they will find they have all arrived at the same destination.

The sky is black, pin pricked with stars and in the distance, on the horizon there is a glowing white light. The light is bright, bouncing off the ripples of water and giving them light to see.

For it is water they stand on, a vast ocean, inky black in the darkness. They stand on it with ease and yet, if they wish, they can dive down into it. The water is clear and yet they will find no plants or fish.

Monsters though, they will find a plenty. As the voidtreckers arrive, their footsteps rippling on the sea, they are joined by creatures. Giant crabs, shark head beasts, water snakes. They stand between the voidtreckers and the light on the horizon.

Somewhere in this sea it seems there is a giant squid, as tentacles reach out of the water to grab the ankles of the void warriors and pull them down to the inky depths.

The voidtreckers feel a pull towards the light, yet the horizon seems endlessly far away, getting no closer as they fight their way towards it.

Comments

[aggressivelygood]

"Yeah..." He looks out over the featureless plane of water stretching before them, towards the ethereal light that stains the horizon. "Feeling like I fought off an entire army of undead with only a useless plank of wood, but hell...I'm alive and somehow uninjured. Can't say better than that."

Somehow it looks like they've all made it here mostly unscathed by the currents. He'll have to burn a prayer in thanks to whatever gods have dominion over this place--if they can ever figure out where this place is, or how to escape it.

"I can see how people ended up disappeared if this is where the portals took them. There doesn't look to be an obvious way out. No landmarks so far as I can see, either."

[marriedanidiot]

"You did?" She looks alarmed. "I saw nothing but the water.... You are not hurt?"

She gestures. "There's only that light, in the distance."

[aggressivelygood]

"It was, uh...just an expression. I'm fine." Sven gave a muted chuckle. The sound is decidedly lacking in real humour. A wan smile quirks at the corners of his mouth but disappears quickly. Their current situation concerns him.

"It feels like the light is pulling us in. Now, I don't know about you, but landing in what feels suspiciously like an empty slice between realities from which a bunch of people were never seen again...and being beckoned by the horizon...I don't super trust that."

And yet.

"...But I don't think we have a choice, do we? If the people stolen by the portals survived, that's the direction we're most likely to find them."

[marriedanidiot]

"Oh, that's good." She sighs, relieved and grimaces.

"Agreed. Considering the draw... yes. I think we have little choice in the matter, one way or another."

[aggressivelygood]

"Alright then!" Sven forced himself to be jovial in spite of his fatigue. He couldn't let himself get rundown and mopey when the end of their task was still no place in sight...keeping up a positive outlook would hopefully help everyone else keep their spirits up.

"Shall we get moving, or do you need some time to rest first? We should try not to loiter too long, at any rate...this place feels dangerous."

[marriedanidiot]

She straightens, considering her own state, and then nods.

"I think we had best get moving. I cannot see all of those who entered with us either."

HUSBANDO WHERE U

"Likely, everyone else will have a similar experience, and we can hopefully meet up there! Ai, but I am no warrior... I hope the danger you sense is not too great."

[aggressivelygood]

"I can't sense anything. That's why I'm so worried."

This...realm. It doesn't behave like any space on the mortal planes. And yet Sven feels nothing, no magic, no higher presence keeping hold over the place. Such a place should be full of power...which likely means it is, but it's strong enough to block his senses.

"Stay close. I'll protect you if we run into danger."

[marriedanidiot]

"Nor I." She sighs. "The Song is muted, as it should not be, and perhaps my son might have been able to reach past whatever blocks us, but I cannot."

She smiles at him.

"Thank you - as little as I like it, I fear I am no warrior, although I am not defenceless."

The obsidian knife her husband gave her she has still, and in her hands it sings still, the flame of her husband's love and will to protect her warm against her hand, but even that song is quieter than it should be.