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"Pardon my ignorance Sifu, but I thought you had previously indicated that you wouldn't be able to teach the celestial styles to the others, I assumed there was something of the universe that being a verser broke through that would otherwise restrict it.

But, if it's possible, we should consider it. Do you know what the bad side effects might be?"

Then to Leona, "Leona, you know you have my full support in this matter. I will do all that I can, and follow your decision fully on this matter."

My hope is just to help ask the questions that will give enough information on the costs associated with this path. If Leona decides they are worth paying, I'll help in what ways I can.

His ears droop
"There is a reason I hesitate to even suggest it now. The Process of learning Celestial Martial Arts was Arduous even for the Children of the Dragons. Long Ago, Most mortals would be burnt up in the attempt. Now... It is still very dangerous. You could burn out your ability to use magic. Or The process could change you so that you are not human anymore. Or the concentrated solar essence of the style could react badly to the vampiric blood, possibly killing her. Honestly, Ascension into a spirit is probably the best you can hope for.
Glantri can learn it with no adverse side effects because of his nature as a verser.
Leona on the other hand has the potential to learn it. Due to her affinity with sunlight and spiritual power. I'll leave the decision to you Leona.
 

Leona considers for a moment. Then Nods.
"I will try to learn it. Sifu. What Must I do?"

"First, You two shall meditate on the nature of perfection and the Sun"

Leona sit's down in a lotus position to get ready.

I respect Leona's decision, though find myself worried on her behalf. I set myself to the task of learning however, and push emotion from my mind.

I follow Leona's lead and sit in a lotus position to contemplate the nature of perfection.

I close my eyes and focus my thoughts inwards, on the sun in my soul and it's majesty. Of the churning of elements, cascading in harmony with one another under the guiding light of the sun. I meditate on that vision and wait for what comes next.

You meditate on the nature of Perfection and the Harmonious world growing in your soul and the sun shining within.

As you meditate you feel something odd from Leona.
You See that for a bit she glows with sunlight and black smoke emerges from her body. then She glows with the unlight of darkness. Before flashing again to sunlight with more black smoke. She then falls backwards and lays on the ground.

I continue focusing on my inner light, and extending my aura to reinforce Leona's efforts if she decides she needs them. I am cognizant of the fact that Sifu has said this is a very difficult art to learn, so I don't exert my aura but rather leave it open to be pulled on if need be.

I'm glad to see that Leona flashed to sunlight before falling back though, in my mind it's a good sign and she just needs to rest before continuing on.

She Forces herself back up and continues with the Meditation. Again she flashes with sunlight and burns herself with the solar essence and then flashes with darkness. Sifu appears before her and puts his hand on her forehead and then particles of green light swirl around her. He withdraws his hand.
"At least that still works on you... Don't force it with channeling essence. Just meditate for now. Please don't be so reckless. You must have felt the essence burning you to channel it like that."

His ears are drooping and he looks worried for Leona.
Leona seems...Not quite as ashamed as you would expect. She seems more determined than anything else.

She just meditates this time. After about an hour Kyotsu comes and asks both of you.
"Ok. What does the Sun and Perfection mean to you?"

"The sun represents the purity of energy and purpose. A power that reflects the nature of the world and allows for life to flourish. Perfection is balance and harmony. Perfection requires not one skill but all skills. It is a journey, not a destination, and the journey of perfection and learning must never stop."

I then bow my head respectfully to Kyotsu.

Kyotsu nods to you and then turns to Leona. She gathers her thoughts for a moment and then speaks.

"I hadn't really though about what Sun magic means before today. I always had it with me before. Before The Sun was power. Power with an opinion on how it is used. Before my nature Aligned with the sun. I didn't have to think about it. Now the Sun's light is trying to purify me and destroy the Darkness within the Vampiric blood. I still have my essence and I feel that it is still aligned with the Sun. But trying to use my old magic or consciously express is solar nature burns me. It Was Life, Purity, Warmth, Light and the Drive to reach towards perfection to me. Perfection is harder to define. We humans can approach it but never achieve  it. There is always a way to do it better, more efficiently or more precisely. Solar magic allows you to bypass this somewhat by emulating the Sun in his perfection. But since we are only human we are still a long way off from actual perfection."

With that, Kyotsu Smiles to both of you.
"Good job both of you. That will do for now.

In general Magnus would Agree with you Mike. Such that he has a soul that embodies the Concept of Striving for Perfection and Striving to reach your full potential. But she also embodies the fact that is an ever distant goal.

Leona. You are correct in your analysis of your essence and the problems with channeling with Vampiric blood. You are also correct about perfection here. Even in this fallen age, The Sun is still a good measure for how close to perfection something is. Because that is still a part of his nature.

Ok. Leona. I want you to enter Jade mountain form."

She looks surprised but obeys. Performing the short kata to enter Jade Mountain and becomes encased in a rock exoskeleton. Kyotsu smiles.

"It... Didn't hurt?"

"You are channeling your essence in emulation of the Jade Mountain. So it is not acting quite like Solar Essence at the moment. Therefore it is not reacting to the Blood in your system. Solar Hero will emulate the Heros of old. But more of their Perfection and Skill than the Purifying power of Solar Essence. It is still similar to solar essence so you might be able to acclimate to it... maybe."

I brighten at seeing Leona successfully enter Jade Mountain style.
"That is both excellent and brilliant to use a different form to shift the focus on the essence, giving the body time to adjust and realign itself! It reminds me of how a body's immune system has to be suppressed for any type of transplant. The body attacking what it's not used to could kill a person, but if introduced slowly the body adapts and accepts."

I smile, happy for my friend and glad that I'll be able to be there to help her journey. Otherwise, I wait on Kyotsu's instructions as I realize I was probably a little overly enthusiastic a moment ago after the point was meditation and contemplation...

Kyotsu is simply smiling
"Well one of the first things she needs to do to learn Celestial Martial Arts is to learn to perceive and manipulate essence in a new fundamental way..."

His ears and tails droop.
"Unfortunately this is difficult to come of with something new for you due to the versatility of Sun Child magic. I'm pretty sure that you can perceive and interact with Immaterial spirits. So that rules out the Children of the Dragons method... Although there is an even older set of charms. That might work
They are the Tiger and Bear set. They can make supernally aware of your surroundings and allow you to flow with the world to strike with precisely as much force as you want.

This usually takes a year of training and Meditation after learning these techniques to even start learning Celestial Martial Arts. Although...

Kyotsu seems to be thinking.
Leona also seems to be thinking.

”I have an idea that may help accelerate the adaptation, it’s based on something I’ve been contemplating for a while now. I think with enough preparation and meditation I may be able to exert my soulscape out into a sphere around us in the world. With reality supplanted with my soulscape, I could shift the rate time progresses, to allow those inside to train for a year in what appears to be a short time to the outside. I’m thinking something like the hyperbolic time chamber from Dragonball Z. Where one day outside the zone is a year of training inside.

But to do that, we would need to prepare significantly. Perhaps with my Furies help we could be a dome for it to be contained in, with murals depicting the various elements within me. Then I would meditate on the nature of the balance within me for a number of days equal to the number of furies within me, before I speak loudly each furies name, in the order that we bonded...

I think it could work. It would take us a week, maybe two, but that would pay off for itself quickly.”

Kyotsu considers your idea.

"Ah yes. That bit of media.
Magnus has tried to construct things like that before. He never quite figured out how to make them stable. They tend to collapse after a few days. It might be due to the nature of his power. Then again he never based it on his own soul.

Anyway,  Manifesting your soul in the physical world isn't a easy feat. Does your soul world naturally have a time differential between itself and the physical world?

"I've never focused on it, but I feel that the actions I've taken and distances I've traveled in my soulscape would take longer than any given night that I've been there. What I am quite confident about with it though is that it forms to my will. I think if I focused my will on structuring how time passes there, it would begin to structure itself to accommodate."

Kyotsu considers for a moment.

"If you are willing to change your soul permanently like that to accomplish this, I will help you. I just ask that you set it up well away from San Miguel.  This is very dangerous magic and I don't want to accidentally kill the Innocent. I would prefer a completely uninhabited world for experiments like this. But this is something we need.

You are wanting to prepare an area before you set this up in it. Similarly in nature to a Reality Marble. Yours should be more stable that Magnus's because of that. Any thoughts on where you would set it up? If you could claim a Nexus of Geomantic power it would make it much easier to maintain the magic."

"My Soul is constantly changing, it's my responsibility to myself, my furies, and the world to expand and grow it when possible. This is an opportunity to expand the area my furies can regularly interact with, aid a close friend and the world in the process, and grow my soul. I suppose that is a long way of saying, yes I am committed to this as I believe it's the right thing to do.

What about that tower where we defeated the wind aligned vampire? I believe it was mentioned it was a Nexus."

I sit and think for a few moments.

"I think it is most important that we tie every element into it, and that I have each fury assist me. It's as much their soul as mine anymore I think. After constructing the dome, I will begin infusing it with as many motes of each element as I can gather, until there are so many that the surface is constantly swirling with the eddying current of motes within. My furies can assist me with gathering these motes and attuning them to the dome, but the main element comes in when we define the dome. Each fury will take a section of the walls of the dome and forge it into their own image of their home in my soulscape. Meanwhile, I will craft a mural of a set of scales in the exact center, to represent the balance and harmony that we strive for. On the ceiling, I will craft an hourglass with beads of various elements inside. This will act as the focal point when we kick off the ritual by turning it over. It'll act as a timer to keep the projection of my soulscape in check. It will slowly drain to the bottom at the end of which my soulscape recedes inwards. One turn of the hourglass will be 1 day of time outside of the dome and 1 year of time inside. It will have a maximum of 3 turns at a given time, or 3 days/years worth of activity.

Once each of the furies has crafted their own area, and I have finished my projects, I will meditate on the area for a week, slowly collecting more and more motes. In the same time the dome should be self-sustaining on motes. At the end, I will recite each furies name, in the order they came to me, fly up to the hourglass and turn it to begin the process."

So unless Kyotsu objects, that's my overall plan. Whether Leona or Lita wish to be near or as far away as possible is their call. I can see reasons that they would want to be either.

Kyotsu states simply
"That is far too close to San Miguel. Plus it is aligned strongly to one element. Which will put your construction out of balance... I think I remember one that is more suited to what you are trying to do. It is a fair distance away. But... There has been a monster there drinking up the essence. So you will have to claim the site for yourself. I can take you there quickly if you like. It is going to be tough. And it moves quicker than you would expect from it."

Leona says
"As much as I would like to see this work of magic craft, I should probably drive the vampires out of San Miguel. I Still have the Martial arts that Kyotsu Sifu has taught us. And... And I am noticing some parallels between Sun and Dark magic.."

I nod, "You have a good point, two good points. I should let Lita know, I wouldn't want to worry her with just disappearing for however long this takes me. It won't take long, I can fly to town and back rather quickly."

Then to Leona "Do me a favor and play it safe, stay on the defensive and I can get this situated. We'll then have time to train and strike together. Would you like me to fly you back to town?"


With that, I'll head back to town (flying Leona there as well if she wants) and head off to find Lita:
"Lita, I have a project I need to work on. I'm going to try and manifest my soulscape into reality to allow me to control the flow of time in a defined area. I'm going to have to be gone for a few weeks while I prepare this, I've got to unseat a monster that's lapping up essence so that I can prepare the area, and then I intend to build a dome and attune it with my furies. If all goes according to plan, I'll be able to return within three weeks, but I didn't want you to worry." and I'll lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek "I know it's not a great time to be away, but I believe this is our best bet at having enough time to train and overcome the immortals. By devoting three weeks to this, we can rapidly recoup that time spent in the dome. And I'll finally be able to show you what my soul is like."

After that I'll fly back to Kyotsu, and after recharging to full motes, and equipping my artifacts (I'll be using Vadahf and the Bracers for an attuned mote cost of 9, leaving me 47 motes to draw on in combat)

OOC: The flying was a Furycrafting thing. Which doesn't work quite right here(Very few free furies to call on). You haven't done it yet in this world. You probably could with your mastery of wind magic. But it is going to be expensive with motes to maintain.

She Replies
"I will be careful. Don't worry about me... I haven't seen you truly fly. But That would be an interesting experiance"

I'll assume you fly since you can just rest and recover your motes.

Leona seems to enjoy the flight. you do note that her scarf seems almost wing like while you fly.

You find Lita
"That sounds amazing Michael. Are you sure you will be ok?. What are...?"

You kiss her and then she blushes deeply.
She says something incomprehensible then kisses you on your lips

She Says.
"You better be careful. I want to see you when you get back.

You return to Kyotsu. Fully charged and attuned to your selected Artifacts.
He asks
"Are you ready to go?"

Ah yes, I forgot. Magic flight it is then, recharging motes is fast enough and I need to get more magic exercise anyway.

To Lita I smile and say:
"I will do everything in my power to return, and trust me I'll find you when I get back.

After returning to Kyotsu and charging/attuning my selected elements I nod to Kyotsu,
"I'm ready."

Again Kyotsu picks you up and the runs with impossible speed. The land flash before your eyes. First Desert, then Forest and finally Mountainous. When he stops you find yourself in the valley between two mountains with a strange feeling cave before you going into one of the Mountains. The entrance to the cave is fairly big. At least 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide. You are not sure how long it goes like that into the Mountain.

Kyotsu asks
"Any questions before you go in?"

“Two questions, is this beast known to be associated with any given element or all elements? And is it intelligent or more animalistic, I just need to know whether there’s any amount of reasoning with it I should be trying first.”

I mentally brace myself, internally speak to my furies and let them know to be ready, we have a tough fight ahead, and I’ll enter the cave staying in high alert, hand on Vadahf as I make my way into the unknown

"The Beast has an element,  but it is one you can't exploit directly.  It has fed on the Essence of Destiny and Time. It is said to be very murderous.  Because the ones that enter tend to never come out. Those that do come out say they never found it. Not much is known about it."


You enter and immediately get the feeling of Deja vu worst that you ever had it in your life. Like you have entered this cave thousands if not millions of times.

You continue until it gets dark. Vadahf glows with electric blue light to help you see. Eventually you enter a chamber that takes your breath away. It is absolutely huge and there are distant things glowing on the walls that make it appear that you are looking at the night sky with the stars all glowing resplendently.

I contemplate Kyotsus words when I feel deja vu, I may have been stuck here repeating this for a while. I’ll have to be careful.

The interior room reminds me eerily of an angler fish, luring it’s prey with pretty sights. I was already suspicious that the danger here might be alluring nature that prevents me from wanting to leave. I remind myself with an internal mantra, listing those close to me and the world that I protect. That there is a lot for me outside these cave walls.

With that I will approach one of the walls carefully to inspect the lights and call out, “if you can hear me I would prefer a peaceful solution, but I require the use of this location. I have sworn myself to protect this world against those who would seek to end all life. Please, show yourself that we might talk”

It doesn’t hurt to start polite, some monsters have just been misunderstood of attacked immediately. I doubt this is that case but I will not have it said I rushed to violence. (Says the man with an artifact katana acting as his light, while being filled to the brim with motes...)

When you examine yourself, you find no compulsion to stay here.

You Examine the lights on the walls and they are small luminescent crystals. You get the feeling that they are full of starlight somehow.

You speak then You sense a Malicious Presence behind you and then you turn around and see a small girl in a striped green shirt with Brown hair and Blood Red eyes. She is carrying a blood stained knife. You try to sense her Essence and get a feeling of wrongness. You think her soul is about as strong as yours.

"Poor poor Naive Michael. Always so compassionate. Always wanting to talk. I suppose it can't be helped. You don'thave my perspective on Creation."

"I will never understand why some view compassion as a weakness. It's my strength that not only allows but encourages compassion. But my perspective of creation is different than yours, yes. I suspect in many ways it's far more narrow, but in others I may have seen and experienced more. But that is more philosophical than I suspect is worthwhile here."

And with that I settle into a sword stance, with Vadahf held at the ready and getting a low burn of wind motes for speed and agility going.

I know this girl is supposed to be monstrously fast, which vampires seem to be to begin with so it likely says even more that Kyotsu bothered to comment on it. As such I'll need to utilize her speed against her.

I'm going to play mostly defensively, probing for easy hits but mostly waiting for her attacks and increasing my wind essence consumption rate at that moment to dodge and counter hard. This type of fight makes me think a focus on speed and perfection, focusing on the elements that Kyotsu has trained me in, is the key. I am glad that the villain is clearly monstrous, as it has removed all trepidation on my part. I need to protect Lita, Selene, and Leona. And to do that this creature must die.

She smiles when you enter your martial stance with Vadahf.

"You have discussed it at length with me from my perspective. I'm happy that you decided to move on to the fun part."

You get a vision? or maybe an impression of the knife getting through your defenses and then stabbing you in the heart slipping past your rock hard skin like a hot knife through butter.

But the vision doesn't come to pass with your focus on defense. She smiles. You probe her defenses with a few stabbing strikes and she seems to be really good at dodging them. One of them she takes the bait on. She moves slightly to the side and scrapes her knife along the edge of Vadahf, Stopping you from immediately moving to strike her. You immediately use a burst of wind motes. Dodging back, disengaging Vadahf from her knife and then counter-striking in a diagonal arc. Apparently she saw this coming because she Moves to the side barely under the lethal arc and then continues rolling to the side. Ending up about a yard or two away.

It occurs to me that the things are likely that are making striking her difficult. She has a precognitive defense or has visions of all the possible realities. Similar but different tactics to defeat each. I decide to employ both at once.

I quickly explain to Hermès that we may be fighting a precognitive warrior, and we’ll have to checkmate her to strike true. I’m drawing on a concept from the book series the reckoners, where when hunting an epic with precognition the key is to box them in where all possible dodging paths lead to an attack hitting. With that I’ll manifest Hermès and work towards creating checkmates where either Hermès or I land blows. I am aiming to be as lethal as possible, no blows are being held against this creature.

Meanwhile, I’ll try and throw off her potential visions of possible futures by running through my head all the different forms or combinations I could use and switch to. I’ll let my actual forms be driven by warrior instinct while i try to create too many potential outcomes for her to track.

You quickly explain your plan to Hermes at the speed of thought. Then you send a burst of wind mote through Vadahf, Manifesting Hermes through that anchor. He comes forth as a Cheetah made of Wind.

She speaks as you move into position
"Heh. You are not playing around this time. Good choice with the Wind Spirit. You Always react so entertainingly when I Kill him. He is your favorite isn't he?"

There is a vision or flash of her slipping into Hermes's guard and Striking the core of his Existence with her knife and he dissolves into wind in total agony.

A flash of rage hits you from another lifetime. But you return to the here and now. Vadahf chilling your rage into cold killing intent. Your mind is Clear.

You Try to box her in with Hermes's help. But she flows around your strikes with enviable mobility. You note that her knife went straight through a rock when she misses an attack on you. You have a feeling that a normal sword would be destroyed from parrying it.

Her eyes are now wells of inky blackness and her mouth is an all consuming Void. Pitch black blood is dripping down from her eyes and mouth.

Hermes comments in your mind.
Somehow she has fought us before. She is not evading perfectly like precognition would suggest. I can't help but get the feeling that she has seen our moves before.

It occurs to me that I’m fighting here because it’s a focus of energy, and likely strongly attuned to time and multidimensional nature. I’m going to through my willpower at attempting to seize control of the energy in the area. Hopefully depriving her of some of the power.

I’ll then try and utilize the power flowing through the nexus to manifest clones of myself from these other lifetimes she’s seen. It may be that no single one of us can kill her, but utilizing the nexus to have multiple of us here may prove a winning strategy.

You Try to wrest control from her But she resists strongly. You only get a trickle of power from the Nexus. You Feel the Sidereal Essence flow into you. You Attempt to clone yourself with yourself from other timelines. But it doesn't work quite as planned. Instead of manifesting, you get their memory of 8 different fights with This creature. She seems to be Resetting the timeline over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over Again to when you enter the cave.

She glairs at you.
"You Know"

She Ups the assault, Forcing you back even with your focus on defense. She is taking cuts from your counter attacks but she seems to not care or feel them.

I’ll keep fighting for more of the sidereal essence, utilizing it to help me in my fight but also trying to store some away. Once I have a decent amount of sidereal essence stored I’m going to try doing what she’s been doing, but on a much smaller scale. I only need a few seconds.

I’m going to reset her back 3 seconds during one of the times where she barely dodged a strong blow, and I’ll correct the blow the second time so that she’s dodged into my blade.

With each cut I get against her, I’ll push harder to siphon more sidereal essence from the room, and repeat the process.

Zeke asks
What is stopping her from resetting to the beginning when she thinks she can't win? We need to work on that.

You wrest more Essence from her control. Easily 20 motes of Sidereal Essence. Your sword is fated to strike her and end her. You start your plan. But her fate is a slippery thing and you don't land telling blows on her. But she is losing by inches.

She is starting to look desperate. And black liquid is leaking from her numerous cuts.

I’m going to try and leverage the sidereal essence to ground myself to this timeline, preventing me from being displaced in time and or space. That’s my current plan at least

I continue my push, dedicating part of the sidereal energy I siphon away towards landing strikes and chipping away at her, and gradually putting more and more into a reserve to effectively give me a great deal of temporal inertia, anchoring myself to here and now.

I continue to leverage every cut against her as a way to wrest a little more power, making the next attempt that much more likely.

Ursulus forms a core of solid immutable Earth Essence then you use the Sidereal Essence to apply the immutablelty to your personal timeline.

The world around you shifts back. But time does not touch you.

You continue. Threads of purple Sidereal Essence dance along Vadahf. Cutting into the structure that makes a spirit immortal.

Hermes boxs her in with claw strikes and then you deliver the final strike. Piercing the core of her existence.  She melts into a puddle of inky blackness. Sceaming in agony. Her knife falls and pirces into the ground.

I stay on guard for a little while longer, making sure I can draw deep on the Sidereal essence here and that I no longer feel opposition. Once I'm fully convinced this is no trick, and that she is dead I'll inspect the dagger, probing it with sidereal essence as I suspect it's a sidereal artifact. As long as I believe I can safely carry it, I'll pick it up and wrap it up in a cloth that I infuse with sidereal essence to prevent the knife from passing right through it.

I will then walk to the mouth of the cave to signal Kyotsu that I have succeeded in dispatching the monster and beckon him to come to see the cave.

She doesn't reappear.

Scanning it with Sidereal Essence gives you some errors but you get most of the Important information.

The knife is an Artifact and it is aligned to Darkness. The material is (incomprehensible gibberish). It's power is to cut Anything although things with intense magic behind them seem to resist this. Since Vadahf seems to be fine. Although she might enjoy a ceremonial sharpening.

You try to wrap it in enhanced cloth. To takes it a minute to cut the enhancement then it slides through the cloth with very little pressure

You can safely carry it by its handle.

You walk out of the cave and find Kyotsu looking rather ill. He is sitting down and looking rather pathetic.
"I didn't think I could get sick. The timeline chaged a lot. The rapid switching between them... It stopped. So you finally killed the thing."

"I did, it took me a lot of times being reset before I figured it out. Sorry, if I'd figured it out faster you probably wouldn't have gotten sick. I ended up siphoning off this new type of essence from the walls, which let me start seeing the previous versions and gave me enough of an edge to start landing blows, inching closer each time. And finally allowed me to anchor myself to avoid being reset to earlier in the timeline... I'm glad that monster is finally dead. She was sadistic."

I'll walk over and offer Kyotsu a hand up.

"Are you well enough to come inside, it's an impressive looking place and there's much reforming to do. I can see if Nix can work on her area first, and you might be able to relax in the waters to feel better.

He takes you hand and you help him up. He is unsteady on his feet.

"Just give me a minute. Things are settling back down so I can move without falling over.

After a minute he seems better because he isn't swaying so much.
He walks in with you. He is wide eyes at the natural beauty in here.
"Wow. Sidereal Essence. I thought that would be what's in here. But it's another thing to feel it."

”sidereal you say? It was interesting using it. It paired well with my other talents, allowing me to use them in ways that were aligned with what they normally do but almost as if along a different axis. Like when it combined with ursulus’s efforts temporally ground me. Not to mention the abilities with time itself. It sounds like you know more about it though? And also it sounds rare if this is the first you’ve felt it.”

I’ll settle down and begin sharpening Vadahf as a thank you for her help in such a tough battle. I also make a mental note that I owe all of my furies something in return for this all, once were done here.

You have actually encountered Sidereal Essence before. When you used the mote conversion bottle. It was that Essence that made you see colored threads and mechanical spiders. Ursulus warned that it was very dangerous.

Speaking of that. You are starting to see the colored threads and the Mechanical Spiders. The Spiders seem to be very agitated and angry.

He sits down with you.
"I've encountered it before. But it has been a very long time ago. It is a very esoteric essence. Here it is associated with the stars. But that is just for worlds related to this one. It's main associations are with Time, Destiny and the inner workings of reality. It is also the Essence associated with the Ultimate Martial Arts, The Blossoming of the Perfect Lotus. Before this world was sundered there where heroes that wielded this Essence along with their Ultimate Martial Arts. It was their task to keep the world safe and operating according to Destiny... They failed and they are long gone..."

You are sharpening Vadahf and she seems to be enjoying it. She is preening herself and straightening out her fur.

Ah, I had searched back in the archive to double check but must have not looking in the right one.

"Perhaps it's not too late for that order of heroes to succeed, I am here now and will protect this world. Perhaps Destiny only needed them to protect it long enough to buy time for me to arrive.

And I had forgotten about an encounter with this type of essence previously. I think I can see the tapestry that reality is woven in because of it... and mechanical spiders which I assume are tasked with maintenance of reality. They are VERY upset... I wonder whether it is due to me being thrown back in time so many times or due to my exertion of Sidereal to ground myself temporally... possibly both.

Either way, I should avoid using any of the sidereal essences until they calm down. The ritual will eventually upset them enough, I don't want them to already be riled when that happens. I should begin letting my Furies work on setting up their areas though."

I'm going to go and work on collecting elemental energy and channeling it to my furies to allow them to begin work inside of the cave. The process of collecting and channeling it to each fury should take a suitable amount of time for the spiders to calm down slightly. I'm going to hold onto some Sidereal essence throughout the entire process so I can make sure to see how the spiders are reacting and if the colored threads are doing anything weird.

"oh... that is not good. At all. Don't use any magic at all at least  until your body converts the Sidereal Essence. That will prevent you from becoming a target of their Ire. Any magic makes the Pattern Spiders work harder to maintain Reality.  This irritates them and they have a tendency to lash out at the thing making them work hard.

I would recommend we leave. Now."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:23, Wed 22 May 2019.

I nod quickly and move to stand and follow Kyotsu out of the cave and to walk as quickly away as possible. I make sure to stop any minor magic I would normally be burning and feel sad at letting it go, even for a short time. I've grown to enjoy constantly embracing magic either through the motes or furycraft, to feel mundane again is humbling. But Kyotsu is right and we must head out quickly and without provoking.

I'll follow him as far as he believes is wise, even if it means traveling all the way back to town and coming back another day.

Either way, after putting a substantial amount of distance between us and the cave I'll ask,
"So I take it that seeing the spiders should act as a very urgent warning to stop pushing my boundaries so far. I'll note that for the future, thank you for being there or I would have continued and just avoided using Sidereal."

OOC: It was in the first thread of this world during the Azure Sky Tower.

You Follow him out and move about 1000 feet away from the cave. He then picks you up and then runs with his full speed. There is a trail of fire behind him and it is also raining blood behind him.

You arrive in the forest outside of town.
"It varies by person.  But usually you only see them when you want to see them or when they are really angry. I would recommend that you wait a week before using Sidereal Essence or go back to that cave."

OOC: Got it, thanks for looking that up for me. I'm not sure how I missed it.

"Got it, will do. I'll avoid using any magic today, in case the sidereal essence hasn't dissipated and it augments it without me thinking about it. Better to be careful. For now I'm going to go see if I can find Lita, Leona, and Selene. I'd like to get this dagger to either Selene or Leona, they can use it better than I can in defense of San Miguel... and honestly I'm constantly worried about not paying enough attention and it just cutting through whatever is around.

I'll go try and find them, my main focus is on finding Lita so I can let her know I'm back for a week, but also keeping an eye out for either of the others to give the dagger to someone who's at least got darkness essence.

"Dagger? Can I see it?"

Assuming you show him.

"I see. That is a rather powerful Artifact. You would probably need a Artifact as a sheath for anyone to carry that safely."

You look at Lita's house first and you hear her making dinner.

I do show it to him of course.

”That’s a good point. I’ll have to see if I can locate one or possibly get the smith materials to make one. In the meantime do you have any idea how I might store it safely until then?”

If he has any idea for storage I’ll follow his advice.

——————

I’ll knock on Lita’s door and say, “any chance there’s room at the table for me to join? I kept my promise and returned unharmed”

He thinks for a bit.
"Basically you would need something to hold the handle in place. Like some clay or shaped wood. Then something to cover the blade That is attached to what is holding the handle... or you could stab it into a small piece of wood then bind the handle to the wood."

You work out a carrying method you are comfortable with.

-------------------

Lita answers and is all smiles
(You actually have a few cuts from the fight but they are not really significant.)
"Of course. Please come in Micheal. You are back early. How did the expedition go?"

She invites you in.

I'll go with stabbing the dagger into a piece of wood and binding the wood to the handle.

----------------------

I was figuring I had some cuts, but from something so dangerous I was effectively considering it unharmed.

I open the door and step in, setting down my stuff in the corner before going to hug Lita. "Step one went as well as it could have. I have defeated the vampire that held the nexus of power. In the process she used a lot of time magic, resetting me to having just entered the cave each time I came close to defeating her. It took me too many times being reset before I figured out what was going on. Once I did however I grounded myself temporally, using the essence from the cave, which allowed me to deal the finishing blow.

But it took long enough that I could see the reality spiders angrily clacking about. Kyotsu advised that we leave immediately and give them a week to calm down. I also need to not use magic while the sidereal essence clears from my body. I suspect it'll be clear by tomorrow. That being said, it feels weird to be using absolutely no magic.

But the important thing is I'm both alive and back for a week. It is very good to see you.

The knife is a vicious little thing that tries to go all the way through the wood. But you bind it in place so that it's danger is lessened.

----------

She hugs you back.
"I'm glad you are safe. That must have been a rough fight. Come, Let's go ahead and eat."

She leads you to her table and serves a vegetable and beef stew. Along with some cut fruit.

"What are your plans for the Week?"

I make sure to compliment the meal and thank her while we’re eating, before getting too far into the meal. Where that falls is the conversation isn’t important to me, but making sure to show gratitude at some point is.

”I haven’t formalized many plans yet. I definitely owe my furies some time with their favorite activities, so I might take a hike to various locations for them to spend time there.

And in a few days I’m supposed to re-commune with the earth dragon spirit in the earthen artifact. She has agreed to teach Ursulas and I, but told me to give her a few days to prepare. It should help Ursulas towards physical manifestation.

And I should make sure Leona and Selene know that I’m safe.

Other than those, I was hoping we might spend some time together.”

She is beaming because you liked her food.

She listens to your plans
"Spendingtime with you would be great. Can I join you on your hikes?

I saw Leona earlier today, she said that she found the lair of another Dark Immortal. I think she is planning to assault them tomorrow.

I haven't seen Senene in a while though."

“It would be my pleasure if you were to join me.” And I chuckle slightly when she mentions Leona attacking an immortal. “She promises to be defensive until I return, she’ll be careful she says. Then plans an assault on an immortals lair... how long was I away anyway? Time magic has thrown off my sense of time ironically.”

"Hmm. You where gone for two days. She investigated Yesterday and Today.
Leona has always been a brave one. She probably considers investigating before attacking to be cautious...
What do you think about Leona?"

"I consider Leona to be a good friend. She is very brave, one could say to the point of being borderline foolhardy. She does have an impressive amount of skill though, which just reinforces her bravery since she can often get herself out of a situation she charged into. This world is lucky to have her as one of its stalwart guardians."

I pause for a moment, feigning for that to be my full answer,

"But you weren't asking so much about my professional assessment of Leona's nature and skills, were you?" I say with a smirk "You're not jealous, are you? I thought I made my feelings pretty clear before I left..." and with that, I'll extend my hand to her, and if she takes it I'll pull her in for a deep kiss.

She takes your hand and you pull her in in for a deep kiss. She is very receptive of your advances.
Once you break the kiss she asks while hugging you close.

"I love you Micheal. Would you come with me?"

If you say yes, she practically drags you to her bedroom. Annnnnddd. Fade to black.
It went on for a long while. And you wake up holding her in the morning.

OOC: Well. I have the game rated as mature. Mainly because I don't think I can write that kind of scene well.

I smile warmly, “I love you too Lita. I think it took realizing how much and why I didn’t want to verse out to realize it, but I knew I needed to return to you when I was facing that vampire.”
 And I nod and follow her.

—————

I just rest there for a while in the morning, enjoying lazily waking up with Lita before getting out of bed and making breakfast for the two of us.

ooc: fade to black is my preferred way of handling it. I find romantic entanglements add to stories, but some stuff is left off screen.

You relax for a while with her in your arms. She is soft in some places but has hard muscles in other places.

She stirs a bit when you get up to make breakfast. She sneaks up and hugs you from behind while you where making breakfast.
"It smells good."
She lets you finish. She enjoys the food you made.
"So, what Is your plan for the day? Help Leona with that Vampire? "

I smile when she says it smells good, ”I’m glad. I hope you like it”.

When she asks about helping Leona I focus inwards to check if I still have sidereal essence. I can’t really help if it’s still lingering and I have to avoid all magic.

You inspect yourself and find that you have 56 undifferentiated motes.

“Well, the sidereal essence I used the other day has dissipated, so I think it prudent to help Leona on this. I shouldn’t draw attention of the spiders with the distance from the temporal disturbance and the fact I’m not going to be using sidereal. Will you be joining or are you going to stay in town?”

Hopefully Lita knows where Leona is. Tracking her down in time might prove difficult

She tilts her head to the side a bit.
"Sidereal Essence? What is that?
As for joining you. I would like to, but I have to make sure the undead don't get too close to town and tend the Solar Tree."


Lita thinks Leona will probably be coming out of her house soon. You check and she is just coming out of her house with a white cream on her face, arms and Legs.
She smiles when she sees you. Fangs peek out from her lips and gives oer a bit of a feline quality.

"Micheal? How did the trip go? We where expecting to be out a week."

“It’s the essence of Time, Destiny, and reality alteration. The geomantic nexus I took from the vampire is brimming with it. But too much messing with it angers the reality spiders. Hence me letting them cool down for a week.”

Then I’ll head out to Leona, bringing the artifact dagger with me.

“I only managed the first portion so far. I defeated the vampire that had control of the nexus, but the spiders that tend reality were upset in the process. The vampire had kept sending me back in time when I got close to killing her, and it took a lot of times for me to realize what was happening and temporally grounded myself to be able to deliver a finishing blow. That amount of reality distortion got the spiders agitated, so Kyotsu and I talked that I should give them a week to calm down. So here I am, and with an artifact dagger I thought you might be able to use. It’s attuned to darkness, and I haven’t gotten a chance to get a sheath made yet but it may be valuable in today’s fight. I hear you’re going on the offense against a vampires lair today. Careful though, the blade passes through anything not infused with magic to resist it.”

I set the dagger embedded in the chunk of wood down for her to take.

"I'm Glad you made it back safe. Lita will be happy about that too."

She picks up the Dagger and unbinds it. Her eyes blacken as she examines the dagger.

"This dagger is very dangerous. With this you can do very weird things by cutting concepts. It is also very useful for the same reason. Are you sure you want to give this to me?

I am going after a Vampire today. I even observed it sneakily. So I have a good idea of what it's strength and weaknesses should be. It is a very weird vampire. It's main body is resistant to Sunlight. Probably because it is plant based. I've also found some roots that are from it. They have ridiculous regeneration. You can kill them with normal strikes bit they grow back in a few seconds. But if you hit with Darkness it sears them and they don't grow back for a few hours.

So I am guessing this Immortal is actually weak against Darkness.
Which is really weird. because she has all the other properties of being a vampire.

”If you would find it useful and think you could wield it without it being a danger to you, I think it makes the most sense for you to have it. If you would rather stick with your gun that’s fine too, in which case I’ll hang on to the dagger to study more.

As to the vampire, I don’t have any abilities with darkness, but fire might work well against something that’s plant based. And if nothing else I can act to assist you, perhaps lend you wind motes to push your speed faster. You have my help in whatever manner you want.”

I’ll follow Leona’s lead on this one. I think it’s important that she gets to realize she can still do good, regardless of recent events. It’s also an interesting example of balance, where darkness magic will be able to be used for good.

OOC: She hasn't recovered her solar gun from her Father. I am going to assume that you ment her staff.


"I would probably end up just keeping it here since I haven't fought with it before. So just keep it for now. Or you could leave it at my place for save keeping. It's up to you."

She thinks for a bit.
"The vampire is in the Ruins northeast of town. If you come with me, this should be easy enough. I'm not sure how she will react to fire... I haven't exactly been able to test fire on the roots yet. We can try it out anyway.  If for some reason it doesn't work, then we can switch tactics to ether you helping me in melee with her or magical support... or both."

ooc: yeah, had just forgotten about that. Thanks.

”I’ll put it back with my stuff then, so that if I have time I can study it and work out a sheath.”

I’ll put the dagger back quick and grab the red jade swords while I’m at it. I’ll have both bracers and the red jade swords attuned for this. Then I’ll head out and when I’m back motion that I’m ready to follow. ”I’ll make sure to adapt to support as best as possible, as you say.”

I’m going to be acting as support for Leona in this one, lashing out with the red jade swords at any part of the vampire that gets too close to attacking her. This should give Leona a good opportunity to focus on the vampire itself and stay mostly on the offensive.

You attune to the red jade swords and it takes 3 each to attune. They feel as light as knifes in your hands. (How much did the Bracers and hat cost to attune? I was thinking 4 or 5. If you know off hand, otherwise I'll go back and look it up.)

Also you get the feeling that Vadahf is getting jealous that you are using other weapons.

You go northeast into the ruins she mentioned. The traps have been disabled and you two make short work of the enemies. At one point your path was flooded with a pool of water.
"I found out yesterday that I also inherited the Vampire's weakness to water. It burns me. You will have to swim. I will go over it."

With that her body shrinks and compresses in a way that should be impossible. She turn into a bat that has about a one foot wingspan and flies across.

I assume you just swim over.

After a bit more walking there is a building in front of you that you feel the immortal in. It seems like it is lower down in the basement. You go in and find that there is no floor in the ruined building. Down below you see a massive rose blossom that is easily bigger than a man.

I believe the Red Jade Swords took 8 motes for the pair, it was originally stated that all of the artifacts from the kings in that one crypt required 8 for the compliment (whether that be one weapon or the set). The Bracers and hat were 3 fire motes for attunement.

Vadahf, using another weapon isn't a slight against you. Others get their turn with me using a weapon attuned to the same element as them however, and Fire makes the most sense for this fight. But don't worry, there will be plenty of fights in the future.

I will indeed just swim over, and shake myself off thoroughly on the other side. "Impressive trick, didn't realize you could utilize a bat form."

When we're looking down at the massive rose blossom, "Do you think that the vampire we're looking for? Flying with motes isn't super efficient for me, I may be better off providing range support from here."

Unless she objects to that, I'll take 10 motes of wind and channel them over to orbit around Leona, granting her increased speed and agility.

My thoughts are she'll fly down in bat form and can start attacking. From up here I'll start collecting small rocks and infusing them with 5 fire motes each, but not priming them to be volatile yet. Once she's down there and engaged I'll start grabbing the rocks and putting a 6th mote in that has instructions to prime the others. I'll then throw it down at the enemy, away from where Leona is attacking. Hopefully it's a large enough target that that's not too difficult.

That sounds right so you have 11 motes committed.

You feel like Vadahf is pouting but she listens to you.

Leona says
"It is. It's the form she uses to rest in."

A Boy with white hair appears below


And speaks up to both of you
"You've finally made it all the way here. Enjoying the power of
Darkness? You're half Vampire now, so you haven't mastered the power of
Darkness yet... But you've probably realized how marvelous it is, right? The
very fact that you made it this far is testament to that power. Ha, ha, ha...!!
I haven't introduced myself. I am the true Dark Child, Black Dainn. Leona,
you're one of us now. Only the Immortals can truly save this world now.
Together, we must release this world from the hand of the unforgiven. That
would make your Father, the Vampire Ringo, so proud."

"Hey! How dare you do dropping my name in like that!"

Many bats fly in and come together to form Leona's father



"What the...?! You got your memory back?!"

"Leona, thank goodness you're safe... Your blood... The blood of Mani
within you is what woke me. Now there's no time to lose! This is our chance!
While I'm subduing him, you must destroy the Darkness Tree!"

"Urgh... That fool Count... What a useless Vampire he's
created..."

With that Ringo rushes Black Dainn into the next room down below.
You cast your speed enhancement on Leona And she drops down her scarf briefly becoming winglike to slow her fall.

The Rose Blossom blooms and reveals a girl



"Dark Brother has been playing for too long now... White Sister
is defeated, and Blue Sister will not awaken. We cannot let you continue your
games any further. We must swiftly get rid of harmful pests. The abandoned Dark
City and the Darkness Seed it bore, the seed I nurtured... It took root in me,
and started to sprout. And on the day of the Undeadening... I woke up to my
true self. Dark Brother called to me! I'm not alone anymore! I'm needed! I'm
allowed to stay here! I am the Red Durathror! I am the Earth-ruling Immortal!"

A Few Thorny Plant Tentacles burst from the ground

"...Light attracts Darkness. But your light was too strong. And
that troubles Dark Brother... You don't need light anymore, right? I'll take
you... to a world with no light... to a world where the Sun doesn't rise!"

She Rushes Leona fist whipping out to strike.



But Leona expertly dodges aided by the speed you are granting her.
The Plant girl then burrows into the ground to re appear somewhere else.

She is small and mobile. Are you going to continue with the bomb plan or do something else?

I smile when I see Leona's father exerting control over his vampire nature. Hopefully, it will help Leona realize even more that the power one uses doesn't have to define one's self. But philosophical thoughts will have to wait until later, time to take out a vampire.

When it's revealed that this is an earth immortal and small and nimble to boot, I chuckle to myself slightly. I may have misjudged which element to counter with, definitely which one I feel most confident using at long range with an ally in the area.

The good part is I've already endowed Leona with enhanced speed which will help, for the rest I think my efforts are best spent trying to hinder this earth immortal. I'll start sending wind motes down, having them place themselves strategically around the battlefield. Once I have about 20 down there, I'll give them the mental command to restrain, creating cords of air between each other. They're commanded to let Leona pass, but to start attaching to the immortal as she passes through the cords. These will increasingly attach to her, and slow her down as they resist her movement. Leona should then have an easy time striking her down.

You start sending wind motes down there Casting wind magic, Guiding it to your will.
Leona is a sight to behold using a brutal combination of Jade Mountain Style and Terrible Ascent Driven Beast Style. She is moving really fast but that is probably just your wind magic aiding her. She Remains close  to the Immortal weaving between physical strikes from the immortal herself and the Plant tentacles that burst from the ground, Whipping out to try to restrain her. Leona is doing a good job keeping the immortal busy and distracted. Occasionally Leona's hands glow with unlight and pierce the immortal's guard. producing black smoke when she strikes immortal flesh.

You trigger your trap and bind the Immortal. Leona immediately takes advantage of the Immortal's situation and start beating the Immortal senseless. Hands glowing with unlight. She finishes with a punch that is so hard that it pierces into the immortal's chest. Leona seems surprised as she pulls out her hand.

The Immortal starts dissolving into black smoke and then a coffin forms around her that is made of tightly woven briers and thorns

Impressive use of blending darkness into existing styles she knows. I may have been worrying too much about how Leona was going to handle this transition and difference in type of power.

With the immortal dispatched, and only the piledriver ritual left to do, I start looking for any way down that doesn't involve flying. I'm cognisant of the fact that getting down there relatively quickly is important since Black Dain and Leona's father are off in the side room, but I also know that I burnt through a lot of my motes already, and I'm likely to need at least some if we end up in another battle. I'm hoping to find a vine that looks like I might be able to climb down. If I don't see anyway down with reasonable speed, I believe one of the martial arts styles Kyotsu taught us (I believe it was in Terrible Ascent Driven Beast Style) included a move that involved dropping great distances from above onto ones prey. I don't have a target currently, but the technique might allow me to drop without injuring myself.

When I get down there I'll congratulate Leona:

"Great job, you've come far with getting a handle on this in a short time. But we may need to delay celebration, we should check on your father, I have no idea how long he can keep Black Dain busy. We can purify the coffin after."

And I'll keep my red jade swords at the ready as I move to open the side door.

Kyotsu did teach you such a technique and it has a variation just for dropping down without harm. You spend 2 motes to perform it as you jump down.

She nods and moves first into the side room. You have seen rooms like it around town. A beautiful cave with a broken seal on the floor with the feeling of essence in the air. There is more rubble in the corner and a hole in the ceiling.

Leona seems disappointed.

I put my hand on Leona's shoulder "We'll find him, and now we know he's managed to regain at least some of his memories and control due to the bond with you. I'm sorry we can't end Black Dain today and reunite you with your father, but we will with time."

I'm going to try to get a sense of what type of essence is here. I'm assuming earth, but I'm trying to make sure it's not darkness. If it is earth, I'll take a few minutes to absorb some of the essences to replace what I just spent. I'll also inspect the rubble in the corner. I suspect that it's the rubble from the ceiling, probably when Black Dain and Leona's Father flew through it (current working theory until I see something that indicates otherwise).

Unless I find something significant with the hole in the ceiling or rubble (outside of what I already expect) I'll say "We should get the coffin into the sun so that we can purify it. I can perform the ritual if it would be easier, while you fight off her spirit during it."

My plan for getting the coffin up top is to channel earth essence into the ground underneath it and slowly lift it and Leona and I up towards the top, on a pillar of earth. Once there, I'll drag it out into the open and start getting the area prepped for the Solar Piledriver.

I'm trying to be cognizant of the fact that even performing the ritual may burn Leona, so if she can do the fighting part while I do the actual solar ritual, it would be for the best.

It's a mix between earth. and solar essence.

The rubble seems new. You you think you are correct.
Leona agrees with you. You drag it out and raise it up.

It is difficult to find enough room in the ruins. You are outside the ruins so you just headed to the prepared ritual Circle in the center of town. You drag the coffin  to the center of the ritual circle and the four pile driver machines rise up from the earth.

Leona nods for you to continue with the ritual.

Now that we're back in town I'm going to make sure to be filled on Solar essence before starting the ritual, no reason to rush in only half prepared.

I'll sit in the sun, and meditate while absorbing the solar essence. I'm going to activate my essence pump to make sure that it goes quickly, I'll be tired at the end of all of this, but I can relax and sleep after.

Once I'm full I'll begin the Piledriver ritual, nodding at Leona as I'm about to start so she knows to be ready to engage the spirit as it fights back. I'll also manifest Hermes to help defend both me and the piledriver. (My understanding is the person doing the ritual is effectively consumed with the ritual itself and can't really fight back. If that's not the case, I'll also contribute.)

The ritual mostly just needs you to start it and then keep the Immortal from stopping the Piledrivers. So you can aid with the fight.

You start the ritual and Leona is forces to kneal. She is alternating between glowing with sunlight and the Unlight of Darkness. She forces herself to her feet and raises her right hand up.
"TaaaaaiiiiiYyyyyyoooooooo!!!"
There is a flash of light light and Leona stands there looking like she did before.

The fight starts. And the Immortal summons plant tentacles to deny you access to the Piledrivers. You strike with your flamming swords but the Tentacles just regenerates back. You see a pale lunar light from Leona and she is back to her vampiric form striking the tentacles with Dank enhanced punches that prevent them from regenerating.  But she is being burned from the intense sunlight. She shifts back to normal.
"Michael, do you have that Healing orb with you?"

"I do, and I seem to be ineffective against these tentacles. I can keep a constant stream of healing on you, and help augment your speed like before. I think that's our best bet."

I'll send out 10 motes attuned to wind again, to aid Leona's speed. The balance of my motes will go towards me making sure I have a constant amount of healing energy going out through my healing materia towards Leona, allowing her to withstand the Solar Piledriver's essence.

She transforms again and you follow through with your plan.
She strikes down the tentacles with Darkness and you heal hear to keep her going in the sun.

Eventually The Immortal is Purified. You hear her last words
"In my world, there was no light... With no light in the world,
I just wanted to die... Dark Brother... I tried my hardest... My life had...
meaning... didn't it? Aah, it's so warm... So this is... the Sun..."

Leona transforms back to her normal form and seems to be examining herself.

I'll keep the healing going for a bit after she transforms back, making sure she's fully healed before stopping.

"Well done, another immortal down and one step towards stopping Black Dain and helping your father. How are you feeling? You seem to be handling the new duality of your nature better than before. Remember, how you use power is what matters, not where the power comes from.

The last sentence is said with a great deal of conviction. More and more, I view myself as on the path of balance. The idea of using darkness still scares me, and I'm not leaping towards doing it, but I understand that power is only intrinsically good or evil if you allow it to control you. If ones will is strong, the power will be bend to ones will.

If everything is good, I'm going to call it a day then and head back to Lita's. I imagine I'm fairly exhausted at this point, and if nothing else very hungry.

"I feel ok. I realized that Lunar Child's power involves accepting other power as it is. Once I realized that I felt a connection to my old power. they are both me now... Let's celebrate. I'll get some food and met you at Lita's. How does that sound?"

Assuming you agree. She runs off and you walk to Lita's.
Lita is at home tending her garden in the back.
she get's up and smiles when she sees you.
"How did things go today?"

"That sounds great, meet you back there. And once again, great job today."

I'll walk back to Lita's place and smile as I see her.
"Today went well, although I misjudged which element the vampire would be weak against. Leona had mentioned it was weak against darkness oddly enough, because it was a plant based vampire. I figured fire essence would be particularly effective against it, thinking of how plants burn. Turns out she was an earth immortal. But I was able to lend Leona extra speed using wind motes and then created a snare trap that let Leona finish it. And to top it all off, Leona's father was there and is struggling to take back control of himself. He clearly remembers who he is now and fought off the Black Dain. And in the purification of the earth elemental coffin Leona realized how to embrace both halfs of her power. She's out getting food now and is going to come over to celebrate.

"I'm so Happy you are Ok. And Leona managed to do something Really Impressive."

Leona comes with quite a few things of meat and various sweet fruits. She Insists on cooking this time and serves up quite a meal. She Seems to be smirking at you two while all of you eat.

After a bit she pulls out several bottles of mead. and gives one to you and one to Lita before taking one herself. As you open them she comments.

"Congratulations Lita on getting the man you love. And Congratulations Micheal."

Lita sputters a bit at that.
Leona has a cat like smile at Lita reaction.

I cough slightly and blush a little.
"I was intending to tell you tonight, just hadn't found the right time yet. By that I mean thank you. But there is more to celebrate, Leona expertly dispatched another immortal, Leona's father has started regaining memory, we have learned more about Black Dain which I feel will be critical to dealing with him, Leona has made great leaps in her new balance of power."

I lift my glass to toast and smile broadly.

"Not to mention, Leona got to catch both of us off guard, which I know she enjoys.

Leona toasts with you. And is smiling like that cat that ate the canary.

"I know you two had quite a bit of fun last night. And I am happy for you. I am needed here so I can't go with you when you are done here. I know you two will be happy together. Take good care of her Micheal. She is my friend.

Lita is blushing deeply at that.

Leona smiles and relaxes. Taking a big swig of the Mead. She says to herself
"Oh well. Maybe I will find someone to have some fun with later..."

Then she says to both of you and Lita
"Honestly I don't want to think about Immortals or anything serious for the rest of the night. Let's celebrate being alive and being friends. We should play a game or something."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:00, Tue 28 May 2019.

I nod "I will take care of her, although she's very capable as you know. But I will always protect those I love and care about."


I'll relax, and put my arm around Lita, smiling at her.

"I'm always up for a game, did you have anything in mind?"

"ehh... About the only thing I can think of is a game we used to play as kids. It was called Challenges. Basically we take turns challenging each other to do various embarrassing or scary things"

”we had a similar game from back where I grew up. But it was called truth or dare. You got to pick whether someone got to ask you any question and you had to answer truthfully or they could give you a dare that you had to do. Let’s play your version though, it sounds interesting. You can challenge me first.”

And I’ll take a big swig of my drink, mentally bracing myself.

Leona is smiling.
She strokes her chin in thought.

"Give Lita a Massage. She Works hard so I want to see you make her relax. I Trust you won't object to such a kindhearted challenge Lita?"

Lita seems somewhat embarrassed but willing to go along with it.

I’ll look into Lita’s eyes, trying to discern that she’s ok with it in earnest. I don’t mind me being embarrassed, although giving massages isn’t something I’ve ever been shy of in the past, my concern is Lita. If she seems ok with it, I’ll get up and stand behind Lita, rubbing my hands to make sure they’re warm before I begin giving her a massage. I’m going to use a few water motes to identify where she’s carrying tension and work on those areas most.

I’ll continue until I’m told to stop, or when Lita feels fully relaxed and I feel there’s no more I could do.

”So, who’s challenge is next?”

You have a feeling that Lita is more embarrassed that Leona is here watching then the fact you are doing it. She is fine with you massaging her.  You work on her shoulders and back for about 20 or thirty minutes. Lita seems to be relaxing and enjoying herself.

Then Leona comments.

"ok. you should stop there before Lita falls asleep. "

You ask your question.

Lita gets up and says.
"Since you where the one challenged, you get to pick the next person and their Challenge."

Ironically I’m much more embarrassed and uncomfortable in this part than during Leona’s challenge to me. I don’t like embarrassing people normally so my mind is racing trying to think of something challenging instead of embarrassing. I quickly decide to issue my challenge to Lita, so that she gets to go next in issuing a challenge. But what is the challenge... and then I decide:
”My challenge is for Lita. I challenge you to a dexterity challenge.” I’ll then form a solid ball of wind motes, emulating a ping pong ball and pour some of my drink into a cup ”this is based on a game I used to play back home, before entering the multiverse. Your goal is to get this.” and I hold up the wind mote ball “Into my cup, but you have to throw it from there. When you make it, I finish my drink, when you miss you take a sip of your drink.” And I’ll walk over to the other side of the room, put my cup down on the floor and sit lotus position in front of it. She’s got more than enough dexterity that it would be too easy as a straight shot.

Lita nods and messes with the ball of air to get a feel for how it moves. It's a pretty hard challenge so she ends up drinking half the bottle of Mead before the ball goes in through dumb luck.

She let's out a little "yay!" when she finally got it in. She sways a bit as she carefully considers what her challenge should be. She Smiles and says.

"Micheal, I challenge you to take off your shirt and leave it off for the rest of the night."

Leona Raises an eyebrow at that.

Per the deal with my part of the game I smile and start finishing my drink as she sinks the cup. I blink in startlement, and stop drinking for a moment to look at Lita, similarly with a raised eyebrow. But I shrug, if that’s what Lita wants, pretty confident at this point due to the mead and also feeling good about how I look especially with the amount of martial arts training recently. I’ll remove my shirt slowly, and ask at the end ”As you wish.” and I’ll smirk slightly.

”So I guess that makes it my turn again? My next challenge is for Leona. I challenge you to share an embarrassing childhood memory”

And I’ll go about finishing my mead, as per my agreement with Lita’s challenge, and get a second bottle.

Leona and Lita seem to appreciate the view.

Leona smiles and takes a drink of her mead.

"hmmm. An embarrassing story. I don't have those because I am perfect in every way."

She keeps a straight face for about 5 seconds before cracking up.

"Pfff...hehehe... ok. Lets see. One time when I was 7? Or maybe 8. I was practicing magic and then accidentally set my hair on fire. I managed to put it out before I burned my scalp but I lost most of my hair and had to cut it really short. Everyone teased me that I looked like a boy."

She is blushing at the memory.

"hmmmmm... Lita. Return the favor to Michael and massage him too. "

Assuming you let her. Lita instructs you to lay down on your stomach and then she starts massaging your back. She is very good at this.

She challenges you while she massages you.
"Michael, Tell an embarrassing story from when you where a Teenager or later."

I let her massage me, and listen to her directions smiling warmly back at her.

When she challenges me I’ll think for a moment before saying ”In school once I had a crush on this one girl. I was terrible at hiding it, so everyone knew and I assumed she was just doing me the courtesy of pretending she didn’t know. Months went by of everyone teasing me about it, that I should make a move because she clearly liked me too. I stubbornly insisted they were wrong until one day she got so frustrated she pinned me against a wall... and um, yeah. I apparently had been missing a lot of signals from her that she was interested so she decided to be more forward. My friends made fun of me for my obliviousness for a long time on that one. I suppose I’ve always been a little blind when it comes to those things.”

I chuckle slightly when I realize I’m blushing retelling that story, before after a bit I challenge Lita ”So Lita, that makes you the only one to not have recounted an embarrassing childhood story. That’s your next challenge, to keep everything fair.” i end the last part with a warm smile.

Lita seems somber as you recount your story. Likely realizing that you will never met that girl again.

You bring her back with your challenge.
"hmm? oh. that is true.

When I was little, I was sparring with my Martial Arts teacher,  but her strike accidentally destroyed my dress. So I had to sneak back to my house to get new clothes. I'm not very good at sneaking,  so a few people saw me."



After that things go down hill. The next morning you have a bit of a hangover from all the Mead.

OOC: That was surprisingly hard to write. I hope you enjoyed it.

ooc: yeah, I found it harder to write as well but I feel like it was an awesome scene. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’m assuming I end up waking up next to Lita. I’ll slip out of bed trying not to disturb her and go about making tea and a bit of a more fatty breakfast, to combat the hangover. I also shift 5 motes to water essence and work on healing my hangover, rehydrating the areas that need it and soothing any pains.

Once breakfast is done I’ll bring it up to Lita for some breakfast in bed to start out the day well. ”Morning beautiful. I thought you might like breakfast in bed this morning, nice slow start to the day and then maybe we go on one of those hikes. I could use some water motes to alleviate your hangover as well, if you like. Perhaps our hike could be along a river to a large lake?”

Lita is indeed next to you when you wake up. But you don't see Leona.

The water helps as you get out of bed. Using them for healing and hydration.

You are feeling pretty good as you cook breakfast. You bring it to Lita and she is a bit slow to get up.

"mmmmmm... Yes. Please use the water motes first."

I assume you would go ahead and heal her.

She smiles and enjoys your breakfast.

"Thank you Micheal.  There is actually a river to the west. I don't think there is a lake near here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Thu 30 May 2019.

I assume Leona walked home at the end of the night, so I'm not surprised not to see her.

"The river it is then, I'm sure Nix will love it. We should stop on the way out to see Leona. She may appreciate some healing as well. Did you have fun last night? I hope I didn't do anything too embarrassing or that you disliked?

She Blushes and looks away for a bit. It got quite embarrassing. Partially because drunk Lita is a lot more willing to do embarrassing things. And Leona... Well She had a ball last night. Not malicious, but she enjoyed making everyone embarrassed

"I.. Didn't dislike it. It was fun. It's just embarrassing to remember some of the things I done. We should go to Leona's house and relieve her hangover as well.
"

I kiss her gently and say “She would probably appreciate that. We should get dressed in comfortable clothes for the hike, so that we can head out early too. I’ll pack some food for lunch as well.”

I’ll get changed into comfortable clothes and start packing snacks for the hike and lunch. Then once Lita is ready we’ll head over to knock on Leona’s door.

“Leona, it’s Mike and Lita.”

When she comes to the door:
“We thought you might appreciate a tiny bit of healing.”

Lita nods and starts getting dress as you leave to pack snacks and lunch.

You head over to Leona's house.
Leona opens the door. She smiles and takes another drink of water.

"That would be appreciated.  Although I had fun last night, I also drank too much. Would you like to come in? I can'tstay long. Got to explore and find the next lead."

"I don't mean to take up much of your time, if you need to head out. Just remember, you have backup, you don't need to attack these strongholds without aid. "

And I'll heal Leona, and wish her luck on her investigation.

After, I'll set out on the hike with Lita along the river. When we get close to the river I will manifest Nix so she can enjoy the water and the nice day. After all, this is meant as a thank you to my furies for supporting me. I'll put all bug 10 of my notes at Nixs disposal, which should give her a nice strong connection to enjoy however she likes.

After you heal her she responds

"Don't worry. I'll Come and get you if I need help. See you later."

I'm assuming you are bringing the Water Spear to anchor Nix in the material world.
 Holding 10 motes in reserve, You pull Nix into the Material world. It is a very solid connection that uses her essence very slowly.

Nix manifests with flesh and bone. She has Hair that is blue like clear lake and pale almost translucent skin. Her eyes are a sea green. and for some reason, She manifested in a swim suit.

She Starts stretching and warming up as if she was a human.

"Being Material is an Interesting experience Master. After Being in your soul for so long. Did you Bring something to swim in for yourself and Lita?"

I do bring the water spear, I meant to mention it but completely slipped my mind.

I smile as Nix Manifests.

"I hadn't actually thought that far, I was planning to walk along the river. I can swim in my boxers however without a problem, I'll just dry them off after we're done swimming. By any chance did you bring a swimsuit Lita? I can try flying back to town and back to bring you yours if you like."

"I... don't actually have clothes specifically for swimming like Nix is wearing.  But since it is just you and Nix... I can swim in my undergarments. So there is no need for you to go back. But can we walk about a mile more up river before we start swimming?"

Nix replies
"I do not mind. I can easily keep up with you walking. In fact I might scout ahead. You two can easily take care of yourselves.  What do you think?"

I nod at Lita, it makes sense that we would want to be further out before starting to swim. I'm trying to be cognizant of how Lita is more easily embarrassed and avoid putting her in some of those spots.

"Feel free to scout ahead Nix, I'd like us not to get too separated though so try not to get too far away."

After a bit of walking with Lita, with Nix heading ahead to scout I'll just ask to double check, "Are you enjoying the hike? I apologize for having not even thought of the fact that of course, Nix would want to go swimming."

Nix nods in agreement and dives into the river. She easily swims as fast as a fish and outpaces you quickly. She seems to be enjoying flexing her speed in the water.

You walk with Lita and ask your question.

"It's fun. I didn't even think about swiming ether. It will be a bit embarrassing to be showing that much skin around you and Nix. But I will be ok. I just don't have the feminine curves like Nix..."

She blushs about admitting that. She does have the body of an athlete but her cloths hide her muscles.

I blink in surprise by how Lita ends that statement, I thought she was just being shy not because of how she feels she looks in comparison.

"Lita, having muscles doesn't make you not feminine, and while I can't make you feel comfortable in yourself I hope in time you will grow to be comfortable. You look amazing, and I just wish you could see that as I do."

I hope that puts her at ease slightly, going forward I'll make sure to do as many small actions as possible to reinforce her self-image. Everyone deserves to feel good about their own body image.

Otherwise, I'll continue walking forward until we're far enough out that Lita is comfortable swimming, and then I'll start getting undressed to go into the water.

A bit of A and a bit of B.

She thinks about your words
"Growing up, I was different from my mom and the other women of the village. Muscles instead of soft curves... If you think I look good, then..."

She seems better. You walk for about 15 more minute and then she says this is far enough. She takes her clothes off down to her undergarments. She is very toned and muscular. With defined abs and other muscle groups in her arms and legs. But not enough to be bulky.

You get undressed and go swimming with her. She is pretty fast in the water and you nearly match her speed.

Nix comes back and splashes both of you with a ridiculous wave. She is smiling smugly at that.

I chuckle as I recover from the wave, and clasp my hands together and use two motes to enhance my ability to catch the water around them as I splash Nix back.

After a while of splashing, I'll raise my hands in surrender, "I yield, I yield. Impressive demonstration."</yield> and I'll swim over to a mostly still area of the river and lay back and float there for a bit <Aqua>"It's nice to be able to get a day just to head out and enjoy the world."

Nix accepts your surrender.

It is good to be able to relax.

"Indeed. It is nice to just play with you."

You float and relax. after about ten minutes you note that Nix and Lita are talking quietly to each other.

I consider going over to ask what they're talking about, but then think better of it. Nix is a part of me in a sense, and Lita is becoming a very important part of my life. They should get to talk. I'll just kick back and relax and wait for when they're done talking.

I consider going over to ask what they're talking about, but then think better of it. Nix is a part of me in a sense, and Lita is becoming a very important part of my life. They should get to talk. I'll just kick back and relax and wait for when they're done talking.

You relax in the water. after a while you hear a faint humming from your soulscape. It seems to be Ursulus.

Naa NA Naa NA NaaNANaaNAnaaNANANA

And then Nix and Lita pull you underwater and wrestle with you a bit. Although with how they timed it you had a breath in when they pulled you under.

After a little bit they let you surface and surface with you.

"Stop floating like a log and play with us."

"Sorry Micheal, Her plan seemed like it would be fun."

They are both smiling at you but Nix's smile is a bit more mischievous.

I sputter slightly after getting back above water but quickly return their smile with a mischievous smirk. “I was just giving you time to talk, but if it’s play you want” and I’ll charge towards them trying to tackle and wrestle and overall just have a good time.

You wrestle and play with then for a few hours. Nix is surprisingly good at wrestling. She always seem to know how to move her body in just the right way to get out of a hold or put you or Lita into a hold. But working together you and Lita can hold her.

It is fun but your and Lita's endurance is not infinite. You two rest and Nix decides to continue swimming.

"What kind of food did you bring Michael?"

I grin broadly when Lita and I manage to get a hold of Nix, I wasn't sure we'd be able to even working together.

I'm happy to relax though after all of that and I work on getting an area on the bank set up to dry out a bit, and start unpacking the food I brought.

"I brought some fruits and berries, a bit of greens to make a small salad of them, and mixed nuts for protein. I wanted something light to carry, but good for energy while hiking."

And I'll start getting bowls and putting the ingredients together to make three salads. I know furies wouldn't normally need to eat, but I'm not sure what will be true for them when physically manifested, so better to be safe than sorry.

After you are done preparing the salads, Nix comes out of the water and sits down with both of you. She seems curious about the food. She is all smiles when she eats the fruit and berries. Sort of ambivalent about the Greens. and she doesn't seem to care for the nuts. She gives her share of them to you and Lita.

"You need to find a wood fury. So we can grow things in your soul."

Apparently the Berries and Fruit convinced her.

I nod to Nix, "I agree, perhaps one day this week we could go and explore a forest to see whether we can find one. Lita, do you know of any forests that would be likely to have wood furies? The older the trees, especially if there is one particularly old tree, and plantlife the more likely a strong wood fury is to be there."

"Not anywhere close. There is an Ancient Solar Tree in a forest that is quite a distance away. It is said that the Solar Tree we planted here descended from the Ancient Solar Tree."

"Hmm, it has potential. It might be a solar entity due to it being the solar tree though as opposed to wood that would be associated with normal trees. But either it or the trees around it have potential. How many days journey is it? Perhaps if I were to fly it I could manage it in a reasonable amount of time."

"It is a month or two away on foot for normal people. Who knows how long it would take you flying or Kyotsu running."

I nod and think for a moment, "If I were to make the trip, would you be interested in coming along? I know you have obligations to the solar tree in town, but it might be possible to get to the forest and back fairly fast with either me flying us or if Kyotsu is willing him running us."

"I would be glad to come along to see the Ancient Solar Tree. But didn't you promise the spirit of the White Hammer that you would come back soon and learn something from her?"

I nod, "I was planning to do so tomorrow, the trip to the forest I was thinking would be the day after. I want to spend a day flying with Hermes anyway, I'm sure he would love to fly the distance."

That would be fun, Michael. But it will be exhausting for you. You would need to activate the mote pump to generate enough air motes to maintain flight. It might take a day or two to a week depending on how fast we fly. Ursulus will definitely enjoy learning from that Earth Dragon.

You can feel the cat like smile from Hermes.

Hmmm. It seems that Ursulus doesn't have a counter comment for that.

Lita comments
"Sounds like we got a plan as long as nothing comes up."

Exhausting is ok, I need more practice both flying with magic and using the mote pump. And we can take breaks as needed. And I was surprised I hadn't already been reminded by Ursulus about his da.. I mean our training arrangement with the Earth Dragon.

I nod to Lita, "That it does, let's enjoy the rest of the day, there's a good amount of time left for swimming before we need to dry off and head back."

That's all I really had as goals for the day, key points being I wanted to make sure Nix got to enjoy herself and that Lita gets to start spending more time with my furies. They are an integral part of me at this point.

Assuming nothing eventful happens, the next day I'll focus on the earthen artifact to bring Ursulus and myself to the lair of the earth dragon to begin training.

You can feel Ursulus's face become hot at that.

Lita nods and you play with both Lita and Nix for the rest of the day.


The Next day you meditate with the White Jade Tetsubo and find yourself in the Cave. It is illuminated this time by crystals growing from the walls. The Woman of Marble is lounging on the floor. It seems like she hasn't noticed you yet
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Fri 07 June 2019.

I bow respectfully to the woman and say ”I trust all is well? I’ve come back as we discussed.”

Is Ursulas here yet? I’m assuming he’ll manifest shortly if not.

My plan is just to follow what the earth dragon instructs, trying to learn as best possible.

She rolls over and faces you and Ursulus who manifested next to you.
"Ah. Welcome Back. Human and Little Bear.
I am Well."

She sits up. Her statuesque form doesn't seem to respond to the movement.
"Sit down. We will talk for a while."

Assuming you do. Ursulus sits down and and pays attention to her.

"Ok, What does the Power of the Earth mean to you? What can you tell me about my style from observing it before?"

I do as she requests, and sit down to talk.

"The power of earth represents Power and Endurance to me. Endurance to resist external forces, and power to push back against them resolutely. The style from yesterday reminds me of a style I was taught called Jade Mountain style, where the style focuses on having an extremely good defense and then being able to deliver a small number of devastating blows. Your style seems different in that Jade Mountain drew it defense from sacrificing agility to simply be able to withstand the blows. When you were fighting I would not call how you dodged any sacrifice to agility, so I suspect the form has more to do with evading and parrying enemy blows before striking back hard."

She nods at you and comments
"Good, You are not quite right about the Form but it was an intelligent guess. I have heard of Jade Mountain.  It is a lesser style compared to Earth Dragon. But useful in its own way. It seeks to emulate the Mountain, resolute and enduring. But one would not call a Mountain fast.

In contrast, Earth Dragon seeks to emulate the Elemental Dragons aligned with Earth. And through them Pasiap, child of Gaia and originator of Earth.

Earth Dragons are the toughest dragons but they are still as fast as an Avalanche.

What about you Little Bear. Do you have some insight your master does not?"

He replies
"Not really. I hadn't really thought about it before.  Because I am of the Earth. Just look at me and you can see wat Earth is like

As for your style. I can't improve on the explanation you gave to us."

She raises her eyebrows and smiles.

"ok Human. Your first Lession is in the Stillness of stone. You need to meditate until say to stop. You may breath. But that is it. Get into position and start. Come with Me Little Bear."

You meditate (I assume you close your eyes to do so.)
You hear the sounds of Ursulus and the Marble Woman striking each other.
It feels like an age with you just sitying there much longer and you will turn into a stone statue... then it hits you. This is what stone is like all the time.

"Good. Get up. You have learned the first Technique. "

You find that 2 motes have harden into earth and help you remain perfectly still.

You find that there are now countless stone statues of men in the cave.

I nod, making a mental note to inquire about Pasiap later, but I don't want to waste the her time with it if it's something I can inquire with outside.

------

You're right, I close my eyes to meditate.

I blink as I open my eyes and stand, looking around at all of the statues. Do I recognize any of them?

Also by 2 motes have hardened, I'm not sure I understand. Is that like two of my normally variable motes are now permanently attuned to earth or what?

Either way, I bow to her and ask, "Thank you." and I barely resist asking questions about how Ursulus's training went and what's next. I suspect that patience is important for me to show here, since I just practiced being like a stone to immediately jump into questions hastily would kind of ruin the meditation.

I'll simply wait for my next instructions and obey.

They transformed to better align with what you are doing. But it is not permanent for you. You will regenerate variable motes when you rest.

"Earth's natural state is to be inanimate. It is alone in this among the elements. An early lesson of Earth Dragon is using your understanding of the inanimate to break it. Punch these statues until you get how to do it. It goes like this."

She punches a statue. You feel that she is using about 4 earth motes to enhance her fists for a little bit. It makes braking the inanimate easier by attacking the earth nature holding it together.  She destroys the statue in a few strikes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:36, Sat 08 June 2019.

I think on what she did and then move next to a statue and get ready to try myself. I send 4 motes to my fists to have them ready for when I land the punch. I focus on attacking the nature of permanence and bond given by the earth nature int he statue, emulating her attempts.

I'll repeat this until told to stop or I run out of essence. If I run out and still haven't gotten the hang of it I'll start gathering more through meditation, using the style of stillness she taught me. I figure it can't hurt to be still while gathering earth motes and I don't want to use my mote pump while inside an artifact.

It takes a few tries to get it. Which hurt. But you do get it and she has you destroy the statues one by one.  Untill she tilts an ear up and says.

"It sounds like you are needed out there. Come back and see me for more instructions. "

You feel yourself being gently shaken awake. Leona is there smiling.
"Hey Michael, I found my dad and he found where the next Immortal is hiding. The Shadow Kid slipped into the underground reservoir and we needed three Magic Tarot Cards to open the Seal. I already found them. But I would like your Help with the next Immortal. They will probably be Water Elemental based on where they are."

I bow and thank her, before opening my eyes.

—————————————-

I smile and nod,”of course, thank you for coming to get me. I’ll need to refill on motes quickly and grab appropriate weapons and I’ll be good.”

I’m going to bring the bracers and hat, fire jade swords, and Vadahf (largely so she doesn’t get sulky and if this ends up not being water as my primary default weapon. Otherwise I’m good to go and will work on recharging my motes as we go.

When Lita hears that you are going to fight an Immortal and you need to recharge.  She gives you some solar fruit. Saying
"Here. Eat this. It will restore your Essence. "
Assuming you do eat them. They taste like sweet oranges. Thay are very good.

Let's see. Vadahf was 6 motes to attune, the paired swords are 8 and the hat and Bracers are 3. For 17 total I think.

As you walk Leona chats
"We can't directly get to the Underground Reservoir. So we have to go through the Aqueduct. Which has the Tarot Seal blocking our path. Maybe we can catch the Shadow Kid in there too."

You arrive at the Aqueduct and the is a stone corridor in that is about 15 feet wide. There is a door with magical wtiting on it ahead with Ringo standing near it. He says.
"Great Work, Leona!
You have found all 3 cards. Now use them to open the Seal."

She starts to walk to the door.

I smile and thank Lita, "Thank you, Lita. I'll see you tonight when I get back." and I'll give her a quick kiss before heading out.

Sounds right on the motes. The increased flexibility feels worth it at the cost of slightly lower available free motes.

----------------------

On the walk, "How do we plan to catch the Shadow Kid? It sounds like you're thinking we might be able to use the tarot seal to our advantage?"

---------------------

When we see Ringo I smile, "It's good to see you sir, and that you appear to be in good health and control. I have heard great things from Leona about you."

And I'll bow quickly. I'm a little wary that he may be repossessed again, but I want to believe he's in full control so while I'm looking for signs that he's not himself I want to make sure to be respectful.

Do I recognize any of the words of the magical writing? I doubt it, but curious if I've see any of them from the magical rituals or seals on previous doors.

Otherwise I'm just letting Leona open the door with the three cards. I'll have Vadahf drawn and standing in a defensive stance ready to leap to Leona's aid if something were to go wrong.

----------
"That would be nice if we can pull it off. but Dad said that he slipped in as a shadow. Maybe if we put a srong solar light source there we can stop him at the door. But that would burn my dad..."

-----------

Nothing seems odd on the surface.

The seal has mystical gibberish that involves Tarot. There are a few runes here and there that look simmilar. Leona presses the cards to the door and the seal flares incandescent before fading. She opens the door.

Your soul sense flashs on for a bit and you sense a Sun and Dark Elemental soul that is overshadowed by a Dark Soul

You hear Selene yell out
"Wait Leona! That is not father!"

As you move to attack he breaks apart into a lot of bats and flies past. You take a few strikes with Vadahf as he passes and kill a few of his bats.

Leona and Selene are giving Chase. I assume you are as well.

OOC: ... I'm sorry that seems like a bit of an ass pull. but Darkness is very good at lying and deception.

The sun and dark elemental soul, did that sense come from Ringo? I just want to make sure I understood what you were describing correctly.

I will also give chase with Selene and Leona, enhancing my speed with wind motes. I'll gesture forwards and cast 5 motes forward to turn the air in the corridor that the bats are about to fly into more viscous. Flying creatures should struggle to get through a significantly adjusted atmospheric pressure.

The others are keeping up with you. You send the 5 wind motes forward and slow the bats down. They revert back to Ringo and he powers through the thick air. (I Assume that you dismissed it after he got through.)

You are about 10 feet away from Ringo and maintaining pace with him. Swords with Bat wing crossguards are forming around him and floating with him for now. 5 so far. Obviously he is preparing to do something.

I debate between striking immediately, but he already has some of the swords prepared. I likely could hit him and dodge the swords, but I put Selene and Leona at risk that way. I decide to act as their shield, and ready myself with Vadahf to intercept the bat wing swords when they are launched. I infuse Vadahf with 5 solar motes, really more of a casing than anything else, to allow me to dispatch these swords.

My goal is to defend against the attack for the three of us, leaving an opportunity for Selene and Leona to move in to try and incapacitate.

He forms 5 more swords and Launches them. You strike with the Perfection of the Sun and cleave most of them out of the air. The few that get  past you are dodged by Selene and Leona. Selene gets out her Dark Gun and shoots him. But the Dark Elemental Shots don't seem to do much to the Vampire Possessed by another Dark Immortal. Leona doesn't seem to be close Enough to try something.

The strike slowed you down just a bit. But at most you lost a foot or two. And now Leona and Selene are a little bit ahead of you. So your Move benefited your allies more than you.

Well, I helped Leona and Selene which was my intention. Now to try and help them more.

I'm going to send out 3 earth motes through the ground, and 3 wind motes by air. Since we got him to revert out of bat form I'll use the earth motes to try and make the ground beneath him snag his feat and ensnare him. The wind motes are there in case he decides to try and escape by turning back to bat form, at which time they'll be waiting to assault the bats and slam them back down into the ground.

I'm still running to try and keep up, but with Leona and Selene having past me I suspect my best chance is to focus on slowing Ringo down enough for them to catch up.

You Sense a massive surge of Dark Essence from Ringo. He is twisting your Earth Against you. countless long spikes of earth and darkness burst from the ground but all of you manage to jump over it. Leona forms her Solar Halbert. And Selene Forms her Dark Greatsword, She is wielding it like a spear. Suddenly Selene Teleports in front of Ringo. Setting her Spear against the charge of Ringo. Forcing him to stop.

"hmpf. Looks like you caught me. But do you think you can hold me?"

I ignore his question and speak to Ringo, assuming he’s trying to fight back, “Ringo, I know you’re in here. I need you to fight back, keep pushing. We’ll do what we need to out here.” And with that I smile menacingly toward the possessed Ringo “Maybe. Maybe not. But one day we will end you Black Dain.”


If my counting is correct I believe I have 20 unspent motes. I believe my max number is 53 but I didn’t go back and verify that yet, 17 used in attunement, 2 attacks that cost 5 and one that cost 6.
I’m going to cast forward 9 pairs of motes (for a total of 18 motes). Each pair will have 1 solar and 1 wind mote. The idea is that I’m making a net, the wind motes making a net of wind to prevent the bats from flying through and the solar net to contain black dain when he leaves Ringos body. The solar part should also help reinforce against the bats too, and as the net constricts weaken Ringos body giving Ringo the chance to push Black Dain out.

You sense the Sun and Dark Soul struggle, But the bigger Dark Soul crushes him.

 As you start to weave the net of Solar and Wind Essence, he quick draws Leona's Solar Gun and fires a multitude of shots at Selene. She tries to block it with her sword but it overwhelms her and knocks her down. Leona charges forward and strikes down with her Solar Halberd inflicting a deep wound that bellows out black smoke.
You form your net and cast it over him. It slows him down and is burning him as he runs away.

I glance at Selene to see if she’s ok or if she needs healing. Unless she looks like she needs immediate attention I’m going to give chase after Ringo. I’m hoping between the net slowing him down, the injury from the solar halberd, and Ringo fighting against the possession I can catch up. I’ll infuse one of my last two motes into enhancing Vadahf with Solar essence so that as I’m chasing I can try and slash at him and drive the spirit out.

Selene doesn't look too hurt but Leona is stopping and pulling out a potion for Selene.

You continue forward and catch up to Ringo's body. You strike, and Ringo's soul surges forward. He screams. He is Fighting mightily against his possession but he is losing by inches.

I focus on an adaptation of one of the styles I just learned from the Earth Dragon. I focus my last mote into my fists and attune it to solar, focusing on the nature of spirit that Black Dain is keeping himself anchored and attached to Ringo with. I then move to strike, lashing at the connection between him to try and expel him from Ringo. I'm picturing something similar to what the Sorceress Supreme in Doctor Strange does where she punches and expels the soul from the body, but in this case I'm focusing on the soul that doesn't belong.

You focus your last mote into Solar Perfection, drawing deeply of your very self and being. Putting your all into this Exorcism Strike. You hit and Black Dain is expelled from Ringo as a cloud of inky black Darkness. The question is 'What is stopping him from simply repossessing Ringo?'

My thoughts were that the net of solar essence around Ringo would make repossession difficult if I could force Black Dain out in the first place, and the wind motes are there to reinforce them by making air travel difficult. I was hoping it would work against the smokey nature of Black Dain.

Otherwise I just have to hope Leona isn't far behind. I'll throw myself between Ringo and Black Dain in a defensive posture to buy some time.

You are right. The Solar and Wind net would be an effective ward against Black Dain. Leaving one valid target. You.

The cloud of inky blackness comes into you and your Awareness dims for a while. You fight the possession along with your Furies. Your mote pump activates. He runs to the Reservoir, releasing his sister and entering the Seal Room. Where he smashes the Seal with Vadahf.

At this point you retake control of your body. And Black Dain slipps out of your soul. And runs away while missing a large chunk of his mass.

You are now filled with a mix of Darkness motes and Water motes. 20 Dark and 19 Water

You hear fighting in the next room over. Looks like Leona, Selene and Ringo caught up.

Thought I was the most likely target, but also felt like I was much more likely to be able to fend him off, even if I was initially possessed.

Ugh, that was highly unpleasant. Is everyone ok in there? Do you see any remnants that he may have left behind as traps?

I examine my mote situation, and decide the others will have to wait just another moment. I'll be more useful with appropriate motes than half ones I'm inept at and half ones that are aligned with the being we're about to fight.

I get out the artifact bottle for converting motes, and start pouring half my darkness motes into it and converting them into wind motes, the other half into solar, and then the water into fire. I know I take a loss in the conversion, but those should be radically more beneficial.

I'll then enter the other room, Vadahf drawn and on high alert as I take the scene in.

He is a sneaky bastard. Tried to leave some back-doors to repossess you with. We are hunting down his influence and burning it up.. We are ok though. He didn't expect to be attacked 5 on one.

You pull out the bottle and work on converting the motes.You exchange 10 Dark for 9 Wind, 10 Dark for 9 Solar, 10 Water for 9 Fire and 9 Water for 8 Fire. This takes about 30 seconds total to process the conversions.(The Bottle's capacity is 10 motes. So you needed to use it twice to go through all the water motes.)

You Walk into the next room and see a large lake of water in the middle of the room with about 20 feet of land circling it. The Others are Fighting a massive blue Octopus. It has countless swords sticking out of it. Selene and Ringo are hanging back and using their ranged advantage while Leona engages it up close.

Good job, I'll help investigate tonight to double check that no traces are left.

I blink in surprise at the swords sticking out of the octopus, but draw my fire jade swords and decide to engage in melee. Leona could use the distraction so that the Octopus doesn't get to direct all of its anger at one target.

I'm going to fight more offensively than I would with Vadahf, to compliment both the dual blade style as well as the aspect of fire that it embodies.

I'll charge each blade with 4 solar and 4 fire motes each, and then start a moderate burn on the wind motes to enhance my speed. My goal is to start pushing hard against the octopus and severing limbs as the solar and fire infused blades tear through the creature.

You recognize the swords in the Kraken are Ringo's bat crossguard swords.

You enter the familiar sword style of the Titan world. Enhancing them with Fire and Sun magic. And you push yourself faster with your wind magic.

You hit the Kraken like a Mack Truck. A dervish of blades that cuts deep bleeding lines into the rubbery flesh.

You sense a buildup of Water and Dark magic and manage to dodge out of the way of a cloud of Ink that you feel was bad news. Then the Kraken submerges underwater. You get out of the way as a small bolder is thrown out of the water at your previous position.

I focus on dodging while trying to activate my mote pump in a more specific fashion. I'm trying to specifically draw in the heat from the water, turning it into ice as I extract the only fire motes that would be present from the heat. This is applying furycrafting logic, which may not work based on the more magical nature here though.

If that doesn't work, I'll continue dodging and get ready for the next time I see her re-emerge so I can attack in full force again.

If she seems like she's not going to re-emerge I'll grab some stones and turn them into explosives by infusing a fire mote each and begin lobbing them into the water. Ideally, the concussive force will either damage the octopus or force it to the surface so I can start pummeling it again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:38, Fri 21 June 2019.

You consider activating your pump but you are sure you would just get water motes out of doing that. You Think you would need to work on filtering what the pump is drawing in. It is indiscriminate now.

The Kraken seems to be happy to lob rocks at you safely from underwater. But you use your last two fire motes to charge two rocks and throw them in causing decent sized explosions underwater. That gets her to surface in the center of the lake. The Kraken is still throwing rocks at you and your group.

She seems to be keeping her distance. There is about ten feet of water between her and the shore.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Fri 21 June 2019.

I believe I had 9 fire motes before starting to lob explosives in, after the bottle conversion I had 9 Wind, 9 Solar, 17 Fire (9+8 from the first and second fillings of the bottle). I used 8 Solar and 8 Fire on infusing my blades, and started a constant burn on wind motes to keep my speed high.

Either way, for my next action I'm not using fire motes anyway.

I'm going to circle around the edge of the lake slightly to try and make it that the octopus has to focus on either the group or me. I'm going to wait until the other three do something that draws it's attention and then I'm going to charge and leap out and stab my fire/solar infused swords into the octopus. Once I land I'll begin climbing using the swords, looking to reach it's eyes or other soft vulnerable looking bits and begin slashing away at them.

Oh. You are right. So you have 7 fire left.

You start to circle and eventually the kraken turns her attention to the others. You leap with wind enhanced speed an land on her burying both swords to the hilt in her flesh. She starts thrashing and you start climbing to her head using the swords to anchor yourself. She goes underwater to try to force you to let go of her.

I'll use my remaining wind motes to draw more breath than normal and keep pushing, even if we submerge before I manage to get to the head. When I get to the head my intention is to pierce an eye and channel the remaining 7 fire motes through the blade and into the kraken, letting them loose to do their destruction.

You make it to her head and stab her right through the eyes and cause an explosion in her brain. This forces her to revert to her humanoid form. And then a casket forms around her. Clam shells of mother of pearl the clam casket floats to the surface along with you.

Leona smiles and says
"Good. You got her. Want some help pushing the clam to the shore?"

I let out a sigh of relief, and smile. I think for a moment and say the Leona, "Offer appreciated, but I think I got this. Didn't you say water is a problem for vampires? I'll just absorb a few water motes from the water here and use them to guide the clam and me over to you all."

And I'll activate the mote pump to absorb some water motes from the pool, and then use them to move the clam over to the edge of the water and a small wave to lift it up and onto the floor.

I smile over at Ringo, Selen, and Leona. "It's good to see you under your own control again Ringo. Sorry I wasn't able to fight Black Dain off quicker, but it's another immortal down at least and Black Dain seemed worse for ware after leaving me."

I chuckle for a bit then, amused by how surprised Black Dain must have been, "He wasn't expecting to fight five souls when he took control of me. I'm going to have to work to create some traps should he ever try it again though. I'm going to mess around with some concepts, but should I figure it out I might be able to create the same traps or wards for you all. It would require allowing me into your soul, which I'd have to figure out how to do in the first place though. I've only explored my own soul and those of artifacts so far."

Leona smiles and dips down to get a hand full of water.
"When I return to my Solar nature, I loose the Weaknesses of the Vampires.
So I could jump in and swim now. It sounds like you got this though.

You activate the mote pump  for a while and fill up on water. You are pretty tired afterwards. You then use the water to get the clam on the shore.

Ringo thinks for a moment
"A ward would be appreciated. I grow tired of not being in control of myself."

Selene comments
"Magic dealing with Souls is usually delicate and complex.  Be careful Michael. "

I nod to both Ringo and Selene, "It's not something I will attempt if I'm not confident I can do so without harming anyone. If I can't figure it out perhaps we can have the Smith forge an artifact that could act as a ward. That's all for another day however, in the meantime we need to get this Clam back to town and purified and otherwise just keep Black Dain away from Ringo. I suspect Black Dains going to be licking his wounds for the remainder of the day anyway."

They nod in agreement.

They help you drag the clam outside. But the skies are overcast.  You drag the clam back to the Piledriver. But it looks like you will have to wait to tomorrow to purify the water immortal. So what is your plan? Who is going to guard the immortal overnight?

I look up at the sky and sigh, "You three should be capable of running the Piledriver and keeping the spirit in check without me right? I'd rather get this resolved today yet. I'll take care of moving the clouds, just do the ritual as fast as possible. I'll need to see whether Lita has another solar tree fruit... otherwise I'll need to use my mote pump again and I'd rather not add more exhaustion to this day."

When we get to town I'm going to check with Lita if she has another fruit, and apologize for asking for it, I normally wouldn't but both timeline and exhaustion don't leave me with a lot of options.

If there's not a solar fruit available, I'll go to the windiest area I can and start collecting wind essence with the mote pump. Once I have it I'll ask Hermes:
Hermes, are you up to trying to push back some clouds? I'll feed you with as many wind motes as I can, but we need the sun to be able to hit the solar piledriver.

The idea is that while the others operate the solar piledriver, Hermes will part the clouds and I'll feed him a constant stream of wind motes to power the process. I'll be meditating on a nearby rooftop so I have access to wind motes to feed to him, in case he needs more than my maximum charge.

They nod and say that they can take care of the Immortal purification. You go over to Lita's and she has one you can have. But she is starting to run low on them.

You eat the solar fruit and it fills up your Essence.

You make your way to a high point.
This is going to be a pretty big and sudden change. So this is going to be a little hard.

Hermes calls on his connection to Vadahf and drags himself into the material world. You start feeding him wind motes. He rises up and spreads his Essence far and wide. For a long while it seems like it was doin GB nothing. Until a ferocious wind begins to howl. Parting the skies. It is rapidly draining Hermes and you. The skies clear as you and Hermes run out of Essence. Hermes is forced back into your soul by the weight of the world against him.

It seems like it will be clear enough to finish Purification of the Immortal. I assume that you would return to the others.

They just finished when you get back and the Immortal says her last words.
"So sad... for it to end like this... But my end... will soon unleash the Doomsday Beast! Now I must leave the rest to you... b... brotherrrrrrr!
"

Thank you Hermes, and good job.

You assumed correctly, I'd head back down once my part up top is done.

----------

"Well... that sounded rather ominous. But for now I think it's time to rest, I'm exhausted. Let's meet to discuss the best next course of action tomorrow morning. We have to be careful to ensure Black Dain doesn't get the opportunity to possess any of us again if we can at all help it."

And unless anyone objects, I'm heading back to Lita's house to get some rest after a long day.

That night I'll visit my soulscape as I sleep to confer with my furies, and also thank them again for all the recent significant help. To all of them:

Good job today, it's thanks to you all that Black Dain possessing me did not end up much much worse. I'd like to do a second check on everywhere he left traps and backdoors to get in, to make sure they're fully eliminated. And then I want to work on traps we can set that any unwelcome guests will find unpleasant. Half warding, half trap oriented is my idea. While we're at it, I'm trying to think of something I can do that would allow me to protect the others from being possessed. I'm currently thinking either a forged artifact amulet that traps any who try to possess the wearer or doing a spirit walk of the others souls and creating similar wards to what we determine tonight, but I welcome any thoughts from you all.

Hermes seems satisfied with himself.

Everyone agrees to that. Leona and Selene lead Ringo to Leona's house.

You head back to Lita's house and go to sleep from the fatigue. As you are going to sleep Vadahf requests to join you in your soulscape.

You sleep and find yourself in your soulscape. In an amphitheater carved into a rock island. Everyone is here even Otenko.

The listen to you and Hermes comments
"The others wouldn't have fully realized Soul Worlds like you do. This came about because of the intimate connections you have
With your furies. It might be possible to visit them anyway, but it would be more dream like than anything. "

"The obvious first step is to strengthen the borders between this world and the physical world. Force those that want to enter to get your permission. "

I reassure Vadahf that she is always welcome to join my soulscape, but especially for the conversation at hand.

"Hmm, strengthening the borders between this world and the physical would have it's benefits. Perhaps forming a middleground between this world and the physical world that's an evershifting balance of elements that one would get lost in without the inner world providing guidance. It would provide a barrier while also making it so the assailant wouldn't necessary realize they hadn't managed to reach my soul yet.

The other thing I was thinking, especially since the current being I'm trying to make sure can't possess me is a being of darkness, would be to create defensive barriers that would have to be passed through. Infusing them with light should either dissaude or deal heavy damage to Black Dain."

I give the others a chance to weigh in on the idea.

If there are no objections to my idea, I'm going to start shaping the idea of an outside loop world to enclose this world as I described.

At some point while working with the others on it, I'll bring up another point I've been thinking of:

"I've also been thinking. We need to deal with Black Dain, not just fight him back when he strikes. I believe the best way would be to cut him with the darkness artifact dagger. I've always been of the opinion that balance and harmony is important, and I know in concept even darkness is included in that. But I also admit to fearing using darkness in any way. I would appreciate any input for or against such an action.I don't promise I will be able to avoid the necessity either way, but I would like to know others opinions on whether it's incredibly reckless and stupid of me to consider."

Vadahf raises her hand and asks a question.
"How does this in between layer decide who to let through and who to keep in there?"

The other souls turn to you and Hermes seems to be thinking.

====================

"The Dark dagger would actually be effective against him in the sense that you could kill him without Purification with the Piledriver. But the dagger will only do a bit at a time. Still it would be good for a finishing blow. Still if you learn to use Darkness, you would probably develop a Dark fury. Like you did when you learned Sun magic."

"The Dark Fury would be born from you. So it might be milder than other spirits associated with darkness. You might want to consider what the Darkness means to you if you want to incorporate that into yourself to balance with the sun"

Otenko is lost in though

"One from the inside would have to acknowledge and give the perimeter the mental instruction to form a path that led to the inside of the soul. Without that command, the outside would be an unending path that always felt like it was getting closer but never could.

The main draw back to that idea is that should I ever manifest all of you at one time, we would need to deactivate the defensive perimeter for the time. I feel like that would be a rare enough case that it won't cause too many problems however.

---------------

I nod slightly to both Hermes and Ursulas's points,
"You both bring up good points. Let's see, what do I think of with darkness... much like solar, I think of it as an augmentation in many ways to the traits of many of the other elements. Not particularly closer to any of fire, water, wind, earth, wood, or metal but rather located perpendicular to their planes of influence and augmenting them each with perfection, purity, and cleansing. I also think of darkness in much the same way. I think of darkness being associated with stealth, trickery and deception, illusion, and ... and fear. I think it's that last part that's been making this difficult for me. But I believe what's important is that those traits don't have to be used for evil. Just like any power, the responsibility lies in the user to put it to proper use.

What is your thoughts on this Otenko? I know it is often difficult for a fury to accept the opposite, and I believe you to be the most likely to be able to speak of my solar furies behalf."

<Orange>OOC:I remember right on Otenko right? He's not actually associated with my soul, but rather has come around to help me before and has spoken where my sun fury isn't able to yet due to lack of full form?

Vadahf and the others nod at your explanation.
Vadahf thinks for a bit.
"Would't it be a good idea to make a spirit that would be in charge of that?"

----------------------------

The counsel nods with your logic.
Otenko Floats forward.
"As the Messenger Soul of your Sun, You are right. I am his will to communicate made manifest. We are... Uncomfortable with the Idea of you incorporating darkness into yourself... But Light always produces Darkness. If you feel you need to use Darkness as well, I would prefer that you control how that soul Manifests."


OOC: Otenko is a bit odd among your Furies. He technically is a part of your sun soul... I Might need to update him a bit.

"The issue with one spirit being in charge of it is that they wouldn't be able to leave the dreamscape. And I fear that is too close to binding one in service to my liking. Each of your individual freedoms is important to me."

OOC:Also, I like the idea that my protection against possession has to be brought down if I ever am trying to leverage every single bit of my magical power (manifesting every fury I have at the same time should have risks, the only time I can think I'd even try it is when trying to cast a ritual and it's my responsibility in those cases to take precautions)

---------

I nod to Otenko, "Yes, I think it would be best to form the darkness fury from scratch so that it's nature is cultivated by my vision of it. It would not do to try and get a darkness fury to join, only to have them have the idea of trying to subvert my soul or cause chaos and destruction due to their own personal bent.

I think it would be best for me to gather half of my reserve as solar motes before sunset tomorrow, and the remaining half as darkness after sunset. Then tomorrow night I will begin giving form to Shadow, focusing on the idealization of stealth, illusion, and trickery. Otenko, you and the Sun shall be given access to the balance of the motes during that process. I leave it to your judgement if you feel something is going wrong to use them to intervene, but please only do so if necessary."

They nod at your reasoning.

--------------------

"ok. That is reasonable.  I don't think just half your reserves will be enough to form a suitable spirit. You should probably prepare a place for the ritual that filters out everything but the Darkness and then use your mote pump to gather enough darkness to form them.  You might also want to talk to other Occult experts. "

"I will discuss it tomorrow morning with Kyotsu, Leona, Lita, Selene, and Ringo then. I'm going to have to push off the trip out to try and find a wood fury until this part is resolved. Black Dain seems to be ramping up to something and I want to put a stop to him sooner rather than later, and my best bet on that is likely to use the dark dagger.

For tonight though, let's get working on developing that outer realm of soulscape to protect this place from intruders. I'd like everyone to work on shaping an area of it to reflect your elements, similar to the interior, and I'll work on attuning a control node in here that will allow one who's on the inside to open the gate effectively, changing the outer realm to having a path inwards as opposed to endlessly looping."

I'm going to try and shape an orb out of the flowing energy of this place. I imagine it as about the size of a bowling ball, with the different colors of the elements of my soul flashing through it. It's literally a representation of my soulscape. I will then work on shaping a small island with a pedestal at the center and set the orb there. Finally I will begin attuning my mind to the orb, and linking it to the area the others are working on.

Your Furies go off to work together on shaping a fake outer realm. You start shaping the energies of your soul, forming a reprenation of your soulscape. It forms a glass orb with your soulscape in it. And the colors of the elements flash along the surface. If you look in to it hard enough you see yourself shaping the orb and the island.

You work on connecting your Furies work to your soulscape and it forms a smaller orb that orbits your soulscape but occasionally it comes in and colocates with your soulscape and it looks weird before orbiting again.

I smile at our creation and set my hand on the primary orb, sending my thoughts inwards trying to command the outer soulscape to open, since it occurs to me otherwise my furies could get locked out, since they were working out there. I suspect that is what the colocation was representing, the brief period of time when there is a connection between the outer realm and inner realm. I just need to make sure one attuned to this world can control the outer orb and align them properly.

You direct the orb to let them in and the orbs colocate again. You feel the connection form and you Furies reenter your soul proper. They gather around you and the orb.

"It seems like it worked."

"That it does. Thank you all for the work you've done. I'd like you to each takes a turn controlling this tonight so that you become acquainted with how to align the inner and outer realm. But otherwise I think we should all get some rest, this was rather a lot to handle and I would like to get some deeper sleep."

After showing each of them how to use the orb, I'll find a location to settle in for the remainder of the night and meditate, allowing my mind to get the rest it needs.

------------------

The next morning I'll make a quick breakfast for Lita and myself, during which I'll mention:
"Lita, I think I need to postpone the trip to the forest that was supposed to be today. I was possessed by Black Dain yesterday, and while my furies and I worked overnight to ensure that safeguards are created to prevent that in the future, I suspect he's ramping up to something big and bad. I discussed a concept with my furies last night that I think will work, and put an end to him quicker, but it will require me to create a darkness fury. My furies and I have discussed what should be possible to shape it into the image of the parts of darkness that I think of, that of stealth, illusion, and trickery. But we wanted to get opinions on those who know more about the occult in this world for how to best do so. The current idea is to set up a room so that darkness motes are all that is there, so that when I use my mote pump it sucks up pure darkness and lets me channel that into forming the foundation of a fury. I was hoping to get the opinions from you, Kyotsu, Ringo, Selene, and Leona after breakfast, if you have time.

You do so then get some actual rest.

________________

You wake up and make breakfast for Lita.

She carefully considers your question.

"That is probably the best way to get a Darkness Spirit that is as mild as they can get...Have you considered what form you will give it? Those qualities are usually associated with foxes. In most the stories I hear."

"I had thought of a name, but not shape. I was thinking of naming him Shadow, and I like the idea of a fox, I agree."

After breakfast, I'll go and see about getting everyone together:
"I need the groups collective advice. I consulted with my furies and we believe it makes the most sense for me to create a darkness fury, so that I can use the darkness dagger proficiently to end Black Dain. I can tell he's ramping up to something, and we have little way of locking him down to deal with him. With the dagger I could cut directly at him, without needing him to have a body.

The part I am looking for everyone advice on is how to prepare a room so that it only has darkness motes available. I'll need to activate my mote pump to have access to enough motes to  form the darkness fury. The idea is that with me forming and cultivating him, he'll be guided to my idealizations of darkness, namely stealth, illusion, and trickery. To lend to that nature I plan to name him Shadow and give him the form of a fox."

My current plan is that this should take place in a basement, with light completely blocked off. The stillness of air in the basement should preclude air motes. Being a finished basement should keep me far enough from earth that earth motes shouldn't be an issue. Fire and water motes likewise don't have a reason to be there. I plan to follow any reasonable suggestions the group has in addition to this general plan.

Lita tilts her head to the side and says

"You might want to think about the name more. You didn't name your other furies Fire or Air. You gave them a proper name. It might get jealous of the others if you call it just Shadow."

-------

You gather the others together and lay out your Idea.
Selene is in deep thought.

Leona lets her thoughts out.
"Hmmm... That could work. We could set up a magic circle that filters the motes coming in and only let's darkness motes in. Although With the way you conceptualize Darkness you might get some contamination from lunar essence. Because those qualities can apply to lunar essence too."

The others seem to be letting you respond to that before they start.

I blush slightly, and admit "I was actually thinking of a fictional character, not intending to be shorting it of a real name. Perhaps Bryn, short for Brynjolf. He's a character from a story. He's a thief and a good one at that, but he's not a bad person. He definitely embodies the tenants of darkness that I want to accentuate. Do you think that name would be better?"

----------

I think for a moment on Leona's words, not wanting to rush to an answer:
"Perhaps, but I want to be pretty careful about the concepts that I focus on, to help guide him towards the type of darkness fury I want him to be. Being completely out of the moonlight, and with the magic circle to filter any motes coming it that should limit the ability to absorb the lunar motes anyway I would think. And even if a few lunar motes got in, I'm not sure that would be the worst thing anyway. A slight tempering in the process. I'd like to avoid it as I think it will work best if it's purely darkness motes, but I don't think the consequences should there be mild contamination would be too high.

Also, my understanding was the solar and darkness motes were diametrically opposed. Do they actually form more of a triangle with lunar motes?"

"That would probably be a good name for your Spirit if you want it to form as a male."

---------------

Leona explains
"You are probably right about the contamination being limited.  Solar and Darkness are diametrically opposing.  Lunar Essence is different. It can use other Essences and accept them as they are. The Lunar Tribe was said to be the most versatile.  But our mother was one of the last ones."

"Hmm, perhaps we'll allow the spirit to assume gender first and bestow a name after then. In the same fiction, Vex was in the same group as Brynjolf, and had many similar virtues, if a bit more of a temper. Thank you for helping talk this out Lita, you definitely saved me from starting off on the wrong foot."

----------

I make a mental note reminding myself that Leona's lunar nature is likely why she's been able to handle the duality of the solar and darkness coursing through her. Perhaps she'll realize one day how much of a descendant of her mother she's turned out to be, but I'm not going to try to force her to acknowledge that, just be grateful that she's helping.

"Sounds like a plan then, we just need to pick a basement to prepare."

So my plan is that I'll be meditating in the prepared dark room, with mote pump activated. My mind will be in my dreamscape which is where I intend to form the darkness fury. I'll slowly craft the semblance of a fox and begin pouring darkness motes into it while focusing on the principles of trickery, stealth, and illusion.

Lita nods and smiles
"You are Welcome. I hope we can get along well with your new spirit."

------------

Leona and Selene prepare a barrier in Lita's basement that will let only darkness in. You sit in the dark meditating. Gathering the necessary Darkness to start. You sink into your soulscape as your mote pump activates. You form a frame of ideas and start adding the Darkness into the form of a fox. The inky blackness forms the flesh of the fox. You gather more and more and the darkness gets denser and denser. You don't know how long it takes but eventually the fox's eyes open and they are silver. You feel the fox smile and it runs up to you and brushes your legs before playfully bounding away.

You hear a feminine voice come from it.
"Greetings Creator. For what Purpose have you given me form?"

I smile warmly at the fox, and reach down to pet her before she bounds away. Not quick movements, more like you would when a cat brushes up against you. I suspect she'll bound away before I get the opportunity.

"Greetings, may I call you Vex? Or perhaps you would prefer another name? But to your question, there are two purposes, one short term and one long term. I have given you form so that you might join me in my adventures, and act as a balancing force to the solar fury inside me. I believe that the greatest strength is found in balance and that harmony of nature is critical. I believe you'll find that to be present here..." and I'll gesture about at the soulscape around us "where my other furies have worked together with me to sculpt my soul into my ideal of elemental balance. But while there is light, darkness is missing. I hope for you to join me and bring balance and create your own section in this soul. That is the long term goal, which may stretch eons. As best I know, I am immortal. I know I do not age, and should I die I corporate in a new universe. I still avoid dying. It's horribly unpleasant, and I often find I enjoy the worlds I set on, often acting as a defender of sorts against those who seek to end it."

And I take a deep breath.

"And that brings us to the short term purpose. There is a vampire who is seeking to end this world, and if I understand correctly the progression of time here. I believe his goal is the extinction of an entire universe. He represents darkness in the worst possible view, one of shear destruction and hate. I believe strongly that any power is capable of good. I focused on the concepts of stealth, trickery, and illusion when forming you for example, all tenants of darkness that do not require malice and destruction. But sometimes destruction is neccessary, to protect those who can't protect themselves. I have a plan to end this vampire, this Black Dain as he calls himself, through the use of a darkness attuned dagger artifact. I find I can learn an artifact much more quickly and use it far better if I have a bond with a fury of it's element, so I ask whether you will join with me, in both my short term and long term adventures."

I reach out my hand in a friendly gesture, not to shake hands (as she has paws), but to show I am asking in a friendly way, not trying to exert any control over her. Despite having created her, she should have free will. I'm thinking along the lines of how you might extend your hand to a tenative cat, that they choose whether to come get their ears scratched or not.

You manage to lower your hand down enough to brush her fur as she rubs against you. Or did she come up to meet your hand? Anyway, Her fur is very soft, yielding and accepting. Almost like she is not really there. Only a lingering ticking sensation confirms her presence to your sense of touch.

She sits down and considers your words.

"I think I will take the name Vex. With Stealth, Illusion and Trickery I am well suited to Vexing who I wish to Vex. And It also sounds similar to Vixen. Which is appropriate for obvious reasons. Yes, I like that name very much."

She looks around.
"It seems like your soul is quite spacious and accepting. I don't know if I will make something new. But I might remodel an area to my own liking."

She walks up to you and almost seems to expect you to scratch her head and ears.

(I am going to assume you would go ahead and do that for her.)
Longer contact yields that her fur is as soft as a dream or a shadow. She does seem to enjoy the scratches and rubbing. You Also feel that you succeeded in emphasizing the parts of the Darkness that you wanted. There is still some taboo. Some acceptance of Death. But it is overwhelmed by the playful trickster nature that you created

"Yes. That Vampire you talked about seems like a unpleasant sort. I think I will go ahead and help you with that. I will balance your soul in regards to Light and Darkness. After all, Darkness finds Light to be a very helpful thing to have around."

I am relieved when she accepts the name, naming is always a challenge.

You are correct that I would scratch her head and ears.

"I'm glad, I suspect you will get along very well with the others. Should you want help remodeling, I'm sure any of the others would be happy to help as would I. Although I often am only manifested here at night, or when I meditate to come here. You can always speak to me however... I'm actually not sure exactly how the others manage that. I think when you speak while I'm conscious, with the intent of me hearing, I do. There are some nuances that I'm not sure on.

Tomorrow we'll work on using our bond to manifest you in the outside world, as well as training with the dagger. But in the meantime, would you like to meet the others?"

Assuming she does, I'll reach out to the others mentally and ask that they join us near the control orb island.

I'll navigate there with Vex, and when the others arrive I'll introduce each fury. I'm going to introduce them in elemental pairs, to accentuate the balance.

"Vex, I would like to introduce you to my other furies. This is Hermes and Ursulus, my wind and earth fury" and I'll gesture to both of them, giving them time to say hello to Vex in their own way "Zeke and Nix, my fire and water fury" and I'll once again gesture and give them appropriate time. "And this is Otenko, the messenger for my sun fury. It hasn't taken a semblence yet, but Otenko has a strong connection to the Sun up there." and I'll gesture to the sun in the soulscape that represents my sun fury."And this is the control orb, that allows passage into the inner soulscape. There is a connected area that encompasses this one, but without it being tied in, it simply loops back unto itself. This is a recent protective measure we put in to prevent possession after Black Dain invaded and possesed my body for a brief period of time."

"I think I would like that. Some help would be appreciated with making my own area.
Getting to go outside would be interesting.
Let's go meet Your other furies."

You call the others and meet them on the orb Island.
Hermes and Ursulus Step forward and Smile
She walks up to Hermes and brushes against his side Then goes up to Ursulus and headbutts his leg and rubs against him. She then walks next to you and sits down.

"You are Nice!"

"It is a pleasure to meet you Vex. I hope we can get along well."

"Too bad I already used my fox puns. Because you are quite the cute little vixen"

She is Smiling at that.

Zeke and Nix come forward and you introduce them. Vex Dances around Zeke light and seems to have a ball in the shadows cast by his flames. Zeke doesn't seem to join in her dance. Like he is uncomfortable about something.
She then takes a long rub against Nix and seems to enjoy the wetness against her fur.
She then walks up to Zeke and lets his heat dry her out. She then walks up to to him and licks his cheek. You her her whisper to him 'it's ok. You wont hurt me unless you want to hurt me.'
She bounds away and goes to Nix once more with a final head rub against her.

"You are better than you think. I like both of you a lot. Actually I like all four of you a lot."
Zeke and Nix seem dumbfounded for a moment before recovering.
"It's good to met you too Vex."
"I agree. It is a pleasure to meet you too Vex. Whould you like to go swimming with me sometime?"

"That would be great. Maybe we can go really deep and find something interesting."


At this point Otenko(?) shows up but he looks different. Whoever it is is obviously Sun Themed. and shining with light.



"Greetings Micheal. It appears that the creation of my opposite Completed me. I... Remember being Otenko. But now I am not. Anyway it is A pleasure meeting you too Vex.

"well well Well. This is an interesting Development. Have you come up with a Name for yourself? or do you plan to continue using Otenko?"
She is standing in your shadow.

The Sun spirit is considering her words.

I smile as Vex interacts with the others, I think she'll fit in quite well. I am surprised by Zeke's behavior, not occurring to me he might be concerned with hurting her with his flames until Vex mentions it. I am curious what she means by they're better than they think however.

I blink in surprise as I see Otenko, or what used to but may still be Otenko, descend. That simplifies some of my future plans, I was thinking that I'd have to make sure to dedicate time to helping my sun fury finish manifesting. It never occurred to me that by avoiding darkness I had been failing to provide what was needed to make the next step.

I raise my eyebrow in curiosity, "That's a good question, it's quite the impressive transformation." Otherwise, I'll leave him time to think on his answer.

"...Otenko was a part of me. But he is not all of me. So I think I would need a new name. What do you think would be a good name?"

"I have suggestions but you are not going to like them. You should ask Michael for a proper name."

I keep a straight face, not wanting to encourage Vex to pick on him more. It's going to be second nature, or perhaps first nature, to her anyway.

"Hmm, let's see. What do you think of the name Galad? Named after a knight from one of my favorite books, who idealized truth, law, and perfection, in all of their glories and faults. He was said to have followed what he saw as right, regardless of consequences to himself or others, and pursued the perfection of the martial form."

"Yes. I feel that Name Resonate with me. It is an Apt Description But also a Warning for myself. I feel the Light in my Heart Burn for Justice. But one must temper the pursuit of Justice with Mercy. Otherwise Justice becomes something Base like Vengeance or Revenge.

I Will accept the name Galad and try to match the Ideal inherent in that name."

Vex Smiles and says.
"Despite myself. I like you too. You are more self aware than other sun spirits. You might not burn me thoughtlessly if I merely touch you. Since you actually think about if burning me is right."

"Burning you is Obviously Not Right. You have done nothing wrong yet."

She walks up to him and rubs against him. It is a testament to his control of his nature that she does not burn from this. She then walks back to your shade.

"Thank you. Please think about my nature and role before you judge my actions."

"I will endeavor to consider your circumstances."

I smile and nod when he accepts the name, glad he understood the inherent warning. It's good for the furies to know that no single element has only benefits without detractors in it's base instinct. I suspect that concept may be hardest for the sun fury however, due to perfection literally being one of the tenants.

My smile broadens as I see Vex and Galad interact, "I am glad to see you two getting along, its a difficult concept for both sides. Now that we've all met, I think we should get to helping shape area's for both Vex and Galad. I know Galad has had some influence in the overall landscape, but not having a manifestation doesn't have a domain yet. If you all are willing, I'd like for us to all help both of them form their own domain as you each have."

I'm really just going to be going along with what Galad and Vex want for their domains, I'm really just there to help do the heavy lifting, so to speak.

Otherwise, I don't have any further goals with the dreamscape this night.

You help them and Galad is surprisingly easy to please. All he asks is a simple house to rest in and a flat field to practice his katas in.

Vex is odd. She seems inclined to sweet talk the others into doing something they are already inclined to do. With Ursulus she asks him to make big rocks with networks of caves in them. With Nix she asks for deep pools of water that the light can't reach the bottom of. With Hermes  she asks for storms and clouds that shade even in the day. She carefully considers Zeke and then asks for small flames in precise locations to accentuate the beauty of the shadows by providing contrast. For Galad she simply asks him to rest occasionally.

------------

You wake up somewhat tired from your busy night. What is your plan for today?

Both of their domains feel very appropriate. I wouldn't have thought that Galad would have chosen something so spartan, but it feels right. And I'm incredibly pleased at how quickly Vex is taking to the others and vice versa.

----------

I wake, realizing I'm going to have to take it a little easy today. Perhaps a midday nap will be in order to compensate for that lack of real sleep. But first is getting breakfast to get some energy, and then I want to see about attuning the darkness dagger and manifesting Vex. During breakfast I'll mention to Lita,"The process last night was tiring, but it worked. Actually more than we even hoped. Not only did Vex take form and meet the other furies, but my sun fury manifested a semblence. Otenko and he fused, and now go by Galad. So we shaped two areas into domains for the both of them. I'm going to see about attuning that dagger today, and manifesting Vex in this world. When I do I'd like you to meet her. I think you'll enjoy her personality."

After lunch, I will go back down into the room we prepared since I'll need darkness motes anyway, and I'll work on attuning the dagger and manifesting Vex into this world. I'm focusing on becoming comfortable with a dagger compared to the longer range weapons I've been used to recently, as well as adjusting to any peculiarities with this artifact weapon. That and letting Vex play and experience the outside world.

You eat Breakfast with Lita.

Lita smiles and says
"She is a part of you so she must be good, Correct? And I am glad to hear your Sun woke up as well."

-------------------------
After Breakfast you go downstairs with the dagger and attune to it. It takes 6 darkness motes to attune. You feel Vex forming a connection to it like the others did with their artifacts.

Then she pulls herself into the real world, slipping out of your soul. You feel her rub against your leg.

"So this is the outside. Who will we meet first?"

"I believe she is. She embodies trickery, stealth, and illusion, but I don't sense malice in her. She understands death but does not seek to bring it to all. She and Galad are actually getting along as well as I could possibly have hoped."

-----------------------

With the dagger attuned, do I have any more idea on how I might store it in a safe manner?


I smile at Vex, glad that she's looking forward to meeting the others. "Well, you should definitely meet Lita first. This is her basement after all. It's currently daytime outside, do you know whether going upstairs would harm you? Perhaps if I expended a small amount of motes to keep you in a mild perpetual shade bubble? It might be a good exercise for me to start using darkness motes more. If not, I'm sure she'd be happy to come down here to meet you."

"I hope we get along when we meet"

-------------

You do get a suggestion from Vex before she comes out.

You could sheath it in nothing. Create a small bubble of reality in your soul and store it in there. There is nothing  to interact with therefore nothing to cut.

Then you can pull it out as you need it.

---------------

After you ask your questions she sniffs the air.

"The Sun here would burn me without thinking. But as long as I am not directly exposed to his light I should be ok. I have an idea on how to go with you in the sunlight. But first lets go meet Lita!"

She rushs off and bounds up the stairs.
(I assume you follow)

By the time you get upstairs,you find that Vex has managed to knock over Lita and is happily licking her face and rubbing her own against Lita.

Once Lita gets her wits back she sits up.
Vex moves onto Lita's lap and sits there happily. Lita does start petting Vex a bit.
"Vex I presume? You gave me quite the Surprise there. How are you enjoying the outside?"

"It's Great! The face you made was so good and cute and surprised! I wish you could have seen it Michael."

Interesting idea. I've never stored an artifact in my soul before, I wonder what the effects would be. Likely nothing with the precaution of creating the reality bubble, but perhaps it would be a good idea for the other artifacts as well. I'd be far more difficult to catch unarmed at the very least. I'll have to give it a go, perhaps later today or tomorrow. I want to be comfortable with the dagger before I try that.

---------

I follow her quickly, chuckling to myself about her enthusiasm.

"Heh, yes. Vex, meet Lita. Lita, Vex. And I have no trouble imagining Lita's face being cute."

I offer Lita a hand up one Vex seems to be done licking and head nuzzling her.

"Vex is very excited to meet everyone. And she has an idea for traveling in the sunlight without burning. It could prove useful to Leona as well. Leona, Selene, and Ringo are fairly likely to be together anyway, let's go try and find them"

Indeed, it would be useful for the others as well.

-----------

Vex lets Lita up when she wants to get up. She smiles at your compliment.

"Well... The trick really only applies to me. The others would have to figure something else out. I suppose that I should go ahead and demonstrate it. Micheal, Could you stand in the sunlight by the window over there?"

(I assume that you would follow her request.)

The sunlight produces a defined shadow. Then Vex leaps to you! You instinctively brace for impact. But it doesn't come. Instead Vex leaped into your shadow. Examining your shadow closer reveals that it is not quite yours, Your Shadow seems to have a faint addition of ears and a fox tail. It would be really hard to notice if you where not looking for something odd.

"Mmmmm... The Technique gives your shadow a tell. What do you think?"

I smirk when looking at the shadow and instinctively touch my hand to my head and backside, where the ears and tail of the shadow would be. Knowing I don't have ears and tail but just a reaction to seeing the shadow.

"Impressive. I like it. Let's go find the others, I think you'll like them as well."

Unless anyone objects I'll head out looking for Leona, Selene, and Ringo. I will start by going to Leona's house, thinking they're most likely to be there.

When I find them I'll say, "I have good news, and someone I'd like you to meet. The magic circle you helped me prepare worked. Can we go inside?" Assuming we can go inside I'll gesture down slightly at my shadow, and allow Vex to make her entrance. Knowing her tendencies at this point I suspect she'll want to make a playful and fun entrance

After she makes her introduction, "It's my pleasure to introduce Vex, my shadow fury. Otenko and the sun in my soul also fused, and now go by the name Galad. I'd like you all to meet him as well."

And I'll manifest Galad as well (assuming I don't think it's going to overstrain me due to my fatigue.

You feel their faint presence where you examine yourself. It would be almost unnoticeable if one was not looking for them.

She comments
"If you like them, they will probably appear when we combine like you did with your other Furies.

Your friends are good. It feels good being near them."

You go to Leona's house and knock. She answers the door.

"That's good to hear. Come in. I guess the Ritual went well too."

As you come in you note that her blinds are closed to shade Selene and Ringo from the sunlight. You also note that Vex slipped from your shadow as soon as it touched another shadow in Leona's house.
She is definitely planning a Surprise.  The question is what?


As you come in both Selene and Ringo get up to greet you.

"It's good to see that you are Well."

She looks around.
"Where is your new friend?"

With that something materializes out of the shadows behind Selene, and proceeds to tackle hug Selene and almost knock her over.

You finally get a good look at the hugger and conclude that it is definitely Vex immediately.  But Vex has shifted her form to a humanoid fox. She is a little bit shorter than Selene. That is all you note before she shifts again, This time going most of the way to human. Only her ears and tail remain as a fox. Her skin is incredibly dark and dusky with silver eyes in contrast to it.
She seems to have mimicked Lita's dress exept in black. She seems to be somewhat young and immature.

"You are good. Did I surprise you?"

"A Little. What is your name?"

Then you make your introduction of Vex and Galad

He manifests hazy and ephemeral forming just an image to communicate.

"Greetings. It is a pleasure to meet everyone. I am sorry that I can't manifest myself fully."


He looks closely at bothe Selene and Ringo.

"Nix is right. You are good. I Think the Sun here is unfair with his Judgment against you two."

"I appreciate your approval.  But there is not much we can do to change the Sun's opinion."

I nod, "I like them, they seem appropriate for when we combine.

--------

I chuckle at Vex's antics, glad she's enjoying experiencing the world, and that she's getting along with the others.

"As you can see, the ritual was more of a success than I could ever have hoped. Not only did we manage to bring Vex into existence, It seems my souls need for balance or something similar helped act as a catalyst to Galad taking the next step forward. I'll need to keep an eye out for a solar artifact that he may be able to use as an anchor, or perhaps see about having Smith forge one if I can get the right materials.

How are you feeling though today Ringo? No side effects from being possessed or anything? It's good to have you around, so we should be careful to make sure nothing goes wrong."

At about this point, Vex shifts back into her standard fox form and sits next to Selene. Selene and Leona sit next to her. They look at each other and nod. Leona asks Vex. "Would you mind if we pet your fur and ears?"

"That would feel great! Go right ahead!"

They start petting Vex. Vex for her part is eating up the attention and loving it.

------------

Ringo smiles while watching his daughters pet Vex. Then he turns his attention back to you.

"I feel myself thanks to you,Micheal. I can't detect any lingering Presence from Black Dain and I asked my daughters to look as well. I doubt that Dain could hide from them. We where discussing making a ward against possession last night to make sure that doesn't happen again. "

"Yes, I think there are two methods we could try, each has its own benefit. I was able to create a buffer soul, that would act as a trap and safeguard against those who would try to possess me. But that was a rather enormous undertaking and I believe only worked because of my furies intimate connection with my soul and the number of them to help.

However, I think it should be possible to create magical wards in your soul, that would lash out at intruders. The difficulty there is what element. Solar would be most effective against Black Dain, but I worry that having solar defenses in your soul while you have vampire blood would be a VERY bad idea. So maybe sigils of the various elements. It's also a layer of difficulty just with how I'll reach your soul and navigate.

The other idea, and I think this to have greater benefits, is to get Smith to forge a handful of artifact amulets. We'd have to find a material to make it out of, which is the downside here, but once we had the amulets I could shape the world inside the amulet to act as a lightning rod for possessing spirits. Effectively when you're wearing it, it's soul should lay close enough to yours that when designed with the purpose it acts as a shield. When one tries to go into your body they actually find themselves inside of the amulet. I would create some traps to make getting out of the amulet more difficult and painful as well, to serve them right for what they tried. The benefit there is it could include solar magic without it harming you, since it would be outside of your soul and contained by the artifact. Does anyone know where we could get enough metal that would be artifact or at least enchantable grade for Smith to make four amulets?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 23:50, Sun 14 July 2019.

"I don't think I would have a world in my soul like you do. But that ward Amulet is probably doable.  You would need Oricalcum to make it an Artifact. Unfortunately I don't know where we could get a suitable metal."

"Maybe we should ask Smith."

"I think that's a good next step. Perhaps he'll have an idea for a lesser craft as well, something that wouldn't be as potent but that could be used in the meantime as some protection. Let's not waste any time, let's go talk with Smith.

You Walk to Smith with Leona. Selene and Ringo decide to stay in Leona's house. Vex went back into your Shadow.

You find him working in his shop.
"Greetings Michael and Leona. How are things going?"

I smile warmly at Smith and say, "All in all, I feel things are going very well. We're working on stopping Black Dain from whatever he's up to, and managed to free Ringo from the possession. But now we're working on a way to protect Leona, Selene, and Ringo from possession when we face Black Dain again. I've set up defenses in my soul, but I can't do the same for these three, so I was hoping to get amulets made that I could enchant to be traps against possession. I don't know whether there is an option short of artifact level amulets that you know of, or if you know of the location of any Oricalcum."

Smith rubs his chin in thought.

"It is possible to magical effects to items that are less than Artifacts, but they are not as strong obviously.

I don't know where Oricalcum is. But I do know how to make Oricalcum from gold. It's rather hard to do and expensive. Since it takes 10 pounds of gold to make 1 pound of Oricalcum. "

I can't find in my notes how much Aleran currency I had. Their currency used silver and gold. Necklaces can be pretty light, so while I don't have 10 lbs of aleran gold, I might have a couple of pounds of it?

In the Attack on Titan world you started with 22 Gold Eagles and 6 Silver Eagles.
You used 1 gold Eagle to have your old sword made. You also converted 1 gold Eagle and 1 silver Eagle to 1 pound and 1 shilling.
You earned 6L,1s and 6d but you had it broken up into 4L,41s and 8d.

In this world you spent 10s on a tent and 30s on a nice composite bow. And 3s on 100 arrows. And 2s on 4 pounds of iron.

And 40 gold for 21 gems for Vadahf...i messed up there with the continuty. I am just going to assume it was all your gold. You did state that you where willing to use all of it to make Vadahf.

So you have 3 shillings and 8 silver pennies left.

----------
You know, Aritfacts are hard to make. Therefore expensive.  You might ask how much Smith would give for one of your lesser used artifacts. Like those blake jade claws. Or that blue jade chakaram.

"Would you be open to making a trade for it Smith? I have a blue jade chakram, an artifact weapon from a guardian king of wind, that I'd be willing to trade. Would that be enough to get the gold needed to make the amulets?"

Smith's eyes widen and he seems surprised.

"... Yes. With that you could easily get the gold needed to make Oricalcum. Artifacts are quite valuable. "

"The safety of my friends is very valuable to me, and I am blessed to already have an incredible wind attuned artifact that you forged for me after all. I'll go get the blue jade chakram, the sooner we can get the amulets made the better."

I'm trusting the Smith's good nature to treat me fairly in the trade. I suspect from his reaction that the blue jade chakram is worth a lot more than the gold for the amulets would take, but at the end of the day I'd be happy with just an exchange of the chakram for the gold, transmutation services, and forging of the amulets.

You head back to Lita's house and pick up the blue jade chakram. And you head back to Smith's. Where you find him setting up so many mirrors.

"ah! Michael! I am going to need your help with making the Oricalcum and with making the amulets.
Making Oricalcum involves boiling the gold with sunlight for a few days. I think we can get away with keeping the gold liquid with my furnace.  A volcano would be better but there isn't one near here.

Then while I forging the Amulets I will need you to control how the magic flows in the amulets. "

I nod to Smith, "My talents are at your complete disposal. If we need your furnace to be hotter, Zeke, my fire fury, can likely help with that. I'm not sure he'd bring it to volcano levels of heat although he did come from a Volcano. Meanwhile I can work to collect and channel more solar motes inwards, acting as an extra mirror perhaps?

During the forging, I'd like to give the artifact a solar base, and then layer Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth around it in a similar structure to areas that are found in my soul. That'll give a level of familiarity to it that I think will help me shape the flows. Finally I want to add a layer of darkness onto it. This should serve two purposes. It's what will lure possessing spirits in, leveraging darknesses domain of trickery, and also help shield any who the solar nature of the artifact might burn if unguarded. Once a possessing spirit tries to enter, they'll be allowed to slip into the amulet, thinking they are slipping into the persons soul, but then once they have the elemental layer will force them downwards into the solar core that will attempt to purify them away."

So that's my plan. It sounds like it's going to take several days, but this has to be the highest priority. Can't go having Black Dain repossessing Ringo, or getting any of the others.

Smith Nods.
"That sounds like it will work. But you will need a little bit os something to represent  the various elements. Oricalcum can represent the sun. I have a little bit of blue jade left that can represent wind. Unless you have a better idea for what we should use. Those spirits that are part of you...Perhaps. But where would we find a dark spirit?"

At that Vex couldn't resist and leaps out of your shadow. Shouting "Right here!"
 She tries to bowl over his upper body. But Smith is very strong and just catches her. She seems to be rubbing her face against his.

This just causes Smith's eyebrow to raise.
"What do we have here? I suppose this is your's Michael?"
Vex seems to easily slip out of Smith's grip and stand on his shoulders.
"My name is Vex. It's nice to meet you Smith."

I smile as Vex appears and respond to Smith, ”Ah, my apologies for not introducing you sooner. This is Vex, my darkness fury as of last night. Her manifestation actually brought about my sun fury to finish taking form as well, but I don’t have an artifact weapon for him to use as a bond yet, so I can’t manifest him as completely. He goes by the name of Galad now.” and I’ll manifest Galad as best I can, since he’ll be very integral to this as well.

”If we can procure small substances for the elements other than the sun to latch onto that would be ideal, but I don’t have a lot to barter with past that artifact. I need to keep one of each element for my furies to use as a bond, and the last duplicate element I have I was hoping to barter for a sun artifact weapon, so Galad could fully manifest. But yes in as many things as possible I prefer to involve all my furies. The concept of balance is an important one to me”

Smith nods as you explain.
"She is a lot more cheerful than one would expect from a dark spirit... It is a pleasure to meet you too Vex."
Vex smiles at that and hops down to the ground.
"I look forward to working with you Smith."
Then she enters your Shadow again.

You form an image of Galad. He smiles and greets Smith.
"Greetings Smith. I am Galad. Sun Fury. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Smith Smiles and says.
"Indeed. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Michael is quite unique to balance everyone. "

He turns to you.
"It might be enough to have all of your spirits help. But we might need a little bit them. A few fiery hairs, a few drops of their water. Etc.

As for a sun aligned weapon. Oricalcum is perfect for that. What kind of weapon where you looking for?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:22, Mon 29 July 2019.

I smile when Smith comments on Vex’s cheerfulness. I’m very happy that focusing on specific ideals seems to have worked so well. And that Vex is getting along well with everyone.

——————

”I will ask if they are all willing to contribute something to help with the process. I don’t expect any objections. As to a solar attuned weapon for Galad to use as an anchor, I think a bow would be the combination of most fitting and compliment the existing artifacts best. I’m thinking the oricalcum bow itself and then the motes used to attune could create the bow string and arrows or crackling light. I can get the black jade claws to include in the trade if we could forge the bow while we’re at it.”

---------------

"I see, you are looking for ranged... if you have another whole artifact I might be able to constuct a new solar gun. And fix Ringo and Leona's gun. What do you think?"

I nod, ”that works for me. Let me go get the black jade claws and we can begin.”

I’ll go get the claws, and ask my furies internally if each would be willing to contribute as the Smith had asked. I won’t coerce any of them to, but also don’t anticipate any opposition.

Otherwise I think we’re all set.

You head back to Lita's to pick up the claws and talk to your Furies. They are ok with helping and providing a little bit of material to help make the amulets.
They suggest bringing the other Artifacts so that they can manifest and help. Although they might need to manifest to help carry them over there. Unless you want to try Vex's idea of storing them in your soul temporary.

I’m going to go with Vexs idea of how to store the weapons. It’s somethimg that will be incredibly useful in the future so no need to put it off

You meditate and start making small pocket dimensions in your soul to store the weapons in. You try to pull in the knife first but something seems to not work right.

Vex comments
"Hmm... It seems like we need a bit of help pulling it into the pocket. I'm going to go inside and try pulling!"

With that she slips back into your Furyscape. and you feel her reaching through the pocket and pulling the knife in. It disappears with a pop.

"... Ok It's in! but I can't come out now. You should be able to pull it out."

”Hmm, I’ll have to be careful of that. While it’s useful to have the weapons on hand it could prove problematic not being able to manifest one of you without the weapon drawn. Although that is likely to be uncommon. But anyway, let’s see about pulling it out now”

And I’ll pull the dagger of the pocket dimension, to allow Vex back out.

Assuming it works, I’ll do the same with my other artifact weapons/furies and then head back over to Smith to get to work.

When you want to draw it the grip sticks out in the air near you allowing  you to draw it.

With the others help you draw in the spear, the Giant Tetsubo and the short swords.

Where you wanting to draw Vadahf in like that as well?

If you try to draw in the claws, you find another limitation of this technique. Each Fury can only hold one weapon in these pockets. The short Swords get around this somehow. Maybe it's because they are meant to be used as a pair.

You walk to Shith's shop and find him setting up the mirrors.

I would try first to see whether Vadahf is comfortable trying to draw herself in without Hermès help. Since I already have a strong bond with Vadahf she may be able to provide the extra effort that was needed by Vex and the others from the inside. If not I’ll try with Hermès help, and if it causes any further trouble I’ll just carry Vadahf for now, thinking on how to work it out at a later time.

Good to know about the claws. I’ll carry the claws as well then. I’m happier only having the weapons that are paired with furies anyway.

—————

When I get to Smiths shop I’ll hand over the claws, and then begin drawing the various weapons from within, to prepare for the ritual.

Is seems like she has a connection to Hermes but she doesn't seem to have the strength or maybe its metaphysical leverage to pull herself in. But it's pretty easy With Hermes and Vadahf working together.

-------------
You pull the weapons out and set them in Smith's  shop. Smith has a black crucible that is filled with gold. This is actually more gold than you have ever seen. He asks Zeke to hold it and Heat it up enough to melt the gold while the two of you direct sunlight on the Crucible and into the molten gold. He asks Hermes to fan Zeke's flames.

It is exhausting work because the mirrors require constant attention to remain at the proper angle with the moving sun. By the end of the day about half of the gold has boiled off. And Zeke and Hermes are somewhat tired.
"We need to keep the gold molten over night. My furnace can probably do it but it would be better for resonance if you used your magic or spirits to do it. Do you think your fire spirit can handle it?"

I look to Zeke and smile, he’s going to love the challenge:
”I have faith that Zeke can handle it. I’ll stay here and enter a meditative state, collecting motes and feeding them to Zeke throughout. I should be able to get a light amount of rest, to help maintain me over the long process while also providing enough energy to Zeke.”

I’m going to try and keep an eye out for parts during this process that I can rest using meditation, I’m thinking it’s a marathon not a race, and the more I can do to maximize resonance the better.

He smirks back. You set up for the long haul that night. Ursulus manifests and wanders off. An hour later he comes back with a tree that he breaks up for Zeke. Who seems happy with his food.

You make it through the night and start again the next day. You make it through with encouragement from Galad and Vex. By the end of the day the gold has boiled down to a tenth of what Smith started with and the gold almost seems to shine with its own inner fire and light.

You and Zeke are exhausted. He returns to your soul.

"You might want to rest a day or two after that marathon. We got enough to make the three amulets and the new gun."

I let out a breath of relief when Smith mentions taking a day or twos break, feeling the weight of our collective exertion weighing on me. ”A day or twos rest before the creation of the artifacts would be appreciated. I will go rest and return as soon as I feel at full strength.”

So question about the weapons when stored inside me. Does that prevent my furies from wandering and relaxing in my soul? That would be a big problem in my mind. If they’re able to relax as normal with the weapons stored I would have them stored while resting over the next day or two. Otherwise I’ll keep them nearby but not stored inside me.

Either way though I plan to meditate and clear my mind, entering a trance like sleep, so that all of my magical pathways can relax and reset to normal. While in this trance like sleep I’ll be in my soulscape, but also meditating there. The point is to rest so I’m not looking to do any tasks, but many of my furies are likely also tired and I will rest with them should they choose. I’ll rouse to eat, drink, and relieve myself but largely focused on complete relaxation in preparation for the coming ritual.

Once I feel rested, I’ll go see Smith if it’s still early in the day. else I’ll wait for the next day and head over first thing.

It does take some effort for them to hold the weapon in your soul. Equivalent to holding a ten pound weight in your hand and not being able to set it down. It's not a great burden. But is is not something you can go to sleep and maintain.

You head to Lita's and rest. You end up sleeping for a while. Then Lita prepares a meal for you. Then you spend the day resting and meditating.

Your Furies also relax in your soul.

By the next morning you feel like you are ready.

You head to Smith and find that he has been busy there are various parts made of oricalcum on his table. You see 3 roughly shaped rectangles of oricalcum.
"Ah. Michael. It's good to see you. I hope you rested well. Have you thought about what should be the image on the Amulets? "

I smile as I see the progress and reply ”Yes, the rest was definitely needed. It looks like you were quite busy in the meantime however. As to the image for the amulets, I’m thinking a balanced set of scales, with 3 motes held on each side in balance. Below that I’d like it to read In omnibus aequitas. It’s a language I learned in the world that I first started my magic, and it means balance in all things.”

Smith thinks on your idea and smiles.
"That should work. We can use their emblem to represent your 6 elements and the Lunar emblem a fulcrum for the balance. Representing its nature of accepting the others and being midway between them. The language should emphasize that as well.

Are you going to shape the magic yourself or are you going to have your spirits help as well?"

”This is something that we should all have a hand in, so I’ll have all my furies help shape the magic with me.”

Smith thinks for a bit.
"Then you will want to manifest all of them. Therefore, We need to work on the Weapon for your Sun Spirit. Is there anything in particular you want to build the solar gun for? Ringo and Leona's gun is based on a pistol. You can get more range and damage with a rifle though.  But it will usually cost more Essence per shot to use."

”I like the idea of the solar pistol design. I want to maintain speed and mobility as much as possible, which the smaller form factor allows”

"ok. I need to work on making the pistol.  It won't be as modifiable at all like Ringo and Leona's.  But it will be sturdier and pack decent power for it's size... hmmm... I should have planed this out better. It's going to take a day or two to put the gun together. "

”Well, I’m at your disposal for anything I may be able to do to help in the process. I’m interested in seeing how you do it, if you’re ok with me watching.”

This will stay my focus until it’s done, it’s critical to protect the others if we get in a fight with Black Dain, and I’m interested to see how the forging process goes. In a future world I may need to forge myself an artifact without the aid of such a talented Smith.

"No problem Michael. But it is a fairly involved process."

He starts by carving a pistol grip from wood that seems to have gold flecks in its grain. Then he inlays two Oricalcum plates on each side of the grip. Then he runs fine gold wire through the grip. As he works he seems to be saying little prayers to the pieces he is putting together and to the Sun.

Next he is preparing a sand mold to cast Iron with. It seens this will be the spine that the other parts attach to and hold them in place. He seems to be praying to Mars for this parts.

The grip is attached and the wires go through some holes and attaches it to an emitter and that gets attached to something that focuses the bolt of solar energy. Then he covers it so that the inner parts don't get knocked out of Alignment.

The whole process looks like technology that is operating on physics 20th century humans would scoff at. But there is also prayer and ritual to it.

He gets about halfway done with it the first day and finishes the second day.

He smiles and hands it to you when he is done. How do you want to test it?

I’ll rest my hand on the solar pistol and get a good feel for its weight and grip. To test I’ll have to go outside though. Once outside with it I’ll crouch down and pluck up three pebbles and infuse each with a mote of darkness. I’ll then give them a strong toss with my left hand and then bring the gun to aim and fire three quick shots trying to hit each pebble. I’m using a low burn of solar essence to compliment perfection of aim in addition to the essence spent to fire the gun itself.

The pistol feels comfortable and solid  in your hand. You pick up three pebbles, infuse them with Darkness and toss them. You feel each shot use one mote for firing the gun and 3 motes to improve your aim closer to Perfection. There are three small explosions in the air as you hit Darkness with Sunlight.

I smile as the three pebbles explode and internally say,
The gun seams to work well Galad. I think it’s time we see about you being able to physically manifest, and then get to making those amulets.

You feel Galad Nod and then he pulls himself into the physical world with the pistol as an anchor.

He manifests in front of you. Smiles and says.

"This is an interesting experience."

I return the smile and bow slightly, ”it’s good to see that it worked Galad. And yes, I am led to believe that the experience is much more vivid when fully manifested. You should have more influence over this world when here this way as well. Do you feel comfortable out here? Need to do anything to get ready or adjust before we begin?”

He nods and and holds up a hand before forming a ball of sunlight in it. Then he lets it dissipate.

"I should be good to work on the protection for our friends. I look forward to working with everyone. "

You here Smith comment behind you.
"It looks like we can get started now that you can manifest everyone. "

”I agree, let’s get all of the weapons situated around the amulets, and get to work.”

I’ll arrange the solar gun and darkness dagger in the center of the three amulets, with the fire,water, earth, and air weapons forming a perimeter. The fire and water, and earth and air will be opposite from one another with the amulets between. Once situated I’ll meditate in the center, and manifest each of the furies. We’ll begin by forming the solar core, a maelstrom of purifying energy. Next we’ll create a layer of the four elements. A storming mass that pulsates and pushes any that enter downwards towards the solar core. To finish we’ll encapsulate the raging elemental storms with a layer of darkness that enshrouds the rest. This will disguise the amulet as being the wearer’s soul as well as well as protect any from getting burned by the amulets solar nature.

Smith comes in with you in the Circle of Weapons and shapes the images on the amulets while you shape the Essence with your Furies. It's hard work but you maintain the magic whiles he shapes the image. You two finish after a few hours and you have the three amulets.

"That was amazing magic Michael. So how are we going to test if they work?"

I look down at the three amulets and think for a moment, before creating three orbs of shadow essence which will act as probes. Much like I would use water motes to assess a persons health I’m going to send these motes into the three amulets. Once inside I’ll try urging them back out.

Ideally it is very difficult for them to get out once inside, and they should be forced inwards by the elemental layers.

”That is the best testing I’m going to be able to manage. It’s difficult to safely test, since when it protects against a spirit possessing it should push the spirit into the purifying core. Thank you so much for all of your tremendous work. I’m going to go get these to Leona, Ringo, and Selene.

—————

I’ll go to Leona’s house and knock, with the three amulets in hand.

When she answers, I’ll say ”Smith and I finished the amulets just a bit ago. I didn’t want to waste any time getting them to the three of you for protection. Do you have any leads on Black Dains where abouts?

You send some dark motes in but they are destroyed by the center of the amulets.

Smith nods and says
"Good. Be careful. ok?"
-----------
Ringo and Selene try putting them on. And there doesn't seem to be an adverse reaction.

"I have heard about activity around the The Spiral Tower to the north. I was planning on investigating tonight"

I nod to the Smith, ”I always try to be careful when possible, but I think these will work. Thank you again”

————

Leona also puts hers on right? I understand why it would only be specified the other two didn’t burn but just wanted to double check.

”if you would be ok with it, I’d like to accompany you on the investigation. I’ll spend the day resting and practicing with the dagger, but then should be ready this evening”

So my plan is to do light practice with vex and the dagger throughout the day, intermixed with meditation and naps to stay rested and be ready for this evening.

------------
Yes, Leona does put on her amulet too.

"Sure. That would be great. See you tonight!"

------------

I assume you would head to Lita's  to practice in the shade so that Vex would be comfortable.

You play and Practice with Vex and practice with the dagger. But as you go through the day, you can't shake the feeling that you are being watched.

I suspect Lita is watching me, I’ve been preoccupied and am going to need to prioritize getting her a necklace lest she gets jealous. But have to be careful in case it’s someone actually spying on me. Plus Vex is going to enjoy this.

I’ll whisper to Vex,
someone’s been watching us, want to see if you can sneak up on them while I continue practicing with the dagger? Might be fun.

You talk to Vex when suddenly the wall explodes behind you and you feel very painful bullets ricochet off your back and hear the sound of automatic gunfire. A full magazine is unloaded into you as you turn around. You feel the bruising and the Regeneration is already taking care of it.



He is holding an assault rifle and his eyes are glowing red. He is wearing an olive green headband with an infinity symbol embroidered on it.

"Hmph. Should have known your damn spirits would have made you too tough for that to work. I am done playing around."

With that he pulls out a grenade and tosses it at your feet.

“...the Hell!” and then anger catches up to me. I need to finish this guy now, he’s endangering those I care about. I recall how Selene used darkness to teleport short distances in combat and try to replicate it and teleport behind him, stabbing with the darkness dagger. I’m using a heavy burn of both wind for speed and solar for perfection. I am prioritizing killing this thing fast as opposed to pacing myself.

Vex leaps into your shadow a helps you cheat your way behind him without going through the space between. He was starting to turn away from where he threw the grenade when it explodes into eye searing light and a deafening boom. You strike in spite of the pain in your eyes and ears. Scoring his back through the body suit as he leaps out of melee with you. He is holding a pack of C4 in one hand and a detonator in the other.

"What! That hurt me too instead of just this meat puppet."

”Funny that, your actions have consequences for once.”

I’ll send forward a group of six motes(one of each element I have a fury for)  to encapsulate the c4, and of he blasts it give them the command to release the blast towards his center of mass.

With that I’ll mentally ask Vex to form as many illusions of me as she can, and then I’ll charge, trying to pressure black dain enough to either kill him or push him out of the body.

About fifteen Illusions of you show up. But they have a savage grin like a fox that has found a mouse.

The Shadow Puppeteer seems to calculate his odds against you and Vex.

"Ppfff... No matter. You will never be able to stop what I started at the Spiral Tower."

With that Solid Snake collapses and you see a shadow slip away an a high speed. Your illusionarry clones featured turn more bestial and then run off to pursue the Shadow.

I sigh, ”there’s always more pressing matters than ending him... Lita! I need to find Lita and make sure she’s aright.”

My first priority is to find Lita and see if she’s ok and apologize profusely for bringing this destruction into her house. Afterwards we can check whether Solid Snake is still alive.

That though occurs then suddenly the door to the kitchen splinters off it's hindges showing Lita in a fighting stance while wearing her frilly apron. Apparently she was cooking when the attack happened.

She looks around and seems to be confused.

"Michael, what is going on?"

Vex reappears in what shade she can find.
"He got too far away and escaped. But I got a few good bites in."

When you do check Snake, he is breathing.

I let out a sigh of relief, "Good, you're safe. I apologize, Black Dain was trying to ambush and kill me. I believe this is the second time he's underestimated my spirits, however.  But it made quite the mess. And we have the person he was possessing that we should look to treat his wounds."

I reach down and scratch Vex behind the ear,

"Vex did an amazing job, creating a number of illusions and giving him a good chase. But let's go see about treating Snake now, or I believe that's his name. This evening we are going to try and end Black Dain for good."

I'm going to separate Snake from his weapons (Which I assume are plentiful), but then start sending watermotes in to him to diagnose the injuries. Once I feel confident I know where all the injuries are I'll get the healing psuedo materia out and begin healing him.

Once he's conscious I'll greet him:
"Welcome back to us Snake, please relax I'm not going to harm you now that Black Dain is no longer possessing you. What do you remember? How did you get here?"

Vex seems to enjoy your praise and puffs out her crest

Snake has almost a ridiculous amount of weapons. It seems his only injury was inflicted by your dagger. You heal him but it is harder than normal.

After about 10 minutes Snake wakes up and his eye color is back to normal.
"... Snake?... That name does sound familiar.  Who is Black Dain? Where am I? I don't remember much... I was Fighting someone important... and then nothing..."

He seems confused.

I try to relax, and see whether I can feel a verser connection to Snake.

"If you are who I think you are, Snake is your codename given from a special counter terrorism group called FOXHOUND. You are in the city of San Miguel now however, and until just a few moments ago were possessed by a dark immortal by the name of Black Dain. He's an incorporeal spirit and difficult to deal with, but I finally have a weapon that can damage him, which is good because I suspect he's trying to end the flow of time and bring death to the universe. I can't tell you what happened in your past to bring you here..."

and this is the only part that changes if he's a verser, if he's not I obviously won't say it:
"...But I can tell you from experience some of what has happened to you. You have become a verser, with it you are granted a form of immortality... I don't recommend going and testing that too much though, dying hurts and you'll discorporate from your current universe and recorporate elsewhere. Oh, and as versers we don't age, something about what gets into us that causes us resists change like that. It's the reason we can't die. If we were to, something just decides nope, going to shunt you off to another universe instead."

Back to part that would be said whether he's a verser or not, "Oh, and my apologies on behalf of my manners, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Mike, this is the beautiful Lita, guardian of the Life Tree and all around exceptional person, and this is Vex, my shadow fury that is largely why I'm not dead and you're not still possessed."

He doesn't feel like a verser to you. Just a normal human.

OOC: Lita Guards the Solar Tree. I assume you would have said the correct name.


He listens to your explanation.
"All that does sound familiar about Foxhound. But all this sounds weird. Dark Immortal? Incorporeal Spirit? Shadow Fury?

Vex approachs him, gently headbutts him and rubs her head against him.

"You are good too. But you are a long way from home. Things are very different here."

Snake seems a bit stunned by that.
"th...The Fox just talked. And called me good. Do you have any idea what I do?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 14:34, Sat 03 Aug 2019.

OOC:Oops, yeah. Would use the correct term

I chuckle slightly, "Yes, things are very different here. Vex can talk quite well. I don't think she knows what you do, but I do and I agree with her call. You're a good man Snake. Sometimes good men have to do bad things, but it's hard to argue that one who saves the world isn't a good man in some way. Plus she has an excellent judge of character. Magic works here, and I think that's going to be the hardest thing for you to get used to. There aren't mechanical tricks that are letting us do these things, but real actual magic. Otherwise I would have had a lot more trouble getting you conscious.

I'm surprised though, at first I thought you were a verser like me, a being the gets shunted around between dimensions when we die. But you're not. Perhaps this place just summoned you do to great need, or Black Dain is working on breaking down the barrier between universes and has plucked you out of yours to try and kill me. If so I apologize, I'll make sure to end him before he can cause much more trouble.

But I need to start meditating and recharging my energy. I spent a fair amount in that fight, and I need to be in top shape tonight. Lita, would you be ok if repairing any damage from the fight waits till tomorrow?"

Snake listens and says
"... Where I come from. Magic isn't anything but old superstitions.
This is a lot to take in.  You said we where in San Miguel. I know of several cities with that name. But the architecture is throwing me off. Especially that tower there."

He gestures to the Spiral Tower. Which is actually two towers with a lot of connecting struts between them. It doesn't really have a Spiral design on it. So why do they call it the Spiral tower?

"... This Black Dain. What exactly Can he do?"


Lita says
"Yes. That is ok. Stopping Black Dain is more important."

"Black Dain can possess people, as you have experienced, and from there he is largely dangerous because of the combination of:
  *the difficulty to harm him since attacks mostly just injure the person he's possessing,
  *the power level of the people he chooses to possess which often tends to be quite formidable, yourself being an example. He tried possessing me before as well, actually succeeded for a brief period of time before the furies in my soul beat him away. I don't think he was expecting 5 souls to inhabit what he was trying to possess.
  *and finally, there is danger in the knowledge he has. He's an immortal, and I'm sure he has machinations in works. He's been breaking other immortals out of their prisons, but not far enough ahead of Leona, Selene, and I for them to get away. Everyone he's broken out we've put down and then purified out of existence.

It's that last part that has me worried. It's also why I've prioritized figuring out a way to deal with him permanently, which I now have. I'm uneasy with how much extra knowledge he has of the world that I do not. Some of which I suspect no mortal has knowledge of.

Actually speaking of knowledge, Lita, how much do you know about the Spiral Tower? Like what's it's purpose and why is it called the spiral tower? I haven't really thought of it much until Snake brought it up, there's just always so much to take care of."

Snake nods and listens to Lita

She says
"Sorry. I don't know much about it. It has been there since San Miguel was founded as far as it is recorded. No one could get to it since it is sealed by four wedges in each corner of the City. Not even Immortals could get in. It is said. That one tower is a Solar Tower and the other is a Dark Tower... What could be bad enough for both the Solar Children and the Dark Immortals to work together to seal it up? When they would normallybe bitter enemies."

As Lita mentions the four wedges, I sigh slightly, but continue listening. "I have a bad feeling. These wedges you are talking of, could they have been the seals that the immortals Black Dain has been freeing? I assumed he was trying to gather the immortals to end the world... he may have just been breaking the seals as something in his way, perhaps the immortals at one point wanted the proliferation of death but not the end of time... I think that's what they talked about at some point, the end of all things... I think they're growing bored of seeing the universe move at all, whether in life or death. I suppose this changes nothing, but ups the stakes. I need to finish preparing, and then go get the others to go to Spiral Tower. Please stay away from there both of you, I don't want Black Dain to try and possess either of you."

So I'm going to meditate to rest and recharge my motes, and as soon as I feel rested and motes are full I'm going to go get Leona, Selene, and Ringo.

<Aqua>"Are you all ready? I was attacked by Black Dain earlier, he tried to take me out by possessing a legendary mercenary who is new to this world. I drove him off though, the dagger seems to work to actually damage him. I don't want to waste time though and think we need to head to the spiral tower sooner rather than later.<Aqua>"

I'm planning to bring all of the weapons, but have all but the darkness dagger stored in my soul. I don't know which furies I may need to physically manifest so I don't want to leave any behind.

They nod and let you rest and gather the energy you need.

You go to Leona, Selene and Ringo with your weapons stored in your soul and ask your question.
Selene and Ringo nod. And Leona says
"That is not good. Is Lita and that Mercenary ok? We should be ready to go if they are ok."

I nod, "They're both ok, Lita was rushing to my defense as Black Dain escaped and I healed the mercenary, his name is Snake, of the injuries I caused. It's rather difficult to heal injuries done by this dagger, but I did it. Let's go end Black Dain before he can do more damage."

The others agree and you head off to the Spiral Tower. With Ringo and Selene putting on sunblock to protect themselves from the Sun.

You get there and find 3 doors. One to the Solar Tower, One to the Dark Tower and one to somewhere else.
Ringo suggests
"We should split into two teams of two to challenge the Towers. We do know that the Solar Tower will need someone aligned with the Sun and the Dark Tower Will need someone alignedwith Darkness. Michael, which teams do you think would be best to go through each Tower?"

"Hmm, I think it would be best to have both sides be able to handle both solar and darkness if need be. Let's have Selene and Leona take the darkness tower, and Ringo and I will take the solar tower."

Leona and Selene nod and head to the Dark Tower. Their door has the dark emblem on it and Selene touches it and glows with darkness for a moment and then the door opens up.

You and Ringo head to the Solar Tower and it has a Solar Emblem on the door. You do the obvious thing and channel some solar essence into the door and it opens up. You and Ringo both enter.

The interior is oddly technological like you come to expect from things from the Solar Civilization. The walls are a grey metallic material. and...?
Why are those black gelatinous things moving towards you? You see a metallic sphere floating in each of the four gelatinous things heading towards you.

"I wouldn't get in close contact with them Ringo, I've never seen that type of creature be friendly towards weapons and equipment."

And I'll draw my new Solar Pistol and begin taking aim and firing. I'm trying to conserve motes, so I'm only using the minimum number of motes to fire the pistol, repositioning to keep my distance and then firing again.

Ringo nods and draws his pistol.
You take aim at one. Ringo notes which one you are aiming at and aims at it as well. You fire and he fires a split second after you. And both solar shots slam into the slime and rupture it releasing acrid smoke. The processes repeats for the other two slimes. And then a door opens up on the other side of the room with stairs up.

"I haven't seem that particular color of slime before. But they are annoying if they get close."

OOC: You used 3 Solar motes to fire the gun 3 times. What mix of motes would you have coming into the tower?
You do note that you have a max of 70 now.

OOC: I'll do a split of 10 water, 10 fire, 10 air, 10 earth, 10 darkness, and 20 solar.  I'll be wearing hat and bracers artifact, which I'll subtract from my fire motes so there will only be 7 free there. How many motes does the solar gun take to attune? Or is it's cost handled through the firing instead?

Do the metallic spheres disappear or just drop when the slimes are killed? Can I see what they are better if they dropped?

"This is one thing my curiosity can be deprived on, I'm perfectly happy never finding out what they do if they get too close. Let's push on, and stay alert."

I'll enter the next room first, keeping an eye out for more monsters or Black Dain.

OOC: There is no cost to attune to the gun. But it does cost one Solar mote to fire each time.

So all you have attuned is the Red Jade Hat and Bracers.

Therefore you have 17 Solar, 10 Darkness, 7 Fire, 10 Water, 10 Wind and 10 Earth.
3 Fire Attuned
Max 70.


The spheres drop with a metallic clank when you rupture the slimes. You can see them clearly now. They are a black metal with screaming faces presses to the surface.

Ringo looks at them and comments.
"Those are made of Soulsteel. A Darkness aligned metal from the Land of the Dead. It is said to be made of the souls of humans."

Are you picking them up before you head up?

OOC: Does it require weapons to be attuned to store them in my soul? Wasn't sure if I'd have to attune any weapons I wanted to bring or just the ones I end up using. I definitely would want to bring the darkness dagger and Vadahf.

I look down at the weird metal and consider. It looks to be valuable and might be worthwhile to bring to Smith... But I'm not sure whether picking it up will be safe...

"It may be best to bring it to Smith then, if it's darkness aligned. From the sounds of it I definitely wouldn't want to try making any the way we made Oricalcum, but I may have need for it. Do you know of any stories of whether it's safe to touch? Perhaps I should see about wrapping it up"

Unless Ringo indicates it's incredibly dangerous to touch I'll get a cloth and wrap them up and pack them away before heading to the next room.

OOC: You can store weapons that you are not attuned with because of the connection between your Furies and them. But you can't use them instantly without attuning to them...Well you could but they would be awkward and heavy. Not the best thing for Fighting Immortals.


Ringo says
"The material itself should be ok to touch. But I would be more worried about any magic that is built into it. Soulsteel is equivalent in potency to Oricalcum as far as magical materials go."

You sense that they are just soulsteel without anything extra built in. You pick it up with your cloth and hear a faint moaning from the material.

You head up the stairs about 50 feet and find a door you open it and find a ledge that is about 10 feet wide to stand on. On the other side of the tower you see another ledge and door.

Ringo's eyebrow raises as if to say 'Really?'.

OOC: Gotcha, I'll attune the dagger as well then. I'm not sure we've covered yet how many motes the dagger takes to attune. I would attune that as well, would just reduce how many of each element I have available equally.

I look across the opening and say, "Do you have a convenient way to fly? I know Leona was able to still change into a bat even after she went through the solar piledriver. I think with some wind mote assistance I could clear the jump pretty easily."

I'm planning to augment my speed with wind motes, and then use a reduced version of what I would do to fly to just glide to the other side.

OOC: It takes 6 darkness motes to attune to the Dagger

He smirks and the transforms into a multitude of bats. Allowing him to fly over with ease.

You rush with the speed of the Wind and stay airborne unnaturally long. Like someone in a Wuxia film. You make it but it costs 7 of your wind motes.

There is a door here and you note hemispherical depressions. One on the door and one on the floor. They are about the size of the Soulsteel spheres you got.

Behind you a bridge of solidified sunlight forms that connects the ledges together.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:38, Thu 22 Aug 2019.

OOC: Ok, so the 8 for having the darkness blade attuned would bring me to:
17 Solar, 8 Darkness, 7 Fire, 8 Water, 8 Wind and 8 Earth and then the wuxia jump to:
17 Solar, 8 Darkness, 7 Fire, 8 Water, 1 Wind and 8 Earth.

I chuckle to myself as the bridge solidifies, "Well, that was likely a waste of motes, should have considered a bridge. Well nothing to do but press on for now."

I'll place the soulsteel sphere into the depressions and see what happens.

You put a soulsteel sphere in the depression in the door and it sinks in and locks. The door slides open in front of you and reveals stairs up.

You put a second soulsteel sphere in the depression on the ground and it sinks in and locks the sphere in place. But it doesn't seem to do anything.

Ringo comments
"This tower was designed to be climbed by a person in each tower. Maybe putting that sphere there opened a path for Leona and Selene."

"Hmm, so it seems we'll be waiting a bit. I'm going to work on recharging what motes I can in the meantime then, I suspect I'll need everything I can when we confront Black Dain."

I'll sit in a lotus position and close my eyes and focus on collecting motes from around me. I'm not trying to be selective on what motes I absorb, just trying to refill what I can. I won't be using the mote pump for now, since I'm down a relatively small number of motes and don't want to exhaust myself by using it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:53, Mon 26 Aug 2019.

"I doubt we will have to wait long for them to trigger the next path forward. And they will have to wait for us to trigger something. It seems that they made this tower that only two people working towards going up can advance."

You note that Ringo seems to want to go head and move forward as fast as possible But he is deferring to you for now.
How long do you plan on gathering motes?(The Rate is one minute per wind mote)

OOC: The Path to the next floor is open since you put the Sphere in the Door.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:54, Mon 26 Aug 2019.

OOC:Bleh, I completely skipped over that in my reading. I was thinking that we were at a point that we had to wait for the others based on Ringo's statement. I wouldn't stop and try to recharge then.

I'll move forward without stopping to recharge my motes, heading up the stairs and looking around to see what's in the next room.

You climb up the stairs with Ringo. And enter another arena like room with a pedestal in the middle that has a depression for the soulsteel orb.

Then A giant made of sunlight forms to guard it. You sense a campfire sized soul of sunlight in it. And you sense a connection to something else in the other tower.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:23, Mon 26 Aug 2019.

I get ready to draw my darkness dagger and has an epiphany, and back up slightly.

"Ringo, I think we're making a mistake. Why did Black Dain admit to where he was going? Not only in such a way that Leona found out but stating out right he would be here. You said this place needs to be openned by a pair, I think he's using us to open the pathway. We have to get back to the others."

I'm not pausing for Ringo to acknowledge, I assume he'll follow me. As I dash back out the door I'll see whether or not I can remove the soulsteel orb that opened the stairs up to here. If so I'll remove it as soon as Ringo is out, and then rush down the stairs and out the tower and into the darkness tower.

You tell Ringo your epiphany and turn to go down. But you hear a slow clapping in front of you.

 A figure emerges and you note the Similarities to Kyotsu and you are sure it is Kyotsu. But his golden hair and fur have been blacked with inky Darkness. His healthy tan haens been replaced with an unhealthy pale parlor. And his kind green eyes have been replaced by cruel red eyes. He has a cruel smirk that seems to mock the pain of the world. Even his gi has been blackened.

"Bravo, Bravo. I was hoping you fools would open the way for me to break your spirit that much more. Still now that I have this masterpiece of a body, I don't even need you fools to get to the top. That fool of a progenitor never expected that his souls could be possessed. But I wormed into his heart through his seeds of envy just like anyone else."

He smiles as souls of Darkness come from the other tower and attack the Giant.

"It seems your friends need your help or they will die. I tell you what. I will race you to the top of the tower. All you have to do is go through the Giant. I will just break my way to the top."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:49, Wed 28 Aug 2019.

I am so tired of this guys manipulation of my friends, I quake momentarily with anger before I center myself, focused on a new plan. I draw my darkness blade and channel darkness motes to do a teleport hop before Kyotsu. I'm burning a strong level of solar motes to focus on perfection of strike, water motes to lend to the fluidity of motion, and earth motes to increase strength, all while wrapping myself in darkness motes to teleport hop and embed my dagger into Black Dain Kyotsu's spine. Once I'm there I'm also burning through all my fire motes to let out a searing aura of heat as I slash viciously at Black Dain/Kyotsu.

I am planning to dump literally every mote I have into this one all out attack. I'm activating my mote pump to start leaching any and every mote, turned as high as I can get. If I can leach motes from Kyotsu/Black Dain or the Giant itself all the better. I'm also looking to leach sidereal motes if at all possible using the mote pump.

My plan is two-fold here, Black Dain likes to talk, and my anger is driving me to quick enough action that I think I may catch him flat-footed and be able to end him. Barring that, I'm looking to spike enough magic in one very consolidated place to attract the sidereal spiders. While I can stop using magic, that's not so much an option for a being that's currently possessing a highly magical entity, both due to the possession magic itself and the magical nature I imagine Kyotsu exudes.

"Well I'll be off n-"
You suddenly cut him off and teleport behind him with Darkness. Aura burning with the shear magnitude of magic you are using. You pierce through the fluff that is his tails, severing one about a foot from the base. He moves impossibly fast dodging even as you sever one of his tails. You pierce the protective layer of his Legend, the shield against reality that allows him to exist. And stab him in the kidney, tearing a hole in reality inside him. You also set him on fire with the conflation of your aura.

Kyotsu flickers as Dain uses Kyotsu's speed. He appears before you with his right fist less than an inch from your face. Shaking with an internal strain.
His eyes turn green for a few moments.
"Kill... Me... Michael..."

The Eyes turn red again and he appears before the exit. Tails smoldering.
"What fool creates a Martial Arts spirit that can't attack to kill?"

You are drawing on everything with your mote pump. You are drawing mostly Solar and Wind. But you do manage to get 5 motes of Endings and 5 motes of Kyotsuian Essence that leaked from the fatal hole in his Legend. You see the results of your strike. The Pattern Spiders are binding Kyotsu and Dain in purple threads of Endings. Sealing his abilities and Weakening him.

"I WILL NOT BE DENIED!!! NO ONE WILL STOP THE COMING OF JÖRMUNGANDR!!!"
Dain starts burning Kyotsu's Essence at a fast rate. Forming a blue and black aura around Kyotsu. Loosing the bindings from the Essence spend. He then flickers and disappears.

The Giant is gone. Your mote pump ate it.
Ringo is staring slack jawed at you..

I nod as I turn back and see the Giant gone, that solves that problem.

"Let's move Ringo, we don't have long and while I'm sure the reality spiders are more angered by his unnatural presence I wouldn't like to hang around them too long while running this high on magic."

If he wants to reply, he can do so while running, I can't stay in this room, and I can't give Black Dain extra time. I rush to the depression for the soulsteel orb and set it in place, bracing to take whichever way opens up. I'm keeping my soulpump running, but not burning motes currently, I need to recharge but also need to be respectful of the reality spiders.

Otherwise, it's just a mad dash up the tower.

And just to clarify, the Endings motes, they're from the reality spiders not Black Dain right? How do they feel to me? How does the Kyotsuian essence feel?

The Endings motes are from the excessive Endings Threads around Black Dain/Kyotsu whick the Spiders made. It feels like preordained endings like Fated Deaths, the Ends of Eras and the end of winter to give away to a new spring.

You feel the nature of Kyotsu through his Essence. On it's surface you find Protection, Speed and perfecting the Martial Arts. You also get a faint taste of the Essence he came from, a Spiral that always goes up to more power. But the Fundamental nature of the Essence is Violence turned against itself. To negate Violence with Violence. To turn the Violence back on the one committing the Violence.


You put the Orb in the slot and a door opens up to stairs that go up. The Tower shakes with a massive hit up top. But it still stands. You rush up the tower and exit a the top there is a platform that connects the two towers together with a building that has a massive hole in its front. Leona and Selene exit out the other side of the platform.

Black Dain/Kyotsu is in the building and is operating the panel with inhuman speed. There is a final press. And then the towers shake with an Earthquake.
Then he smashes the panel.

"It is done. I did it. The world will end just like the Will of the Galaxy wants."

He turns to face all of you.
"You can't stop my plan now. The Doomsday Beast Jörmungandr is awakening. The Ancestor Piece that even Immortals fear. The Binding Spear is withdrawn.

You have gathered about 30 solar motes from the giant. The rest is filled with wind.

Ok, so I gained 30 Solar motes, I had also gained 5 endings, and 5 kyotsuian right? 9 reserved between the hat/bracers and the dagger, and the balance filled with wind.
So 30 Solar, 5 endings, 5 Kyotsuian, 21 Wind.

"What was sealed once can be sealed again, but your end comes first Black Dain. Ringo, Leona, Selene, let's finish him."

I'll rush forward, burning a high burn of wind motes to aid speed and medium burn on solar motes for perfection of movement, looking to land my darkness dagger on Black Dain/Kyotsu. I'm looking for the opportunities where I see Kyotsu struggle for control to land the blows, knowing that he is a protector and wants to prevent Black Dain as much as I do. Hopefully my dagger can cut away at Black Dain enough that Kyotsu can get free but if not, perhaps I will see him elsewhere in the verse.

Either way, I'm pressing hard, trying to eliminate Black Dain before this Jormungandr awakens and I have to deal with two at a time.

I'm also keeping my mote pump on constantly for this fight, or at least for now. I'm going to be burning a lot of magic, need to keep my supply as strong as possible.

Michael, what happens if we kill Kyotsu while Black Dain is still possessing him?


You and Leona charge Black Dain but he is paying attention to you. You strike burning a significant amout of wind and solar motes. You feel space bend oddly as Dain uses Kyotsu's skill to redirect your strike to Leona. Kyotsu manages to resist enough to only strike her staff with your dagger. Cutting it in half.

Dain moves away smirking at you.
Selene starts forming a Black Hole to immobilize Kyotsu like she did with Ringo.
Ringo fires his solar gun. But Dain bats the shots directly into Selene. Hitting her and almost disrupting her spell.

Ringo puts away his Solar Gun. And forms a sword.

You have a good point, we have to get him out of Kyotsu.

"Stop! I called it wrong, focus on getting prepared for Jormungandr. It was sealed once, we have to figure out how to do so again. I'll take care of Black Dain... Kyotsu's nature won't let a frontal attack win, he'll be able to redirect our attacks against ourselves too easily."

Assuming the others follow my direction without even looking to confirm, I face Black Dain/Kyotsu directly and say, "Get out of my friend Dain. You have lost, life has always and will always persevere, and I stand to protect the balance."

Kyotsu's magic naturally can turn violence against itself. I'm not going to try and be violent. I'm going to try and channel a massive amount of healing energy into Kyotsu, a virtual torrent for Kyotsu to latch onto and use to expel Black Dain. Mote Pump running full bore and pouring everything into giving Kyotsu the healing energy he needs to fight against the possession.

Black Dain stands there with his arms folded over Kyotsu's chest, glaring at you for figuring out Kyotsu's nature. The others back off.

You make your speach and then unleash the torrent of magic that shines with opalescent light. You feel Resistance at first. But it splits. Kyotsu wants to let it through and Dain wants to resist it. But you get through with Kyotsu helping to draw it in and wash away Dain's lone Resistance.

He asorbs the magic for a bit with Black Dain screaming in pain.
Unfortunately Kyotsu is not using it to heal. The wound on Kyotsu's back ignites with blue fire, golden fire and Opalescent fire. And they are starting to burn away Kyotsu's skin.

"WHAT!?! What are you doing. This will kill you as well!"
"I choose my time to go into the void. I have no fear of Death."

His skin peels away and burns to nothing revealing a body of blue and golden fire. That is shot through with pitch black veins. Kyotsu uses your magic to burn more and more furiously. Until Black Dain launches himself out of Kyotsu. And forms into a black puttle.

Kyotsu starts breaking up are you feel him smile at you.
"Goodbye Michael. I hope to see you again someday. Perhaps, given time,  my progenitor will learn restraint and can join you Protecting the worlds."

With that the fires that was Kyotsu fade from this world.

Unfortunately Black Dain is not done yet.
He pulls himself out of the puddle of inky blackness in a form that mocks Kyotsu's made of solidified shadows.  You sense that he is burning his own Essence at a fast rate.

I give Kyotsu a respectful bow, acknowledging his sacrifice and honor, "I likewise hope to see you again someday Kyotsu. I thank you, for all you have taught and the virtues you exhibit. May the path treat you kindly, goodbye, for now, my friend."

My voice is a mix of admiration, sadness, and determination as I say my goodbye to Kyotsu.

When Black Dain forms his mockery of Kyotsu's form I turn to him coldly, "You have no right to that form. Be Gone."

I draw the darkness dagger, and charge Black Dain. I'm really attacking on two fronts. The first is the physical where I'm trying to cut away at him, piece by piece, with the dagger as I dodge in and out of his attack range. The second is leaching his resources. He's burning his essence, and I'm sucking in all essence. I'm hoping between the two I'll be able to deplete his reservoir, and the second that he can't continue burning his own essence at this rate I plan to strike a finishing blow.