Vale of Distortion

[Xin]

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Time in the valley almost seemed to stand still a perpetual state of twilight which cast the lands in hues of gold an amber. A small form could be seen standing on the edge of an earthen bridge on that connected one island to another—barred feet curled slightly against the ledge as it merely peered out into the abyss, a great chasm which opened into the sky, pulling its form downward. Swirls of murky white danced just below- dispersing light throughout the area. Slowly the being turns, pushed onward by a subtle breeze as it makes its way across the precarious path and onto the adjacent island. Each a floating mass of land the remnant of what was one a valley. The sound of rushing water sounded in the distance as one neared, and rivers ran their course spilling over the lip of the island and into the depthless void asunder. This particular landmass covered densely in trees and other such vegetation, their roots forming large arcs which broke through ground and form narrow paths of their own. A small breath perhaps out of relief befell lips as the child arrived at the other side, gazing back at the island that he had come from as if expecting something or someone to have been following him.

[Xin]

Rifu was not too keen on having the  strange device following them- one  it would potentially reveal the location of their camp and two, it could have  been  sent as a distraction in an attempt to free their captain without having to come to terms. Though she allowed it to follow none the less, feeling  that her team would be able to handle whatever may come. Even if Horace technically was in charge, the others looked towards her for her  cool  head.

“What is that?”  He looked towards the spherical  device as if it might somehow possess the answers, but the pair ran on through the forest at a somewhat hurried pace pushed on by the Frost Knight, after learning what the captain’s intentions may be.

---
A soft sigh of relief parted thin lips as Bruno successfully pinned Seven against the tree once more, though Agatha did not lower her staff, instead she continued to charge her attack white fire dancing along the length of the shaft as she imbued with mana. “Binding light.” The words slipped through her  mouth with a hint of anger. And four shafts of light shot out from the tip, aimed as Seven’s wrist and ankles giving that he was still pinned  by the  Giant there was little chance that it would miss. The bolts would strike him and form a cuff which bound him to the trunk of the tree, hopping it would last  long enough at least for the others  return and decide what the captain’s fate would be. Her eyes  began to water slightly as she dropped to her knees and threw her arms around the boy holding onto him tightly. “I-I was so  worried.” She chocked.

“It’s okay Ag, I’m okay. I just got lucky…” He attempted to console her  though his  words only seemed to make her tear up more until he finally pried himself away from her.

Bruno held the man tightly against the tree a puff  of air slipping past his nostrils as he began to squeeze the male’s head. “Bruno squash now.” He continued to squeeze, slowly applying  more and more pressure as he had promised the man  before, though right before  it seemed that Seven’s  head would a pop a voice called out. “Wait.” And the boy appeared at the Giant’s side, resting a hand on his leg. And with that the Giant released his grip on the male and went back to sitting a bit more closely now.  

Moments later, the other two as well as their new companion would emerge from the tree line and arrive at the small encampment.

[InnocentByStander]

”I am a monitoring drone for the S.I.F. Ensifera, nothing more. I will accompany you to the Captain and attempt to keep him calm. He can be...irritable at times.

The Drone whirred as its single optic swiveled around to focus in on a point ahead that blazed with concentrated mana.

- - - - - - - - -  -


This is it... Seven thought he was about to have his head crushed. That sort of injury would put him down for a long, long time. But luckily for him, the kid he'd attacked had a bit of a merciful side.

-Wait.-

Seven grunted as the pressure eased on his skull and allowed himself to chuckle even if the situation was far from in his favor. He never was very smart.

”You're pretty quick, kid. Why not just let him kill me? It'd be easier on you.”

He coughed, blood trickling down his chin as some of his previous injuries were flaring back up.

[Xin]

Horace  eyed the drone  suspiciously as it voiced its response, he did not like the thing following them no more did he like having Rifu go to speak with the  Skymarchian on her own. There  were too many things that could have gone  wrong  and now they were leading them right back to their camp where the strange orb might be able to set their  captain free. A Scoff slipped past his lips though he did not voice his doubts and merely ran through the trees, glowing leaves swishing lightly past his cheeks, it was not long no until they reached to camp to witness their captive now bound to the tree  though it was not the rope that they had left him with but rather the light binding from Agatha which seemed sufficient  to keep him from escaping .

“What happened here?” he  began, though it seemed that the boy and the captain were speaking. Agatha shot the male an accusatory glance as if Seven’s escape attempt was somehow his fault. He  did leave them after all and for no purpose.. though her attention drew towards  the small boy and the captain  once more after briefly  noting the floating sphere that trailed behind  them. Had it some function here? She couldn’t tell though she would not question it since it seemed that Rifu had allowed it to following willingly.

Xin looked up at Seven who was still bound to the tree, shoulders offering a slight shrug. “Easier for you, or us?” he replied. “I don’t think that your men would appreciate us killing their captain. Unless their the sort to abandon  you here and return home…” he trailed off turning towards the others.

“Release him.”  Rifu spoke and motioned towards Agatha. “We are taking him back to his ship.  “It seems  that our friends are here  with the intention of acquiring mining rights within the vale.” She studied their captive a moment to see how he would take the  news. How  would he react knowing  that Myra  had spilled their  objective to them, or was it to  be expected it, was it merely a predetermined  preface for them to use upon their arrival.

The White -Knight  stepped forward clutching  the staff to her breast. “Going after a child, are all the men from your nation so-so- Cowardly?” she choked out the  words  and moved between  him and  the boy. “I’m going to release you now, but if you try anything Bruno really will grant your wish.” She promised.

And the white light supporting the captain vanished.

[Exit to the capital]

[InnocentByStander]

"Dammit Myra..."


/End scene.

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