The Portal
General Summary
I did not return to bed, of course. I went straight for the library, or what passed for one here. I doubted I would find anything new. I've read every book I could get my hands on here. I've never seen mention of obelisks or bizarre invaders from beyond our world or whatever else we saw... Still, there was some comfort in the library. I gathered several tomes, and sat up in my usual spot, far from the others.
As I paged through a copy of the Ildhuat Soher, a small slip of paper fell. I would have ignored it, but the script caught my eye. Elegantly written, and not of any language I've seen before.
I folded it back up, and added it to my spellbook.
In time the night passed. I was just as tired as I had been when I started, if not more, and with no new information to gain for it. I was not in a good mood. Master Erol, and Zbedi pestered me with questions over breakfast. I remained short, but polite. At least, I would like to think I was polite.
Eventually they stopped, but I could see their curiosity burning. Who could blame them, I'd have be the same in their position.
I can only hope the others stick to our story.
...As the morning dawned, it has also dawned on me that our story might not be as strong as I would like. I've never liked making up stories... On surface it seems strong enough, but... The less questions asked, the better.
Master Erol tasked Zbedi and Jduji with watching over me. Read less. Zbedi doesn't buy it. Horrible women. other mage was off to himself, meditating
Before lunch, I copied some stray words from the note to a piece of parchment. I'd like to see if the translator recognized the language.
Met with the others. This would be the only time where it would not be odd to sit with them. I found some food, and sat at one of the outside benches beside Davina. I silently scanned over my book
The sky darkened as we ate. The wind picked up as well. A storm, maybe.
And then there was screaming. I looked to the source. A smoky dark tentacle reached through a tear in space.
I did not think, I hurled a ball of icy water into the tear. The tentacle shot through, and grabbed one of the guardsmen in an instant, pulling him in. The sounds of rushing water, ungodly screaming, and gurgling. A moment later, blood and bones spewed from the tear. I screamed. I was not the only one.
Octaviu kept calm, and darted off to the side of the creature. He didn't have his weapons, I saw. I quickly tossed him my sling as he ran past. He grabbed it and continued his dash to get behind the creature, grabbing some stones as he did.
Davina left me as she ran to stand before me, tossing one of her axes at it. The thing took notice of her, and another tentacle shot forth, wrapping around her. I reached out, but it didn't pull her in. She pried it off herself, and readied for another round.
"Whatever this is, it's extremely powerful!" Dinu shouted as his eyes glowed. He was channelling.
"Clearly! As if we haven't just seen it devour a man whole!" I replied in panic, tossing another ball of water at it. It howled, and the tear retracted slightly. I could feel it in my mind. It was exiled magic, I could feel, and it was afraid of me.
Good.
Dinu, Octaviu, and Davina's attacks didn't seem to connect. It was up to my magic, then.
Then I felt through the connection, Dinu reaching out to the tear. Telling it to step back. It did seem to be doing so.
...I suppose it was worth a try. Davina stepped forward, glaring at the tear. It grabbed two more of the guardsmen. Master Erol cast something, and vines grew rapidly from below the earth, entwining around the smoky tentacles. A new one came through, and slammed into Erol, sending him flying into the brush. Jduji hurled a fireball into the tear, and Zbedi tried to follow up with a gust, but the wind did not obey her.
Pathetic, but we do know what Air Mages are like, don't we, Zbedi? Rather flighty and unreliable, just as their element is.
I telling it through our connection, "I know you're afraid. Listen to us, and be gone!"
It slammed back at me in my mind. It burned with so much intent. It was too strong. I stumbled, and Zbedi spared a small smirk at me. Cursed woman. I attempted to hurl another ball at the creature, but the water dispersed before it hit anything. Blast.
Octaviu helped me up. I thanked him, and readied for more. Davina met a tentacle and slashed at the tear. More smoke tentacles erupted and swung wildly around us. Less guided, and more franctic. We dodged the most of them, but-
One shot forward, grabbing Master Erol, and lifting him high above us. It jerked around, and the tear grew more solid. The guards froze, staring upwards in a stupor. Jduji acted, burning the base of the tentacle.
"What are you doing?! Get him down!" I yelled at the guardsmen.
Dinu acted before them, smiting the tentacle with his sword. IT lost its form, and Master Erol fell. Dinu caught him, lowering him to the ground.
I stood tall, and tried to force my mind onto the tear, telling it to close. It faded for a moment... But then expanded, growing larger yet. A tentacle reformed, and grabbed Octaviu. I felt him through the connection, pushing on the tear again as he attacked it. The tentacle faded, and another shot forward-
The tear closed, cutting it off. It dispersed into smoke, rising to the clouds.
It was over.
I didn't take a breath. I ran over to Master Erol, and tried to carry him to the doctor. Jduji and Davina helped me, taking him and leaving me behind.
Zbedi came up behind me, and asked in a tone completely unlike herself, "Rianemi, are you alright?"
"I'm doing wonderfully, thank you," I lied, and then left.
Report Date
08 Jul 2023
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