RaXi gave that little twerp Minx what was due, Nyx didn’t require saving (thank an Tiarna!), and I finally got that overdramatic knight to actually think about the consequences of his actions. Mission accomplished. Or, at least that’s what I originally thought when we came back to Castle Oblivion.
Sure enough the moment we got back both RaXi and Nyx were driven to their knees by some invisible force weighing down on their skulls. Shocked, my mind began to race through a slew of theories as to what was wrong with them. Did these two end up prey to one of Xerebus’ traps and are just now feeling the effects? …No—I would’ve sensed it the moment we met up at our rendezvous point. This does sort of look like what that blasted leader of this organization did to his subordinates sometime after my arrival…no—he seems like the type that prefers being near his victims to watch them writhe. An act of vengeance maybe? Hah! Highly unlikely; despite the animosity I witness on the sidelines around here, I doubt any one of them would wish to target RaXi and Nyx both. It seems I’ll have to look a little deeper into what’s going on to get a clear picture.
Focusing in on both of them, I concentrated my power to my eyes and caught a glimpse of the shadows of their mind. The images bore no sound to them and were set—from my perspective—in monochrome. Ah…these two are replaying lost memories. Terrific… This is no doubt the work of Anamx. And speak of the diabhal, I thought after picking up his energy signature deep within the castle, he’s actually here. I’ll have to remember to visit him in due time…but right now I think it’d be better if I stick around. It wasn’t that I felt worried about how these two were doing. On the contrary, what possessed me to stick around was the feeling that…something big was about to happen, and soon.
That suspicion was instantly rewarded with an all-too familiar voice from the past whose tone was like a stream; the type that compels all who hear it to listen, regardless of that primitive instinct that begs you run. Ah, my little Marfóir, how good it is to see that you are still amongst the living. Tell me, have you been well?
Now, now, a bhantiarna; wasn’t it you who told me once that it was rude for a lady of your stature to be spying on her friends like this?
She laughed playfully at that. Oh Xakiah, you wound me! What makes you believe me to be spying on you when I bring up a question as to your condition?
A bhantiarna…you and I both know that you only ask that question as a courtesy. I would have to be…a complete fool to believe otherwise.
Ah…too true…
In any case, what brings you to call? If you haven’t noticed yet a bhantiarna…I’m rather busy at the moment.
You have yet to answer my question, though… she whined. Or is it, rather, that you won’t tell me?
Since when have you known me to be totally obedient to you? I responded flatly.
Unfortunately, never; you only leave that luxury in the hands of a few people, and even worse still is that one of them is Merlin. With the way she said Merlin’s name, I couldn’t help but think that she was referring to a plague. Not that Merlin would’ve minded hearing that from her himself…he felt just the same way about her.
Speaking of, she continued, it’s come to my attention that you’ve visited the old goat recently. Do you care to share with me the details as to what transpired there?
Hmm? Why not just ask Múinteoir yourself? I asked rather sardonically, knowing that it would set her off.
You wretched girl! You should know better than to toy with me.
Then I suggest going a different route to achieve your ends. I have…little tolerance for means that involve matters between Múinteoir and me. Of course…if you’re willing to tell me about what transpired between you and the Lady of the Lake regarding Excalibur…then I’d be more than willing to talk in exchange.
Hah! As if I would agree to such a trade…
Well then…I guess this conversation is over. I began to formulate the counter-charm to deactivate the call when she cut me off with the air of authority clear in her voice.
Not so fast: I going to tell you something important and I want you to hear every word of it.
I’ll pretend I care…just to humor you…
Do you know of the other Avalon that sits near our own?
Which one? There are quite a few of them, you know.
I mean the one that connects to Castle Wyvern.
…What about it?
One of the inhabitants of that world has taken something precious of mine, and—
Let me guess: you want it back?
Correct. Seeing as you are tied up at the moment, you don’t have to leave for it today. However, I would recommend going after it soon. You never know what might happen if it were to…fall into the wrong hands…
I had to take a moment to think about what she just told me very carefully. She fortunately wasn’t the type to tell lies…but it certainly wasn’t beneath her to hide important details either. Laughing, I thought to myself, No wonder we get along so well. Seriously though…what’s the catch?
I was about to return my focus to the call when RaXi jolted up from where she was off the ground, catching me off guard. “RaXi! What the—?!”
Completely ignoring me, she began muttering to herself, “He's here...that child...That's why...” Furious, she let loose a growl and dashed off into a self-generated portal.
My, my…RaXi certainly seems in a hurry… I thought, chuckling at how she wasted no time to get to her destination and with how she managed to surprise me in such a simple fashion.
The one who executed the call entered my mind once again. Care to share with me what that was all about?
No.
She gave off a sound that insinuated that she was disappointed at that. Very well, back to business: will you do what I ask?
I don’t ever recall you asking. Besides…you know very well that I DON’T like signing up for missions that involve limited detail.
Hmmm… Let me dwell on this for a moment…
As I gave her permission to do, even though I had my doubts about what she was scheming in our silence, so some debris fell from the ceiling. I would have just dodged them altogether if it weren’t for the fact that Nyx was laying below me, still stuck in her trance. Using some of my power I transferred what fell over the top of me away to the Betwixt and Between; hoping that with any luck, it would act as the perfect “gift” for any lesser Nobodies caught in their wake. When the commotion finally died down Nyx slowly began to arouse from her state of dormancy. Finally coming to she gazed around the room for her comrade and panicked when she noted her absence.
Turning her attention back to me she asked, “Xakiah, where is RaXi? What…”
“That is the same thing that I have been wondering. But...no one seems to be willing to cooperate with me…” I was thinking mostly of the one that executed the call when I spoke of this.
“Um… It’s memories… our memories from the past. RaXi...”
Perhaps it would have been easier on Nyx to tell her that I was already aware of that, but I found no need to say so. In point of fact, I didn’t feel any need to tell anyone here about what I could do with my eyes if I so willed them to…not unless I couldn’t avoid it. “She said something along the lines of…sensing a child in the castle. A growl later she was gone, into a portal.”
“RaXi, she seems different after her and… her other came to terms with one another.” she said more to herself than to me. Snapping back to reality she said with pure determination, “I will be back, Xakiah. I have to find her.” With that she formed a portal of her own to follow her friend.
I can see why you came here. These Nobodies certainly seem excel in providing entertainment.
Grinning to myself, I responded, Yes…quite so.
Anyway, are you ready for the details?
Go on…
Before I begin, I want you to swear to me that you won’t interrupt. Understood?
Uh-oh…sounds like I’m about to hear one hec of an explanation.
Do you swear to me that you won’t interrupt me? She asked again with more intensity in her voice.
…Fine. You have my word that I won’t interrupt. I then braced myself for whatever she had in store.
Alright; about a week ago, I was asked by an acquaintance of mine living in the world where Castle Wyvern resides for a favor. This same favor required me to use the Orb of Supremacy, since the favor in question was the elimination of a malicious apparition that was “accidentally” brought back from the dead. Before she finished that last sentence my body went rigid, and I was more than ready to scold her for losing such a powerful and deadly artifact when I recalled what I had promised her. Suppressing my irritation, I let her continue her story. Finishing what I had set out to do, I was on my way back to Avalon when I was assaulted by a violent band donning strange, golden armor. I would’ve gone on the defensive, but there were far too many witnesses in the area at the time of this happening, and I couldn’t afford to draw attention to myself before reaching the checkpoint. Since then, I’ve had to assume the role of replacement for the Orb of Supremacy and haven’t had the opportunity to get it back.
Now, with that, will you help me or not?
Being an expert on…“edited stories” myself I knew that this wasn’t the whole truth, but I also knew that it was probably for my own good that I didn’t know the exact details; especially with something as vital as the Orb of Supremacy on the line. Sighing in defeat of this predicament, I said, Yes…I will help you.
Good, good… Now that that’s over, I’ll—
BUT…I will be bringing backup with me…just in case.
Do you not trust me?
No. Not in the slightest.
Smart girl.
Drawing closure to the conversation I said, I’ll execute a call when the mission is completed… With a smirk, I added, Wish me luck.
Best of luck then.
Just when I thought that she would be out of my head permanently she came right back to say, Oh! And, by the way, it may be in your best interest to check in on Etxel again. My scrying mirror gave me a picture of him a little while ago and…well; you’ll just have to see for yourself. Later, my little Marfóir, and cut of the call without another word.
I wanted to ignore what she had just said with every fiber of my being, but I couldn’t block out the scenarios that popped up into my mind regarding what situation Etxel could be in at that very moment. Curse that Cailleach! I don’t care how alike people say we are; at least when I withhold information, it doesn’t needlessly cost lives! One of these days, mark my words, you’ll have your just desserts, Morgan le Fay! Void of hesitation I crafted a more potent portal that guided me straight back to the dungeons of Citadel Abyss that prevented me from having to deal with the Betwixt and Between.
~Xakiah
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Hope I didn’t annoy anybody by revealing the name of whom Xakiah was talking to until the end. ^_~ (*laughs*)
Non-English words of the day (which all happen to be in Irish Gaelic this time!):
an Tiarna—the Lord (you know, the big man upstairs? XD)
diabhal—devil
Marfóir—killer
a bhantiarna—my lady
Múinteoir—master; teacher
Cailleach—witch
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everybody! ^_^
