Gala awoke to the sound of a crackling campfire. Her eyes stung from the morning light.
"So, you're finally awake." Ag stated as he adjusted the dwindling campfire with his shortsword.
"Did it work?" Gala said still groggy.
"I'm not sure what you were going for, but Mordeki is still asleep. His flame has calmed and I believe Dian is no longer in danger. Thank you for your assistance." Ag said starkly, continuing to stare into the fire.
"Oh, yeah. Not a problem at all. I mean, that's what a team does, right?"
Ag simply grumbled in response, then asked another question. "What was it you did to him anyway? He's had a smile on his face ever since you knocked him and yourself out."
"I just trapped him in his most happy memory. Figured that would do the trick." Gala giggled having just noticed a sleeping Mordeki on the other side of their campsite they set up on the hill outside of Cheval.
"You can do something like that?" Ag had a sudden curious look on his face now looking at Gala.
"I'm a Psion, so it's just something I picked up."
Ag has heard of Psions before. Individuals that could utilize a hybrid form of purple magic. Instead of using mana, they could use their own mental willpower. They can often be considered masters of purple magic, as they are able to perform magical feats most can only dream of. Ag was overjoyed being able to meet one in the flesh. That is if she was telling the truth.
"Interesting. Is there any other things you can do?"
°I can speak in your head.°
°Telepathy I see. The most invasive form of communication.°
"But the main thing that I learned was 'Mind Manipulating Matter'. I can focus my mental energy into changing certain attributes of my body. I can grow my talons out like scythes, give myself gills, or even turn my feathers to metal to block potential wounds."
"You're going to have to show me the things you can do sometime."
"Sure!" Gala said excited. It's not often she could show off to someone.
Both turned to see Dian, Reggie, and one of the white robes cultists approach.
"Hey, I got us breakfast!" Reggie said holding up a sack.
"And I talked to Zackaria using the Mayor's crystal ball. We should have a carriage arriving in a few hours." Dian said as she sat down next to the fire.
"May I ask why you brought one of your followers with you?" Ag asked eyeing the sickly looking cultist girl holding a large red canvas painting.
"Oh you may. This is Sofie. She's an absolute gem, and she drew this painting for me in her own blood. For her dedication I'm allowing her to accompany me for the day until we leave Cheval where I will take the painting with me and hang it in my room."
Ag paused for a moment before going back to adjusting the campfire. "You are an interesting individual, to say the least. Reggie, what's for breakfast."
"Got some sausage from a butcher. Always nice to celebrate a victory with some protein."
"What victory are we celebrating?" Asked Mordeki as he sat up from his sleeping position. The whole part paused for a moment to look at him.
"Heeeeeey, buddy." Reggie said cautiously as he walked over and leant down infront of Mordeki. "You feeling any murderous intent?"
"No?"
"Feel like erasing an elf and an entire small town off the map in one blast?"
"Reggie... You're words are becoming more and more disconcerting."
"Alright he's fine. Sorry, Dian. Gala saved the day."
"Tsk." Dian clicked her tongue. She held up a hand to stop Gala from saying a word from her gay (both senses of the word) expression.
XXXXX
After the day, the party finally arrived back at the Platinum Palace late into the night.
"Welcome back everyone!" Zackaria greeted them at the door. "How did it go?"
"Ag killed an old man." From Reggie.
"YOU killed an old man." From Ag.
"I'm now the cult's idol." From Dian.
"And I have a date to prepare for!" From Gala.
Zackaria stood there stunned for a moment before looking over at Mordeki. "And you?"
"I may have almost blown up the whole town."
Zackaria thought for a moment. "Is this some sort of joke?"
"No." They all said in unison.
Zackaria stared up into the night sky hoping some god would smite him then and there so that he wouldn't have to deal with the consequences. He let out a deep sigh expelling every last ounce of air as a thin mist formed under his eyes.
"Alright." He let out quiet as he accepted death in that moment. "Everyone get some rest... and we'll see about checking on Bounty, Yoona, and Ave."
"Oh I can ask them now." Gala said all cheery. She then stood still with her eyes closed.
"Wha...-what's she doing?" Zackaria asked.
"Telepathy." Dian answered.
Everyone just fiddled around for a few seconds. Either playing with their hands or adjusting pieces of clothing. Finally Gala opened her eyes and fell to the ground with heavy breaths. Ag caught her before there was a major impact. "Are you alright?"
"Yoona and Ave are asleep, but Bounty... His mind is a maelstrom of emotions right now. I can only attempt a long range link like that again after I get some rest."
"Then we'll deal with the report tomorrow. Everyone get some rest." Zackaria turned to walk back into the palace sighing. "I know I'm going to need it..."
XXXXX
Gala found herself once again surrounding by the infinite onyx serpent that haunts her dreams.
"They have a name for me in your tongue, even if they don't realize it.
Entropy. The steady decline of order. The ever encroaching chaos.
Those brothers, fragments of my failings, gave you 'order.' Dystopian regime, casts systems of cold-hearted nobles, individuals with the illusion of power controlling the masses through false doctrine.
You've experienced this first hand.
Wouldn't you like a little chaos for once?
Nobles ripped of their money and power?
Nations no longer fighting over borders?
A world where souls aren't created to live a life of pain only to die violent, meaningless deaths?
Let the chaos out.
There will be no more.
No more pain.
No more suffering.
No more death.
No more... life.
Nothing.
Just the void like it was always ment to be.
Like it was in the beginning.
Like it will be in the end.
Let. The. Chaos. Out."
"Nah. I don't feel like it." Gala replied nonchalantly.
The screaming piercing through her soul again causing her to double over in intense pain. She began bashing her head against the inky black floor hoping to jolt herself awake, until finally her head breaks through as void like hands grabbed upon her face holding her beneath the black waters that were now drowning her.
They kept pulling, and pulling, and pulling, and pulling! Gala could feel the skin of her neck starting to tear. Her cries of fear and pain were muffled by a hand covering her mouth. She awoke screaming to the sound of a sickening crack. She turned to the windows of her room.
Morning at last.