"With heavens made of gold, they fall ever closer to the ground of old; you need but only watch."
~~~
"There's no water here, how did these people even survive!" Exclaimed Clarence as he sat down by Imogen's body. "I might as well pour blood down her throat, it's the only thing in abundance around this room." Jested Clarence while scooping up some blood and watching it fall between his fingers.
"Actually, there might be some warrant to that thought; Imogen's a tick!" Ascertained Clarence as he picked up a chalice. "Hopefully this works, I really don't want to be the cause of her death." Chuckled Clarence nervously while putting the blood filled chalice to Imogen's lips.
Imogen sprung up like a puppet, her arms flailed wildly while her legs danced to an unknown melody until her eyes finally opened and chaos was restrained.
"Clarence, you dick; I could feel the after life calling me." Pouted Imogen as she punched him in the gut.
"Ugh, nice to see you too Imogen; you owe me one." Grumbled Clarence while taking her extended hand.
"I guess that's fair, you did save me after all, oh and random question; have you seen a stray Lich around during your travels?"
"No, I'd remember something as notable as a Lich; why are you looking for one?"
"Long story short, I had a run in with a very unhappy Lich; he 'challenged' me to a fight but lost and now is my servant bound by soul." Recapped Imogen as she happily slapped Clarence on the arm.
"I see, is that why you look older; you've grown quite a bit."
"Nah, I just age quickly; don't worry about it." Insisted Imogen while putting her halberd back into its sheath.
"Fine, forget I ever asked; it's not like I'd ever get a real answer out of you anyways." Sighed Clarence as he patted Eiden on the head.
"Hold still Clarence, you've got a parasite on your finger, but don't worry; I'll kill it for you." Whispered Imogen while reaching out to grab Eiden.
"No!" "That's Eiden, my new friend; she's not a parasite!" Cried Clarence as he jerked his hand back.
"How do you know, that creature could very well be sucking the life force right out of you!"
"She saved my life more times than you ever have, don't touch her!" Snapped Clarence while kicking Imogen in the stomach.
"Okay, I believe you; just calm the frick down!" Fulminated Imogen as she rolled away from Clarence's next strike.
"If I let my guard down you'll kill her, I can see it in your eyes!"
"I promise I won't kill your friend, what more do you want to hear!" Asseverated Imogen while chopping in half a flying chair.
"Swear an oath, I want you to be binded to your very word!" Demanded Clarence as he dropped a table on himself.
"Fine!" "I Imogen of no present last name swear that I'll never attack the radiant creature in front of me ever again until death." Avowed Imogen while feeling a contracting sharpness push against her chest.
"Now will you stop freaking out Clarence, you've gotten a bit paranoid during these few days we've been apart."
"Yeah... but I had to make sure no harm was dealt to Eiden, I wouldn't be able to bear the pain." Admitted Clarence as he walked over to Imogen with his hands up.
"Ah it's fine, but we really should get going; I think that there's a chance we could win this race." Smiled Imogen while pointing down a Stygian hallway with her halberd.
"There's no water down that way right, if there is; my journey ends here."
"How am I supposed to know, we'll find out when we get there; but I assume there's no water." Grumbled Imogen as she picked Clarence up and started walking down the hallway.
"Hey!" "I can walk you know, I've got legs just like you!"
"I'm saving you from all the water covering the floor, I bet it'll burn your skin; should I start calling you Clarence the Coward." Mocked Imogen while dropping him onto the floor.
"You don't what I've been through, I had to swim across the stomach of some sort of colossal creature just to survive and all I got in return was this stupid blade!" Raged Clarence as he unsheathed his sword.
*šš„š®š šš„ššš šš ššššš„š¢š ššØš«šš„: A blade carved out of blue coral that had been infested with metal planktons; of which are some of the rarest planktons in the world. It copies the appearance of regular steel with it's sleek blue style, but don't be fooled; it's harder than any metal in the Armament Tier. - It's a Pseudo Awakening Blade
"I wouldn't call that a stupid blade, it looks to be more powerful then mine even." Appraised Imogen while tapping Clarence's sword.
"Yeah I know, but the price was high and not worth the trouble." Suspired Clarence as he put his sword back in its sheath.
"You're such a wimp Clarence, I can't even imagine why those townsfolk let you become the captain of the guard."
"Oh shut up Imogen, we've reached the end of the hallway; you can file your complaints after the race has been beat."
"Congratulations on completing the final challenge, a trial where you had to wait five hours until the door opened; your prizes will be given after the ceremony!" Boomed a voice full of grandeur while Imogen and Clarence covered their ears.
"Could you repeat what you just said Clarence, because I wasn't listening." Smirked Imogen as she looked around at three podiums of varying sizes.
"My god Imogen, I don't want to hear your crap; it's infuriating." Mumbled Clarence while scratching Eiden's head in frustration.
"Mister Warren has carved his spot into third place, just barely making it onto the podiums; he shall be rewarded aptly!" Thundered the voice as air stepped onto a greyish blue podium.
"And Miss Imogen, she has climbed upon a tower of mangled corpses to receive her just reward of... second place; she shall be compensated aptly!"
"Who are you talking to, there's no one here except us!" Interrupted Imogen while stepping onto a dullish blue podium.
"it's my job to repeat the same preset words every five minutes until the last living competitor arrives!"
"Preset!" "What do you mean by that? Did you know ahead of time what place we were going to take?" Inquired Clarence as he watched a harmless old man walk into the room and shuffle behind a corner.
"Yes actually, the winners were predetermined before the race had even begun; the contest was only to see what choices we had to pick from." Avouched an ominous voice while Imogen flipped off the old man.
"Then why didn't I get a place on the podiums, I'm sure I was one of the best candidates!" Griped Clarence as he watched Imogen stand on her podium with envy.
"Oh you, I'm sorry to say that you were never an option for the podiums; this race isn't supposed to be fair you see." Stated the voice solemnly while Imogen jumped off her podium and ran at the old man in fury.
"So I have to just stand here in shame until the rest of the contestants arrive!" Scowled Clarence as he watched Imogen get clubbed on the head.
"You can sit too." Offered the voice while Imogen was dragged back onto her podium by the old man.
~~~
On the choppy waves of the sea, a storm was brewing; one so big that it was unknown how much destruction it could inflict. Side by side, two ships were linked and broke the Crimson Of Tenebrosity out of his trance.
With shoulders so broad The Crimson One faced šµš©š¦šŖš³ creation of metal and magic, he looked out upon the open sea and moved his lips to form the words "Burn in hell!".
Under the gaze of stars so bright, arrows of light grazed š©šŖš“ hull. Filled with delight, the wicked blight climbed steadily upon him in fiendish moonlight. But at his behest, they headed his request and entered their final rest; without protest.
"You'll never escape alive Crimson Of Tenebrosity, just give up The Chosen One and we'll be on our way!" Hollered an Ancient One as he jumped upon The Crimson Of Tenebrosity's boat.
"Why do you even try with words, we both know that they will only ever be a distraction; so stop wasting my time!" Snarled The Crimson Of Tenebrosity while jabbing the Ancient One in the side with a magic tendril.
"You're outnumbered and once the rest of us jump over you'll be doomed, not to mention that your compatriots are so far away that no matter how time you stall; they'll never get here in time to save you." Crooned the Ancient One as three other Ancient Ones hopped aboard.
As the last Ancient One put his paw on the wooded surface below, the tense waters were broken; and chaos was unleashed. But the fight didn't last long, for The Crimson Of Tenebrosity had fallen over dead.
Beyond the withering body of The Crimson Of Tenebrosity stood a shaking boy, with his sword stuck through The Crimson Of Tenebrosity's chest.
"Iā¦ I want to join you, The Crimson Ones were only going to use me anyway; so I thought that I sh-should alter my fate." Quivered The Chosen One while pulling his sword free and letting The Crimson Of Tenebrosity's body slide onto the floor.