AbyssalRoadTrip posts
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Abyssal Road Trip - 275 - Over my head
Amdirlain’s PoV - OutlandsAmdirlain flitted back and forth to Grohtan a few times to study the Portal from both sides before repeating the process with the natural Gate to Cemna.She was working her way through the complexity of their music when Sarah’s draconic voice rumbled in her ear. “I’l...
Abyssal Road Trip - 274 - Blood and bone
Amdirlain’s PoV - Grohtan - Ruined cityThe ringing orchestra from Mars gained a touch of good-humoured impatience—an eagerness to be on his way more than a fit of temper. His form’s song was more substantial than Moradin’s avatar and had Amdirlain wondering at his remark about a limited avat...
Fluid - 35
Though the phrasing of Zosime’s greeting had been typical, the tension in her shoulders was far from it.“I hope my staying here hasn’t caused you any problems, Zosime.”Zosime shrug came with a wary smile. “Only that many expect me to know answers to all their questions about you.”“My a...
Abyssal Road Trip - 273 - Wonder world
Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Blazing Portal inn in XaosThe rooftop suite was lavishly furnished with deep comfortable chairs, soft beds and thick rugs. It had a ‘small’ library of only a few thousand books and a kitchen suitable for some larger modern restaurants. The issue Fanya had indicated...
Abyssal Road Trip - 272 - Strange company
Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - XaosAs she walked towards the town, the stalks within the surrounding grain fields swayed in the breeze, but the orange crop wasn’t anything she recognised. The maturity in their song and the harvesting activity in fields closer to the town told her all she needed to...
Fluid - 34
The steady lifting of the stone wall takes half a minute before the bottom lip comes into view, and a steel plate lifts to bridge the gap. U-shaped cut-outs let it seal around the pistons that continue pushing until the stone is above the passageway’s ceiling. Another guard waves us through; a met...
271 - Tread lightly
Amdirlain’s PoV - City of BrassTheir trek back through the city streets had provided Amdirlain confirmation that operating in the city would lead her to disaster. The nature of the Efreeti wouldn’t change, and she could already feel her growing anger and disgust. There weren’t any alien circum...
Abyssal Road Trip - 270 - Reason
Amdirlain’s PoV - City of Brass - Outer ring assassin’s guild outpostStepping past the Efreeti at the door, they entered a short corridor, closed at the end by a silver privacy curtain glowing from the constant heat. Waves of it brushed against them from the walls, the clinging darkness still pr...
Abyssal Road Trip - 269 - Burning sky
Amdirlain’s PoV - Demi-PlaneEbusuku gave the pair an overview of the City of Brass before she left Amdirlain and Sarah to attempt alternative mediation techniques. Some of those Sarah took Amdirlain through were variations on approaches Amdirlain had previously used. Despite her efforts to develop...
Fluid - 33
The rest of the group didn’t hear the misleading revelation I inflicted on Hasusar. With him still standing silent on the hall’s threshold, I get back to them without anything said.I catch Selene muttering about the size of the fancy hall when I come near, making it difficult to hold my laughter...
Abyssal Road Trip - 268 - Hollow
Amdirlain’s PoV - IjmtiNaamah's grin had broadened at Laodice’s pronouncement. “Let’s get going then. I’ll get my kin to send me images of the fortresses I’ve never seen—a few planes have hundreds.”That the two knew each other shouldn’t have surprised Amdirlain, yet the know...
Fluid - 32
Glad I’d returned to my female form at some point, I gather up the yet-unknown lady on my way to the head table. Looping my arm through hers causes her to tense up from surprise—I hope it isn’t because she’s taken offence. I don’t want to think about what gossip would swirl if I did that s...
Abyssal Road Trip - 267 - I want it all
Amdirlain’s PoV - Gate between Hrz’Styrn and IjmtiWith the circle’s alchemical silver tarnishing fast, Amdirlain set sung barriers against Death and the other energies found on Ijmti.“Your ability to channel energy certainly reflects your age,” remarked Amdirlain.“What do you remember, O...
Abyssal Road Trip - 266 - In our blood
Amdirlain’s PoV - IjmtiThe pair seemed uncertain about what to make of her calm response; then the Eldest turned his gaze towards Dagrastûr. “Please see to the assignment of a mentor.”“I’ve got a project I need to finish before working with the Cloister more closely,” Amdirlain informed...
265 - I see red
Amdirlain’s PoV - The ExchangeThe exit from The Exchange was identical to the others Amdirlain had used. The flight of stairs descended to a square black room, where a pressure change made the sealing of the route behind them known.Leading the way, Dagrastûr stopped at the chamber’s midpoint. ...
Abyssal Road Trip - 264 - Let there be blood
Amdirlain’s PoV - The ExchangeThose watching when she’d passed through the entry gate had looked away at her transformation, but her state didn’t remain a deterrent. Other entities began to follow the pair in their travels through the city streets, some only for short distances, but one persis...
Fluid - 31
Ellother’s laughter draws the attention of those arguing within the hall, causing some to walk towards us.“By the way, aunt Sarah, did they ask politely?”Sarah’s smile doesn’t fade. “Those that arrived early did. Those that arrived later seemed to have forgotten to pack their manners. Th...
Abyssal Road Trip - 263 - More than you know
Amdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic[Achievement: Legendary LiberatorCondition: Free over 10,000 prisoners through a single escape plan.Reward: 50,000,0000 experience.Note: Practice makes perfect?]Amdirlain drew in a shuddering breath and scrubbed away the tears that the release of tension freed.The notific...
Fluid - 30
Gathering up the meat from the lightning-cooked crabs, I push out Resonance's reach and what I find steals amusement away. Sprinting between the last of them, I head back to the others. “Lots of crabs are moving in. I’d hoped it was a Mana surge through the nexus overnight responsible for so...
Abyssal Road Trip - 262 - I am the mayhem
Amdirlain’s PoV - OutlandsThe structure she’d set up allowed plenty of space, but the excavation had taken only minutes. A hollow fourteen-metre cube held four smaller free-standing cells in a grid pattern, with a lane around each cell for layers of containment and protection. The base of each o...
Abyssal Road Trip - 261 - Back one day
Amdirlain’s PoV - Sanctuary’s Demi-PlaneAs Sarah got close, Amdirlain gestured to Livia. “Livia brought me up to speed on the main points with Torm and the cult. I’ll get the details about Torm’s contact in The Exchange from you after we take care of some key items.”“Whenever you want,...
Abyssal Road Trip - 260 - New beginnings
Amdirlain’s PoV - CulerzicThe message globe buzzed at her shoulder, Resonance letting her hear the contents without activating it.“Aunt Am, are you busy?”Gail’s words were in an excited yet anxious tone that snatched at Amdirlain’s attention.“I can be at the dome shortly.”The energy in...
Fluid - 29
With the revelation that Sarah is a Dragon shocking the rest to various degrees, I smile at Glingaerneth. “You mentioned the King intended the Royal Guard to assist me in seeking the key. What was his—or the royal council's—expectation upon its discovery?”Glingaerneth cleared her throat....
Abyssal Road Trip - 259 - Out of love
Amdirlain’s PoV - CulerzicAfter years with Sarah’s constant company, the months of near isolation since her departure gnawed at Amdirlain. While Sarah and Gail's various puzzles and updates helped, the gateways opened with the Lómë weren’t sufficient to push the feeling aside. The gates ...
Abyssal Road Trip - 258 - Twist the knife
Amdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic“Roher, after my next session creating constructs with Laergul, would you have time to create some crystal rods?”It was a few minutes before he responded. “While I’ll be able to spare time, I have a family commitment, so I’ll only be able to give you about seven...
Fluid - 28
With my instructions, all except the Royal Guard move to take seats, but I ignore the indistinct murmurs as unimportant despite the accusatorial tones some contain.Their low conversation means I have to raise my voice to be heard, and I’m glad for Sarah’s briefing. “Royal Guard Captain Arodion...
Abyssal Road Trip - 257 - Rumours
Amdirlain’s PoV - CulerzicWhen a Gate bloomed into existence well away from the chamber’s midpoint, it emitted a pained screaming, and the pair reacted in a blur. When Amdirlain leapt out of the Gate’s focus, Sarah's head swung around. Inhaling sharply, she readied her breath weapon, only ...
Abyssal Road Trip - 256 - Nothing good comes easy
Amdirlain’s PoV - CulerzicSarah looked over the framework image hovering between them and zoomed in on the first tunnel approaching the far end of one plateau. “The tunnelling is speeding up, but you’ve got so many square kilometres to cover.”“This latest round of diggers and constructs ar...
Fluid - 27
A touch causes a shrub within my bower to grow into the shape of a simple chair, the interlocking branches and broad leaves providing enough flexibility to be comfortable. I’ve barely had time to run through the harp’s full reach twice before I hear Sarah’s voice beside me, a razor-sharp edge ...
Abyssal Road Trip - 255 - Till I collapse
Amdirlain’s PoV - CulerzicThe vast chamber could swallow Sydney harbour, the result of who knows how many aeons of the cruiser-sized Lurker’s efforts. Dodging away from the Lurker’s claw strike, Sarah barrel-rolled and pulled her wings in tight to slip between two columns. The beast didn’t c...
