ocean-life WM [64] Not Going With You
WM [64] Not Going With You
WM [64] Not Going With You
Bjorn watched in silence as Tanisha talked to the new ghostborn woman. He didn’t understand the new language so he was lost as to what was going on. He had noticed a while ago that while he didn’t understand most Muaian words there were a couple he did recognize. He snaked closer to Fuyumi being careful not to spook the woman into thinking he was going to attack her.
“I should be able to make a translation of Muaian pretty soon.” Failsafe said. “From what I can tell it is a predecessor or derivative language from what we speak.”
Bjorn flicked his tongues to take in as much of Fuyumi’s scent and magic as possible. Her aura was cold like being in the presence of the Isi while they were utilizing their material power. However, Fuyumi’s aura was magic based and apparently a natural part of her biology not a learned magical effect. There was a quality of stillness to her and her aura that was unsettling almost as if she was not alive. Yet despite that and her near complete stillness she did move subtly and there was a barely perceptible rise and fall of her chest while she breathed. Most of all Bjorn could taste her nervousness as she conversed even if her demeanor was unchanged and blank.
“Maybe the human languages are derived from ours but shifted over time. I can understand some of the words here and there but they are pronounced strangely. Is it an accent? Neither of them are native speakers.”
“They definitely aren’t.” Failsafe agreed. “There are some inconsistencies from how the Jackrabbits spoke. This seems to be hybridized although we don’t know the name of our language so for now we will call it Angelia.”
“Angelia?” Bjorn mirrored.
“Yeah, the Angels spoke it too, so fair to assume they taught it to humans.” Failsafe said. “Anyway, it seems to have been influenced by Valish which isn’t a surprise, Yuhia is the neighboring kingdom to the humans. I will be happy when we get to hear whatever the dwarves speak and we can learn how that influenced the language too.”
Bjorn’s focus on Failsafe’s explanation broke when he heard Tanisha say his name, her tone chiding, “Bjorn, ne be nat rude. Entringe into somonys privy space is nat semely!”
Bjorn had no idea what she was saying but understood the word rude at least. He turned his heads to look at her and was sure to send his confusion through their bond so she would speak again in a language he understood. She seemed to get it and switched languages back to Valish so Failsafe’s translation would work.
“Bjorn, don’t just invade someone’s personal space; it’s rude,” Tanisha repeated with a slight sigh.
Bjorn blinked, noticing for the first time that he’d come far closer to Fuyumi than he’d realized—only about a foot separated them. With a hiss of acknowledgment, he withdrew, finding a more comfortable spot by Adelheid, who waved him over with a grin. She scratched the back of one of his heads, and he let out a low rumble of contentment as the conversation continued nearby.
“How is the analysis of the skills coming along?” Bjorn asked mentally.
Failsafe let out a sound like a nonexistent throat clearing. “Ah, I thought you’d never ask. In fact, I’ve fully deciphered both of them.”
“Then why didn’t you say something?” Bjorn pressed.
“It’s not like we were in a rush this time and I like when you take interest.” Failsafe said.
Bjorn was quiet for a moment as he formulated a response. “Fair enough, what do they do?”
“Open your skills, I just added them.” Failsafe said excitedly.
Bjorn nodded and without question opened his menu.
Skills Analysis
Reincarnation Failsafe
An incomplete reincarnation magic and your best friend who has your back no matter what!
Error: Eyes of the Queen
The Queen of a Thousand Heads is watching you. Be sure to eat well and don't talk to strangers from Higher Planes!
Venomous Bite
Aether Cost: 0
You have a neurotoxic venom which can be injected through a bite with your fangs. Your venom becomes infectious and will spread to nearby targets within five feet of the injected target. Allies are unaffected by your venom.
Poison Cloud
Aether Cost: 5
With your right head you can mix venom into the air using magic, creating a large area of poisonous gas. This gas will rapidly reduce the health of those inside. Allies within your Poison Cloud are unaffected. Gain control over the spread and density of the Poison Cloud.
Plague Fire Breath
Aether Cost: 8
With your left head you can breathe a plume of superheated toxin, which will ignite enemies and infect them with your neurotoxin. Flames retain toxicity until you release the spell. Plague Fire will spread like normal fire.
+ Aatheric Breath < Aetheric Disruption Breath
Aether Cost: Variable
(I) Low cost, 10 aether. Release aetheric energies that boost allies and poisons enemy active spellforms. Boosted attack spells gain a poison effect; weakened spells become unstable and harder to control, spreading instability to future castings. All effects last for five minutes. (II) Medium cost, 15 aether. Expand the breath’s range, affecting multiple spells. Poisoned spells are even harder to control, while boosted spells deal stronger poison damage. All effects last seven minutes. (III) High cost, 20 aether. Target spells to cause backfire, turning magic against its caster. Boosted spells gain potent venom, and poisoned spells spread instability to future castings. Effects persist for ten minutes.
Poison Claws
Aether Cost: 2
You can infuse your claws with neurotoxic venom, making even small scratches fatal. Venom has resistance to cleansing effects. Allies are unaffected by your venom.
Delta Familiar Contract
Aether Cost: -150
You are a bonded delta-class familiar. You gain +150 to aetheric regeneration. Your bond has grown, allowing you to convey emotions through your bond. Your bond is more resistant to outside influences and can not be forcibly severed by outside parties.
King of the Reptiles
Passive Skill
Dragons, lizards and amphibians all show hesitation and fear around you, going so far as to run away. More study needed.
Intimidation Roar
Aether Cost: 1
Infuse aether into your roar to paralyze anyone that hears it. Your roar can paralyze humanoid magic constructs as long as they are connected to a magic caster. Paralysis duration depends on distance and level disparity between you and the target. Those bound to you are immune to this effect.
Hydra Regeneration
Aether Cost: 15
Enhance the natural regeneration of your body giving you an unparalleled healing factor. Increases the body's natural healing rate by 4x regeneration statistic plus 20% constitution statistic. (Head regeneration is still unknown. More information required.)
+ Shadow Concealment
Aether Cost: Variable
+ (I) Cloak yourself in shadow magic, blending into dim or dark environments to hide your presence. Movement is undetectable to non-magical senses. (II) Deepen the shadow cloak, concealing even magical traces of your presence and blending with shadows in moderate light. Shadows will also muffle the sound around you making you harder to detect. (III) Unknown.
“Wiser hopefully.” Tanisha responded and the two girls laughed. Then there was a long silence. “You’re not coming with me to see the princess are you?”
Adelheid shook her head. “If I do, I’ll feel like I should just keep following you. You...you have so much happening around you, Tanisha. You’re one of those people, the kind that makes big things happen. Soon enough, I’m sure you’ll be surrounded by people who can keep up with all that.” She gave a sheepish smile, waving her hands to emphasize her point. “Don’t take it the wrong way. I just mean—you’re going to be out there kicking ass, slaying monsters, making a name for yourself. And wherever I am, I know I’ll hear about my friend, the badass cernunnos, tearing it up.”
In a sudden burst of warmth, Tanisha stepped forward, nuzzling Adelheid in a way that only wendigo shared among close friends or family. Adelheid’s face turned bright red, her eyes widening.
“Oh geez, now you finally do a dominance display?” Adelheid squeaked.
Tanisha laughed, leaning back. “It’s not a dominance display. Its...”
“Yeah-yeah, wendigo affection I know.” Adelheid said clearly flustered. “And I appreciate it.”
The two stepped back from each other and Adelheid pet Bjorn on each of his heads.
“Take care of her, Bjorn, I am counting on you.” Adelheid said. “I know you’re the smart one out of the group.”
“Hey.” Tanisha said in mock hurt.
“What? four heads means four brains he’s got you beat.” Adelhied said, she cleared her throat. “Now you two should be off, don't want to keep the Princess or your guide waiting.”
It took a moment but Tanisha nodded and called Bjorn to follow as they turned back toward the princess’s tent. Bjorn could feel Tanisha’s determination. They had one more stop then they were going to find Joha, no matter what.
***
The First Princess’s tent was exactly the same, the only difference being the number of people present. Sigrun sat on her throne overlooking the group which consisted of Thorfinn, Signe and two older men Bjorn had only ever seen once during the meeting between Sigrun and First Prince Arnar. They were obviously in Sigrun’s inner circle since Signe introduced her as the Fourteenth Princess. The men were astonished, where before they dismissed her as demon now they looked at her with admiration.
Identify
Name: Leif Koren
Species: Wendigo
Level: ??
Vocation: Court Cures Mage
Identify
Name: Axel Hollows
Species: Wendigo
Level: ??
Vocation: Court Nature Mage
Signe led Tanisha to a seat while Thorfinn placed a comfortable and large padded mat down for Bjorn beside her. Bjorn couldn’t help but notice that Tanisha’s chair, while not a throne, sat taller and with more grandiosity than the other two men’s seats. Both of them stood and bowed their heads until she sat down.
“Princess Tanisha, thank you for coming.” Sigrun said her voice was stern and refined. “These two men are my trusted political and military advisors. They have both been briefed on your situation but if you would be so kind as to unleash your aura as you had with me.”
Tanisha complied and there was a noticeable shift in the ambient mana within the tent. Bjorn had seen the phenomenon many times as she used her aura during fights to imbue her armor with power. Mana surged towards her as the tattoos across her body shifted and moved as if alive. Mana formed a disc around her and at a point of no return all of it would be absorbed into her, further empowering her magic as it entered her core.
Both advisors were visibly moved by the display. Leif’s eyes glistened, and Axel seemed speechless, his mouth slightly open in awe. One of them even began to shed a tear, his voice barely audible, whispering words that sounded almost reverent.
“Thank you Tanisha.” Sigrun said with a smile then turned to the men. “I assume this is enough proof Leif, Axel?”
“Yes your majesty.” The man Bjorn identified as Axel said tears were streaming down his face. “The Forest Father has truly blessed us to see a greater wendigo in my lifetime.”
The other man, Leif, nodded. “With her in our faction there is no denying that you should be next in line for the Throne.”
“Please give her the report, Lief.” Sigrun said.
The man stood and walked around the table and handed Tanisha a letter with a bow.
“This is the latest update from our scouts. They’ve been tracking Lord Joha through the mountain range,” he explained, returning to his seat. “He’s on a nearly direct course toward the Force Isles. However, as he’s moved farther up the range, he’s becoming increasingly difficult to track due to treacherous paths and rising ambient magic, which has triggered a mana storm. The area will soon be impassable.”
“What is a mana storm?” Tanisha asked her eyes not leaving the report in her hands.
“My apologies princess. The Chaos Lands are currently going through a shift in ambient magic. More ambient magic is being concentrated here which is what is causing the manifestation of more monsters in and around the Chaos Lands. When this happens we see more powerful creatures manifest within Yuhia. I am told you engaged one such manifestation.”
“The Jeweled Wing Monarch.” Tanisha said with a nod of understanding.
Lief continued, “yes, in the Chaos Lands mana storms bring more than increased monster activity. The landscape itself is altered and twisted by the storm. The very mountains you see today didn’t exist a thousand years ago but were formed in the last mana storm. There’s reason to believe this storm could bring changes just as dramatic.”
“I know that you will not be willing to wait until the storm passes in a few years before going to look for your adoptive father so I made some additional arrangements for you.” Sigrun interjected. “Signe told me you found a reliable guide so I found you a reliable bodyguard. I also paid both of them for you as a parting gift. ”
“You are too kind,” Tanisha said.
“It is an investment into our futures,” Sigrun said. “We will be in touch. Now I don't want to hold you up any longer. I have connections in all the kingdoms of man. Keep that bracelet I gave you safe, it will open many doors. Just don’t do anything to harm the credibility of my faction.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Tanisha responded.