Her flesh squelched as Julia rolled on her side to clear her throat. Blood and visceral fluids flowed during the struggle to draw enough air to speak. They wouldn’t come forth, but the noise at least attracted Yngvarr’s attention. He headed across the chamber towards her, as Alfarr stepped through the door carrying Víearr as if a child. Verdandi nodded at Yngvarr, before following Alfarr like a mother cat chasing a stray kitten.


    “Relax, Julia. If you reduce the strain, you might heal faster,” Yngvarr said, as he carefully picked a spot away from the growing pool to crouch.


    “The celestial. It’s a Ljósálfar.” Julia said finally.


    “Yes, I’m aware. I’ll see about getting its remains to its home plane,” Yngvarr said, the strain in his voice matching the pain highlighting his face.


    “Not remains. Alive.” Julia spat the words out, around the fluids moving through her mouth. The injuries in her chest, making disturbing noises with each word.


    “How is that possible?” Yngvarr asked and stepped around the spreading pool. He reverently peeled back the blanket from its features.


    Their face still appeared slack and lifeless, yet somehow less frail. The wounds, visible now about its shoulders, seemed as open mouths, the edges turned back like blooded lips to suck in air. Without the contrasting vileness of the altar, its beauty was more subdued yet still poignant. The grace of its features, set against the rent flesh on display, was sickening even as its beauty called to her.


    {{Taste its wounds. They look so sweet. Could eat it up.}}


    <<Can save them.>>


    “No idea. Forest’s Heart is its home.” Julia said, before trying to clear bile from her mouth. Every breath felt as if drawn through a straw. Her lungs vibrated as the pressure of the drawn air fought against the constricting injuries of the flesh. It made getting enough air for even the shortest sentence a challenge.


    Looking at the growing pool and its proximity to the Ljósálfar. He stood, and suddenly, with no words or gestures, a glowing bed appeared and lifted it.


    “I thought so from its appearance alone. Messy girl.”


    “Sorry papa,” Julia retorted, not bothering to resist the temptation to poke out her tongue.


    A raised eye accented the strain on his face, obviously considering what course of action to take.


    “I’ll open a portal and take him across. Hopefully, its proximity doesn’t cause you an injury.” He said, directing the mana bed to move across the room with a gesture.


    “But..”


    “Peace, Julia. I can call between planes. You gave Verdandi a ‘Use’ name so I can call you back.”


    Walking over to the mana bed it was only once there his casting began. Julia’s ‘Mana Sense’ showed the energy formations in the air. The complexity of the shapes folding and twisting into dimensions beyond this plane.


    Darn will have to learn that trick.


    [Mana Sense [Ap](9-> 11)


    Planar Lore (8->9)


    Planar Portals (10->12)]


    Power formed in intricate patterns that seemed to beckon in supplication. The rift at first a hinted concave impression in the air into which glowing water swirled. It should have spilled onto the floor. Yet instead he soon faced a liquid mirror of burnished gold. The lapping waters shone with reflected sunlight as if through a canopy of trees. The vibrant energy of that light from beyond carried echoing cries of bird calls and forest noises. Wild living sounds somehow crossed through that fluid and brought with them clear forest scented air.


    Peace and tranquillity called across the chamber to her, making Julia’s healing flesh ache and hiss. Its Heat throbbed in bitter offence at the insult of the presence. The purity of power causing the blood pooled to steam from existence. Trying to settle down into Harmony in such an injured state, as energy reeled around, challenged her ability to seek it. As Julia felt it trying to open to her senses, the peace seemed to reach within. Even as something from within the Ki’s depth seemed to call back, it provided a strange sensation, as the energies were not in opposition; instead rather feeling as if out of sync.


    It was a moment that stretched on, even as the rift finished forming. Yngvarr turned to regard her, some tightness that had been around his eyes relaxing when it was clear Julia was still present. Partly raising a hand, a single step moved him through the newly formed portal, and the mana bed followed. Its energy was melding seamlessly into the portal as it crossed the threshold.


    The sound of beating wings echoed across the room as the celestial’s shape touched the rift. The energies within it came apart in a spray of force. At the sound of celestial’s body slapping down the air echoed through the chamber, and Julia felt a wave of power flinging her into the air. Flight responded to her panic, preventing a substantial impact against the ceiling. Mentally turning herself in midair, the Ljósálfar body had fallen where the rift had been. Its blanket was looking like a shredded butterfly as it fell, fluttering through the air.


    Well, Fuck!


    A prompt to Flight had it drifting her over on a course to land near the celestial. Alfarr and Verdandi entered the room in a rush. Weapons raised, concern and suspicion running rampant across Alfarr’s tightened face.


    “He was taking the Ljósálfar home,” Julia said, having gotten out the words in a single limited breath.


    “Where is he?” Alfarr asked, his voice anxious as his gaze prowled the chamber, clearly wishing to provide him with aid.


    “Already there,” Julia said, carefully looking over the celestial for further injury.


    “Give her a moment, she is still healing,” Verdandi said, as her sword returned to its sheath.


    “Why would he rush to get the remains back to its home?” Alfarr asked impatiently, not giving time as Verdandi had requested.


    “They’re still alive,” Julia replied, gesturing to the fallen celestial. Some wounds on her chest closed, the disturbing sounds ceased as they did, and her breathing audibly eased.


    “Look at it. How can it still be alive?” Alfarr asked his stress and worry, adding suspicious tones to his voice.


    “When I use analysis. It shows information about an individual. Not remains,” Julia said.


    “What exactly does it tell you? Is it still alive after that explosion?” Verdandi questioned, putting a hand on Alfarr''s shoulder, wanting to calm her nephew.


    Julia looked at the celestial and noted a fresh addition to the details that returned. Glad her lungs had sealed, given the explaining required.


    “It''s alive. However, there is an extra condition now.” Julia said, a raised palm signalling for patience.


    “The profile showed three conditions on it. There are four now. I don’t know what they mean. I will see if I can learn more.” Julia said, snapping out the quick sentences to head off their impatience.


    Analysis: Chaos lock


    [Chaos lock: This curse allows the caster to block various aspects of the target. The caster can determine additional curse conditions and their specific triggers as proficiency progresses.]


    Analysis: Physical capabilities (Locked)


    [Physical capabilities: A curse condition preventing any physical action; it also suppresses involuntary reactions. Though the target will still experience all sensation, they cannot communicate or control any physical aspect.


    Analysis: Spiritual State (Locked)


    [Spiritual State: A curse condition preventing the target’s use of innate powers, recovery of mana, or recovering from channelling strain.]


    Analysis: Dimensional Shift (Locked)


    [Dimensional Shift: A curse condition preventing any sort of planar shift. Also prevents effects from Blink, and other forms of Teleport from activating on the target.]


    [Arcane (3 -> 8)


    Analysis [Ap](9->11)]


    Explanation of the curse and its conditions caused both Alfarr and Verdandi to stop in contemplation. The last information provided Julia’s attention turned to the Ljósálfar. Three black ouroboros bands squeezed into its flesh. The first set around its neck, the others set more sadistically. Each bound a wrist to the opposite leg and made the limbs awkwardly cross each other. Likely the only reason they hadn’t pulled it into a tighter ball was that the now missing void chains had needed some slack to contort it.


    Analysis provided her with no details on the bands, though they weren’t simple metal. Julia had been using Mana Sense on them when a gasp from the door interrupted the silence in the room. The sound a precursor to Víearr’s charge, his swinging sword lit with a blessing’s light, leading the way as he struck out at her.


    {{Kill him}}


    Her mind flickered fast, and even as a course of action occurred to her, it was over. Not that Víearr was slow by normal standards, it just hadn’t been clear to Julia how unnatural she had become. Shapeshift required a mental image and time to reform her body. Now it seemed not even intent, perhaps only idle thought and reflex now needed.


    Víearr''s eyes went wide, flesh slammed against the stone. The sharp odour of urine, keeping company with burning Demonic flesh and blood. The Ljósálfar’s body had fallen practically beside the door, and Julia had been close by. There had been almost no warning, but it seemed for Víearr that was still too much. He should have struck true, indeed would have, if Julia had been her mortal self. Now instead, the roles were reversed, and from him, there would be no response.


    “By Tyr,” Verdandi breathed. A spin had shifted her facing, and while the turn had been fast enough to glimpse the glowing steel. That had already been too late. Her gaze now followed the twitching motions of heels thumping against the stone. And the thing in the room.


    “Julia?” Alfarr questioned, uncertainty colouring his tone. His gaze swept over where she had been standing, as his axe appeared.


    “Wait.” Her voice, still feminine but distorted, no longer gasping for air, came whispered from within the mass. The thing in front of them flexed and shifted in its bizarreness.


    Cables that looked shaped of ropey muscle had speared outwards and pinned Víearr’s body to the wall. The cables were supporting their mass and that of the burly priest’s body. Even as it twitched and shook, the cables shifted it about with apparent ease, and their eyes traced over the distorted figure that no longer even looked humanoid. Much of the body of the Succubus seemed to make up those masses of flesh. A cat’s cradle of armoured cables had netted protectively over the Ljósálfar. The sword from Víearr’s hand had fallen and speared down into their mass. The blade presently stuck out of Demonic flesh, but it hadn’t struck the celestial.


    Stolen story; please report.


    No celestial resistance.


    No mana resistance increase.


    Too much time playing mercer.


    Motion in the cables tossed it away from Ljósálfar and Demonic flesh alike as ‘Julia’ set Víearr on his feet. The others could see the cables hadn’t pierced; instead, they''d shoved, then pinned. Large, frond-like shapes were evident at the end of those cables as they drew back to reform her body. Yet some remained to block any passage through the doorway. A charred wound showing on a reformed leg faded as they watched. Julia could see her health had yet to return to normal. However, in returning to mortal form, all her other wounds had sealed, and breathing eased.


    Fuck. So I didn’t have to put up with snorkelling in blood?


    “Demoness, what have you done to them?” Víearr questioned, his eyes darting about as he looked for a way to flee.


    “It’s complicated, and I doubt you’ll keep up.” Julia retorted, her annoyance clear in her tone even with the words spat in English.


    “What tongue are you speaking now???” Víearr asked, his eyes seeking hard across the three of them.


    {{Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead. Yet it’s now at five.}}


    <<Might as well go for five out of five.>>


    {{Kill him. The little judge doesn’t trust us.}}


    “A mortal tongue, you don’t speak. I’ve not done anything to them. Truth is powerful. I agreed to provide some help to Verdandi. The destruction of the altar of Set was part of that. Still have to get this Ljósálfar’s free since he''s alive.” Julia said. Feeling as if the closeness of further injury to the Ljósálfar, it had stroked a wave of anger in her.


    “Julia, enough. I’ll explain the situation to Víearr. Alfar, if you would see what you can determine of the bands. I think that would be a sensible place to start.” Verdandi said.


    “I would have thought the business with Livia’s Soul would have made my weirdness obvious to him,” Julia said, looking between them. “Or were you just happy to ignore the fact that even though there was a bond between us, the girl’s Soul stayed pure?“


    “You had a bond to that child?! I need to warn others.” Víearr exclaimed, looking at Verdandi, confusion and concern weighing on his face as he looked at the High Justice.


    “Why couldn’t you see the bond?” Julia asked, surprised at the statement.


    “Not every priest can see Souls. I received a Valkyrie’s blessing years ago. Víearr, I suggest we talk in another room. You can establish a field of truth for your reassurance, and I’ll explain what I know. I recorded part of the information in my trial journal. Julia, please clear the doorway.” Verdandi said, gesturing towards the blockage.


    “Yes, High Justice,” Julia replied softly, resisting the urge to tweak Víearr’s beard. Instead, merely withdrawing the cables back into herself.


    Víearr just looked at her in disbelief. When his eyes glanced at his sword, she backed away and allowed him to collect it without issue. That he kept his eyes on her wasn’t a concern, just completely understandable. Not getting attacked again was a bonus prize.


    Yep, who wouldn’t monitor the Demoness in the room.


    “No more of those ship ropes while we sort this out,” Alfarr said, moving to look over the bands on the Ljósálfar.


    “I thought you were a warrior, then you did that jumping with flames thing,” Julia said, still curious about what had gone on.


    “That’s cause I am. I’m also a Sorcerer.” Alfar replied and pointing at the band reminded her of the work ahead.


    “Let me guess. Elemental fire?” Julia asked, remembering the living flame that had rolled off him.


    “No, and we have things to achieve. Hopefully, Yngvarr returns shortly. Also put some clothes on, cause I think that contributed to Víearr’s state.”


    Oh, Fuck! I’m doing it again!


    Okay, so what do you do, pal.


    Analysis: Protean


    [Protean: This power provides the ability to shape forms that are beyond the constraints of flesh. Reformation from almost complete physical destruction requires only sufficient rank and quiet time. All transformation effects can occur instantly. Ranks determine the possessor’s ability to decrease or increase the mass of their forms. Levels provide fine control based on the percentage of maximum capacity used in a form.


    Forms can be a mixture of organic and non-organic materials. Mystical materials are not available for any form. The primary limitation on a form is imagination. Though most of the near mindless entities that possess this power use truly bizarre forms. High ranks allow the mass to fold into the spaces beyond. Making those so proficient particularly difficult to end in battle. ]


    Can make anything material. Darn so need to level this power.


    Not caring what anyone else thought of strange clothes. Suddenly she wore a pair of cargo pants, a kitsune themed t-shirt, a pair of sneakers, and lovely modern style underwear.


    Sweet


    Alfarr just took in her new clothing and after a curious look turned his attention back to the bands.


    “Alfarr, how do you know they’re not trapped or related to another condition of the curse?”


    “I don’t, but we need to do something. We can’t just leave him this way.” Alfarr replied.


    “Not suggesting we do nothing, but we’ve rushed into things twice. At present he can hear us, he can feel, he just can’t respond. First, let''s get another blanket, maybe a cot or a pallet.”


    “By the All-Father. Caught up in wanting to set him free. I’ll be right back.”


    “Just tell me where and I’ll get them. I’m sure he’d prefer not to be alone in a room with me, and Víearr I’m sure would freak.” Julia said, holding up a palm to reinforce he should stay put.


    The directions from Alfarr were easy enough to follow. Sweeping up the things from the upstairs guest bedroom into inventory, it didn’t take long before she was heading back to the chamber. A raised voice made her detour, knocking firmly on the door. She didn’t wait for a response and pushed the door open.


    “There is a celestial in a bad way. So how about we table everything else for a bit?” Julia inquired as she looked between them and caught the hostile look from Víearr immediately.


    “The High Justice has been going over your..” He started angrily but paused in confusion at what she was wearing.


    “Whatever. Right now there is a celestial to save, so pull your head out of your arse. Tyr didn’t object to providing the blessing to save Livia, despite our bond. Focus on saving them, and we can talk a bunch afterwards.” Julia said, jumping into his pause. Her words running right over him when he tried to start again.


    “How can you say his name?”


    “What, Tyr? Why wouldn’t I be able to do so? He let you folks channel that blessing for Livia, never going to have a bad thing to say about him. Now come on. Alfarr wanted to pull the magical bands off him. Impatient fellow.” Julia shook her head. Turning on her heel, she walked away, ignoring the surprised look on Víearr as she did. Clapping her hands together as she called back to them, “Now people.”


    They’d already gotten the Ljósálfar laying on his side, and ‘tucked’ into the bed before the priests made their appearance.


    “Should I leave you folks to it?” Julia asked.


    “If you are going around the town, you might wish to change your clothing,” Alfarr said, giving her a nod.


    “Can I borrow your courtyard instead?” Julia asked and continued before Alfarr could ask. “I’ll just practice my unarmed fighting style. That way if you need me to check anything with Analysis. Well, you’ll know where to find me.”


    Alfarr showed her out to the back courtyard and let her out through the inner wards of the house.


    “Wouldn’t what you did to help purify Livia work here?” Alfarr asked.


    “No idea, but neither of us needs to be the hero of this hour. I’m strong enough to admit when I don’t have a darn clue. Speaking of no clue, what the heck happened with the Altar?” Julia asked.


    “That High Altar was basically pure chaos in a very thin shell. So we did the only thing possible with so little known of it. Set it adrift between the planes of reality.”


    [Planar Lore (9->10)


    “It’s not destroyed. Just swept it under the rug?” Julia asked, unhappy with the out of sight, out of mind approach with something that dangerous.


    “Something like that.”


    “You know when you do that; the dust is still there. It’s not gone, just someone else’s problem.”


    “Like the celestial?” Alfarr asked, causing Julia’s eyes to narrow at the dig she felt.


    {{He mocks!!}}


    “Seriously, I’m not so insecure that I have to be the one saving them. They need help. Am I the best person, the most experienced? No.” Julia said, shaking her head to give emphasis to the denial, as she fought the urge to punch him.


    “I was told I could purify Livia via the bond. That''s the reason I tried it solo. Also, it’s not just the three or four of you when Yngvarr gets back, is it? There are other Temples here. Even if they can’t help, Yngvarr can teleport and find more.”


    “Good point. Out in the wilderness dealing with monsters, one gets accustomed to being the only ones on hand,” Alfarr said, clearly considering the point she’d made.


    “Seriously, it’s like trying to get a guy to ask for directions. Just really glad Víearr got cleaned up somehow, that would mortify most. I don’t need to give them more reasons to hate me.”


    “True,” Alfarr said, walking back inside and letting the wards secure the doorway.


    Well, I guess I’ve got some open space, and time to wait.


    So since I kept the injured shape, it kept the injuries and was healing. Will have to remember that.


    Harmony and Ki Mediation were enough to set aside the concern twisting inside, and Julia focused on what was possible.


    Wait, practice, and then practice some more.


    <hr>


    The house had remained silent as she did katas and shadowboxed in the courtyard. Julia tested the new flexibility of her form through various techniques. While there had been the weight of eyes from time to time, no one had come out to talk in the hours that had passed. Indeed, the day’s light had long since faded when it opened again. The massive figures that loomed within the house made it obvious Torm had rejoined things.


    Julia paused her practice at the sight of Torm and Alfarr coming out in the courtyard. “How is he?”


    “Freed. Come through. We’ve things we need to tell you.” Torm said. His deep bass and choice of words seemed as if they should fill her with dread, but yet they didn’t.


    Torm turned away, leaving her to follow or not, apparently at her own choosing. While the choice felt a mean illusion to Julia, it was only that, an illusion. For whatever bad news that waited, it was still information that she didn’t currently possess. Still, there was something within her that seemed to take the weight of crushing despair and merely set it aside.


    Alfarr gestured for her to follow but she paused and her words contained an edge she hadn''t intended. "Why would you have finished me?"


    "Planar entities that can reform on their home plane become locked to them for a century when their form gets destroyed elsewhere, no exceptions," Alfarr stated, nodding continually as he finished. "Right?"


    "Yes," replied Julia hesitantly, wondering why he was stating the obvious.


    Alfarr stopped nodding and shook his head sharply.


    "Wrong. If the one who destroyed their form gives permission to come forth again, they not only can, but it breaks the planar lock for any other circumstances. Giving permission is normally via a summoning, but as long as they expressly get permission, it counts. There have been a few Demons that have tried to trick—or had attempts made to force—Yngvarr into doing so after he''s put them down," explained Alfarr. "If you were on the way out and I finished you, then we might have been able to call you back. There are also some entities that it doesn''t even stick, but that''s not likely in your case."


    "I didn''t know that," admitted Julia, feeling sheepish at how his words had hurt. "I just thought you considered my usefulness over."


    Alfarr winced at her reply. "That wasn''t what I meant, sorry. Come on, let''s join the gathered horde. They''re in the spell casting chamber still. I''ll buy you a mead—or twenty—later to apologise."


    Julia laughed but headed into the house; the explanation made her feel far lighter inside. Her first step through the spell chamber''s door hit like being doused in cold water. The mortal form slipped from her and the base Succubus form reestablished itself. Finding herself in that shape, in a room full of folks she didn’t know, was not a way to make her happy, especially since the faux-clothing flowed away with the rest of it. To be back in that full-breasted, lascivious form that heralded the start of her existence in the Abyss was unbalancing; and made her grind her teeth when in full display of a group of Celestials.


    {{Run. Kill.}}


    <<Wait here. We should hear them out.>>


    “Really. Warn a girl.” Julia said, folding her wings about her to regain some sense of decorum in front of the strangers. Except for Yngvarr and Torm, the only other person she recognised was the Ljósálfar. Yet that hardly counted since his name was unknown.


    “We allow only truth in our presence. Your other shape was a deception.” The lady who spoke was an armoured winged woman, her armour and sheath carrying the symbol of Tyr. Despite looking like a classic Valkyrie, she wore a hauberk, a sword at her waist the only visible weapon carried. The wings raised from her back weren’t feathery like in pictures but were instead shimmering radiant energy held in a hint of a form.


    “If you’d warned me. I would have got a blanket and not flashed everyone.” Julia said, trying to restrain the bite from her words.


    “Irrelevant. We are here to speak to you about more important matters than flesh.”


    “Okay, I’m listening,” groaned Julia, trying to keep the embarrassment from her voice.


    “The All-Father has spoken, there is no way any of us nor the Elven Gods can remove your curse.”


    Fuck


    “Why this gathering then?”


    “To provide you with information and choices. Just as servants of the good Deities can fall, Demons can rise. However, this is not something accomplished with anyone’s help. Yet rather their own endeavours and decisions.”


    “How?” Julia asked, her mind setting aside her nakedness as it flittered from her concerns. Her wings flicked back of their own violation, as her gaze stayed fixed on the woman.


    “That is where things are uncertain given your nature and your Oath. The fallen can redeem their deeds, make amends for the actions that cast them down. Oaths formed by the bond of ‘True name’ are difficult to break, and would hold you to the Abyss unless broken or the holder also redeems.”


    {{Break her.}}


    <<She did not fall. She flew down willingly.>>


    Fuck redeeming her.


    “Still doesn’t explain the committee,” Julia said, forcing her eyes to take in the varied individuals gathered. It had been hard to make them out previously, and most in the gathering still challenged her perceptions. Forms whose shapes made no sense, despite what she’d seen in the Abyss. Yet their strangeness didn’t feel as it would break her. Rather, they were just more than the reality of this place, greater instead of a perversion of it.


    “We’re here to bear witness to what you decide. Also to provide what information we can. Some here have knowledge of the Abyss and the Order that binds you; others represent the Elven Courts.” The healed Ljósálfar said. Though he still seemed to bear some strain from his torment. Yet the fragile state was no longer present, and he shone with a beauty that made him hard to look at directly. Evergreen hair whose length seemed uncertain, amber eyes shifted to grass green and back again, and wings that had been absent flickered between bird forms. Other snippets of colours, skin tone and weaponry were all her senses collected while still taking in his words.