Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands


    Amdirlain 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’ll be a couple more days at least; my mentor dearest is experimenting. I’m half tempted to go hassle that nosey Efreeti and see if he spots me a second time when it''s done.”


    “Pretty sure you mean mother dearest. We’ve known each other all these years, and you’re not hinting I should come over to meet your new family. I’m shocked.”


    “Sure, come over. First, it''s in Mechanus, and second, she’ll likely want to tuck you into her collection of unique items.”


    “Pass. I think I’d rather go talk to Azex again, see if anyone from your adamantine lineage has suggestions for endeavours I could undertake,” replied Amdirlain.


    Releasing the message, her words caught her thoughts and plagued her with self-doubt.


    Is it possible for anything I do to help someone to be utterly free of self-interest now?


    Pushing the negative thoughts aside, she returned to exploring the link between the Outlands and the two worlds. She reached the Outlands and placed herself on the valley edge above the prison. Listening to the music of the corruption and pain beneath her, Amdirlain exhaled slowly and set Resonance delving within them.


    She examined the oath links for similarities to the gates’ connections. Though the patterns in the Fallen had some fundamental themes in common, they were wildly different to the other connections she’d examined that day. While each achieved a connection between planes, the natural and artificial gates, portals, and oath links handled the linking and transfers differently. Segments within their themes hinted at behaviours she hadn’t yet discovered through True Song Architecture. Amdirlain worked to separate the elements from each song related to the Outlands and the respective planets.


    * * *


    “Amdirlain, are you able to speak to us now?”


    The Gate on Cemna was located in a high mountain cave, Amdirlain could picture Isa sliding along its walls, battling to stay airborne against Ilya’s Gale. Amdirlain was hovering there listening to the world when N?r''s voice manifested within an orb at her shoulder.


    Trying out a different approach, Amdirlain altered the message within the Spell and returned it to her. “Come to where my meeting platform used to be located.”


    Stepping through the Gate into the shadowed glade it connected to, Amdirlain immediately teleported to the meeting spot. Despite coming directly, she found N?r already in a Wood Elf form, clad in a sturdy leather top and pants. Instead of her standard sensual curves, N?r was a lean Elf with dusky skin and amber eyes. The hints of green that showed across her exposed flesh highlighted delicate cheekbones and the muscles along her neck, its hue matching streaks through her black shoulder-length hair.


    “The others will be here shortly,” N?r said


    “Who else did you invite?”


    “Fainil, Calithil and Erwarth,” admitted N?r. “Ebusuku said you already talked to her about it.”


    The others turned up together, entering the Plane through a Gate that appeared near the tree line. They all used the same Wood Elf forms they’d taken on for Gail’s gathering. Fainil dashed towards Amdirlain excitedly and went to enfold her in a hug before awkwardly clasping her shoulders.


    “What? Don’t rate a hug anymore?” asked Amdirlain dryly.


    “Is it safe to talk here?” asked N?r.


    Amdirlain wrinkled her nose. “Might be best to go to a Demi-Plane I’ve made.”


    “Gail pulls that same expression when she doesn’t want to talk about something,” noted Erwarth.


    “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have dropped a hint by making that sword,” corrected Amdirlain. Opening a Gate to the central platform, she waved them through.


    When they were through, Fainil scratched her head sheepishly. “But you’re the songbird?”


    Amdirlain waved them to the seats within the pavilion and only spoke once they were all settled. “Yes. Though please remember I’m in the same state as any reborn—bits and pieces of memories, and I most certainly don’t have all the answers. It’s only through the Ki cycling I’ve recovered any of Orhêthurin’s memories.”


    Erwarth smiled. “I thought I heard something strange when you healed Gail; no matter how many times I contemplated the memory, it didn’t make sense.”


    “I thought I’d given myself away, but you said nothing, so I left it alone,” admitted Amdirlain.


    “Is that the reason you gave yourself away now?” enquired Calithil. She leant forward in her seat so fast her dark braid slipped over her shoulder, and her amber gaze came alight with curiosity instead of the accusation Amdirlain had feared.


    “You’re the Titan’s Songbird,” repeated N?r in a whisper


    “It’s not a title, N?r. It was his nickname for Orhêthurin since she was a little girl, a father’s nickname for his only daughter,” informed Amdirlain.


    The revelation caused N?r to freeze.


    Erwarth exhaled sharply. “Did you create us, or were our souls purified from another species like Gails was?”


    “I didn’t do anything, but they were created from scratch. While it was a joint effort between the Titan and Orhêthurin, he mainly purified the energy for the souls'' creation. The details and capability of the souls were all Orhêthurin’s concept,” explained Amdirlain.


    “Why did she split the True Song between the species?”


    “Balance, and she didn’t even want the Power she had herself. Her idea was each species keeping the other in check because the most important creations could only be done cooperatively,” stated Amdirlain.


    “You endured keeping this a secret with everything going on?” asked Erwarth. “How long have you known?”


    “I recovered some fragments in the monastery and more while in the Maze. With the vines now gone, I’ve remembered bits and pieces without even cycling,” admitted Amdirlain. “I’d planned to tell at least Torm and Ebusuku after I was released from the Planar Lock, and I’ve recently told her. My situation, I’m sure, is why a certain Fey queen was trying to ‘help’ when I was at the monastery.”


    Before Calithil could ask another question, Fainil blurted out one. “How does the curse still bind you? Can’t you break out?”


    “No, for many reasons, but the two big ones are: Orhêthurin crippled herself by extracting much of her natural power before the incident with the vines, and the Titan is bound by his promises. The Titan''s token was created for Orhêthurin’s older brother, who stayed in their original realm and passed it to his descendants with the promise of answering requested aid.”


    “But he offered us options to become celestials,” protested Fainil. “Why wouldn’t he have done that for his daughter?”


    “The Anar’s appearance was modelled on Orhêthurin’s appearance, but she wasn’t an Anar; me turning into a Celestial wouldn’t go well,” explained Amdirlain. Holding up a hand for their patience, she created a wine glass on the table nearly filled to the brim with dark red wine. “Think of this as my Soul’s current state; let''s add the Celestial energy.”


    Creating a decanter of water she filled the glass slowly, and when it overflowed, Amdirlain continued pouring. By the time she was finished, the contents barely counted as pale pink.


    “That’s how I took the explanation I received when Nicholaus told me it was an option upon leaving the Maze. What would be left of the person I am, or who I’d become, is completely impossible to determine if I’d taken that route. The safest options to get free of the curse were to be cast from his realm and be reborn somewhere else—again, losing who I am now—or walk the Redemption’s Path to strip the Fallen status.”


    “I always thought something had happened to the Songbird, and that’s why we were created,” stated Calithil.


    “Loneliness and worry happened to her. She’d been creating a realm for her father and felt she wasn’t strong enough to keep it in balance—she had to handle an increasing number of things at once. It''s partly why she split the True Song between the species, so there''d be a balancing effect between them.”


    “I’m not even sure what else I dare ask,” admitted Erwarth. “Our questioning of the Titan’s goals caused a rift that never healed.”


    “Ask away, but I can’t promise I have the answers,” advised Amdirlain.


    Calithil tapped Erwarth''s leg. “I’ll ask two questions. What was it all about? Why is every world trapped?”


    Amdirlain sighed. “The worlds aren’t the traps—they''re the anchor for the trap within the mantles.”


    “Then why did they trap the mantles at all?” asked Erwarth.


    “Orhêthurin was young when her mother and younger siblings died in the act of divine destruction that cost thousands of other Mortal lives. The gods targeting her father caused a volcanic island to explode, sending a tidal wave to hammer the coastal village they were living in,” explained Amdirlain. “She’d survived only because she’d argued with her mother about going to select fish from the first catch. She wasn’t perfect: I remember that guilt, anger, and self-doubt drove many of her decisions.”


    Erwarth grimaced. “I’m surprised she’d allow any divine beings to exist.”


    “There was that nice goddess Hestia after all, but she wanted the gods to be held accountable. Strong enough beings are able to function as gods independently, they couldn’t chastise them if they followed the rules. However, they designed the realms'' rules with a mechanism to weed out weaker beings looking to become gods that weren''t true to their standards. I recovered the memory of that and thought the Titan planned this realm as revenge against them, but mostly, they were hiding at first.”


    “The Greeks?” asked Erwarth.


    Amdirlain nodded sharply as the discussion stirred emotions amidst her memories.


    “How did he know they’d ever come here? Or need mantles?” enquired N?r, her soft voice almost a purr.


    “Kronos was the Titan that controlled Time in their original realm and Nicholaus’s father. I don’t know how he managed it, but he died hundreds of years before Nicholaus''s birth. He also left a message that led to Nicholaus and Orhêthurin creating this realm. Originally, Nicholaus planned to move between realms to avoid the Greek gods, but the message was waiting at their first stop and gave them a starting point.”


    “So we wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for that message?” whispered Fainil.


    “Unlikely, but most beings’ existence is a fragile chain of events,” offered Amdirlain. “It makes me wonder if the message wasn’t partly his revenge from beyond the grave, sent to those he foresaw could deliver it.”


    Erwarth appeared divided by the observation but shrugged it off. “We can''t do anything about the past; we can only work on our future state. Moradin was going to get mortals to help with the diseases that were spread. If it would help, I can save you time by checking the worlds and finding those they’ll survive on.”


    “I’d appreciate that help,” admitted Amdirlain, and she organised the songs into a memory crystal and held it out to Erwarth. “The memories from the plinth already gave me some idea about which worlds they could likely help on, and I’ve grouped them.”


    “I’ll start working through these with Roher and others,” acknowledged Erwarth.


    “You can’t open the gates yourself?” queried Amdirlain. “I managed it with the conduit.”


    “Normally, only mortals can open gates to restricted worlds on the Material Plane; I’d say your Hidden state lets you cheat there,” commented Erwarth.


    “I still can’t pass through without permission,” responded Amdirlain.


    “It''s still more than others can do,” observed N?r.


    “But that’s not something we can change. Anyway, after Roher opens them, I’ll check if we can send celestials through to help,” remarked Erwarth before she stood and hugged Amdirlain. As soon as she released her, Erwarth shifted planes.


    “Will it count that as you helping mortals?” asked Calithil.


    “I don’t know, but that’s beside the point; it''s a chance to get them aid faster,” replied Amdirlain. “The plinth’s insights featured various faiths struggling against the diseases, so I doubt what Erwarth suggested will work. Still, things might have blended, and it''s easy for Erwarth to check after opening a Gate, so there''s no point stopping her.”


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    * * *


    N?r lazily pointed at the closest platform. “What did you set this place up for?”


    “Training,” stated Amdirlain, and she waved a hand out at the pathways and platforms. “I want an obstacle course of hazards, so I can challenge myself to undo or avoid them.”


    Calithil blanched. “Something strong enough to challenge you-”


    “Might kill me?” interrupted Amdirlain. “Maybe. I’ll have Moradin’s celestials take care of it, and if I get my arse killed by one of their traps, they can send me a message.”


    “Better than hiring a Mortal who might have died before you slip up,” remarked N?r.


    “Right, so I''ll label the side of areas with the traps’ creator,” laughed Amdirlain. “Call them up if you find blood splatter because I’ll be sheepishly laying low.”


    “You’re not funny,” grumbled Calithil.


    Fainil grimaced. “It would be one way to train resistances and Trap Handling simultaneously. Do you want all the traps rigged with an elemental effect you need to gain resistance against?”


    “It is an idea. I can give you a list of what I need, plus optional extras,” Amdirlain answered with a grin.


    “Fine, but I’d been joking,” groaned Fainil.


    Not letting her smile fade, Amdirlain shrugged. “I’ve still not gotten that hug, so I’ll take gag gifts. Jokes aside, I do need to push my resistance for some energies into the greater ranks to handle being on Ijmti without additional protections.”


    “What do you need, and how do other Fallen in the cloister develop them?”


    When Amdirlain explained what she’d learned about the trial and her experience with the plinth, Fainil and Calithil exchanged looks.


    Ignoring them, N?r traced a finger across the table. “Your problem is going to be your strength. Unless the trial can judge that well enough, it might send you to places that barely challenge you. Considering the plinth couldn’t learn your details, there might have been other things Orhêthurin created for them that don’t properly handle your situation.”


    “Also, since whatever she set up will send you into hazardous areas to wander around, it''s going to have two, no three, downsides. The randomness, other threats because the Abyss is so predictable, and no safety net,” stated Fainil. “While I meant it as a warped joke, I think setting up trap and combat challenges here might be the safest move.”


    “Combat challenges?” asked N?r.


    “Summoned elementals to beat her arse,” laughed Fainil. “Though I’m not sure they’d hurt Amdirlain if she used Ki Armour. Most mindless elementals don’t get powerful enough to pose that much of a challenge.”


    “Ki State,” corrected Amdirlain. “It evolved while I was at the monastery. What will you need to set up the traps?”


    “Leave it off then, if we go that route,” remarked Fainel. “Moradin would likely set his crafters to help you out with traps. Are you okay with us bringing them here? Best if you don’t do the installation work yourself after all. Also, plenty of materials might speed up the crafters making the enchanted traps.”


    “The Darvakka’s blade pushed my Negative energy resistance higher,” noted Amdirlain, and she smiled at the trio. “What are your plans now?”


    “Why?”


    A blade at a time, Amdirlain created weapons of Chaos, Decay, and Primordial that matched the swords they generally used. “Up for some sparring?”


    “If I kill you, I’m going to make you wait in the naughty corner after I release you,” huffed Calithil.


    “She is choosing to spend quality playtime with us,” quipped Fainil. “I mean, you can’t be mad that she chooses to play a little rough when it''s three-on-one.”


    N?r picked up the scimitar Amdirlain had set on the table and gave it an experimental swing. “Sarah would likely ask if you’ve picked a safeword?”


    Ignoring the crafting summary, Amdirlain teleported to the midpoint of the closest platform and brought out the dwarven blades. “Playtime?”


    The three attacked as one, and their speed far outstripped any opponents from the most recent battlefield. Their extraordinary Skill levels and the variety in their weapons kept Amdirlain continually on the back foot; even listening to the shifting intention within their songs to anticipate their attack provided nothing to counter their advantages.


    Amdirlain found herself on the receiving end of the battle of attrition Mars and she had inflicted on Esinzima.


    [Resistance: Chaos [L](6->7)]


    The first notification chimed in time to blood splattering from a gaping wound Fainil opened in her side. Amdirlain centred deeper into the combat’s flow and fought on as Protean worked on healing her. Repeatedly, she found herself disarmed or badly wounded, but the trio started again as soon as she signalled ready. Coping with their continual brutal pressure gained her two surprising increases within Devouring Cacophony.


    Hours later, it was N?r who called a halt. “We should get you some opponents closer to your Skill level.”


    “Same problem that Ilya complained about when she was training; the difference in our Skill levels is too great to allow you to improve,” offered Fainil.


    “I got two increases and jumped all three resistances,” countered Amdirlain.


    “That might be, but I don’t enjoy stabbing you when I can easily see the opening in your defences,” rebuffed Fainil. “If you’re going to endure this, we must maximise your benefit.”


    “The way you don’t even flinch when I can see the energy eating at your muscles twists a knot in me,” admitted Calithil with a shudder. “It makes me remember other times. I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I can keep helping you this way. What else can I do for you?”


    “No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting to defend properly, especially since even one of you outclasses my skills,” apologised Amdirlain. “I could feel the injuries you inflicted, but Pain Eater removes the need to flinch from the pain.”


    N?r sighed. “Unless Amdirlain lets someone inflict the wounds without resisting, a lesser opponent won’t do. The wounds inflicted must be great enough to push her resistance to grow; otherwise, it’s a pointless exercise. Early in the sparring, I believed I was about to cleave Amdirlain’s arm off and barely broke her collarbone.”


    “It’s Calithil''s choice and not something to push anyone towards,” interjected Amdirlain before Calithil could respond. “I know I seem to ignore injuries and, although Protean heals me rapidly, it''s something many find uncomfortable. I admit I should find it uncomfortable, but I broke that reflex long ago. How about we call this session complete, and we can all think about the best way to proceed? All three resistances did go from Lesser to Minor if that’s of any comfort.”


    “Considering how much of your blood we spilt, I’d have hoped so,” stated Fainil before she approached Amdirlain and offered the sword back. “Lesser to Minor rank is the easiest part; I’d have been happier if we’d progressed you into a higher rank.”


    “Then you shouldn’t have taken it so easy on me. The bigger Darvakka jumped Negative resistance through multiple levels into the Improved Rank,” advised Amdirlain.


    Creating a sword rack near the pavilion, Amdirlain collected the blades and left them hanging on it together.


    “But the difference is he was genuinely trying to kill you. You are tougher than I expected, but I was still afraid to push too hard,” replied Calithil while Amdirlain worked.


    Fainil nodded. “What’s your health rated at Amdirlain?”


    “Nearing two point eight million,” offered Amdirlain.


    “We’ll discuss your training and see what approaches we can come up with and who is comfortable assisting with each one,” stated N?r. “Then you can choose from them which ones you want to try.”


    “Are you sure you want to trap this place?” asked Calithil. “You could use its weird staircases and pathways for an awkward battleground. Anyone getting knocked off is out.”


    “Erwarth once warned me about relying on one ability set. While True Song is versatile, isn’t it better to keep the suspect pool broad if I need to break in somewhere? I can use the traps to drive my Disable Device—among other skills—higher, plus my resistances if I mess up.”


    “Alright, we’ll get you your traps. What did you call this Demi-Plane in any case?”


    “Foundry,” replied Amdirlain.


    Calithil shot her a suspicious look. “And let me guess; you’re what it''s intended to help craft?”


    “Whatever makes you think that?” gushed Amdirlain. “The outer shell I’ve got set up for dozens of different workshops in case I wanted to pick up more crafts.”


    Amdirlain’s playful rebuttal earned a snort from Calithil. “Yeah, sure, sure.”


    “Will the wards let us bring workers without you present?” asked Calithil.


    Creating five ward stones, Amdirlain distributed them, giving the extras to Calithil. “Pass those onto Erwarth and Ebusuku—it’ll save Ebusuku from breaking the wards if I’m not present. Before you head off, can you cast a Blessing for me? I need a purification song for clearing disease.”


    N?r smiled broadly. “Gail has asked Runa for examples of blessings over the last few years. While I know she prefers to heal others using the regenerative song within Protean, she’s found a range of blessings that help.”


    “If you know what ones she’s found useful, I’d appreciate a demonstration,” said Amdirlain.


    After bidding her farewell and each claiming hugs, Calithil and Fainil left them to it.


    “Gail affected our habits; she’s a fan of hugs,” noted N?r.


    “Genuine hugs are good value.”


    Nur stepped in to claim a hug and kissed Amdirlain’s cheek. “Thank you for making us, and giving us so many chances. I’m sorry we let you down,”


    “Orhêthurin made the Anar and Lóm?, not me,” corrected Amdirlain.


    “That’s might be true, but you have her Soul; somewhere inside you, a part of her might hear the words,” argued N?r. “I’ll start with the minor purification blessings that Gail’s not bothered with. Since she’s had Ipy and Runa around to help, she focused on blessings for issues requiring immediate attention. Sometimes I’ve found a need to clean up silos and water supplies to prevent recurrences."


    “How do the blessings avoid eliminating healthy organisms?”


    “The blessings target harmful organisms to a chosen life form nearby,” informed Nur, and she gave Amdirlain a grin. “Maybe Gideon provides hints.”


    N?r started simple, and Amdirlain caught the components within the theme for removing impurities from liquids. The demonstration recalled elements she’d gained from True Song Architecture, and the practical demonstration connected aspects she hadn’t yet explored.


    As soon as the Blessing finished, Amdirlain nodded appreciatively. It was a simple matter to create materials for further demonstrations, the songs from the Abyss having provided her with plenty of examples of foulness to purge.


    Amdirlain almost opened a Gate when N?r finally left, but the reminder of pushing her current capabilities had her lean on Planar Shift instead.


    [Planar Shift (Self) [Ap] (1 -> 2)]


    The forest around her wasn’t where she’d been aiming, but Amdirlain took in the myriad of fauna and flora that blended into an orchestra of life. Though it was missing the tiniest components that created the life cycle on planets, it was still a complex blend of themes.


    Cleaning up, she teleported onto Xaos’ main road a few hundred metres from the wards. The closest fields were all stubble from the harvested crops, and the crews had moved further out. Planar Beacon hooked into the surrounding Plane, and another notification chimed.


    [Planar Beacon (6 -> 7)]


    Amdirlain heard the fragile energy within the tenuous link it had set into place. Listening to how it had become anchored, she tried to push the Power’s energy through the link again, only for the connection to shatter. A third attempt reset it, but the notification didn’t ping again.


    Leaving the link alone to see how long it took to fade, Amdirlain headed inside the wards. Choosing the minimalist option, she walked into town projecting calmness with Charisma alone. An Elven figure whose silvery hair fluttered into the breeze followed her for a while before becoming distracted by a stall. Tracing the route she’d taken to the Blazing Portal the first time, Amdirlain found Trill''s stall occupied by a different seller.


    Moving with delicate precision, other gazes followed her but grew distracted whenever she increased the drifting calm projected outwards. Spotting someone swaying half asleep on their feet, she eased off the sleepy peace and tapped into her memories from the monastery. The drifting relaxation from meditation practice replaced the sleepiness, and Amdirlain saw those around her shake off their torpor.


    “Do you dance?” asked a purple-scaled Lizardman in a series of rasping clicks. His crest, which stretched from behind his ear-holes, draped across his shoulders and reminded her of a frill-neck lizard, while the only apparel he wore was a bandolier with attached pouches. “You do dance with the way you walk. But do you dance professionally?”


    “No,” replied Amdirlain quietly.


    Her soft tone seemed to beckon him forward, and he took a tentative step towards her. “Would you dance for me?”


    “In some cultures, asking an individual to dance is a combat challenge,” observed Amdirlain. “Best be careful what you request when your language is being magically translated.”


    As he gave a choked hiss of concern, Amdirlain moved past him and continued. She was only a few steps away when she heard the projected relaxation wash his surge of anxiety away. Turning it off, Amdirlain switched to the holiday relaxation she’d used the first time she’d passed through the town, and uncertainty suddenly niggled at him.


    Amdirlain forced her stride into a powerful martial kata, each step sharp and forceful as if ready to fight, and the Lizardman moved on his way.


    When she opened the front door of the blazing portal, Wisp was behind the irregular counter again. To the mundane perceptions, a hundred-sided die the size of Amdirlain’s fist rolled across the unattended desk, pieces rapidly flipping themselves into numbered egg cups whenever it stopped.


    “Are you winning, Wisp?”


    “You jinxed me,” sighed Wisp.


    “Nope.”


    “Yes, you did; every time I play this game, and someone asks, it falls apart. If no one comes in, I can sometimes get a win,” grumbled Wisp.


    Amdirlain looked over the cups containing assorted tokens, but hundreds of pieces still sat on the counter. “What’s the goal?”


    “To get all the pieces into cups with none overflowing first,” explained Wisp and tossed the die again.


    “You should play it with others, and the person who overflows a cup first loses,” suggested Amdirlain.


    “That might be me,” protested Wisps.


    “That is true, but then you have someone around to commiserate with,” responded Amdirlain before she headed for the lift shaft.


    "Can I laugh at them instead?" asked Wisp as Amdirlain headed upwards.


    Reaching her suite, Amdirlain prepared herself a decadent bath, the floral oils stirred into the water generating mounds of frothy bubbles. Settling into it, she flipped a memory crystal between her fingers, adding notes about the tiny life forms she’d heard. She’d held off on sending a particular Message for days, but given the effects of Femme Fatale, she could only hope she wasn’t making a mistake.


    “Lezekus, I hope you’ve been doing well. I’m staying at the Blazing Portal in Xaos, under the name Am; I’ve got the rooftop suite. Have you travelled to the Outlands before?”


    The reply Amdirlain received was such a blurted rush of excitement that she was surprised Lezekus could focus enough to cast.


    “Amdirlain! Yes, I know of it, but I don’t know anyone who''s been there. Can you send me an image, and I’ll be right there as soon as we can get excused from the patrol roster.”


    Amdirlain sent her an image from the exterior of the town to aid teleporting, along with directions and received a quick thanks. Since she’d surprised Lezekus, Amdirlain kept her curiosity about the reference to ‘we’ in check.