Sour Starry Skies [Job]

"The crystals themselves are pretty hard to break if only because they are underwater." he explained to her. That alone made them hard to break as you couldn't put your full power into the swing of your attack. On top of that you were underwater so couldn't spend much time attacking. Then of course you had the fish. "If you and your denizens can hold off the fish, maybe catch a few, I can probably get part of a crystal. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve since the last time I was here." As if to demonstrate this he closed his eyes and began to focus. Two spells of his when combined would give him greater strength and speed allowing him to more easily get at the crystals. At first it seemed like two powders were forming in his hand, one red and one green. However, as they flowed onto his palm they began to merge till a yellow powder was formed. No, not yellow, golden. He held this up to his nose and enhaled deeply before without much thought kicked off his shoes and removed his trousers. He gave a brief wink at her before leaping off the edge and diving straight down into the lake his muscles glistening in the strange pseudo starlight and real starlight.

He hit the water like an arrow and dove straight through it going towards the crystal nearest where he had dove in. All around him he could see and sense the presence of creatures, but for now they were backing away as the magic that flowed through him was quite powerful. There was also a strange, almost demonic presence about him. His face had changed like before forming into three and his arms to six whilst all six eyes glowed red with intense focus.  From the tip of his finger an intense beam of heat began to fire off causing the water around it to bubble. As it hit the crystal it began to carve into it and he slowly began to move around using the heat to try and weaken the structure somewhat.

He hoped that Shade was at least trying to defend him as the fish wouldn't stay away for long. He didn't have a lot of magic left and in water Aegis would not be the most useful ally. He was too heavy and too slow. Or at least too slow in water.

Magic:

If he wanted crystals then he could have them. If he wanted some of the fish too then so be it. Shade would do her best to accommodate Magna’s wishes as determination filled her. Between her, a denizen, and Amarylis’ true form they should be able to buy him enough time. ’And if truly need be, then I can summon another.’ Though that brought with it risks as it wrought an awful strain on this body, leaving her vulnerable in the process. She waved it away: death already took her once. It couldn’t do so a second time.

Watching the red head inhale the powder and cocking her head to the side in question, a small blush growing as he disrobed so easily, heartbeat jumping as he outright winked at her. Some things simply would take more getting used to, though she wouldn’t call it bad as she followed suit. Boots, leggings, even her jacket and dress left the girl in her camisole, underwear, and the ribbon around her neck. Not even in this moment would she remove it, the scrap sometimes acting like a second skin to the girl. She didn’t want to have to explain that story. Not now, preferably never even if other voices cautioned it might arise someday.

Amarylis reappeared nearby, her form glowing a dark shade as the fox-like form gave way to a draconic figure. White, smooth scales adorned her body, only her underbelly a shade of charcoal close to her other form’s fur coat, although eyes remained that same ruby red. Lowering her neck for her master, the short, white-haired girl climbed on and let the large beast dive in for them, bracing herself even as she pulled a denizen from “Paradise.” Into the night sky they plunged.

If not for the bright glow of the crystals she would’ve already lost him, yet their illumination allowed her to view inside the lake so easily. It would’ve been a sight worth checking out if not for her mission and the dangers lurking down below. Already some of the fish looked as though they considered going for the chef.

Letting go, letting Amarylis sail through the waters towards one of the braver fish of the school, she floated nearby the large, fluffy body of Kumei. As if mirroring the glow from the crystals parts of him lit up in turn, the eerie blue sticking out amidst his darker coating, and causing his white main to appear very luminescent by default. The water around both of them cooled all the more, her clothing shifting into a dark bikini compared to the usual outfit she received with the summon. Most might view him a bit clunky in the water, but as he latched onto a charging fish and sunk the claws of his odd tongue into the beast she knew she’d made a good choice in him. The beast would fall under Kumei’s control soon – though she imagined with the thick denizen riding on it, he’d keep it more at bay than add it to their small wall of defense - something Shade would mirror as she summoned the whip form of her Cursed Wave and hooked it into another underwater predator. Unlike Kumei though she intended to force the fish into fighting its kind on their behalf. Her controlling denizen would focus more on creating a small stockpile of the beasts through his controlling means, riding it back to the surface and kill it on land before heading back into the depths.

The crystal was imbued with intense heat from the beam which cut into it. Yet it was this very heat and not the cutting that would be what he used to get his crystal. The heat was so intense the very water around it began to bubble yet one who observed closely would notice that the heat had not travelled up the crystal, but stayed in that perfect line he had formed. He nodded and then prepared the next part of his attack. This would use almost all of his remaining magic power, but with it he hoped to be able to weaken the area he'd heated sufficiently enough to break the cystal off above it.

A fork of glowing blue energy formed next to his hand as he kicked off the crystal. The water around it began to cool and form into small ice crystals, but the fork did not remain present long enough for that to be an issue as it was hurled towards the line he had formed. It hit it perfectly and instantly chilled it to freezing cold temperatures. Rapid heating followed by rapid cooling caused things to become brittle. Brittle meant they would break easier. Now all he needed was a way to hit it hard enough.

He swung his hand towards it and from his hand a small blast of concussive energy was launched giving the blow extra oomph and basically negating the slowing effect the water had. The crystal broke off near the point he had hit and began to fall. He didn't have much air left in his lungs, but knew that if it went too deep then he wouldn't be able to retreive it easily. He swung his arms behind him and began to let off rapid bursts of kinetic energy throwing him forward. The noise would likely attract fish, but he hoped his allies would keep him safe.

Just in time he managed to get below the crystal with four of his arms grabbing it whilst the two gloved ones fired downards to propel him up. It was just in time because as he flew upwards a fish snapped at just where he had been and was blasted downwards by the kinetic energy. As he got nearer the surface he began to feel the sensation of his lungs burning. They wanted air and he wasn't able to give it to them. He needed to surface, but the issue was even when he reached the surface how was he to get the crystal out onto the side. COuld he use the gloves to propel himself in the air as normal whilst carrying a weight such as the crystal? He wasn't sure. It was going to be tricky, but at least he was nearing the surface.

Well, he was until a fish, quite a small one compared to the others came out of nowhere and struck him in his back like an arrow piercing straight through his shoulder and causing him to yell out in pain. Not only did this cause the crystal to drop, but it had caused his mouth to open and now he was rapidly swallowing water. He tried to kick his way to the surface, but another one of the fishes darted through him. He glanced about and saw the culprit. It was a large fish and its mouth was full of smaller ones. He'd heard of it. The undersea howitzer known as Big Bertha. It fired its young like bullets to slice its prey apart. He didn't have time to think though and thrust his hands downwards throwing himself out of the water. Yet that did not save him for three more of the fish tore through him in the air. Fortunately, he managed to propel himself forward to the edge of the lake where there was a small ledge. From there at least he could defend himself from Bertha. The issue now though was how to get the crystal back.

Aegis formed next to him and began to twirl his axe. He was ready to help from the land. Now all he needed to do was get back into the water and avoid the dangers. Then an idea came to mind. All he had to do was get down beneath the waters and then he could use the cerberus powers to form a portal to get back out. That could work. It didn't require much magic. Problem was getting past Big Bertha and her Bullet Billys.

Magic:

More fish swarmed around them, the brave no longer the only ones in their midst as Shade grit her teeth. With his trips to kill the fish on the surface Kumei couldn’t keep up with the lot of them, and stunning them by taking control over one left Shade focusing on only two at a time. Red tainted some of the water as the now draconic form of Amarylis tore through a fish, leaving it as vines grew from the wounds and wound their way around the body. Its life force would become their’s until nothing but a husk remained as it sunk to the bottom of the lake. Yet as the white dragon-like creature swam to face an oncoming wave they couldn’t keep up anymore.

She spied it too late, having gone for air and made her way back down. One small fish slipped past their waning barrier and struck Magna on his way to the surface, the billowing bubbles racing towards the surface as the crystal ran in the opposite direction. ’No!’ she bemoaned, chills racing through her body even as she kicked downward, missing as another fish came onto the scene.

’Cielle!’ The voice cut through her mind, the white haired girl wincing a little even as annoyance bubbled up inside, ’You cannot bear it that long! You-‘

’I don’t recall giving you permission to use my name,’ she admonished, the tone cold as she continued diving. Up on the surface through Kumei she saw the fish that now faced off against Magna, more anger building at seeing him injured – likely by that thing no less – and banished the bulky chimera of her’s back to Paradise. He’d managed a small stockpile so the chef would have to make due with it as another one of her denizens manifested in the water. ’I command thee to deal with that blight!’

She didn’t wait to ensure the black rabbit Haigha listened: the denizens couldn’t disobey her. The large hands of the grinning rabbit helped propel her through water as bandages shot from her body towards the creature currently treading water. They broke through the water, the charcoal colored cloth winding itself around the creature with a wet slap, the things continuing to slither around its body as a couple of the ends sought out a particular target: the gills. Into the flaps they slipped, forcing their way into the creature’s systems even as vines added another layer around the creature, Shade having forced her large, white reptilian guardian into helping as well.

Down below she continued to chase the crystal, lungs beginning to burn and yet her eyes remained locked on the growing thing as it finally came to rest amidst a bundle. ’Just a little further…even…even if…I have to die….for a few days………it’ll…be…worth it….’

Magna was about to thank Shade for the help when he saw her dive. He dove down too propelling himself through the water via his gauntlets. He'd not intended to use them like this, but they sure came in useful and he rapidly caught up. His body was bloody and streaming it into the water. Other creatures were beginning to swarm, but they wouldn't get a chance to get them. He grabbed Shade by the hand and using his insane strength provided by the gauntlets lifted the crystal up with his remaining arms. Now came the hard bit. Getting to the surface. He had little magic power left so couldn't do anything too impressive, but he did have a few tricks that required little magic power. So little it wasn't noticeable. He began to swim upwards hefting the crystal with one hand now and using one gauntleted hand to propel himself upwards. With the remaining three he began to throw forks and knives made of energy and eggs that exploded with a rotten stench. The fish began to be driving backwards by the flurry. There were still some that were trying to come close and that was when Aegis struck.

He suddenly came streaming through the water and rammed his axe through one of the heads of a large fish at it was about to stab into Magna. His body and axe began to glow with energy and then a huge wyvern tore through the water creating a temporary tunnel that blasted away many fish and scared off others. Long enough for Magna to bring the pair to the surface and toss the crystal onto the side before carrying Shade out. He looked at her with a slight grin on his face. "Well, we got what we came for...didn't think it would be quite as bad as that. Thanks for the help. Remind me to cook you and your friends a good meal when we get back" he said, but then looked at her for a moment wondering if she was ok.

He felt a sudden familiar weight at his side as Aegis reverted to knife form and appeared back at his side. It was a quick way for him to get about and shortly after he reformed and look down at the fish a stern expression on his face. No fish was coming close for now. They'd driven them back.

Just a little further and she’d be there…! ’So close…’ The muscles in her jaw tightened as the girl willed her body not to gasp for air. She’d experienced a twisted version of drowning once before in her life and refused to relive that moment. Swimming became harder and harder though, her senses dulling as her vision seemed to fade until the crystal remained the sole, visible object. ’Please…’ she mentally cried out, hand outstretched towards it. Surprise rocketed through her as something clamped down around her wrist, the summoner vaguely realizing what – or rather who – it was as finally the crystal came close. Another hand reached out for it and she almost blindly tried to murmur a thanks, the word unable to leave her mind luckily.

Trickles of water slipped in, dread filling her and a small fear blossoming: what if Magna let go? Shade desperately didn’t want to sink to the bottom, but she knew that if he did then that’s where she’d end up. Finally they broke the surface, the fish forced away and allowing them to finally leave the water. Strength felt like a forgotten concept as the white haired girl couldn’t seem to muster any up to the point her lanky, dark hued rabbit already disappeared back to Paradise to possibly await her return. She wasn’t sure at this point as she coughed a little, but couldn’t find the will to breathe too deeply. Shakily and sluggishly one of her hands moved towards her throat, fingers tracing the wet ribbon still tied in place.

From the water rose the white dragon, Amarylis’ ruby red eyes watching Shade as she swam over. Clawed wings framed the girl as the large reptile observed her, taking on a protective stance, and then she roared.

The sound startled Shade, jolting her systems and sending the girl into a raucous coughing fit and finally gasping for the air her body desperately wanted. Only once she’d calmed down did Amarylis take to her smaller form, the rideable canine form sniffing at her master. As magenta eyes opened Shade croakily spoke, ”I just…need…a mo….ment…”

Magna looked down at Shade. A small amount of his magic power had been restored and now he was going to use it all on her. He focused and formed a bottle of liquid in one hand and a strange golden mist hovered above the other. He scrunched his hand together and then places the hand above the bottle and the bottle began to glow brightly with magical energy. He focused and two glasses formed into which he poured the liquid which looked like wine yet shone like gold and had a faint mist floating around inside it. He gently and slowly lifted the head of his beloved and held a glass to her lips. "Drink this Shade. It will restore your strength and heal your wounds." he said calmly and soothingly. He hoped Aegis was enough to defend them from the remaining fish, should they dare attack, because right now Magna was in no fit state to fight and in truth neither was Shade. Hopefully the drink he had conjured would be enough to get them into a fit state to at least get to somewhere safe. "It is a drink synthesised from blessed wine and chateau victoria. Its the strongest healing i'm able to do at the moment." he explained incase she was still skeptical.

Whilst he was helping her with the drink he lifted his own glass via his tail and slowly drank it. As he did so the wounds that had been inflicted by the fish from earlier began to glow golden as they slowly stitched together. It was in a way quite beautiful and should certainly alleviate any concerns Shade or her animal-like companions might have.

Magic:

Perhaps it was ironic that after nearly drowning Magna would heal her using another liquid. The mere thought almost caused the girl to scrunch her nose though it’d be the actual taste that enacted the action. She’d never been one for bitter tastes, unsure how others could stomach such things. Still though he’d been kind enough to help her drink so she pushed through it, giving a small shiver once she’d finished it: gods how she craved something sweet now! He hadn’t lied though, the girl able to sit up alone now, energy again coursing through her. ’What even creates such a dangerous species of fish?’ she pondered, eyes turning to the crystal. Perhaps they somehow enhanced the wildlife?

They’d been victorious though and thanks to Kumei earlier even had a small pile of the large fish for Magna to do with as he pleased. And yet the victory tasted as bitter as the drink as Shade huffed: in the end she’d only helped a small fraction compared to what her love put forth. ’I couldn’t even prevent him from being harmed.’ Knowing some of the fish caused those injuries and perhaps the fumbling of the crystal irked her greatly, and if not for the fact he wanted to use them for food she might’ve had a ball tearing them asunder and feeding the carcasses to her denizens. Food might not be a requirement for them, but they seemed to view it as a treat. Finally, when she felt confident enough her voice wouldn’t come out faint or with a croak Shade murmured, ”I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you…stupid fish.” Next time something went after the monkey chef – and as long as they were on land – she’d see to it they found themselves crushed beneath CM or perhaps squeezed into a pulp by Haigha.

THe medicine had perhaps not had the sweetest taste in the world, but it certainly was effective. He would have to make a mental note to experiment with various wines in order to improve the taste of this spell fusion. "There is no need to apologise. It was perhaps a bit stupid of us to go in there just the two of us...at least without studying a bit." he said with a nervous chuckle. "Didn't realise there were any in there with ranged capabilities." He placed his hand upon the fish and focused sending them to his pocket dimension. The same went for the crystal. "You still kept a bunch off of me and that was enough to let me get the crystal. Without you I'd probably of died or been a lot worse off."

"In fact, to thank you and your friends i'm going to make a special meal with these ingredeints." he said and glanced over at the big bertha fish. "And that thing and its bullet billys are going to be a main part me thinks." With that the two headed back towards their home at Black Rose. Little did they know the guild on Lavantir would not be their home much longer and their lives would change rather dramatically. For now though they were happy, if injured, and content.

[END]