10-22-2017, 06:50 AM
The chip weighed down on Ebony’s pocket. While small, she could feel its swaying side to side from inside her cloak. She frowned, flicking off the crusty gore with her magic while talking Morene’s arm around her shoulder. Her legs bent as she forced them to move, one step at a time. Rocks crushed under the additional weight behind her steps, fragments adding to the ash saturated air.
Claptrap did little to assist. While definitely full of spirit, the boxy robot lacked the ability to do anything more than drag Morene’s arm.
The ground rumbled and Ebony yelped, clenching onto Morene tightly. A faint wisp of burning magic flickered around Ebony’s free arm, singeing her cloak. Her throat burned, and her head spun as the magic freely crashed throughout her body. Near-endless reserves of power, but a body and mind too frail to use it. Right now – without the necklace - it was nothing more than a danger, another obstruction in the trio’s road to safety. Slowing down for a second, Ebony glanced around, looking for the black piece of leather.
Morene looked at her with worry, sensing the change in pace. "Ebony, we have to go."
Amidst the charred ground and mounds of ash, the item was camouflaged. Lost for good. She frowned before breaking into a string of coughs. Her wounds seemed to inhibit her less than her magic itself. It helped a bit, but while uncooperative for the most part, the main issue was how uncontrollable the swarming mass of mana was - especially when unrestrained. The wrong gesture or impulse could catalyse a chain reaction of spells; that's what the mages always told her.
She stopped, breathing in and then breathing out, eyes closed. Dust picked up at her feet, loosely swirling around her and Morene. Feeling a faint squeeze on her shoulder, Ebony opened her eyes. The crusty residue of tears littered her face, as did the faint red of smeared blood. Ebony's gaze turned to Morene. Concern. Even now, she was putting Ebony first.
"W-w-why?" Turning her head away, she hid the tears under her hood. "It's not fair. Why c-c-couldn't everything just go right? But n-now you're hurt and my magic w-w-won't w-work right and Sonny's gone and it's all my fault and I don't know what to dooo-oo." She shivered.
If Claptrap was planning on saying anything, Morene's look silenced it. "Breathe. Just breathe Ebony. And keep moving forward." She coughed, clutching her chest, before straining her voice to continue speaking. "I'll be fine. And Sonny is strong."
"I'm scared."
A loud rumble echoed across the sky, followed by a thunderous crack - like lightning. The shockwaves sent shivers down Ebony's spine, but Morene steadied her grip and began guiding the girl forwards once more. No sooner had they started moving again, a fissure split the ground behind them, exposing the harsh orange light of magma. Morene was quick to react, making sure Ebony didn't stop despite the pain it caused due to her condition.
"I know, dear. I know. But you've got to stay strong."
Ebony's subconscious returned to the dark chip in her pocket. Those had provided a lot of strength to Kuzuru. If she gave it to Morene, then maybe her friend would stop being hurt.
She shook her head. I can't trust it. Not after what they did to that... sword demon.
It confused her why he accepted the Darkloid's offer. He only wanted to use the chip, or get power, or something like that. Yet had no intent in joining Nebula. It made no sense. Was he evil? He'd helped them at the end, though. And on some of the journey.
I can't think about this right now.
She had to keep moving. She had to save Morene. One final challenge, then she could go home with Sonny and Summer.
Her back straightened with a jolt, but she maintained her grip on Morene. Ebony glared at the sea of destruction weaved across their path, willing it to cease. Of course, nothing did happen, although she did continue moving again. Wordlessly.
Morene was hurt. She needed to hurry up, to move, quickly. The steadily increasing weight on her shoulders was a continuous reminder of that fact. Nonetheless, Ebony ploughed on, acting as though she was carrying nought but a feather. She had to. Her legs moved mechanically. She refused to let them stop. Her friend was hurt because of her, and she wasn't going rest until Morene was safe.
A football-sized rock slammed into the ground to the side of Ebony's feet. She didn't flinch, only noticing it from the slight vibration through the ground. Grabbing it with her magic, she flung it forwards aggressively. It sailed straight over Claptrap's head, pulverising a pile of rocks blocking an unforeseen path. Ebony continued, unphased as more stone slid down the mountain to refill the blockage. If they pushed through it, from what she saw through the temporary gap, it seemed to lead down much faster than the route on the left Claptrap was leading them.
Claptrap, spinning around in surprise and spotting Ebony's determined gaze, was quick to make a judgement. "Whoah, whoah, whoah. We're not going through there." The route was treacherous. There was no telling when more rubble, or even lava, would slide down the cliff face it followed down.
Ebony didn't reply, choosing only to speed up her pace, almost dragging Morene along with her as she moved to the other route.
She slowed down, hearing Morene say something but not quite catching the first few words. "...ahead. Make sure we've got a way to the exit."
"On it boss!" The robot saluted, spinning around and moving down the decline.
"Wait!" Ebony called out. Claptrap slowed to a stop. "If you see Summer and Sonny, tell them... tell them they better stay safe, alright?"
Claptrap shrugged his metal arms, replying as he sped off. "Sure thing."
Mere seconds later, lava bubbled, erupting to the surface a short distance behind Ebony and Morene. The thick liquid slowly pooled across the rock. They had time to move, even with Morene's slow pace, but it did serve as a reminder to hurry up. It wouldn't be long before the whole mountain collapsed in on itself, and if they didn't reach the exit by then, it was unlikely they'd make it out alive.
Ebony tried to speed up, taking on more of Morene's weight in an attempt to assist her friend as much as she could. Her heart thumped in her chest, pumping adrenaline throughout her body. Sweaty matted hair clumped together, dangling down her shoulders.
In a strange way, it reminded Ebony of that one time she caught one of the many strands of flu. That achy, tired, burning sensation lingered throughout her body - but instead of sleeping it off, she had to walk down an unstable mountain carrying her wounded friend. Doubts, fears, worry clung to her mind. She couldn't give up.
Morene slowed, leaning on Ebony even more than before despite her gradually decreasing grip.
Ebony ignored it. Morene was strong, she wouldn't stop. She couldn't stop. She was going to be fine - she had to be.
Grunting in exertion, Ebony tightened her arm around Morene's waist and brought her other free hand up to hold Morene's arm more firmly around her shoulders. At this point, she was almost dragging the woman, but Ebony refused to stop. Her friend had saved her, and she was going to stop at nothing to return the favour.
Scrape.
The grating sound of metal skidding against rock reverberated through her skull, snapping her out of her thoughts. There were few things that Ebony hated, made her unconditionally angry, frustrated, or even scared. That horrific noise was one of them. She shuddered, only to snap her head to the side upon noticing Morene's lax grip. One of the woman's legs lay limp, armour etching into the floor as she drifted, barely staying attached to Ebony.
No.
No.
This wasn't happening.
"No..." Ebony looked down at her friend in dismay.
"Ebony, I can't-" she broke down, coughing, and then wincing in pain. "Go on ahead. I'll be... fine."
Morene relaxed her grip, sliding onto a heap on the ground while Ebony fought to keep her steady. Being potentially five times heavier than Ebony while in her armour, she wasn't going to make it back up without work from both of them. Regardless, Ebony managed to hold on long enough lean Morene back against a rock. To one side, Claptraps tracks were clearly visible. To the other, the lava was slowly following them down the winding path, often joined by clumps of ash and rock. They couldn't afford to wait for long.
"No! You promised! You have to come with me. I'm not leaving you." A literal fire burnt behind her eyes as her magic fluctuated in tune with her emotions. Fortunately, it was stifled almost immediately, doing nothing but warming the air. "Pleeease."
Reaching out, Morene clasped Ebony's hand between her palms. "Ebony, go ahead... I'll catch up later-" Specks of blood dripped down from her mouth, coughed up by her body.
Grimacing, Ebony held still, shuddering. Buried under ash. Crushed under rocks. Incinerated by lava. Bleeding to death by the side of the road. She had to do something, anything, otherwise, that would be Morene's fate.
She gave one last heave, trying to pull Morene to her feet. She sensed she might have even had she used her magic to assist at full strength, but that would only have made her friend's injuries worse.
Relaxing her grip, she let go, letting her hand trail near her pocket - near the chip. She didn't trust it. There had to be a catch, but right now, this was the only option she had. The only way for Morene to come with her was with the use of such a small little chip. And evil chip, one made by a monster, yet right now, that was out of her control. She had to use it, and hope Morene would be receptive. If there was even the slightest chance it would work, Ebony vowed to take it.
Shakily, her fist closed around it, then opened in front of Morene. "I f-found this. And I d-don't know if it'll w-work but we have to try." She dreaded Morene's response. Her friend probably didn't trust the chip either, but Ebony forced it into her hands.
The mountain trembled, sending layers of hot rock and ash tumbling towards the two.
Ebony's magic tore through the ground, groping at the nearby outcrops, tearing through them, and holding the pieces in the way - like a rocky shield. A V-shaped wall to divert the onslaught. Without thinking, she held stalwart in front of Morene, bracing and counting down the seconds before the collision.
"Okay."
Morene's croaky voice was barely audible over the deep rumbling, and quickly suppressed by a loud-
SLAM.
Ebony winced, sharp shards and fragmented stones cut through the gaps in her hastily made defence, spraying against her. She blinked, trying to clear the dust from her eyes while straining under to force. Out the corner of her eye, she saw Morene move, but couldn't focus on it. All her willpower went towards halting the landslide, diverting it.
The rockslide split, a devastating mass curling around the fork in its path, yet still trying to force its way forwards.
Legs bending, Ebony closed her eyes, tightening her magical vice around the rocks.
Alas, she had limits. Everyone, and everything, did.
She convulsed, blood trickling down her chin as she continued to strain further.
Crack.
Her wall split, central rock broken into fragments.
She looked up, eyes widening upon noticing the proximity of the lava, with more spurting to the surface to join it.
Without giving her time to react, it shot towards her viciously, like a snake.
"NO!"
Ebony screamed, her magic exploding outwards in a mist of icy blue smoke, pushing back the barrage an instant before it met her skin. Molten rock arced into the sky, freezing and glueing its neighbouring rocks together. Within a second, a dam had formed, growing outwards and merging with the landslide.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Ebony flopped, falling back into Morene's arms.
Claptrap did little to assist. While definitely full of spirit, the boxy robot lacked the ability to do anything more than drag Morene’s arm.
The ground rumbled and Ebony yelped, clenching onto Morene tightly. A faint wisp of burning magic flickered around Ebony’s free arm, singeing her cloak. Her throat burned, and her head spun as the magic freely crashed throughout her body. Near-endless reserves of power, but a body and mind too frail to use it. Right now – without the necklace - it was nothing more than a danger, another obstruction in the trio’s road to safety. Slowing down for a second, Ebony glanced around, looking for the black piece of leather.
Morene looked at her with worry, sensing the change in pace. "Ebony, we have to go."
Amidst the charred ground and mounds of ash, the item was camouflaged. Lost for good. She frowned before breaking into a string of coughs. Her wounds seemed to inhibit her less than her magic itself. It helped a bit, but while uncooperative for the most part, the main issue was how uncontrollable the swarming mass of mana was - especially when unrestrained. The wrong gesture or impulse could catalyse a chain reaction of spells; that's what the mages always told her.
She stopped, breathing in and then breathing out, eyes closed. Dust picked up at her feet, loosely swirling around her and Morene. Feeling a faint squeeze on her shoulder, Ebony opened her eyes. The crusty residue of tears littered her face, as did the faint red of smeared blood. Ebony's gaze turned to Morene. Concern. Even now, she was putting Ebony first.
"W-w-why?" Turning her head away, she hid the tears under her hood. "It's not fair. Why c-c-couldn't everything just go right? But n-now you're hurt and my magic w-w-won't w-work right and Sonny's gone and it's all my fault and I don't know what to dooo-oo." She shivered.
If Claptrap was planning on saying anything, Morene's look silenced it. "Breathe. Just breathe Ebony. And keep moving forward." She coughed, clutching her chest, before straining her voice to continue speaking. "I'll be fine. And Sonny is strong."
"I'm scared."
A loud rumble echoed across the sky, followed by a thunderous crack - like lightning. The shockwaves sent shivers down Ebony's spine, but Morene steadied her grip and began guiding the girl forwards once more. No sooner had they started moving again, a fissure split the ground behind them, exposing the harsh orange light of magma. Morene was quick to react, making sure Ebony didn't stop despite the pain it caused due to her condition.
"I know, dear. I know. But you've got to stay strong."
Ebony's subconscious returned to the dark chip in her pocket. Those had provided a lot of strength to Kuzuru. If she gave it to Morene, then maybe her friend would stop being hurt.
She shook her head. I can't trust it. Not after what they did to that... sword demon.
It confused her why he accepted the Darkloid's offer. He only wanted to use the chip, or get power, or something like that. Yet had no intent in joining Nebula. It made no sense. Was he evil? He'd helped them at the end, though. And on some of the journey.
I can't think about this right now.
She had to keep moving. She had to save Morene. One final challenge, then she could go home with Sonny and Summer.
Her back straightened with a jolt, but she maintained her grip on Morene. Ebony glared at the sea of destruction weaved across their path, willing it to cease. Of course, nothing did happen, although she did continue moving again. Wordlessly.
Morene was hurt. She needed to hurry up, to move, quickly. The steadily increasing weight on her shoulders was a continuous reminder of that fact. Nonetheless, Ebony ploughed on, acting as though she was carrying nought but a feather. She had to. Her legs moved mechanically. She refused to let them stop. Her friend was hurt because of her, and she wasn't going rest until Morene was safe.
A football-sized rock slammed into the ground to the side of Ebony's feet. She didn't flinch, only noticing it from the slight vibration through the ground. Grabbing it with her magic, she flung it forwards aggressively. It sailed straight over Claptrap's head, pulverising a pile of rocks blocking an unforeseen path. Ebony continued, unphased as more stone slid down the mountain to refill the blockage. If they pushed through it, from what she saw through the temporary gap, it seemed to lead down much faster than the route on the left Claptrap was leading them.
Claptrap, spinning around in surprise and spotting Ebony's determined gaze, was quick to make a judgement. "Whoah, whoah, whoah. We're not going through there." The route was treacherous. There was no telling when more rubble, or even lava, would slide down the cliff face it followed down.
Ebony didn't reply, choosing only to speed up her pace, almost dragging Morene along with her as she moved to the other route.
She slowed down, hearing Morene say something but not quite catching the first few words. "...ahead. Make sure we've got a way to the exit."
"On it boss!" The robot saluted, spinning around and moving down the decline.
"Wait!" Ebony called out. Claptrap slowed to a stop. "If you see Summer and Sonny, tell them... tell them they better stay safe, alright?"
Claptrap shrugged his metal arms, replying as he sped off. "Sure thing."
Mere seconds later, lava bubbled, erupting to the surface a short distance behind Ebony and Morene. The thick liquid slowly pooled across the rock. They had time to move, even with Morene's slow pace, but it did serve as a reminder to hurry up. It wouldn't be long before the whole mountain collapsed in on itself, and if they didn't reach the exit by then, it was unlikely they'd make it out alive.
Ebony tried to speed up, taking on more of Morene's weight in an attempt to assist her friend as much as she could. Her heart thumped in her chest, pumping adrenaline throughout her body. Sweaty matted hair clumped together, dangling down her shoulders.
In a strange way, it reminded Ebony of that one time she caught one of the many strands of flu. That achy, tired, burning sensation lingered throughout her body - but instead of sleeping it off, she had to walk down an unstable mountain carrying her wounded friend. Doubts, fears, worry clung to her mind. She couldn't give up.
Morene slowed, leaning on Ebony even more than before despite her gradually decreasing grip.
Ebony ignored it. Morene was strong, she wouldn't stop. She couldn't stop. She was going to be fine - she had to be.
Grunting in exertion, Ebony tightened her arm around Morene's waist and brought her other free hand up to hold Morene's arm more firmly around her shoulders. At this point, she was almost dragging the woman, but Ebony refused to stop. Her friend had saved her, and she was going to stop at nothing to return the favour.
Scrape.
The grating sound of metal skidding against rock reverberated through her skull, snapping her out of her thoughts. There were few things that Ebony hated, made her unconditionally angry, frustrated, or even scared. That horrific noise was one of them. She shuddered, only to snap her head to the side upon noticing Morene's lax grip. One of the woman's legs lay limp, armour etching into the floor as she drifted, barely staying attached to Ebony.
No.
No.
This wasn't happening.
"No..." Ebony looked down at her friend in dismay.
"Ebony, I can't-" she broke down, coughing, and then wincing in pain. "Go on ahead. I'll be... fine."
Morene relaxed her grip, sliding onto a heap on the ground while Ebony fought to keep her steady. Being potentially five times heavier than Ebony while in her armour, she wasn't going to make it back up without work from both of them. Regardless, Ebony managed to hold on long enough lean Morene back against a rock. To one side, Claptraps tracks were clearly visible. To the other, the lava was slowly following them down the winding path, often joined by clumps of ash and rock. They couldn't afford to wait for long.
"No! You promised! You have to come with me. I'm not leaving you." A literal fire burnt behind her eyes as her magic fluctuated in tune with her emotions. Fortunately, it was stifled almost immediately, doing nothing but warming the air. "Pleeease."
Reaching out, Morene clasped Ebony's hand between her palms. "Ebony, go ahead... I'll catch up later-" Specks of blood dripped down from her mouth, coughed up by her body.
Grimacing, Ebony held still, shuddering. Buried under ash. Crushed under rocks. Incinerated by lava. Bleeding to death by the side of the road. She had to do something, anything, otherwise, that would be Morene's fate.
She gave one last heave, trying to pull Morene to her feet. She sensed she might have even had she used her magic to assist at full strength, but that would only have made her friend's injuries worse.
Relaxing her grip, she let go, letting her hand trail near her pocket - near the chip. She didn't trust it. There had to be a catch, but right now, this was the only option she had. The only way for Morene to come with her was with the use of such a small little chip. And evil chip, one made by a monster, yet right now, that was out of her control. She had to use it, and hope Morene would be receptive. If there was even the slightest chance it would work, Ebony vowed to take it.
Shakily, her fist closed around it, then opened in front of Morene. "I f-found this. And I d-don't know if it'll w-work but we have to try." She dreaded Morene's response. Her friend probably didn't trust the chip either, but Ebony forced it into her hands.
The mountain trembled, sending layers of hot rock and ash tumbling towards the two.
Ebony's magic tore through the ground, groping at the nearby outcrops, tearing through them, and holding the pieces in the way - like a rocky shield. A V-shaped wall to divert the onslaught. Without thinking, she held stalwart in front of Morene, bracing and counting down the seconds before the collision.
"Okay."
Morene's croaky voice was barely audible over the deep rumbling, and quickly suppressed by a loud-
SLAM.
Ebony winced, sharp shards and fragmented stones cut through the gaps in her hastily made defence, spraying against her. She blinked, trying to clear the dust from her eyes while straining under to force. Out the corner of her eye, she saw Morene move, but couldn't focus on it. All her willpower went towards halting the landslide, diverting it.
The rockslide split, a devastating mass curling around the fork in its path, yet still trying to force its way forwards.
Legs bending, Ebony closed her eyes, tightening her magical vice around the rocks.
Alas, she had limits. Everyone, and everything, did.
She convulsed, blood trickling down her chin as she continued to strain further.
Crack.
Her wall split, central rock broken into fragments.
She looked up, eyes widening upon noticing the proximity of the lava, with more spurting to the surface to join it.
Without giving her time to react, it shot towards her viciously, like a snake.
"NO!"
Ebony screamed, her magic exploding outwards in a mist of icy blue smoke, pushing back the barrage an instant before it met her skin. Molten rock arced into the sky, freezing and glueing its neighbouring rocks together. Within a second, a dam had formed, growing outwards and merging with the landslide.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Ebony flopped, falling back into Morene's arms.
Quote:2054 words (MS Word).
Claptrap splits off and goes ahead to scout/make sure Morene and Eb have a clear route.
Ebony gives "DARKCHIP: DARK RECOVERY" to Morene, which Morene uses.
All of Morene's injuries have been healed (offscreen, letting Morene write that).
Ebony makes a wall of rocks with telekinesis and uses T1SD - Super Mega Awesome Explosion to halt a landslide of rock and lava and stuff.
Eb flops (not unconsious, just tired, it's past her bed time)
2 OP left, I think. (Eb used 1 just now)