Have Yourself a Very Crimson Christmas

Jent · #61

"Yes, London," Drausus agreed, seeing that the woman saw it more as a place than just a mental representation. The Jentil felt a bit at ease with the extra energy Zerexe transferred over. Lowering his guard, the Distortionist transmitted some of this spare power to his copies.

"And there is still that 'dragon' to be dealt with. Ariel is taking care of that now."

#62

"You're Drausus" the woman said, trying to get her 'head' around it, so to speak "This golden lady next to you is Zerexe and that redheaded woman flying over there is Ariel? But those other men are also you?" Keela made a show of scratching her head. "Makes perfect sense. That dragon is a menace, he did terrible things to me and the rest of the city.... But what do you want me to do? I can't do anything..."

Meanwhile...

The stormcloud from the Red Dragon Aspects jaws let loose a torrent of lightning at Ariel and the two Drausus clones as it approached.

Jent · #63

"You'd be surprised," Drausus mused, plucking a coin from his pocket. Normal in appearance, it grew outward into a large oval mirror once flipped in the air, floating on its own. "Take a look..."

Having mentally gone through all the details he observed in this mindscape, the Jentil had went to create a 'trailer' of sorts. The video played out scenes of the woman's strength, with a voice over explaining the jist of her story. A girl turned to hero, driven to darkness by a foul dragon's magic... And what will she decide is right in the end?

"Despite its origins, you can help make things right... Break the corruption within you."

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The Internalist teleported with great ease, reappearing on the opposite end of the current fight. Whereas the other duplicate launched him upwards at an angle to avoid the blast.

#64

Zerexe watched everything unfolding. ...She could deal with a shitty dragon. He's a bootleg. She took her bow and drew an arrow back, letting it loose into his maw. Piercing arrows like hers would make nice holes in the overgrown lizard, and if he was somehow too tough for that embed nicely to jam him up. While the electricity may be lost on him, it was still going to hurt like hell. She kept near Drausus to keep feeding him energy.

#65

Keela looked into the mirror that was held up by Drausus, her green eyes widened as she watched all that had happened to her unfold. It was unbelievable, it couldn't be possible. Yet somehow she knew that it was. Keela stared at it. "What will I-I don't-This is impossible!" She was somehow jarred by these revelations.

Meanwhile Zerexes arrow had pierced the foul beasts maw and locked it shut

Jent · #66

"It is not only possible, but the truth thus far," Drausus reminded the woman in denial. "We need you to help yourself so this carnage doesn't happen again. Help us defeat that scar."

#67

At the last possible moment, Ariel stuck out the rapier she held. This was a construct, yes, but it was one that would behave according to what the person believed and knew, and considering the landscape, this lady would surely know electricity was attracted to the highest metal object.

And while the electricity was not real either, it was the mental scarring lashing out to defend itself. In other words....pure insanity. The goddess absorbed it, causing her appearance to become brighter and more vibrant....until the arrow locked the dragon's maul shut.

That was fine, Ariel had gotten the boost she needed. She used as much of the newfound energy as she dared, jumping forward and slashing at the dragon's neck.

#68

Zerexe watched it all unfolding. The Mad God's fight, the woman coming to terms. She drew another arrow back as energy flooded into it, sending constant sparks out and around her before she let loose and sent it flying at the dragon's body.

#69

Keela stared at the mirror, then up at the sky to the fight between woman and Dragon. This was impossible! Yet it wasn't. All this had happened... she remembered it all. "I-okay. I'll try" she said again, taking a deep breath.

At this point Ariel lunged forwards towards the beast that represented the scar so fast that she was almost a blur, slashing right through the Dragons throat at the same time as the arrow from Zerexe pierced its body. A rumbling quake ran through the mindscape as the powerful scarring was dissipated, the Dragon from the wounds of sword and arrow exploded in a burst of bright light that reduced to small sparkles in the air.

Keela suddenly felt a heaviness lifted from her and the place became more vibrant. It also became slightly more stylised-she was from a Painted Reality after all.

Jent · #70

Drausus gave a soft smile at her acceptance for change. "Now..." the Jentil trailed off, watching the shift in reality around them all. An artisan touch to the world once Keela's mind began to heal from the scar. "Any words you like to add, Ariel? Zerexe?"

Dismissing the two duplicates of himself, he wanted to see how the others would explain to this troubled woman. And how to keep her stable in the longrun.

#71

::Ariel floats down, her head down and eyes closed, absorbing the sparks as they touch her skin. She is the very image of the goddess she is, but also looks worn and tired at the same time. As she lands softly and with a thought dismisses the weapon, no longer needed. She then opens her glowing eyes and looks directly at Keela::

Ariel: I have freed your mind so that you can be whatever you want to be. Very few mortals have ever been given this kind of blessing. I would advise not wasting it.

::as Ariel says this, she is starting to fade and become translucent. She can feel her prison calling her back, and she'll have to answer the call soon::

#72

Zerexe crossed her arms, thinking. "I recommend avoiding stupid dragons without a backup plan. Maybe get a new home. This one seems weird, and probably needs less paint brushes." The woman cracked her neck and waited on them.

#73

Though Keela listened to Drausus, she couldn't take her eyes off Ariel as she floated down. This woman was... amazing, and radiant. Keela stayed silent when Ariel opened her eyes and spoke, wondering what exactly she meant and why she seemed to be fading away before then looking to Zerexe. "This was my home, there were no Dragons or strange paintbrushes here before"

Keela then blinked as she noticed all of her personalities seemed to have solidified. She stared at them for a brief moment. "I-" she stuttered, then stopped. Two she definitely did not want to be-frustrated, or pandering to the terrible Red. The other three-one who felt when she did something bad, one heroic-and the other one her as she was before, the original.

Keela nodded slightly to herself. "I think I know what to do" She said, before holding her hands out to the Hero and Remorse. The three of them fused together whilst the left two disappeared. Oh and the sounds of birds had completely stopped. Keela felt better. Keela felt whole.

"I think I feel better, thank you-And I think I owe you all an apology too. Is there anything I can do for you?'

#74

Ariel: "Live to serve others, and never forget the gift you were given"

With that Ariel faded and disappeared altogether.

#75

"I will!" Keela said, she sounded stronger now...

However with that the strangely strong redheaded woman woke up on the ground of The Encampment. She held up a hand to her head, it felt much better-yet still weird. Keela turned her bright green eyes up to the others.

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble during your festival. Is there anything I cando to make up for it?"

She remembered everything, truly, this was a very strong person.