The Legend of Hieda III: Esteemed Companion

[Mr_Bob]

THAR SH' BLOWS!

> "THROW THE SPEAR!"

[Fightest]

> As if through molasses you send the spear flying, red lightning trailing in its wake. In moments, the spear's red light disappears in the black murk.
> Then the ocean flashes a bright red and a powerful shockwave violently rocks your ship. The spear does not reform in your hands.
> And the storm stops dead.
> "In hindsight," says Remilia in barely more than a whisper, "we do not think this was the right thing to do."
> She is shaking visibly.

[Mr_Bob]

>"I fear you may be right, if the Ocean has been killed, and not merely subdued."
>Another god will likely take its place, right?
>"Remilia, what were you saying about a spider?"

[Fightest]

> "It was so strange, but you must have seen it too, here one moment, another place - another time - the next. Like opening a page deeper in a book and finding the same passage that you have just read repeated."
> She looks up at the clearing clouds with the sun beginning to shine through.
> "We do not understand the context of this, the significance. Frankly, we were content living a life of luxury and decadence, with little need of such adventure. But something is going to happen. You will be at the centre of it, Miss Stowaway. But we will not be there with you."
> She gives you a cold look, and starts to walk away.
> "You are welcome to stay aboard this ship and use its accommodations to your desire, but we would part with you as soon as we reach our destination," she says over her shoulder.

[Mr_Bob]

>Other crew?
>What are Illuminating Decree's thoughts on this situation?

[Fightest]

>Other crew?
>What are Illuminating Decree's thoughts on this situation?

> During the next few days of your stay aboard the ship, you find no other humans. The ship is crewed and maintained by a staff of spirits and elementals, all giving you a wide berth.
> In your grey world of glass and the sound of knives the little crow creature still sifts through the wreckage of dreams, muttering to herself.
> "Hm? The ocean? Pah, old news, unsatisfying. This one, however, this one! Ah, but elaborate, is it not? Now, where was that little piece, it was here somewhere..."
> She returns to assembling.

[Mr_Bob]

>"What story is this?"
>"Anything I can help with?"

[Fightest]

>"What story is this?"
>"Anything I can help with?"

> She looks at you with a gleam in her eye.
> "Mine."
> She turns back to her work.
> "Now go. My work. You get in the way."

[Mr_Bob]

>How far are we from the mainland?

[Fightest]

(Fightest's note: oy vey)

>How far are we from the mainland?

> Joke's on you buddy:
> Time passes.
> Your isolation becomes increasingly felt in the remaining days of the voyage. You no longer had companions, save for Illuminating Decree, although you were never in want for food or drink.
> You do not need companions. All you need is purity and a sense of purpose.
> You reached the mainland a day ago now, where the ocean eats into the land like a hungry caterpillar, at the northeastern shore. You have not forgotten the two strange spheres in your pack, that carry with them an entire village that slipped into the cracks of destiny.
> And the land beneath your feet feels familiar again, for you have been here before, long ago. Just over the mountain pass northeast are the great plains and rivers ruled by a powerful dynasty. You know their story - it was part of your Fantasy Heaven until not long ago, the story of brothers and sisters, of conspiracy and the looming threat of civil war. Perhaps they will be the first to rebuild the broken shards of dreams?

[Mr_Bob]

>Disembark.
>Examine port (town?).
>How far away is this mountain pass?
>Anything else nearby?