un: civil serpent | video.

[inferus]

( The video opens on the largest fissure in the Room of Seals, revealing the stairs that lead into the dark. Black eyes dart into view and then fade. The imagery shifts to the many other cracks filling the room. Wrath speaks, voice hard and ancient in the way of war: )

This version of Hell grows more restless by the hour. The dark water we've encountered before infects it. Every act of violence and rage, every death and spirit feed it further.

( Wrath's hand dips into the largest fissure. The dark liquid smoke pouring out of it wraps around his palm and the length of his arm. As if greeting an old, almost-familiar friend. He spreads his palm out and the smoke obeys, skittering back in through the crack.

The temperature in the room dips then. Ice pours from him across and within the fissure, sealing it. The ice continues to spread from his point of contact across the floor and walls, spilling into the hallway. The ground quakes as he pushes back against the power attempting to shove its way out.

The video then turns to Wrath: his gold eyes flash with anger, with violence that he pulls back within himself. His jaw locks as he surveys the room. )

...this will not hold long. These fissures will split the room open, but we may buy them time to replenish their forces and allow for more of their people to escape.

If you have magic or power, if you are capable of guarding and sending messages in the days to come, go to the Room of Seals. I will be waiting.

Comments

video | un: mansbane

[bravelyrunsaway]

This isn't sending messages right now? Relays can be more efficient with these stormstruck pendants, we know that.

audio.

[inferus]

It is. However, not everyone looks at their pendants in the heat of battle. The concern is more for guards who can keep an eye outside of the room as well as communication with those outside of the group as needed.

( Like with the royal family, the guard. It is unclear how much access they have to the network as always, but nonetheless. )

[ Private ]

Your particular ability to greatly enhance and strengthen magical power would be of use here.

private because he has no idea how to do partially private

[bravelyrunsaway]

Scatter our younger, faster ones around, they can relay when the rest are busy, can't they?

You mean my leaking magic all over the place. I can't use it, you know that. Can you keep whatever is down there from taking me while you take it?

private.

[inferus]

I am aware. But any magic user would be able to utilize it to create a more powerful seal.

Yes. I will. I would not recommend entering the room of seals without me and not until I have recovered.

( This world greatly affects his magic, and he will not be able to wield it to its full strength for days still. ) There are spirits of paladins here who wish to possess those who enter, but they ask permission so you only have to deny them.

[bravelyrunsaway]

I wouldn't come close without someone promising they can make magic work, I don't have a death wish, love, not an undying death wish either.

( he doesn't sound happy about it, but he's also been trotting past the searing seal site since their first day here, and the feel of it is getting worse. much as he wants to run off and livingly haunt the outside of this fortress beyond rathakku's reach until the rest of the party grows a survival instinct to share among them, it isn't happening yet, and this is a more immediate threat. )

Fine, let them shout, as long as they can't touch me.

[inferus]

I did not imagine you did. Your survival instinct appears to be better than most.

( That is a compliment even if it is delivered in the same matter-of-fact tone that Wrath delivers most of his words in. Some mortals miss out on the practicality aspect of staying alive, and they are likely to poke what should not be poked in the name of curiosity or something else.

Caution is occasionally rare. )

They will not touch you. ( This much he can assure him of. ) Thank you.

[bravelyrunsaway]

It exists. For most our strange little group, I don't think it does.

( Foreign concept, one that'd have helped them immensely in various situations. But hey. He doesn't find it his place or desire to correct anyone, so let them live as they will. )

I'd prefer other forms of gratitude.

( He says, because he doesn't Like This Situation, and he's not bothering to hide it. Why would he? There's no benefit, he's not looking to insert himself as close with any member of their group. It's why he's so unabashedly himself. He's not trying to impress any of them.

It'd be so exhausting. )

But verbal will do, I suppose. You want me wandering that way now, love?

[inferus]

Most would.

( There is simple acceptance of the statement that he would like more gratitude, something tangible, something more than a verbal thanks. Wrath cares little for the reasons why people do anything. He cares little for what people say as well. Actions are far more powerful than words.

Licyn will help. Whatever the reason, that is what matters. )

Give it a day.

This will hold for now, but tomorrow at this same time, they will be weaker, and we can restrengthen the hold.

[bravelyrunsaway]

A day then. I'm going to see what barely drinkable swill I can convince someone to share in the meantime.

[inferus]

The options are truly and unfortunately limited. ( when it comes to liquor. emilia had made him an imitation demonberry wine when they were in serthica, but it is long since gone. ) I will see you tomorrow.