We Need a Deathworlder!

The Beast of Blathor lake blasts from its maw a blinding beam of plasma that carves through the pebbled shore, leaving a smoldering scar of char and molten slag.

Seeing the beam of death approaching in malicious fervor, the Orc paladin of Spite Phuc’fase Mugii twirls aside. Her commanding mantle of a cape shorches at the end as she barely avoids the reaper’s call. Rolling through the pebbles she quickly casts back a radiant light from her glowing axe, passed down to her from generations of spiteful ancestors that refused to be oppressed by the corrupted crown.

The Beast roars sharply as its dozens of eyes are blinded by her retaliation.

“The monstrosity is vulnerable! Spirit-bound, now is the time for your blessings and curses!” Phuc’fase declares as she brings her shield up to bear.

Some time passes with no intervention.

Looking back, the Orc woman stares down the two etherially linked individuals that resemble husks of the beings they once were from a forgotten age. One only capable of bestowing blessings for those deemed worthy, and the other corrupting the unworthy with curses. A powerhouse to the party for certain, if it isn’t for their inaction that is.

“Guys…?” Phuc’fase prods.

“Ah! Sorry! Our turn?” the Curser responds in a jostle.

“Reading rules again. Sorry.” the Blesser excuses before the two traverse to the side to gleam a clear view of the riled monster.

Clasping clawed graspers together, the Curser Spirit-bound prays for the wrathful spirits of untold injustice to incur their rage upon the beast.

It begins with confusing disembodied whispers that speak in a tongue long forgotten to time. They swiftly intensify and penetrate the skull of the monster in sound-shattering screams and screeches filled with endless fury. The Curser cackles in mad glee at the success of their temporary mind-shattering effects.

Meanwhile, the Blesser turns their covered face to the Priestess of the Moons, Chit’aonsa. In a soft spoken word, the warmth and guidance of generations past cradle the Priestess’s very being. Enriching her body and mind with precise uplifting vigor to enact her next planned action with the utmost confidence.

“Do good!” the blesser cheers.

“Oh… uhm… thank you! But uhm…” The Priestess responds as she glances over to the Orc companion, “Must we slay it? We are invading its home… it just doesn’t feel right…” she questions.

The Orc Paladin slumps her shoulders and releases a deep sigh.

“This again? Look, Priestess, this is literally a creature summoned by the dark magics of the evil-est fuck’n deity in this world. As you saw it harasses the local fishing village, killing a lot of innocent people. If we don’t put it down, it will continue to do so.” she explains.

“But… Just because it was summoned by evil doesn’t mean it’s not capable of good. Has it ever been given the chance to live another way? The village admitted they were the first to strike. Perhaps instead of killing it we can instead relocate it to a more ideal environment.” the Priestess argues.

“For the love of the gods… How? How would we even begin to even accomplish that?! I doubt it understands us, and it has a fucking death lazer of death! What are you going to do? Ask nicely?” the Orc woman responds a bit frustrated.

“Perhaps! Has that even been attempted? I have the magic that can speak beyond the need for languages. We should at least try to settle this where both parties are unharmed.” the Priestess counters as she strides up within her ability’s range.

Phuc’fase plants her forehead into the rim of her shield, knowing just how this will end.

The screeching beast shakes its massive head as the damaging voices cease, and although blinded, can clearly smell the scent of the approaching opponent.

Raising her staff, Chit’aonsa calls forth the moon’s benevolent gentle embrace. Drawing a link to her mind and the creature’s to open a clear dialogue.

“Beast of the lake, let us not continue into further conflict. There is still an opportunity to live in peace. Please, we do not wish to smother your inner light and leave it out in the eternal night. Allow us to guide you to somewhere you can truly roam free and choose your own path!” the Priestess beseeches.

The air grows silent for a moment, other than the gentle lapping of water against the tremendous monstrosity. It vacantly stares down at the priestess in place.

“See! It can understand me! We can come to a mutual understanding!” Chit’aonsa declares in a victorious chirp back to the rest of the party.

“Huh… I guess you’re onto something here.” the Orc paladin mumbles genuinely impressed.

“Actually… not mean to mood break …” the Curser Spirit-bound interjects, “But my curse stun it too… not long…” she states hesitantly, “It still much mad. Much hostile.”

The beast starts to shake its head as it emanates a malicious utterance. Boiling from its maw is a glowing shimmer of heat and light.

“Oh shit!” Phuc’fase shouts as she bolts at full speed. She raises her shield, maneuvering between the awakening beast and Priestess.

It’s then the two are engulfed in an incinerating blast. Their silhouettes stand out against the mighty power bathing the area, the larger still firm in place.

When the beast’s wrath is completely spent, the beam flickers out soon followed by amused gargling.

The Orc’s shield is half melted and her armor is warped in blackened scorches. But to everyone’s surprise, she’s still standing. Not only that, but the Priestess behind her shows not even an out of place marking.

“S- uhm… Phuc?” the smaller woman asks in awe.

The Orc drops her useless shield aside and unhooks the tattered remains of her heroic cape. Turning back, the heavily burned woman gives the Priestess a final glance while holding her hand out.

“The staff, Priestess.” she utters in a painful rasp.

Hesitating the smaller woman complies.

“But… you can’t use it… can you? Allow me to heal you!” she asks.

“No point. It’s been a short but wild ride traveling with you. I wish you the best, and I hope you eventually save that merchant’s daughter.” the paladin replies before nodding to the spirit-bound, “Get me there.” she orders.

Both Blesser and Curser look at each other before nodding. Then simultaneously cast their abilities upon their green comrade. The blessing of nimbleness and the curse of unlife are bestowed within the Orc’s very soul. When her time comes up, she rests a crisp hand on the Priestess’s head assuringly.

“Tell my story.” she whispers before bolting straight at the surprised beast.

She leaps up, catching a crevice in the monster’s neck with her foot. Then with a final effort, she launches herself even higher meeting the eyes of the monstrosity face to face.

Instead of attacking, she allows herself to start to drop back down, incurring the beast’s attack response with its massive maw of demise.

Biting down in a snapping action, the figure of the orc paladin is completely consumed.

The priestess stares up in aject confusion and terror as her party member senselssly perished for no discernible reason.

But there is a reason. In a final act true to her oath, the paladin grabs the staff in both hands as she slithers down the beast’s gullet.

“Someone order extra spicy?” she grunts in a tusked grin before snapping the object containing great magical power.

The remaining three watch on as the monster’s next explodes from within via a blinding light of glorious raw magical energy, severing it’s head from the rest of its body.

In a thunderous plop the huge cranium crashes into the pebbled beach, while the rest of its form thrashed around as the nerves have yet to catch up to the fate that has befallen it. When it finally does, a massive splash and wave erupt as the defeated foe falls back into the dark depths.

The priestess hopes against hope to see her dear green friend emerge from the water, cheering in victory. But alas, she is truly gone. Her spirit lifted up to whatever afterlife claims it.

It takes a while, but the spirit-bound eventually convinces the Priestess to return to the nearby village to not only rest, but to claim the reward for the completed quest.

After confirming the Beast of Blathor lake is indeed vanquished, the townsfolk hold a celebratory event to further thank their heroes and honor the one who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of all in the area.

However the Priestess cannot celebrate, it is guilt that racks her hearts, not joy. It was her fault that Phuc’fase perished in the manner that she did. If only the Priestess had listened, and not tried to speak with the evil monster. It should have been her to bear the price of her foolishness, and yet everyone around cheers to her name.

How can she move on from this? How can she repent and make things right? How-

The tavern they all dwelled in goes silent when the front door gets kicked open. With the jingling and clanking of armor the interrupting individual storms in with purpose. An Orc with a familiar face stands proudly in the center of the tavern, shocking everyone by her appearance.

“How can this be…” the Priestess says astonished as she slowly pushes herself up from her seat.

Clearing her throat, the Orc smiles broadly.

“My name is Phork-fase Mugii! I’ve come to this village in search of my long lost twin sister! I hear she’s a part of some adventuring gang!?”

-

“Wait… what?” Chak asks, looking to Simone for clarification.

“She’s my backup character.” the redhead shrugs before adjusting the pillow helping her sit up comfortably against the wall.

“Oh… how did she know to arrive here right after her sister’s demise?” Chak inquires curiously.

“Just bad luck, she was tracking the party all the way to this point.” Simone explains.

Meeki stretches over Nodrin while they lay together at the foot of the bed.

“Smart! Is exactly like Phuc? Save time! Less Math.” she says before looking the the Game Master who hovers by the bedside, “Is okay with rules?”

“Yes. However Simone asked for my help to mak-ake sure Phork is distinct from Phuc. She is a different-ent class and has a-” Seven begins to say before Simone lifted a heavy hand.

“Hol’up! No spoiling!” the Terran cuts in.

“Apologies. You are right. That will be-e a perfect end to this first session. I hope I managed-ed to make it a worthwhile experience!” the bot notifies as they deactivate the overhead hologram depicting the world they created for this game.

“Much fun! Play mythology and folklore is interesting!” Nodrin speaks up first, clearly having enjoyed reading through the extensive rules.

“Oh, yes! This Terran story-telling game is excellent Seven! Thank you for setting this up for us!” Chak Chirps as she rests against the redhead.

Simone leans back with a smirk.

“Yeah, reminds me of being a kid again. You’re doing a great job, and thanks for that lil’ leeway with taking all that damage for myself.” she says as she closes her eyes.

“Rule of ‘cool’ can be un and necessary, or so I researched-ed. But do not expect it to be a crutch, I have many more plans in store-ore for future sessions. I’m glad you all enjoyed it so far.” Seven responds, “We will pick this back-ack up at the same time next week. Are there any specific requests for-or future snacks?”

“Thaldnal sounds pretty damn good.” Simone answers softly as she relaxes.

Seven’s three orange light flicker in a circular pattern.

“I’m afraid I’m unaware and can’t find-ind recipes for that.” the bot notifies.

Simone’s eye tufts press closer together as she opens her eyes again.

“Really? You know, like a scrambled egg pie?” she replies, surprised that no recipes for something so simple wasn’t immediately found.

Seven’s lights blink again.

“Did you mean to say Terran quiche?” The bot asks.

“Yeah! What did I say?” Simone says.

“Thaldnal.” Seven replies.

The room goes a bit quiet, as the expression of confusion intensifies on the Terran’s face.

“Weird… Guess my head needs a bit of rest…” she shrugs off.

“Indeed. Are you feeling-ing alright?” Seven says.

“For sure! Just tired.” Simone waves away, “This was fun guys, but I should probably turn in now.”

The Gratt roll off the bed and scamper over each other towards the door.

“Sleep good!” Meeki calls back.

“Play again soon! Feel well!” Nodrin adds before the two are out of sight, heading to the cargo bay to burn off energy.

Seven hovers to the door but stops for a moment.

“Is there anything you wish me to bring-ing you? Water perhaps?” they offer.

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks bud.” Simone assures as Chak helps her slowly scoot forward to fully lay back down.

“Of course. I’m a call away.” Seven says before leaving the two alone.

Once the door fully seals Chak nestles in, holding her Terran with all of her limbs.

“You’re putting on your brave face.” she comments in a whisper, “Are you really alright?”

Simone sighs as she re-closes her eyes, finding herself honestly very tired. Though since working on getting herself back into shape, it’s been her usual state.

“I’m a little freaked out… dreams are getting weird again… but… -I don’t know. There might be some lasting effects from my brain being scrambled in all sorts of ways. Just… hope it balances out soon.” Simone answers.

She feels the Cali’s grip on her tighten a bit.

“I’ll be right here for you. Regardless of what happens.” Chak claims.

“I know… I know…”

“...Simone?”

“Yeah?”

“You… you won’t do what your game character did right? I don’t want to lose you, even if your twin suddenly showed up right after.” the princess asks.

“What if… she’s hotter than me though?” Simone teases.

“Simone…” Chak giggles softly.

“Like… she looks just like me but with huuuuge bazzooga melons. Like the kind that can snap someone’s neck if she turned in place too fast…”

“You mean… breasts? Why would a Terran need so much chest fat? Especially if it was a hazard?”

“Right… you guys don’t have em… what about if she had the longest, sharpest horns and begged you to take hold of ‘em and straddle yoursel-” Simone redirects only to stop when she hears Chak suppressing a laugh into her side.

Satisfied with the end result of the nonsense pillow talk, Simone begins to drift away.

“I like you as you are… Everything about you. No horns necessary. Though it gives me ideas…” the Cali assures after recovering from her laughing fit.

Simone wants to respond, but she’s too far gone in the zone bordering sleep. So instead she gives into it and slips into the internal void.

-

“-From time to time. There arise among human beings, people, who seem to exude love, as naturally as the sun gives out heat-”

The disembodied voice wakes Simone, who is immediately greeted by the backs of two Terrans sitting at the end of her bed.

One is a child girl with wild red fur, and the other an all too familiar large man. He is leaning over slightly, watching something that the girl is showing him.

“Well, that was an… interesting song.” the man says, his voice as clear as any reality could represent it. It’s so real, Simone can feel tears immediately spill from her eyes.

The girl shrugs.

“I liked it… I thought you would too…” she replies, trying to obviously be overly nonchalant about sharing something she has interest in.

“I do! It’s just… definitely not really made for me. But I like the message, especially that sample at the end there! What do you like about it?” he bounces back to her with his warm tone of voice.

“I don’t know… I like how it sounds…” the girl answers, completely embarrassed as she doesn't know how to exactly articulate the specific reasons, “I kinda… want to sing like that too…”

The man chuckles and pats his massive paw heavily on the girl’s back.

“Right on! Why don’t we start going to karaoke nights? Maybe see if anyone there can give ya pointers? Stars know I can’t sing worth a lick of anything! Ha!” he offers.

His daughter shrugs again.

“I don’t have to sing there do I?” she asks.

“If you don’t want to.”

She shakes her head, sending her wild red fur on a whipping spree.

“Alright then! How ‘bout we just watch and I get us some floats?”

“Yeah!?”

“You bet! We’ll go tonight!”

The girl pushes herself off the bed and excitedly runs out the room to get ready despite it being way too early to do so.

Robert shades his head softly along with a soft chuckle.

“You are the light of my life.” he comments, even though the girl was out of earshot.

But then he turns to look at Simone directly. It feels as though someone punched her in the chest, he sees her!”

“Dad?” Simone replies in a cry.

Robert then looks away, and stands up to walk out.

Throwing the blankets off of her, Simone struggles up to follow him out.

“Dad!?” she calls for him as he leaves her line of sight.

But when she steps out, she’s somewhere completely different. In fact she’s not even standing anymore.

She’s sitting at a golden decorative table. With a figure sitting across from her that makes her blood freeze.

A Manarain.

She sits quietly, reviewing a hardlight panel emanating from her hand. With her other, she mindlessly pierces a two pronged fork into a meal before her.

Simone normally wouldn't care, but the small egg-like pie thing the Manarian was eating calls for her attention.

If the Terran didn’t know any better, she would immediately call it a straight up quiche.

After some time passes of this odd scene playing out, the Manarian’s ear plume twitches and she changes the info on her screen.

“Yes, Sharra?” a voice comes in.

“This thaldnal is the best I’ve had in cycles. Whichever servant prepared it, have them relocated in my personal kitchens immediately.” Sharra commands .

“It is a male Ma’am. I would need to get permission from his-”

“Then get it.” Sharra cuts off sternly, “If I have to pay his patriarch for the usual cost of a breedable male then so be it. I’m not going back to the usual gruel after eating this.”

“Of course ma’am. It will be done.”

Sharra then closes out the panel completely to take a few moments to enjoy her rest of her meal, clearly oblivious to the Terran-future-ghost sitting just across from her.

Like some sort of pretentious art indie film, the light blink off and back on to a different scene. Though Sharra still sat across from her, another Manarian stood at the side of the table with a platter in his hands.

“Hopefully you prove worth your cost. You’re Patriarch practically robbed me for someone from your lowly station.” Sharra growls annoyed. Though… for some weird reason… Simone swears she can feel an arising excitement that wasn’t necessarily hers. It’s not like she was excited in any way to be here.

“I’ve been honing my skill, hoping to prove myself worthy to the cause.” the male responds, nerves lacing his tone.

“Hopefully you don’t intend to poison me. I doubt a mere cook would be up to the tasks I’m in charge of.” Sharra responds.

“As customary for someone of your importance, I’m certain your dishes have the finest toxin detectors.” he says, “And I would truly be a fool to surrender this ascendance of station. It’s an honor to serve under you.”

“Indeed…” Sharra says expectantly.

Jumping a bit from sudden realization, the male lowers the meal in front of Sharra.

“As requested, thaldnal. I hope you agree that my new access to better quality ingredients is nothing but a boon.” he says before taking a healthy step back, his wings visibly trembling in anticipation… and fear.

While still acting ‘holier-than-thou’ Sharra wastes little time digging into her first bite.

By the third chew she closes her eyes and releases a low cooing sound.

“Congratulations, consider yourself worth the price.” she uttered while giving the male an approving gaze.

The male’s ear floofs rustle at the compliment.

“I will continue to serve to that standard, Ma’am.”

“Your name, Heenza, correct?” Sharra asks as she continues eating.

“Yes Ma’am.”

Another blink of the lights, another similar but different scene.

Sharra is heavily into her hand panel, fiddling with incoming information intensely.

Wordlessly, Heenza places down a meal and walks away not bothering his boss’s vital work.

Blink of lights.

Heenza leans down and casually nips his fangs at Sharra’s wing joint. Surprised that the reaction was neither hostile or flirtatious, Simone focuses on whatever feelings Sharra is feeling at the moment. She picks up a slight acknowledgment, like the kind a Terran would feel with a platonic tap in the shoulder. Suppose this species had their own way of socially acting that didn’t involve killing each other for power.

“Yes, the projected plans should be sent to your team within a half of a cycle. It depends on if Shearaas’s research needs another extension- ah-” Sharra turns to male, breaking from her call as he serves her, “Thank you, Heenza. -Well the extension is necessary if her current samples are not enough.”

It’s genuinely fascinating to Simone, seeing these imposing monsters acting like… well people. Even if the window is small.

Blink of lights.

Simone jumps as the erupting sound of ferocious high pitch screeching returns with the lights. Upon the table the two Manarians were trying to murder one another. The two violently thrash like a pair of feral alley cats fighting for territory.

Under the whipping wings Simone catches the sight of smearing dark purple blood and exposed bleeding bite marks. She stands up to back away, knowing who would end up being the victor, but doesn’t want to get such a grizzly view of it.

She supposes she was wrong about the ‘not killing each other’ part of the Manarians. Though that train of thought swiftly changes yet again when she notices how their hips are mutually moving against each other… and she starts to understand the ‘feral’ feelings she’s receiving from Sharra’s mind. Anything but platonic, that’s for sure.

“Oh…” Simone utters as she watches for a few seconds longer before snapping out of it. Turning away to grant these people of the past some sort of privacy she finds herself transported to another space yet again.

Thankfully there’s no Manarian rodeo here, however it does seem to be a sort of living space. Like a luxury apartment if Simone had to draw a comparison. She can hear voices speaking in the room next to her.

“Will your Matriarch accept her?” Heenza says.

“Doubtful. The rest of the litter died and she’s meek at best. I may be able to shield her for a time, but my work is too vital. It takes precedent over everything else. And I doubt she will ever make it in my height of station. She’s nothing but a target for herself and me.” Sharra replies in thought.

“I know someone in the servant class. I can take her there, she would at least have a faintly better chance.” Heenza offers.

“Perhaps… but his scent will be mine, and he will resemble me. Still too much potential trouble for the future.”

“I see. Then what’s your decision?” Heenza inquires, followed by a silent pause, “What’s wrong?”

“Someone’s here…”

Sharra’s whisper pierced through the wall and shocked right through Simone’s mind in a disturbingly intense rattle.

She clutches her head as it pulses with harrowing Manarian howls that echo into her deepest of mental crevices.

“Simone?” a Cali’s voice speaks up in concern.

The redhead finds herself sitting upright in her bed, holding the sides of her cranium.

“Nightmare.” she hastily utters before quickly feeling the back of her head for any potential entryway of a certain worm she knows. Thankfully… or maybe not so thankfully… she finds nothing.

“Do you need medicine?” Chak inquires, gently placing a lower limb on the Terran’s shoulder.

“I… sure, yeah…” Simone sputters, not knowing what to think.

Her previous dreams were lucid and even life-like. But that felt more in line with the visions Vermis accesses… and yet she was separate from it… self aware in it…

“Alright, I’ll be right back, just lie back down okay?”

Distracted by her own confused thoughts, Simone lays back down but doesn’t muster another reply.

What does that even mean? Why was she shown this? Why?