Disclaimer: I own neither Magic: The Gathering, Naruto, or any other thing that may be referenced.
Talina followed the others, taking care to avoid anything that looked remotely dangerous. Her entire strategy at the moment was to stay in the middle away from the metal walls, and keeping bodies in between her and any potential dangers.
She looked at her fellow emissaries, those chosen by their guilds to come and see this public viewing. This could quite possibly be their execution ground as well come to think of it. Their solemn faces as they marched reminded her of men bound for the gallows.
She moistened her dry lips with a quick dart of her tongue. She tried to steal glances at the others without them noticing, but it was a lost cause.
They were doing the same thing. Watching, analyzing, and thinking thoughts to themselves.
The one immediately to her right was an Azorious female around her age, maybe a year or two older. Not quite in her prime, but coming into it. Blonde strands of hair poking out from behind her helmet, body hidden behind silver gleaming armor and the blue cloak following behind her and staff in hand. It was a little reassuring that there was an Azorious beside her. They were known for their zeal regarding rules and regulations. There would be little chance for them to come to harm if there was an Azorious being an overseer.
The young woman on her left was a Boros. She didn't even bother wearing her helmet carrying it in one hand. Her red hair billowed wistfully with each step. Where the Azorious are the ones who write the laws that many follow, the Boros is the military might. She too was wearing armor, but instead of a cape she wore a red and white tabard with a blade strapped to her side.
There was a scowl on her face that almost bordered on a sneer. Why if one were to ask her she would think the Boros didn't want to be here.
She understood that feeling.
She looked forwards ahead of her and almost wished she didn't. There was one being in the crowd that almost everyone detested.
She didn't want to look too long at the Rakdos. They were all frivolous, sadistic, thrill seeking killers. The only use a Rakdos had was for manual labour. How trustworthy is a guild that kidnaps people and tortures them to death? What good is a group that kills people for sport? What would you trust to a group that worshipped a demon?
His choice in clothing was almost as repulsive as the stench of blood that hung off him like a cheap cologne. There were piercings all over his body, all over with varying sizes and designs. Leather straps with metal buckles aligned his arms, with blades attached to them with rings of metal. It was a sad mockery of a wind chime as a form of fashion. She scoffed at him in distaste. It was almost disgraceful for him to be a representative of a guild.
Then she reminded herself that he came from 'The Cult of Rakdos', and it made too much sense.
At least the Selesnya guild mage was more formal. Her green and white robes more appropriate for the occasion. Her long pointed ears poked out from her blonde hair as the elf's ears twitched at every clang of metal.
She honestly had no idea what to think of the people of Selesnya. Their idea of unity towards a common goal was worth respect. The idea of sacrificing themselves for trees of all things left her a bit baffled. She could understand sacrificing something for money, her guild was all about business after all, yet the Selesnyans believed that voices in their head from the dryads was worth dying for. They weren't the only guild to respect nature true, Gruul and Golgari did the same, yet they were similar to a cult with all the preaching of a unified voice in their heads.
Speaking of the Gruul, he was not what she was expecting. The man may as well have been a half giant for as large as he was. There were muscles on top of muscles and they were topped off by red tribal tattoos. He was wearing the hides of animals as clothes, and he was using a skull of some sort of beast as a helm. Instead of seeming like a detestable savage much like the Rakdos he appeared almost regal.
From what she heard, the Gruul were uncivilized savages. Known for random acts of violence, destruction of property, and there was no sense of true unity. Each of the clans that made up the Gruul did their own thing until something came up. Little more than barbaric savages. Yet this one though seemed to command his own kind of respect. A confidence born from strength that was forged through hardships.
She didn't even need to look in the next person's direction to know what guild they belonged to. The stench of decay that lingered in the air like musk told her all she needed to know.
Golgari.
The Golgari was what she was expecting for her kind. Average in height, with skin pale from lack of sunlight, and hair greasy. Not surprising really, they lived under the city working in rot farms, places where they actively help refuse rot faster so that they can use the land to make new things.
The thought of using the dead for something was not repulsive for her. She was an Orzhov, she had beings made from the flesh of others called thrulls. No, it was not death that made her want to gag. It was the smell of rot.
Finally she snuck glances at the last two members of this envoy of guilds.
The Simic was familiar to her, she was actually an apprentice to her very own doctor. She was a calm and composed girl, always with a slight smile on her face as she would greet the patients.
She didn't dabble much with Simics outside of medical needs. She could respect their need for advancement, and the need to find cures was as natural for them as breathing. It was what they were up to behind closed doors that frightened her. She heard rumours that they made diseases that could kill thousands, she heard tales of wailings from unknown beasts coming from the depths of their guildhall. She's even seen the creatures called virusoids. Walking blobs of viruses and plagues in the sad façade of a human form. Yes, the Simic was the guild of evolution, whether for good or bad.
Finally her eyes came across the Dimir. She couldn't tell if the person was a male or female, there was nothing to distinguish it. The blue cloak covered everything of the person, hands, feet, face, the only thing peeking out were two sky blue eyes. The Dimir were a guild cloaked in darkness and misinformation. There were even rumours that they would erase their own memories to keep secrets. It made them trustworthy to get the job done, yet there was no proof they wouldn't sell your secrets to others either. They were as much a boon to society as they were detrimental.
Talina tried refocusing on the path ahead, yet her mind was swimming with useless thoughts. She already knew enough about the guilds. She should be focusing on something else. Like why would the Izzet's call for a convening of the guilds? What kind of new invention did they create this time?
She shouldn't bother trying to understand how an Izzet's thought process worked. They were like hyperactive children with little to no attention span. They had enough firepower at their disposal to do destroy a given area, and enough reckless abandon to actually do so.
Don't get her wrong, they made some very useful inventions. The created teleport stations to allow for instantaneous travel to anywhere in the world. They developed, maintained, and improve the waterworks that span the entire ecumenopolis. Yes, they were useful in their tools and services.
Didn't change they were hyperactive pyrotechnics.
After what seemed like ages, their journey led them to a place that reminded her of the Basilica. Everything was blown out of proportion making her feel like nothing but a mere speck. There was no ceiling to be seen, only the stars above, whether it was glass on top or a spell that stopped the elements she was unsure.
She could see pipes zig zagging this way and that all over the room. Tubes filled with liquids of different colours and sizes seemingly placed at random; as the contents bubbled and boiled within. Gauges and dials shook and rumbled even as the vents and exhausts whistled and hummed.
Just looking at this place reminded her of their insanity. This entire area may as well have been a giant music box with all the noise it was making. If they really did call her here to show her a giant music box, she didn't know if she would be happy or sad.
She wouldn't put it passed an Izzet to make a giant music box. When she was almost struck by electricity she changed her mind though. Focusing again in front of her she tried searching for the incoming danger.
Arcs of light danced to life amongst the various gaps of the giant contraption. Mana in the form of electricity coiled and turned around golden spires before leaping to another to wind its way down. Vents would shoot out jets of steam at timed intervals as they whistled a steady beat. Lights on boards would dance to a tune only their watchers would truly understand even as runes hummed a rhythm heard only to them.
Various creatures of the Izzet guild hustled and bustled as they jolted and jumped to complete tasks only they knew. Short pale green creatures adorned in red and blue clothes jumped on levers as others turned cranks and nozzles. Liquid fleshed beings with fire trapped inside them connected hoses to ports that let out steam that would scald skin. Tiny winged people flew between groups, delivering parchment to bald blue skinned humans as they in turn reported to others of different species.
All of them adorning the same shades of red and blue on their clothes speckled with golden like armor with tubes linking parts.
Through all the chaos the group of nine stood in between the gleaming towers and away from the busy activities.
"You know," She began slowly. Her eyes taking in every sight warily. "If I wasn't so terrified that this entire place could blow any second. I would actually be somewhat amazed."
She tried to stay away from the overbearing monoliths of power, her ebony cloak swishing with every little fidget. She hated how she was chosen to come to this event. She would rather be back at the cathedral listening to some priest about Gods long since gone. Everyone knew that the cathedrals were more of a way of gaining extra coin these days than for actual worship. Attending one of their sermons was a complete waste of time.
But the worst that could happen there was for her to die of boredom.
Between the bursts of fire, blasts of steam, surges of electricity, and the probable explosion, there were many ways for her to die.
Yeah, she'd rather be anywhere else in the world than here right now.
"I wouldn't be so worried. We have placed many rules and regulations that must be adhered to if they wish to have a public viewing event." The voice tried to be reassuring to her, she knew that instinctively. Yet she couldn't accept it.
Turning towards the teenager she pointed a delicate finger at her plated chest. "Rules and regulations are good for adults Azorious. What we have here are a bunch of hyperactive children with enough magical power and pyrophile tendencies to destroy a city block and blanket the world in flames!"
"And it is for that reason that we have evacuated the entire city block." The young lady gently pushed her hand off of her armor as she refocused her gaze to her surroundings.
"That doesn't make it better. It just means you expect there to be an explosion!"
"Ha! That'll be a riot!" She turned her gaze to the Rakdos. He was looking around the place with deviant glee with a smile so big it could split his face. "I wonder if it would be a mushroom cloud or a giant ball of flame."
"Tch," The Boros was less than pleased to hear him speak. "I fail to see the reason for one of their ilk here." She could be related to a snake for all the venom leaking from her mouth.
The Rakdos merely smiled savagely back, eyes a light with madness and mirth.
"There is no need for that." All attention went to the Selesnyan. "We are all here to show the trust in the unity of our guilds." She almost wanted to laugh. Everyone knew that the guilds weren't truly united. The only reason none of the guilds were at war was because they couldn't go to war.
At least for as long as that man was still breathing.
"Umm, excuse me, may I have your attention please." Talina almost jumped out of her skin as she turned around. That voice was too close to her for her liking. "Hello, my name is Onizzyx."
He was dressed like all the other beings running around. Red and blue robes, golden armor, and eyes covered by goggles yet she could see glowing blue eyes behind the tinted lenses. The only thing that really stood out was his height and race. He wasn't taller than the average goblin. If she had to guess he would probably come up right below her chest. No, his height wasn't her main concern.
It was his age.
"…The one leading the experiment is an actual child…" That feeling of impending doom she had before? It was back in full form now. By the looks of it she wasn't the only one feeling off about this entire situation.
"Oh, no no no." He shook his hands in front of them to relieve them of their discomfort. "I'm not in charge of this project, I'm only acting as our glorious Firemind's eyes at the moment." With that he took off the goggles he was wearing. The blue glow from his sclera was more dominant now as well as his reptilian shaped iris.
The guild leader of the Izzet's would actually be watching? Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind. A dragon over 15, 000 years old, and the very founder of his guild would be observing this experiment. Known for being as intellectual as he was whimsical as he was vain.
The chill down her back was as cold as the drop of sweat on her cheek. Just how important was this experiment? Stealing a glance at the others she could see even they were concerned.
"Hey! Is there gonna be an explosion?!" Except for the Rakdos.
Fucking Rakdos.
"The chances of an explosion happening are slim to none." She couldn't stop the sigh of relief escaping her mouth at that confession. That, was actually reassuring for her. It would make sense that an experiment with a child attending would be safe. No one in their right mind would allow a child as young as the boy to do something dangerous.
"If anything I would be more worried about being engulfed in molten rock, possible rearrangement of your body as reality shifts and bends it as it wills. Or maybe being thrown into a void until the end of time as the darkness destroys you from the inside out. Or, you know, random monster jumping out and sucking your brain out while you're still alive and trying to comprehend how a living contradiction has form. But yeah, not much explosions."
First chance she got, she was going to kill her firm's syndic.
Actually, no, she was going to sue her syndic out of business, buy his business back, enslave him to a contract, and make him work for her in death and beyond.
"So tell me Izzet, just what is this Epic Experiment supposed to do?" She looked at the redhead whom just spoke. You could practically feel the capital E's just as strong as her sarcasm.
"A very good question Miss, this experiment is to give us access to other worlds." Wait, what? "You see, our great Parun has been aware of beings called Planeswalkers for quite some time. Beings able to go world to world, place to place. Imagine what they could have seen, imagine what they could have done. The Firemind wishes to know what lies beyond our own. What knowledge they have."
This… was sounding promising. New land, new merchandise, new opportunities, it would be a good investment for her guild.
If it worked and they survived that is.
"Sorry to interrupt you sir but you may want to evacuate." The pale goblin gasped out between laboured breaths. She could see the things perspiration and fear just as much as she felt her own.
"What happened?"
"Well, a fairy kinda flew into a steam burst and flew into Gretchal. Then Gretchal fell into one of the boilers, and it sorta lowered the temperature by 14 degrees, and it may have made one of the heating coils start generating more heat to compensate. But then one of our hydropyre wierds kinda acted like a conduit between power rods 13 and 17 when it tried to save Gretchal."
The child blinked owlishly as the goblin gave the explanation. "Oh."
"Yeah, and that kinda led to section 17a of the power grid to go off line because of the short, and then a group thought it would be better to overclock 16z and 17b in order to balance out the power output."
"… That means the mana leakage percentage would be higher than calculated." This, was not sounding good. Not sounding good at all.
"Rqfn said to send more mana into power lines 46 and 28."
"Why? What would that do?"
"Dunno," The goblin shrugged at the question. "Sounded good at the time."
"And that means mizzium coils 1-4 and 9-12 are about to create a mana burst."
"Yup, Balera says the explosion's gonna be huge." She felt her breath sink into her stomach. The happiness in the goblins voice just reinforcing her belief that they were explosion happy children.
"Huh," The boy paused as he held a finger to his cheek. He looked at the Rakdos before he said something she feared. "Looks like you'll get your explosion after all."
"Rock on!"
So this was how she was going to die. She knew she shouldn't have accepted this prestigious position as an ambassador. Now all her fortune meant nothing. "Fucking Izzets…"
The child charged in between the gathered people and she almost stumbled back in surprise. The floor lit up as a set of runes unfamiliar to her appeared before he slammed his hands on the ground. The glow from the markings blinded her as she raised her arms to block out the light.
She wasn't aware of a second rune marking appearing under the first. She was ignorant to the electricity of charged mana jumping from the towers to arc and crash into the ground. She failed to see as the mana surged and made them glow brighter.
She felt a moment of weightlessness and nothingness before she dared to open her eyes. What she saw was a world of unreachable colours. Reds mixed with purple highlighted with pinks and greens. Yellows so bright they may as well have been white while there were blues so dark they should have been black. She thought she saw a massive red dragon as it peered at her and those around her before another light enveloped her.
Then she saw nothing but a forest.
The air passed through his lips with a sigh as he gazed out the window.
"Now remember, control how much chakra you put into your feet. Too little and you'll slip, too much and you'll be forced off." He could see his mother coaching his older twin as she ran towards a tree in the backyard.
The little redhead ran up the bark until she slipped. Going into a free fall she was caught before she hit the ground by the strong arms of his father. Her happy giggling was infectious as even his father started boisterously laughing. His mother stood at the side shaking her head in exasperation at the two's antics before joining in herself.
The time so long ago when they stood side by side was just a bittersweet memory to him.
He remembered a time where he and his sister were treated equally. His parents made sure to raise them with love and adoration. Waking up in the morning to a kiss from his mother, a hug from his sister, and a pat on the head from his father. He remembered a time where he was beside his sister as they were being trained. He remembered all of those things.
He remembered a time when he didn't feel so alone.
Turning on the balls of his feet he started walking away from the view of his father spinning his sister in the air.
Unaware that his back was caught by the eyes of his sister.
Unaware that the joyous face of his sister turned downcast.
Unaware of the guilt from thoughts that crept into mind.