"Dude, what is this place?" Meleezon gasped.
The Arcane Sanctuary was an endless twisting labyrinth of stairways and cul-de-sacs. All around them was dark, empty space, dotted with tiny sparkling fragments that resembled stars, yet obviously weren't as they could be touched.
"It's making me feel a tad dizzy," said Masti, trying to follow a pathway that curled over their heads, upside down, then spiraled into a beautiful helix.
"What? I can't see anything," Divo began to take a few steps and was saved by Meleezon seconds before falling off the pathway.
"I'll try to explain Divo: we're in a parallel dimension, another world that exists in the same space at the same time as our world, but we cannot access it without the use of that portal we just walked through. It appears to be the creation of a twisted mind, with hundreds of spiraling staircases and endless space all around us. It's rather pretty."
"Ooohh! I so want to see that! Being in another dimension is all I've ever dreamed of!"
"… For real?"
"Yup"
"And now you're here, you're blind."
"……Yup."
"Sucks to be you."
-sigh- "Yup."
"So what do you reckon we should do Masti X? Split up and explore a different path each? Or stick together in case we find anything big and nasty?"
"Well, I'd actually prefer to stick toge –"
"Separate paths it is! We'll stay in contact."
("B-itch.")
---Fast Forward---
-KSHIK-
"Meleezon! I just found the prettiest thing! It's a pylon with a glowing orb atop of it! Ooohhh, it's so beautiful! And it glows brighter as I get nearer. And hums!"
"Why don't you try touching it? That'd make it really excited."
"Yeah, I might just try that… oohh it's cold, and tingly and – "
-ZORTCH KSSSSHHHHHHH-
"Heh heh heh…"
---Fast Forward---
-CLICK KSHIK-
"Hey! I'm back online! Thought I might have fried the chip there. You still alive, Meleezon?"
"Yeah I'm here."
"(Damn) I mean, good! Good to hear it. Found anything of interest?"
"So far? Yeah: two dead ends, a butt load of Vampires and a couple of rather randy Goatmen. What exactly are we supposed to be looking for?"
"…… that's a good question. FireEye did mention the name "Summoner". Perhaps he made this place and lives here?"
"Doubtful. But I bet there's someone here alright. Keep looking, I'll give you a yell if I find anything."
"Rightio… hey whoa. I just found this weird piece of ground with little holes all over it. Should I walk over it or go around?"
"Over of course. What are you, chicken?"
"Chicken? Who're you calling chicken? I'll walk over whatever I wan –"
-KACHING KSSSSHHHHHH-
"Heh heh heh…"
---Fast Forward---
-KSHIK-
"Masti come in. Masti you there?"
"…ote to self: do not take advice from Meleezon anymore… oh hey Meleezon. Is this thing working? Great. I'm fine, thanks for asking, the trap missed my foot by about a millimeter. I'm at another dead end. I don't think there's many more places to go, so maybe –"
"Masti, shut up. We have abit of a problem here."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, listen:"
("…wahahahahahahahahaha..")
("Shut up! SHUT UP! I'm blind not deaf! You're driving me INSANE! AAHHH!")
("…Bwahahahahahahah WHAahahahahahahaha…")
"Can you come here quick?"
"On my way. Try to stop him laughing before I get there: tell him Bush got re-elected."
"Good idea. See you soon."
-CLICK-
---Fast Forward---
"Bwhwhahahahahaha… WHAHAHAhahahahaha"
"Goddam, how long has he been doing that?"
"Ever since we found him. Hasn't done much else BUT laugh. A random fire ball or ice projectile here or there. I thought about running up and chopping him but a dude that powerful would probably be pretty tough."
"Ok, I'll just try shooting him with an arrow and see what happens…"
-TWANG-
"…WHahahahBWahhahah… ARRGGHHHHHHHH….!"
"…… you got him. I don't believe it. What a WUSS!"
"Tell me about it."
Meleezon and Masti climbed the stairs to the Summoners resting place. Divo, holding onto Meleezons belt, let out a sigh of relief.
"That guy was nuts! Thank god you killed him."
Masti walked over and kicked the pile of robes that was once the laughing maniac.
"Yeah. Terrible dress sense too. Blue and gold? Please; was he a Demon Summoner or a Queer Attractor?"
"What's this book he was guarding?" Meleezon went over and flipped through the pages; "Summoning Demons for Dummies… Recipe for Happy Potion… How to Dress to Impress (he didn't read that chapter obviously)… hmm. 'The Capture of Baal and Imprisonment of Tal Rasha'. Ah, what the heck, I'm always up for a good love story."
The three women read the tale together (as in; one read it, one read it out loud, and one listened and chimed in at all the unrealistic scenes).
"So, all the symbols floating around us on this platform are the false symbols of the false tomb?"
"No, they're all real symbols that mark the tombs that aren't the real ones."
"You mean 'real symbols, each one marking a different false tomb within the Canyon of the Magi'?"
"… Yes. That's it. I think…"
"Alright then."
Meleezon
slammed the book shut, and in response, a red glowing portal appeared
in the center of the platform. A small flashing neon sign popped up
above it:
"To the Secret Canyon of the Magi. No Vacancies,
Please Try Again Later."
"I don't really plan on staying the night in one of the tombs anyway," mused Meleezon.
They stepped through the portal together, and suddenly appeared out in the sunlight again.
"Ow, that's bright," said Divo, shading her bandaged eyes.
"Divo? You can see that?"
"… … yeah! Yeah I can!" she whipped off the bandage and looked around, "Alright I'm cured! I can see!... Wait! The Arcane Santuary! I have to see it before the portal closes and -"
A crackle of static signaled the red portal had closed behind them. Divo fell into the sand and howled.
"Nnnnoooooooo! My dream! My life's goal! I missed it!"
"Don't worry, maybe we can go back through the Palace Cellar and ask FireEye kindly to let us past again…"
"On second thoughts; other dimensions are totally over rated."
Meleezon scanned the Canyon surrounding them. Square, flat, and full of nasty beasties. The cliffs held no less then seven tombs, all marked differently. She suddenly realised they'd forgotten to record the symbols.
"Crap."
"Hmmm?"
Meleezon reached into her backpack and pulled out a town portal.
"Sorry Masti, but I think our time together has come to an end."
"You're going to leave me here? Alone? To face one of the three most powerful Lords of Hell, Baal, all by myself? Totally alone?"
"Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"Not really. We've separated basically every time we explored an area anyway."
"Then it's settled. Thank you for your help, may our Gods shine upon you."
"And on your glorious ass."
"What?"
"I said; I need some of Jerhyns grass."
"Oh… well… farewell then."
Meleezon cast the portal and disappeared through it, back to town and a nice, cold, free beer.
Next Blog: Step outside the Gates of Town? No…I don't believe I've tried that yet…
