Chapter 4: Complications and Fight Prep
Raskreia: "You don't say? Makes me wish that I stayed."
For the last ten minutes, the courtyard tried to go back to some normalcy. As for Raskreia, she was sitting with Zander, Kirche, Tabitha, and surprisingly Jake.
He immediately jumped off his tree when he saw Raskreia appear. But before she can help him, she needed to know what the heck happened. Zander took up the task of explaining things to her.
Zander: "I have a feeling things would have escalated even further if you were there."
Raskreia: "Ha, you're probably right."
Jake: "Alright! You're done with the recap and learning who those 2 are. Can you help me get back home now?"
Raskreia: "Sure kid. What's you're world like?"
So Jake did. Not everything, but enough for Raskreia to get a good sense of earth. He refused to answer any of the questions Kirche may have had. He just wanted to get this done as quickly as possible. Raskreia did enjoy Kirche and Tabitha's shocked expressions though.
Raskreia: "Well, I didn't expect that. Considering your powers, I was sure your world would have been some, no offensive, hellscape."
Jake: "I'm not the norm and I didn't…ask for these abilities."
Raskreia: "…Understood. Well, your world does sound interesting. I can probably find it by asking around and using gate to move the possible candidates. But the time frame is still the same. You're okay with that right?"
Jake: "…Yes."
He says that he is boiling inside. If it wasn't for Zander, he might rampaged to let off some steam. Jake ponders what he should do in the meantime.
Blackwatch was still alive. The virus was still alive. But Aunt Dana was also still alive. She's smart so she could hack any system and expose Blackwatch and Gentek for their little dirty deeds.
Jake: 'On the other hand, she could be found and killed…'
Jake: "Damn it…"
He whispered his frustrations as the situation further set in. Jake wanted to kill those bastards for the people of New York. For the things they did. But most of all…for his parents. Yet he's stuck here until this woman finds his world.
A strange sensation snapped Jake out of his mind. A warm and gentle feeling at his sides.
Raskeria: "Awwww."
Jake looks down to see Sylphid…nuzzling him. Sylphid began purring, in an attempt to soothe Jake.
Jake: "What…is this thing doing?"
Raskeria: "I think she likes you."
Jake: "Make it stop or I'll make it stop."
Zander: "Jake, Sylphid is not trying to attack you so there's no need for that."
Jake: "I don't care."
Jake got out of his chair and moved away from Sylphid. Sylphid didn't follow but did look at Jake with…sympathy.
Jake: 'Monsters don't comfort and they definitely don't need sympathy.'
Jake: "Keep that dragon away from me. When you get a lead on my world, contact me so I can go with you. Even if it's a false lead, it might have something for me to kill."
Jake gave a dangerous glare at Slyphid before going back into the forest.
Raskeria: "Tabitha, you're dragon is cute but she might also be suicidal if she wants to cuddle up with Jake."
Tabitha said nothing but took the statement into consideration. Slyphid interest in Jake is definitely strange.
Raskeria: "Well, before I go on that realm hunt I better get used to this place. Maybe meet up with the rest of the group. I'm really interested in meeting this Tech kid."
Raskeria left the group and started exploring the academy. As for Zander, he still has to deal with Kirche.
Kirche: "Now, where were we?"
She says while pressing her best assets against Zander.
Zander sighs before answering her.
Zander: "Miss Zerbst, I'd appreciate my arm back."
Kirche blinked when Zander removed his hand from between her great valleys. But Kirche won't give up that easily. She curled her hair with her fingers, angling her body in a way that showed off her chest.
Kirche: "Of course. My mistake. They say my family is the passionate kind. Burning hot, like the fires of the sun. Forgive me for my moments of…uncontrollable need. I will do my best to restrain myself around you. Until of course, you say otherwise."
Zander: "Forgiven. Now if you'll excuse me, I probably should check in with my own realm. I'm Raskeria and the others can handle Jake if he acts up."
Kirche: "So you have gate spell just that woman? When will you be back?"
Zander: "I'll be back by tomorrow. I don't want to miss the big fight."
Zander gestured with his hand, warping space around his fingers. Kirche and even Tabitha were awe-struck by the portal. Non-euclidean shapes appeared within the warped space where light failed to penetrate.
Zander stepped through the warp, disappearing completely into murky shadows. They seemed to grow within themselves like monsters trapped beyond a mirror.
Kirche: "Haaa, Tabitha I think I'm in love."
Tech: "So you're the one who accepted the familiar thing?"
Tech just finished his repairs and fixed the glitches he experienced outside. Right now, he and the maid trio are in the nurse's office. Tech is on the bed while the 3 girls are sitting around him. Only Siesta seemed shocked by the nature of his repairs.
Flamma: "I have my reasons."
Tech: "I don't there is ever a good reason to be branded."
Dove: "I agree but I won't judge. It's your life."
Tech: "If I ever was stupid enough to accept that, I'd want someone to slap me out of it."
Flamma: "It's not that bad. It's not like I let Louise command like a dog. I'm not a masochistic."
While they debate over the ethics of the familiar system, Siesta is filled with worrying thoughts. She's overjoyed that she made friends who are willing to fight for her.
But she is also terrified for them. If they died for her…
Siesta: "You shouldn't have done that."
She says softly but it still got the three to pay attention.
Dove: "Do what?"
Siesta: "Accepted Guiche's challenge! It's too dangerous!"
Tech: "Ha, dangerous for him maybe."
Siesta: "B-But, he has magic! Us commoners do not have their powers!"
Tech: "Please, magic can't defeat science. I'm almost ready to build my lab and once I do, I'll have all the power I need."
Flamma: "I don't really agree with his first statement but I do agree that we have the power to win."
Dove: "Don't worry Siesta, we can handle anything that child throws at us."
Siesta: "But…"
Flamma put her hand on Siesta's shoulder and smiled softly.
Flamma: "Trust us Siesta. You'll be pleasantly surprised if you do.
Siesta looked at her friends and could almost cry. They had no fear, only confidence that the fight could only end in one way. Victory.
Siesta: "Okay, I trust you."
What else could she say in front of that?
Flamma: "Great. Now, I better check on Louise. I bet she's going crazy by now. I also now have another great story to tell her."
Siesta: "I-I should get back to work. What about you Dove?"
Dove: "I'll come with you."
Tech: "Damn, I actually wanted to show off the lab."
Dove: "If I have time, I'll visit. Where will it be?"
Dove: 'Maybe then I can reveal my true nature to him and use magic to heal his body. If he'll even let me.'
Tech: "Probably somewhere with enough room. Probably one of the courtyards."
Siesta: "Then may I suggest Vestail Courtyard. That section of the outside area should be big enough and close to where you'll…fight Lord Guiche."
Tech: "Perfect. But please don't call Guiche lord. Almost made me gag."
Siesta: "But-"
Dove: "You're a commoner and he's a noble, we know. But around us, you don't have to do that."
Siesta: "…Alright. Thank you, for everything."
Dove: "Think nothing of it, what else are friends for."
With that, Dove and Siesta left Tech for his final repairs.
Louise would have gone crazy from the boredom and maybe anger at her double. But her thoughts were on what her familiar told her.
Louise: 'Otherworlds. Metal monsters. Wandless magic. It's all so much to take in. I wouldn't have even believed it if I wasn't there for some of it. And I have a feeling it's only getting to get more crazy.'
Louise laid down after eating her food delivered by her familiar and a maid. But she still barely had the energy to move.
Louise: "Argh! When I get my hands on that faker, I'll tear her apart! I hate being stuck like this!"
"Do you need sssome asssissstance massster?"
Louise: "Who's there!? Familiar?"
"Ooooone of theeem."
A white snake slithered out of the darkness of the room and raised it's head so Louise can see it.
Louise: "Are you…like that dragon? How can you talk?"
"My former masssster taught me to ssspeak."
Louise: "You were someone's familiar before?"
"Oh yesss. I sssserved a mossst powerful wizard."
Louise: "Great, so I stole a familiar from a noble…"
Louise: 'I should be glad that I have Flamma as familiar but I'm not. She's just a commoner. This snake could have worked but he's already taken…'
"Dooont' worrrry, my masssster died a long time ago."
That put some hope in Louise's eyes. Maybe she can make this snake her familiar. Much better than that commoner.
Louise: "Then…will be my familiar?"
For a while, there was nothing but silence. Louise was about to decide between forcing the matter or crying. Instead, the snake asked a question.
"Do you haaaave the streength?"
Louise: "Always! Just bring me my wand and come to me and I can do it."
"Caaan you haaave mooore thaaan one faaamiliar?"
Louise: "I…don't know for sure. But since I summoned you all, it should work."
What seemed like a smirk flashed on the snake's face.
"Theeen yeees, I'll beee your faaamiliar."
Louise: "Great! Then bring me what I need familiar!"
Aeoron: "My naaame is Aeron, my soooon to be master."
The snake did as he was asked. Louise used some of her remaining strength to sit up and take her wand from the snake's mouth. The snake then laid on her bed, awaiting Louise's next action.
Louise: "Be grateful, you're the second of my familiars. I will conquer the rest and then…"
Louise: 'I'll be the greatest mage in the world. No longer will I be Louise the Zero. Not when I have seven familiars at my beck and call. Two of which are dragons.'
Louise smiled and placed her wand on the snake's forehead before chanting.
Louise: "My name is Louise Francoise le Blanc de la Valliere, Pentagon of the Five Elemental Powers. Bless this humble being, and make her my familiar."
After chanting, she removed her wand from his forehead and stretched forward to kiss him.
After a few moments, a new and different brand appears on the snake.
Louise: "Now you're my familiar. I'm the only one in the world with two. Soon, I'll be the only one with seven."
Louise expected to fall right to sleep after performing another ritual, but instead, she feels fine. Better than fine actually. Almost normal.
Louise: "I thought I would be tired after that."
Aeron: "I took the liberty to heal you of your affliction using a spell."
Louise: "Really? Wait, what do you even know about magic, you're just a familiar."
Aeron: "I know a LOT about magic, I have asssisssted my former massster and learned the arcane artsss over the yearsss, if you wisssh…I could teach you."
Louise was stunned, the possibility that an animal could learn magic was preposterous. Magic was Brimir's gift to humans, not animals. That dragon was from another world so she didn't count but this snake…
Louise: "HOW DARE YOU!"
Aeron: "Have I sssaid sssomething wrong?"
Louise: "Magic is a holy gift from the Founder himself, only those of noble blood can use it!"
Aeron: "…Baleful Polymorph."
A flash of light illuminated the room as the spell did its job. Louise blinked, her familiar spoke something, and then the world went white.
Aeron: "Ah, you're still awake, perfect"
She didn't hear the voice as much as she felt it in her mind. The girl looked at her surroundings...and spotted Aeron, but he was different. The snake was bigger than she remembered, in fact, it was bigger than she was.
Louise: "W-What happened?"
Is what she wanted to say but instead only made a Ribbit-Ribbit sound. Looking over the room it seemed larger, that is until she spotted her reflection in the big mirror.
Where she was supposed to be, was now a toad standing beside Aeron. She would have screamed but only more strange noises emerged.
Louise: 'W-What h-happened to me? Is this a dream? Y-Yes, a nightmare, it has to be a nightmare, I will wake up and all will be fine. Flamma will be next to my bed like this morning. She'll probably have a crazy new story for me to listen to while I eat.'
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Aeron laugh.
Aeron: "Sss-sss-sss-sss, thisss isss no dream little one, thisss isss asss real asss it getsss. Asss to what happened, I turned you into a toad, and a toad you ssshall remain."
Louise: 'Why?!'
She tries to ask with her mouth but only animals escape it.
Aeron: "Don't try to talk, you can't ssspeak in your form. Itsss enough to think what you want to asssk. I'll read it from your mind that way. Asss to why, I wasss hoping to teach you real magic, not the parlor tricksss your peers perform. Sssadly it ssseamsss I misssjudged you and ssso I'm now finishing lossse endesss."
Louise: 'I will learn! I will learn! Please just turn me back!'
Aeron: "I don't think you can, magic demandsss an open mind and a lot of concentration. You on the other hand are impulsssive and narrow-minded. I'm an excellent teacher, but even I have my doubtsss that my knowledge would pierce all of the falssse information that you were indoctrinated with. No, you will remain like this until you die."
Louise: 'I command you to turn me back familiar!'
Aeron: "You command me? The lassst entity who wanted to command me wasss a Merilith, a demonic general. You ssshould have ssseen the demons ssshock when I captured her, even now asss we ssspeak ssshe isss imprisssoned in my pocket realm, sssubjected to torture that would make Asssmodeusss proud. Itsss not easssy to break a demonsss ssspirit, but I will find a way, I have time. Ssso tell me massster, why ssshould I lisssten to you?"
Louise: 'Because...you're my familiar?'
Aeron: "Goodbye little one"
Aeron changed his shape back into his human form and started to meld into the shadow of the room.
Seeing that Louise began to panic. She had to convince him to turn her back, but how? She could not command him to do it, what else is there?
Louise: 'Wait! You are presuming that I would not learn because of my prejudices, is that not the same for you? You told me basically that I should not judge blindly, so why not give me a chance to prove that I can learn?'
Nothing, no reply came to her desperate plea. She collapsed on the bed, too tired to do anything. Her life is really finished. As cold reality starts to set in, Louise's mind drifts to Flamma, her first familiar.
She doesn't know why Flamma came to her mind. She didn't know her that long. But…her presence was comforting. She accepted her when all other familiars rejected her. She brought her food when she was weak and even stayed by her side until her duties as a maid called for her.
But now? Even she wouldn't want to be a familiar to a frog. Flamma won't grace her with that sweet smile she gave while she told her story anymore.
Before despair fully broke her, she heard laughter coming from the darkness that surrounded her.
Aeron: "Hahahaha, how amusing. Indeed you are learning. Threats and begging for mercy never pay off. The best option is to bring your foe to see things your way. Though we will have to work on your persuasion skills, they are somewhat lacking."
Aeron emerged from the shadows and snapped his found herself back on the bed, looking at her hands.
Louise: 'I'm…back.'
She smiled and let her tears flow freely. It was certainly a one-of-a-kind experience, one that she didn't want to repeat as long as she lived…
After she got a hold of herself, she spotted Aeron, not as a snake but as a human.
He was around two meters tall, dressed in black leather armor. His head was hidden behind a hood and his face covered by a mask, making it difficult to see any facial features. He carried on his belt a black...glass?
There was also a long sword and an evil-looking dagger strapped to the belt. On his hands were long black gloves, with metal depicting the bones of the human hand and a lot of rings on his fingers. On his chest was a picture of a silver skull in a purple sun.
Louise: "So, w-why can you use magic? A-Are you a noble?"
Chuckling Aeron seated himself in one of the chairs in the room.
Aeron: "Now we are getting somewhere. As I have mentioned my name is Aeron and I would appreciate it if you used it instead of familiar. To answer your questions no I'm not a noble and yes I am a mage."
Louise: "But how? Nobility comes from magic. Unless…you're not from this world. Just like the others."
Aeron: "Correct, but I'm not from whatever worlds they came from. Truly, impressive dragging us all here. 7 different worlds all connected to this one."
Aeron: "Now, back to teaching you magic. First, let go of the wand. You won't need it for my magic."
Louise: "So you'll be teaching me what that Raskeria girl did."
Aeron: "…Something like that."
Louise: "Can I…really do that? I'm not from your world."
Aeron: "Trust me. Unless…you want to be a Zero all your life."
Louise: "NO!"
Aeron: "Then let go of the wand."
Louise looked at her wand, the wand that had been with her for her whole life. They've been through a lot, but it was time to move on. To bigger and better things. She let the wooden stick roll off her palm and onto the floor.
Aeron then proceeded to crush it underfoot, sending its pieces across the floor. That part of her life…is now dead.
Aeron: "When I'm done, you'll be able to do that binding ritual with a finger. Now…"
Aeron snapped his fingers again and a book appeared levitating in front of him, from it a single piece of paper floated up to where Louise was.
Her eyes were wide open at the display of power made by her familiar, it took a minute before she snapped out of it and took the paper that was floating in front of her.
Louise: "Whats this?"
Aeron: "Its a spell of ′Silent Image′, a nice and safe low-level spell for beginners. You will memorize the scroll and then cast it. Simple as that."
Louise: "...I...can't read these runes."
She was not happy about admitting there was something she was unable to do. But if she wanted to learn Aeron's magic, then there was no other way around it. It's not like these runes were drastically different from those she knew. True, some were absolutely foreign to her, but mostly it was the unfamiliar way the runes were inscribed in relation to one another that made no sense.
Aeron smirked behind his mask.
Aeron: "I will teach you how to read them, but before that would master be so kind as to tell me more about what you know about magic? It would save some time if I don't repeat what you already know."
She thought about it for a second before she nodded. Louise sat up straight demurely, lifted a finger, and started explaining, proud as a peacock.
Louise: "Listen, magic is divided into the five elements, Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, and the lost element of Void. The number of elements that a mage uses can be increased, and his class changes accordingly. A mage who can use only one element is a dot, ability to have two – makes one a line, being able to use three – triangle and four a square mage. Spells are also applied to the class. The spells from three elements are called 'Triangle spells'. Each time the spell class rises, the consumption of willpower doubles."
After she explained her magic system she puffed out her chest and allowed herself a small smile. After all, the written exams were her strong side.
Aeron looked blankly at her before continuing on.
Aeron: "Okay, how long have you studied magic?"
Louise: "Since I could lift a wand. I am a noble after all"
Aeron: "Very well, I will show you the spell and you pay attention"
He spoke so she could understand him easily and memorize it.
Aeron: "Silent Image."
In front of them, an illusion of Professor Colbert appeared, his lips moved but no sound was forthcoming. And with a hand gesture, Aeron willed the image to disappear.
Aeron: "Have you memorized the incantation?"
Louise nodded.
Aeron: "Excellent. Now from what I've learned from you and idle talk around this place, you should already know how to use your willpower. All you need now is to imbue your fingers and tongue with magic as you would do with your wand. You will feel a slight tingling in them, if you put too much magic it will start to hurt so be careful."
The girl nodded again and closed her eyes. After a few minutes of testing the spell in her thoughts, she took a deep breath.
She opened her eyes and focused her mind on the spell, moving her delicate fingers she spoke.
Louise: "Silent Image!"
In front of her, an illusion of Flamma appeared and smiled at Louise. Tears began to run down Louise's face as she stared at the illusion.
Louise: "I did it…I cast…a spell…"
She continued to sob as Aeron rolled his eyes. But that roll instantly turned into a gaze of alertness.
Aeron: 'Seems like the fun is over for now.'
Aeron got up and dispelled the illusion of Flamma.
Aeron: "Louise, I need you to keep what we're learning from the other familiars and even the teachers and students.."
Louise wiped away her tears and turned to her true teacher.
Louise: "But why?"
Aeron: "The commoners among your familiars will be jealous. They may even want me to teach them. I want to help only you so that can't happen. Let's wait until your training is complete and then surprise them."
Louise: "I guess…that makes sense."
Louise: 'Shame, I did want to brag to Flamma.'
Louise: "But why not the teachers and students?"
Aeron: "Similar reasons. This magic is beyond them. Wouldn't want them to, I don't know, ban me from teaching you."
Louise: "I won't let that happen!"
Aeron: "Good. Now, I'll see you later. When you're alone once again."
With that, Aeron faded into the darkness of the room. Just in time for the door to open, revealing Flamma.
Flamma: "Hey Louise wait until I…are you crying?"
Flamma knelt beside Louise and looked at her with worry.
Louise: "No, I just had something in my eye."
Flamma: "Are you sure? Nothing happened while I was gone right?"
Louise: "No, I'm fine Flamma."
Flamma: "Oh, no familiar. What did I do to deserve this treatment?"
Louise: "Hmph, you're still my familiar. But you also have a name. It's also much easier to say than familiar."
Flamma: "Awww, thanks. That's probably why everyone calls me that instead of my first name. Anyway, I've got a new story to tell you."
Louise: "Something else happened?"
Flamma: "You know it. You summoned some interesting characters."
As Flamma began to retell the events of the day, Louise couldn't help but softly smile. Her life was really looking up.
It was almost time for bed but that didn't stop Tech. He was determined to sleep in his lab tonight. The place suggested by Siesta was more than big enough for him to set up a Lab, HVSF(Heavy Vehicle Station Factory), COM Tower, and one landing pad.
Tech: 'And thanks to subspace technology, it can all fit in a small space and leave lots of room. I love science.'
He went to work by first getting out a Nanocube to construct the foundation to put his things on. Once the tiny bots were released they began to work the molecular structure of the ground into solid Granite Steel.
Once the ground was stable and flat Tech got out another cube, this one all gray with yellow slanted lines. He walked over to the 50 by 50-foot pad and set it in the center before backing out. It was then the Energy Storage cube started its work.
First, an outline of the HVSF's supports began to show before filling in with steel beams. Next, floors were made followed by walls and grava-pads in the back. Then it made one sub-space connection floor to transport any number of vehicles in and out of this room and into another.
He proceeded to walk inside and type in a command to make another 50 by 50 overhang to his right and placed a red cube with black ripples into a open section in the console and got to work.
On its right, a skeletal overhang folded out and stabilized itself before it began to fill in with another skeletal structure being the COM tower. The bottom where it would stand was held by many thin legs, holding cylinders with many tall rods. Some with blinking red lights.
He then put in two last cubes. One green with a rectilinear black and yellow warning strip for Landing Pad. One white cube with blue spots for the lab.
And after another 5 minutes, it was complete. HVSF on ground level. Lab on top. Landing Pad on the left overhang and COM Tower on the right overhang.
Normally a 50 by 50 spaced lab and vehicle station wouldn't be much. But that problem could be tossed aside as all the rooms are connected to a Sub-space induced area.
The inside was 200 feet and had 20 doors leading to 15ft living rooms, 12ft bedrooms, two different shower rooms, and a 10ft kitchen.
Then came the lower Sub-Spaced sections to the HVSF. This place had a grand total of 800ft filled with both ground and air vehicles. But that was the first 400ft. The rest was used as both a factory and repair station with crates, spare parts, a game room, and other things.
Dove: "Amazing."
Tech looked behind him looking at his creation in awe.
Tech: "Right, isn't science amazing?"
Dove: "Indeed, it reminds me of the Dwemer but far more advanced. The world you come from must be quite the sight."
Tech: "Yep. But what's a…Dwemer?"
Dove: "Right, since no one else is around I can tell you. I'm another one of the being summoned by Louise. The dragon to be exact."
Tech: "Oh, you're the one Colbert was talking about. But why are you hiding."
Dove: "Long story short, I'm a wood elf and people here don't like elves. So I'm keeping my dragon and elf self separate. The elf self has to cover her ears as well."
Tech: "Religion?"
Dove: "Yeah."
Tech: "Tch, primitives. Well, I won't judge you. So, about Dwemer?"
Dove: "The Deep Elves and they were the most advanced race on Nirn. Their machines still exist to this day."
Tech: "Were? Oh, let me guess. They blew themselves up to kingdom come."
Dove: "More like messed with the heart of a god and thus erased their entire race from existence in an instant."
Tech: "…Okay, didn't expect that. I'm assuming this was thousands of years ago."
Dove: "Before you say it's an exaggeration, don't. It wasn't that long ago and some elves do remember what happened."
Tech: "…Fine, but I'm not taking your word for it. I mean come on, the heart of a god just wiping an entire species away? That's crazy!"
Dove: "The multiverse is a crazy and mysterious place. But enough about that, can I come in?"
Putting that crazy conversation behind him, Tech nodded and walked to the blue pad. Dove joined and they waited for the grava lift to kick in.
When it did, it brought the due to Tech's lab. He breathed in the air in it and sighed in joy.
Tech: "Thank you lord for filtered air!"
Dove: "This place feel…weird."
Tech: "That's super clean air for you. Breathe it in and enjoy."
Tech practically skipped to his most beloved thing, something he dearly missed. The TTACCOA or The Totally Awesome Command Chair Of Awesomeness.
He soon sat down on the comfy leather. The chair can spin 360 degrees. It's complete with holo keypads, security feed, games, blueprint makers, and total control over all Tech's toys and so much more.
Dove: "You look like you're having fun."
Tech: "This is my happy place."
Dove: "A chair?"
Tech: "The most awesome chair you'll ever see! Because I don't want you sitting in it. This baby is all for me."
Dove: "Don't worry, I won't touch your…baby."
Tech: "Good, because I sadly have to leave it. I need a Nano-Bath to further repair my body for the work ahead."
Dove: "You know, I do healing magic so-"
Tech: "No thanks, I'm good. No offense, but I'll trust science over magic any day. Besides, I don't mind earning my health back through my own genius."
Dove sighed before letting Tech have his way. He's definitely the most interesting and strangest of the familiars summoned.
Tech: "Feel to look around and marvel. There will be signs to show you around."
With that, Tech got up and wandered to the area where the Nano-Baths were. Dove made her way through the place, admiring the high technology.
If there was one thing that Dove didn't like though, it was the aesthetic. It was metal and sterile. It made her miss the outdoors already. But as she visited the individual rooms, she had another thought.
Dove: 'If they can be customized, this would be a nice base for all of us. Secure, clean, and enough room for everyone. I'm sure they'd prefer this over sleeping outside or going through the trouble of teleporting home. Or in Flamma's case, on hay.'
Dove continued her tour of the various areas of the base until she got bored and returned back to the lab. When she entered, she heard a somewhat familiar voice.
"What the hell is this?!"
Dove: "Who's there?!"
Dove said while looking around for any possible enemy.
Tech: "It's a sound transmission from outside Dove, no one is attacking.'
Dove turned to face Tech who looks healthier than before. He also has some strange armor over his body. The armor is dark green and black. He sat down and typed some commands to bring up a visual.
Standing outside is Raskreia who is looking at the screen with an interested look.
Raskreia: "Oh, I get it. Okay, who built this? I swear it wasn't the last time I checked."
Tech: "One of us?"
Dove: "Yeah, the one who can use the gate spell to go back home. She's currently helping Jake first."
Tech: "Really? I was sure she tricked everyone and left on her own. Well, let's go greet her."
The duo exited the lab and went back to the grava lift. It took no time to get back to the surface and greet Raskreia.
Raskreia: "Whoa, aren't that sick kid from back then?"
Tech: "Yeah, I got better."
Raskreia: "I see, and who is this?"
Dove: "I'm Dovahkiin. Call me Dove when I'm in this form."
Raskreia: "No way, really? Zander didn't mention that. Does that mean you're undercover or something?"
Dove: "Something like that, I'll tell you on the way. Come in."
Tech: "You know, it should be me inviting her in. This is my base after all."
Dove: "Can she come in?"
Tech: "I didn't say she couldn't. Just…come on."
The trio went back inside and headed toward the lab. Dove filled Rask in on their situation.
Raskreia: "Wow, I probably shouldn't leave then. The next time I come back, the entire country might be in flames."
Raskreia: 'I probably shouldn't reveal my true form either. These people would go nuts!'
Dove: "No need to worry about that, I wouldn't let it happen. I have a 100% success rate in saving the world."
Tech: "Well, since you're here make yourself a home and marvel at my creations. It's going to get even more amazing tomorrow."
Raskreia: "Yeah, the fight. I'm so there for it. But it's interesting that you just let me hang around your base without supervision."
Tech: "Oh don't worry, I have systems in place in case you're feeling suicidal."
Raskreia: "Ha, I like you kid. I'll think stick around then."
Tech: "Fine, pick a room and-"
Dove: "Speaking of, can we customize them? They are kind of plain as is."
Tech: "Easy, but can we save it for tomorrow? Even I need rest."
Dove: "Sure. After I show Raskreia to the living rooms, I'll probably have to leave and fly around the academy. I wouldn't want people to worry that a large dragon is missing and on the loose."
Raskreia: "That must suck. You'll probably have to sleep on the roof then."
Dove: "I'm sure it won't be so bad."
Dove: 'Great, just when I found an actual bed to sleep in…'
Tech: "I'm actually curious about your dragon form. I'll walk out with you when you're ready."
Dove: "Alright."
So Dove showed Raskreia to one of the living rooms and she proceeded to flop on the bed. Leaving her to get comfortable, the duo left the base for the surface.
Dove got a good distance away from before using her dragon aspect shout to transform into a dragon. She then took off and flew around the academy.
Tech: "Fine, I'll admit that transforming into a dragon is cool and beyond what I'm capable of. I mean I could make a mechanical dragon. Note to self, post that as a future project and pit it against Dove."
With that, Tech went back into his lab to finish a few preparations for tomorrow. And then finally getting a good night's sleep.
