Log View

Source	Contents
Misa	There's little to be said of the trip from alleyway to restaurant- Misa's quiet by nature, other than to suggest a surprisingly upscale and well-travelled establishment despite the potential desire for secrecy. Her rationale, speaking as an investigator herself, ranges from the general din of such a place and the fact that the usual thoughts for 'secret' conversations tend to be the first place people like her focus on keeping an ear out. As such, she's recommended a place known for the quirksome owner and chef, and the steady stream of people in and out- there is no name to the restaurant, and indeed if one did not get curious and look at it or hear of it from someone else, it would be hard to know there even is a restaurant here. Which, of course, means all of Great Forks and half of the outlying villages know it is so. Helps when the food on offer is nearly beyond reproach. Misa takes a seat gently, setting her swords aside at her opposite side from where they normally sit, and a simple wood-or-bamboo flute beside those. She offers but a slight smile and general gesture for Bright to sit as she settles in to size up the surroundings.
Bright Journey	There's no trace of concern on Bright's face as she looks around curiously at the establishment. She looks quite pleased, as a matter of fact, as she sits where Misa suggests. If she understands the significance of the placement of the swords, however, she makes no sign. She is not carrying any visible weapons, of course, but she certainly had a heck of a bow in hand not that long ago. In truth, she did try to strike up a conversation on the way, but just as quickly subsided, if Misa didn't seem interested. Perhaps it's just as well that such weighty matters be discussed in a more controlled setting. She eyes the menu curiously, but makes no decisions yet on that front in favor of taking a moment to study Misa, perhaps waiting for a good moment to speak.
Amethyst	A young dragon-blooded has found her way to this establishment as well, likely by coincidence though perhaps she was seeking out Bright Journey. Either way, as she steps into the place, it doesn't take her too long to spot the pink-haired woman, and so she makes her way over. Amethyst herself is covered head to toe in color-shifting prismatic tattoos of some runic variant of old realm, various stories of her life told on her skin. Her pointed ears swivel back and forth as she goes. As she makes her way to the table, Amethyst grins, "Hello Bright, and hmm, I dunno if we've ever met? I hope I'm not intruding too much." She glances between Bright and Misa as she speaks.
Misa	"I do not believe so," notes Misa, head shaking a little. She's called for tea, at this point- and was just about to say something to Bright when Amethyst came by. She quiets for the moment, considering the newcome woman for a longish moment. "Certainly if Bright does not mind, though I would then ask her if she considers our prior topic appropriate given the new company?" she questions, head tilting a little. Whether she's implying it was something salacious or just being decidedly unsubtle is, really, anyone's guess.
Bright Journey	Bright looks up from her menu--or trying to figure out Misa--and offers Amethyst a heartfelt smile. "Well! A pleasure to see you, too. Twice the pleasure, in fact--once for your company, and again for the favor you now owe me for failing to tell me about this charming little restaurant." She gives Amethyst a cheeky little grin. Glancing at Misa, she simply nods. "I believe Amethyst here was with me the first time we visited the portal." She gives Misa a pointed look here. "Even if not, I assure you she's well aware of it." Bright pointedly sets her opened menu in front of a third chair. "And above all, she's one of the people I would have needed to discuss it with in any event. I won't say the gods decreed you be here, my dear, but it -is- an awful big coincidence. But it will let us share the news all the faster. t "In any event, Misa, please meet a good friend of mine, Amethyst, one of the finest alchemists in Great Forks and possibly the East. Amethyst, please meet a new acquaintance of mine, Misa. We met the way I meet everyone I know." She chuckles. "When everyone is going -away-, she was the only other one I saw going -towards-."
Amethyst	"Hey I don't know /everything/ about this city." Amethyst protests Bright's comment. And she beams as Bright introduces her, ears perked up. "Perhaps someday I'll be one of the finest alchemists in all of Creation." Ever the dreamer is she. "It's nice to meet you Misa. I was the one who figured out a great deal of how this portal works in the first place, and I still intend on designing my own keystone and seeing if I can't direct it somewhere. But that's a future project." Taking a seat, the young dragon considers, "So what new things have we discovered?"
Misa	"Well, certainly I could assist in testing such a stone, if nothing else," Misa offers, accepting the tea tray- conveniently with three cups already laid out, perceptive wait-staff that they are here. "Hanase Misa, to speak more fully, if it matters." "Truth be told I dot not yet know much- I know there was some sort of portal, and a commotion I am rather sad that I missed in the original forays. Some sort of cult as well, I presume? These portals do not tend to simply -happen- in my personal experience, and I should like to think I am fairly good when it comes to those sorts of occult matters. Particularly in hunting down the sort o groups that would have done this thing, if that could be of assistance."
Bright Journey	"Well, that's the real dark spot there, Misa. What we -don't- know about the portal is who is using it now or why. We've learned quite a bit about how it works, though, and we still have the keystone. Of course," Bright shrugs, "we have no idea if whoever it is can make more. The portal itself is well hidden, but you have to understand, Misa--we killed a -lot- of Anuhle when we first found it, but we hadn't seen much happen until...well, whatever was going on today. It was the first real thing happening that made me think it's not over, that we can't just let it be while we try to learn from it." She turns to Amethyst, leaning one elbow on the table. "To catch you up, Misa and I were headed over there...separately, mind you, we didn't really know each other beforehand. But the place was...well. This is going to sound daft, but the whole area around the portal was...-wrong-. It felt otherwordly, and I could swear I took a different route to get there the last time, now that I think about it. But it was strange. Oppressive." She looks thoughtful as the waiter stops by with her tea, and she takes an idle sip. "I wonder if that's what Malfeas itself feels like."
Amethyst	"I'm a lot better versed in demonology than I was when we first went, but I can only tell what the Wyld and Shadowlands feel like." Amethyst says, "That said, we do have that keystone and the means to open the portal for ourselves if we really wished to know. But I've no interest in going to hell." Amethyst says, "And my more proper name is Yim Ametis, though I typically just go by Amethyst." "But so, it /sounds/ a lot like some localized metaphysical weirdness. There's a way for the underworld and the wyld to bleed into Creation, perhaps Malfeas could do so as well? But that would likely mean the portal was opened, wouldn't it?" She contemplates this thought, and finally asks, "When you two investigated, did you make it to the portal? Was there anything odd about that chamber besides the unease?"
Misa	"I was... convinced that it would be best to regroup first," Misa says with something of a wry smile. "So no, we did not go to the portal itself. For what it is worth, there is generally not a phenomenon of 'bleeding over' of the space that is Malfeas itself- if anything it would be the great desert, but in either case they are separate realms, not so closely entwined to Creation. In either event, what I would -suspect- would be either a ritual of some sort in progress, or the renewed presence of creatures like those Anuhle you spoke of. Likely easy to rule out things like Tomescu, as there was not anything visible, or neomah as it was more a repulsive effect. But further searching would yield more information, naturally."
Bright Journey	Bright Journey smiles and shakes her head a bit. "Misa wanted to go further, and...well, I do want to learn what's there but I convinced her to head back for now, so we could share what we learned and maybe collect a few more people. Remember how many demons we ran into before?" She grins at Amethyst. "Having someone else will help. Amethyst, Misa, if you two decide you want to head back, I'll be happy to join you both." Bright chuckles quietly and pats the tyable by the menu she'd just set for Amethyst. "After lunch."
Amethyst	"Going back as soon as we eat is for the best." Amethyst says, nodding. "I already have my alchemy suppliess with me." She pats the various pouches she has, "But I might want to go back and grab my armor. I oughta find some black jade armor for myself sometime." "Regardless, if it is a ritual in progress, it would be prudent for us to interrupt it."
Misa	"Well, how is one to ensure they improve at pace if they do not challenge themselves with a little danger?" asks Misa with a slight half-smirk, head shaking a little. "And, yes. These sorts of rituals can never be best left unhindered. I have seen too many uncontrolled outbreaks- not that any more than zero is not more than enough."
Bright Journey	There's a reluctant, somber nod from Bright. "I suppose you're right. And with one extra person, at least, we'll stand in better stead if anything serious actually happens. Perhaps I was being too cautious." She shrugs in a way that makes it seem she's not as nonchalant about it as she wants to seem. As the three people enjoy their lunch, Bright's mind turns inward a bit, thinking about what she saw and felt, and what might be going on. Still, there's little point in trying to describe it further when Amethyst is going to experience it herself soon enough. Bright keeps the conversation light and friendly for now, the better to fuel body and mind for whatever might lie ahead. Soon, the ladies finish their meal, stand and pay, then start to head back the way Misa and Bright came...
Raullaur	Raul is walking through the streets, unarmored, as usual, but also now unarmed, which is rather a change for the beastman. "Yes, yes," he growls at the person walking next to him, dressed not too nicely but formally, a functionary of some sort. "You can tell the general I will train. You can also have her tell the troups that they will not like it, but that they /will/ get better." "Of course!" And the woman slips away, her eyes a bit wide, glad to get out of the area. Raul shakes his head slightly, but then sees a trio of ladies, two of whom he recognizes. "Good day, Bright Journey, and to you Amethyst." The voice is warmer, still growling a little, rolling the Rs. "I'm afraid I don't know you," he offers to Misa, "But I hope you are all well today."
Misa	Misa gives Amethyst a funny sort of questioning look at the comment on three exalted. That aside, in a situation like this? Misa's a quick, efficient eater, places to go and things to do and all that. She finishes quickly, and then excuses herself a moment- and a few minutes later has returned with her two short blades... missing. In their place, a single, longer, gently curved one with a floral pattern on the guard. "Hanase Misa," she offers in a quiet voice as the lion fellow introduces himself, head tilting as she sizes up his considerable frame for a longish moment. "Just how many people -do- you know, that we keep stumbling upon them?"
Amethyst	"Always better to be overprepared than underprepared. Three of us are better than two of us" Amethyst says, and she grins at Misa, "A little danger never hurt no one~." She likes this lady. As she enjoys her own meal, she contemplates what exactly they may find and how she might need to disrupt things. Regardless of what happens she should be able to stop whatever ritual is in progress using her knowledge, or so she thinks anyway. "And then there was four." She says to Raul, "Perfect timing, you wanna go hunt some demons?"
Bright Journey	Bright Journey gives Misa a quick grin, and then gives Raullaur a sidelong look. She chuckles quietly. "Misa, my dear, I'm starting to wonder that myself. Make no mistake, we know plenty of people, and a shocking number of them would be more interested in exploring a Malfean portal room than in -running away- from same. I suppose that makes the rest of us nuts, but you will find we're the good kind of crazy." She chuckles again. "Raullaur, good to see you, as well. As Amethyst was saying, we're about to run towards the crazy, as they say. No guarantee we will actually see real life demons, but at the absolute least we will see art of them!"
Raullaur	Raullaur perks up slightly. "Well, always up for a tussle, so if you need someone watching your backs, certainly." He flashes his fangs in a grin. "Anything special I should have with me?"
Amethyst	Amethyst considers, "As long as you're prepared to fight I think we should be good. with with any luck we won't need to fight but it's best to be prepared anyhow." "I would like to grab my armor myself, but then I'll be good"
Misa	A slight rolling of the shoulder from Misa as she listens to the exchange. She clicks her tongue softly before speaking up; "Though I will say, I think beyond this we might expect diminishing returns- I can assume the tunnel is only so large, and our new associate here is not small," she notes, semi-ponderous. "Armour as you like, though. If there -are- demons about one would not a single stray claw to tear someone apart." She looks about the streets as they walk, occasionally twisting her head as if to listen to something. "Though I suspect the fact that we draw near and that sensation has not yet spread is likely a relatively good sign."
Raullaur	"I am ready to fight, surely. As for returns..." He shrugs. "Probably best to not have the whole city know. And...what sensation?" He is curious, eatchful, but decidedly not sorcerous.
Bright Journey	Bright chuckles, shaking her head. "Amethyst and myself have already been in that tunnel. It's not -insanely- large, but it's more than enough to allow larger Anuhle--er, spider demons--through. A polearm might still be a bit much, possibly, but we have more room to maneuver than you might think. It's just...longer than one would think. You'll see." The party is four strong, now, and they chat a bit as they travel through the Temple District and into the Warehouse District further to the south, out of the way. Here, the buildings are larger and more boring, the streets aren't so well traveled (though they are by no means deserted) and the sky continues to creep along towards afternoon. Eventually, the party finds the streets leading up to that alley they all (save Raullaur) remember from before. The streets are the same as ever, perhaps, but they -feel- narrow. Constricted. Uncomfortable. Despite there being plenty of actual space. It's disconcerting, but doesn't seem dangerous, per se.
Amethyst	"This /is/ decidedly strange" Ammie agrees as she feels the discomfort. She considers, and then takes out a little violet vial and drinks it, letting the borders between worlds evaporate in her sight as her eyes form violet veins. And thus the essence flows of Creation become visible and obvious to the sorceress. She glances around and tries to figure out what this is and where exactly is coming from.
Misa	A quirk of the brow at the vial from Misa- but she keep her distance. All the better to not be in the splash zone if there was a bad batch, or such
Raullaur	Raullaur frowns and looks more watchful and not quite on edge. He reflexively grips the air as though a sword hilt. "Definitely something wrong...but that's all the more reason to figure it out.c
Bright Journey	At this point, the party carefully moves down the now-deserted street and around the corner, into the alley that leads, eventually, to the Malfean Portal. The scene is much as it was left a few hours ago here, when Bright and Misa had investigated earlier in the day. It has clearly been lived in; there's a makeshift table made out of a chunk of masonry with dice and a few mugs of some sort of booze, no doubt. The old bloodstains are here, but no new ones are about for a pleasant change. Much of the masonry used to obstruct the tunnel into the earth has already been moved out of the way, however. The oppressive, heavy feeling is a bit stronger, here. Sounds in the distance, the normal sounds of any city, are attenuated and thin, far away and easily forgotten. The hush of the now pervades, and there's a whiff of something out of place. A bit sweet, a bit spicy...? The second sight Amethyst enjoys tells a more detailed, and more concerning, picture. Thin tendrils of spiritual energy waft lazily through the air, not dangerous themselves but harbingers of what may come. The whole area is suffused with a vague, poorly defined and yet pervasive sense of...otherness. It's more visible to Amethyst but still difficult to define, save to say it's not a figment of anyone's imagination.
Raullaur	"If it's open, who knows what's coming out?" Raul shakes his head. "And how far they've gotten. I would go first--still will if asked--but I would just deal with demons with a sword..."
Amethyst	"That's... not good" Amethyst says as she looks at the tendrils. Carefully she takes out her ritual blade, a dagger shining silver and darkened iron blades, complete with thke image of Danaa'd resting coiled on the hilt. She takes it drawing it across her palm as her own essence shimmers, a palpable spiritual pressure radiates from the Dragon as she casts. Like fathoms of water, her essence catalyzes as her blood is drawn from her wound and coils in the air, coalescencing into a whip. And just the pressure started, it ends as the spell completes. Now Amethyst has her own tendril to fight with, forged from her own blood. "Whatever this is, I'm going to be ready for it." And Amethyst starts forward. "If something's come out we'll just send it back to Malfeas"
Misa	"While I appreciate the concern for dematerialized demons- certainly it is a hurdle I struggle with myself- the primary goal in a situation such as this should be less about individual beings and more about making for the source in short order. I am certain there is some metaphor involving boats and water leaks I could employ," asserts Misa- she's still quiet, but there's a certainty and confidence to her voice at the moment. Speaking of that certainty, it is with very little fanfare or moment to prepare when she simply picks her way through the remaining masrony to make her way into the tunnel directly, others walking in first be damned.
Bright Journey	Fortunately for somebody, no doubt, the tendrils really aren't close to anyone--way up in the air for the most part--and aren't actually doing anything but waving lazily about. Aside from the obvious Something Ain't Right, they would not really be of concern, most likely. The tunnel is as dark as ever, hewn into the earth beneath the city and stretching out after a good fifteen or twenty foot fall--prevented only by the use of reasonably acceptable handholds carved into the rock. It's not that difficult to traverse them, but it's definitely not something to be done swiftly or while under attack. The tunnel is relatively wide and roughly ovoid in shape, sloping gently as it heads deeper into the earth. "Amethyst," Bright murmurs as everyone makes their way down, "do you still happen to have that alchemical light? You remember how long this tunnel is, and...well, you feel it too, right? Something down here has changed." Without further word, Bright's powerbow forms out of mist and moonlight. She grips it tight, nocks an arrow, and starts moving forward. The tunnel itself is as boring as it is interminably long. It's easily traversable--one could even fight in it if needed--but wherever it's wending is nowhere near the alley. After a good half hour of walking, the air...well, breathing is still possible, but the constrictive, oppressive, cloyingly heavy air is as pervasive as it is frustrating. The tunnel wasn't like this the first time...
Amethyst	Amethyst grabs an alchemical light and shines the way forward. And as she takes her next step, it's almost like she unfolds as thin scales spread across her body, and her eyes, in addition to having purple veins, become slitted like a cat's to take in as much light as she needs. She's as ready as she's getting for whatever awaits them. She also keeps an eye out for traps given what happened the first time. "Eesh, I feel like I could cut this thick air with my athame." She complains. "What in the gods name are they doing down here?"
Misa	"... Well, certainly nothing more intensive than what you appear to have done to yourself, sorcerously," notes Misa- more amused than anything, as she eyes the dragonblood. She shrugs it off. The descent seemed to hardly be a bother for her- but then, she does have that certain walk of the physically gifted, so perhaps not a surprise. "My top guesses include- some bizarre attempt to actually -seal- this portal, a great many more aerially-inclined demons, or a rather significant figure of second circle or so making their presence felt. But... well, we lack information, so we ought to press on, no?" She shrugs at that- certainly not comfortable, but even more certainly not dissuaded.
Bright Journey	Bright looks up at Misa, but thinks better of speaking immediately when she sees Misa is not talking to her. Instead, she smiles a bit and looks to try to walk on ahead, but Misa was in the lead. Bright sighs a bit, but decides that caution wins the day here--particularly at the very last bend--and lets Misa go first. The earthen and stone walls of the tunnel give way to a shimmering, flickering green light visible in the hallway from the next room. It looks exactly as it did before, but whatever is wrong here is -palpably- wrong, now. Everyone is starting to feel sick to their stomach, a sensation that Exalts usually leave behind at their Second Breath. The sickness in here, though...it doesn't care. It is not particularly fast, but it is sinuous, relentless, all-pervasive. It cannot be avoided and resistance is...challenging.
Bright Journey	As the party turns the corner, the flickering, fitful green light intensifies dramatically! It shines with a sickly green brilliance as the party looks upon the Malfean Portal once more. The Portal itself is a large, circular room, perhaps ten feet from floor to ceiling and a hundred feet across, making for a wide, flat cylinder. It's entirely made of a greenish, solid-looking stone. The walls have bas-relief pillars set in regular intervals, with bas-relief scenes on each panel, showing scenes and depictions of various Primordials in a reverent, and shockingly detailed, fashion. More pillars are scattered about the room, holding the ceiling up, and the central ten foot diameter circle is clear and surrounded by several pillars. The differences from before, however, are stark and clearly important. As before, the very center of the room is occupied by a floating object, hovering in midair. It has streamers of power flowing through it from floor to ceiling, but this time they are a shining, rich emerald green that vibrates and pulsates in time with the slowly spinning object, so similar to the Keystone discovered before but with critical differences in detail. At the back of the room, another magical portal is active, but instead of being the placid magic of before, this time it seethes and pulses as well. The portal starts pinpoint tiny but swiftly expands as the party enters. The portal widens to a few inches in diameter, but even within that tiny window all that can be seen beyond is an impossibly bright object of the sickliest, most soul-wrenching green flame of which a mind could conceive. It can't be identified on its own with such little context, but still, it sickens and burns all who witness it. In front of all of that, though, spread from pillar to pillar all the way across the room such that nothing beyond the nearer third of the room can be reached, are curtains of shimmering energy. They slightly obstruct view, adding a pale blue, shimmering to all the light coming from the other side of the room, but cut one side off from the other most effectively.
Amethyst	Amethyst stands in awe of the sight before her. She deduced how the structure works but never imagined what it would look like when active. And that pain she feels deep within her, it's like just simply being in the presence of whatever this is, hurts. And so she knows she has to act, but what to do, exactly? A plan would be better than not, but she's not going to be able to touch the keystone before breaking the barrier that separates them. Getting herself into a braced position, she tightens her focus and strength, her tattoos flickering wildly as she summons up her own power. No one can feel her own pressure in light of this nonsense, but it matters not as flames begin to collect around her athame, runes etched in flame appearing along the middle of the dagger. "I'm gonna try to destroy that barrier." Amethyst announces her intentions before actually doing it. But while the power collects, she also racks her brain. She's read a lot about Maflaes the last few weeks, what is that this could be?
Misa	Misa is quick to draw up her collar to guard her face- and in short order is wrapping one of her sashes around her lower face. Through this process, she speaks; "Well, lucky we found your sorceress friend, Bright- I suspect she'll be needing to weaken the sorceries here before we do much," she says, muffled but raising her voice for once in her life. "Though... may want to keep your skin covered- I am usually right about these sorts of things and unless your armour has some magic I am not aware of... well, I hope you are resilient when the barrier is removed. You've dealt with these keystones before, you said? I could try to cut it down from where it is when the barrier is lowered."
Bright Journey	Bright frowns deeply as she hisses, taking in a breath as the dull, aching pain starts to set in. She already has a large cloak on, and she pulls it forward, over her shoulders, hood over her head, in the hopes it will do -something- for the constant pain. "Well, I'm not helpless as a sorceress myself, in honesty, but Amethyst is undeniably better. I'm...honestly, I have never read or heard about anything like this light, or these barriers. I'm sure we can close the portal once we get across, though, should just be a matter of grabbing the keystone. Ames, tell me what you need from me and I'll help you, all right?"
Amethyst	The Dragon steels herself as her skin starts to redden, "The light of Ligier is not very pleasant, and not something we can just defend against." Amethyhst says, "And it'll be less pleasant once I break down this barrier. We won't have long to destroy or dislodge the keystone once its down." Amethyst takes her athame, with orange runes ablaze, and drives it /into/ the barrier, pressing against it with her sorcery power. Her anima flares to life as sparks of blue and deep green fly out from her attempt to disrupt it. "Once I've weakened it, hit the barrier and it should fall easily. But be warned, this keystone won't just let us grab it. It's been enchanted to resist such attempts."
Misa	"Ligier? I-- not the important part. I have little interest in 'grabbing' so much as 'cleaving in twain', though if th barrier will need a strike, perhaps I will do that and Bright can put that bow to use on the stone. The sooner it is destroyed, the better, I think," suggests Misa, head shaking a little under her bundling. "Or at least disrupted with the impact, if it resists destruction." "... In the meantime, this barrier is... relatively simple, but I expect the caster is capable of more- between the keystone and the apparent dissolution to their exit from the area. This will be difficult to track down, but once the dust settles I can examine the scene- if it is not overly eroded by this effect."
Bright Journey	Bright, for her part, can do nothing...yet. She readies an arrow, though, prepared to strike the barrier once Amethyst is done with it.
Amethyst	Amethyst is clearly unwell, even her ears are starting to show signs of turning red, even as she tries to keep them as close to her head as she can. And her ability to see essence flows is /not/ helping right now. Yet despite that, her dagger goes further, and further, slowly tearing into the barrier. One can actually start to feel her own spiritual pressure as she presses against the barrier. And then, with one final push, the entire barrier cracks along where she placed her dagger, her anima surging higher and higher. "Now!" She shouts.
Misa	Slowly Misa had been shifting behind Amethyst- no sense not taking advantage if she can block some of this horrid aerosolized acid that is definitely present and not her mind going to the wrong place due to the decidedly unpleasant sensation behind her abdomen. Her eyes are closed- be it for safety or some sense of focus- but as the call goes out to act now, they open again. Seemingly between the two thumps of one's heart, she ducks out from behind Amethyst- her sheathed, curved blade hefted out to her side in her right hand. She may profess herself an investigator and occultist but, well... evidence to the contrary. Her blade flashes out of its scabbard into the barrier- turning this way and that in a blur of steel as she works to shatter it as thoroughly as her wholly mortal blade will allow. And before that second beat of the heart- the sword is returned to its scabbard, Misa straightening up to narrow her profile to offer Bright more room to shoot.
Misa	There are three distinct lines through the barrier for the barest moment- one diagonally upwards, one crossing it the other way, and then a horizontal line crossing the same intersection. For someone following her blinding motions, it might seem for an instant that she simply created seams for the radiation to escape through. But then, the sharp *click* of her blade's guard against the opening of the scabbard seems to unsettle the arrangement, and the loose triangles created by her slashes fall away in great panels before beginning to dissipate into the already-claustrophobic air of this massive chamber. Misa, for her part, takes a careful and measured step back and to the side, getting some distance from the onrush of suffering with the barrier down and sliding behind one of the other two again in the process.
Bright Journey	As the barrier falls, the storm of energy flowing through the keystone is more visible, and the vicious burning sensation is kicked up a notch. Bright winces and sucks in a harsh breath through her teeth, but while she has a number of tools at her disposal, something to -push- it out with force might be better than plinking arrows at it. So instead of firing her bow at the keystone, she runs right past Misa and her deadly blade, focuses her internal energy...and reaches out, pressing her left hand against the surface of the oddly cut chunk of what looks like brass. Where her hand meets the brass keystone, an intense bubble of gold-edged white erupts from her palm, blowing it back out of the energy stram with considerable force. The keystone rockets out of the stream of energy, slamming across two bas relief carvings, a pillar, and the backside of one of the weakened barrier segments before coming to rest on the ground, near the northeast wall. As soon as the keystone is knocked out of the stream of energy, it ceases to be very quickly, shutting down in a matter of seconds. The horrible burning green winks out as the portal closes. Bright winces in pain, holding her left wrist with her right hand. Her left hand has suffered a significant burn, in addition to all the redness and pain everyone already feels.
Amethyst	Once the danger is over, the Amethyst relaxes a little. She does a little flourish with her ritual dagger and sheaths it. "That sucked." She murmurs. She rubs her head and heads over to Bright, "Are you alright after touching that thing? I warned you it was gonna have some nasty trick up its sleave." She looks over Bright's hand, "Might wanna have Rishi look you over."
Misa	Misa is quiet for a long moment- and waves her hand about her face like it's going to matter, somehow. Eventually, she tugs that sash down away from her mouth again. "That was indeed... brash. I had thought you would keep your distance, with a superhuman bow like that at your disposal. Quite the... interesting trick. Though I should not be surprised, given the disappearing weapon and the armour and all such." She shrugs it off, for the moment, looking about the room. "Well, I think our priorities ought to be to dismantle the portal itself, be it us or getting the assistance of a construction team. At some point in the meantime I likely ought to look for signs of the person doing all this."
Bright Journey	Bright groans, stumbling a bit before looking at Amethyst with a weak little smile. "I'll live, but...yeah. I might just do that, if she promises not to give me wings and a tail. But I think I probably did the right thing...well, maybe. I -do- have a couple ways to actually blow something -back-, both this, and the shout I used on Silk that one time. But this actually has real power against demons, so I thought I'd do the likeliest thing first. We didn't have a lot of time to try different things, and I'm pretty sure my arrows wouldn't have gotten that far..." She sighs. "Actually, they may have. I might have just made a dumb decision." Bright walks over to where the brass keystone is, but does not touch it. "The energy going through the keystone is fairly well harmless. That was true the first time, I think, too. But this...this might actually be dangerous to carry. As to what to do with the portal, I think we were fixing to understand it, were we not? But that wasn't accidental. It was meant to kill us, and it might have worked if we were less resilient." Bright pauses and looks at Misa, realizing finally what the girl is hinting at. "...Ah. Well, again, I may have not picked the best option to start with. I suppose we need to talk about this, but frankly I'm too tired to stand right now."
Amethyst	"Rishi only wishes for you to have the form of your choice. Um, "If you are not wishing for the tails and the wings then I will not being giving them to you"" Ammie tries to immitate Rishi's accent. "Or something like that." She sinks to the floor herself, "I'm also exhausted. And just destroying this place without understanding who is doing this and what they are doing might just mean they'll rebuild it elsewhere. Plus, if we get control of this place, we might be able to go anywhere."
Misa	Misa nods a little. "Deconstruct, perhaps, then- preserved enough to be rebuilt. But- for now, let us get you somewhere you can be tended to, and I will return to investigate what I can later," she says simply.