[Game Thread] Lord Windos’ PokeRole Adventure 2: The Wild Lands

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

An unseen force 'guiding 'the incense smoke to writh and twist around dear little Saph, the bright blue glow of the Saphire Pendant worn around her neck and held in the gauntlet'ed hand and the feels of something drapping across his shoulders - no, Bernhard wasn't afraid anymore. The weight of being 'the last hope' for the Gleams felt like it lifted, even if it was by just a little bit, upon that presence making itself known, upon the realization that it was there to support him. That is was there with him, that is has never left a single time since yesterday evening.

Yes. I will. Wake up, precious gem....

"...Thank you." Simple words perhaps, but Bernhard feels like there is no need to say anything more or anythingelse. His words, even if they were no more than a mere whisper spoken to something unseen, ringed and echoed back in his mind and in the dead-silence of the room where it was just him, his Pokemon-partners, Saph, and... eventually, Bernhard feels like he understands.

He returned Saph's gaze as she eventually and slowly woke up. He did not flinch away or reacted to the unpleasant sight of the state of her eyes, that unhealthy solid purple color they had - if anything, he took painful note of it, took it as an indication of how much the Curse has taken over the poor little girl, and how dire the situation was. Bernhard feels grateful that he has managed to come for help in Mr. Gleam's name, having been approached by him just a day or mere hours later might have been too late already - he does not want to think of such a possibility.


Her weak, soft and so very worn out words of greeting to him were met with subtle and (in Bernhard's terms) incrediby gentle smile and look. He felt like just one spoken word could tear dear Saph apart, break her, so weak and whispy she was laying there, being awake now at last... He carefully placed his natural hand on hers - ignoring how icy-cold the touch was - while his hand with the Gauntlet never lost a gentle grip around the Saphire Pendant of her. "...I know. I am here to help you, just like your dear mother has come to rescue me yesterday as I was concocting the medicine for you... If it weren't for her, I would not...be able to potentially cure you of the vile curse infesting your system, hope for you to see the world again would I have much less indeed, confidence that I can make a difference would I have a whole lot less..."

She smiles again, then gives you a curious look, so honest and pure you felt as if you were in front of a Holy Relic.
"Can....you help....Mr. Mage? If....you can't...."
She smiles, this one full of understanding.
Acceptance.
"I....won't.....blame you. Never...ever....ever...."

*looking beat, yet there's a confident undertone all subtly in between the lines* "Least I can do is try. ...Though it is not me you shall thank, nor my magical unicorn... It is her. She who has always been with you, and who is still with you now when you are at your weakest... Least I can do is repaying her, by doing what I - " *motions to Nirix, Myra and Zephy* " - what we can do to help you."

"Please, do not be afraid. Do not loose hope, for it never left in the first place. Please, trust in me. Trust in... her."

Save her. Please.

"I shall and I will."



Course of Action: 
Do not respond here just yet, Windos. I'd like to discuss the course of action and the scene with you via PM at first. (incoming) sent

Bravery, against that which you Do Not Know, Forces Most Arcane and Evil. Resolve, to see this Tragedy be Unmade, to take a stand against this Unjust Cruelity. Purity, of Intent and Heart, Wishing so dearly that all will be Fine and Good for Little Saph.

These Feelings, these Ideals, these Truths....they form one, iron-clad Belief:

You Will save Saph. 

You've seen similar eyes to the poor lass' before - on Hex Girls and Warlocks, or those that Trespassed one of The Boundaries. Given how close to Death she was, the nature of the Curse, and all the Ghosts and Spirits draw to her....you have a strong feeling that even if Cured, Saph won't ever be the same again. 

Still. Better changed and well than same and dead. What happened to her was horrible, but maybe - no, she Will recover. Recover, and grow stronger for it. 

The girl could see this, everything about you, and she simply smiled - worn, tired, but pure through and through.

"Yes...I know... Mama... told me... Ghost....Spirit Friend....Shared. Mama....Mama is the Best. Always....Always Helped....Anyone.......Good. Like.....You."

"You....Helped Her....Too. With....Medicine? Weak....Before....Stronger....Now. More....Here.....Not....There."

"Thank you....Mr. Mage. You....Saved Mama....Helped Papa....Maybe Make....Me Better..."

Will .


"*Soft Giggle* Okay. Okay. Do...Your Best....And Best Will Come. I...Promise. No...Matter What.....Don't....Regret. Okay?"

Okay.

Saph giggles again, content and happy, before she starts coughing again - and this time, a bit of blood and black phlem came up. Despite this she didn't appear in Pain or distress - she was at peace, total and true, as she smiled and gripped your hand so lightly. The chill was almost oppressive, and you could barely feel her....but she was there. There, with you.

And if you had anything to do about it, for the Whole World too.

---

Then, with great reluctance, you pulled away for dear Saph, your expression severe and Stoic. The same look you had when Tackling any Craft, Project, or unpleasant thing that dared bother you. Zephy, even in her foul mood, could not hold onto it with Saph's pure heartedness, and certainly not when you fully committed yourself to seeing her Cured. Giving you a solemn nod she returned to your shoulder and closed her eyes, preparing to give her all in Helping You. 

Myra looked subdued by amazed, the scene before her tickling all her mystical senses like a feather and showing her things she never seen before. Once you got into gear, however, her expression soon matched yours - serious, firm, and ready. Her power was yours to command. Now, Then, and Forevermore.

Nirix....he looked....uncertain. Troubled. In all this time, he had only really contributed with his Horn and guarding her rest. He hadn't really done anything directly like the rest of you had. Even though you reassured him that he indeed helped....did he really. Truly.... 

...No. Not to him. 

That would change.

The Mystical Unicorn's expression cleared. In its place: Commitment, Righteousness, and Pure Generosity. 

Everyone was ready. 

You. Saph. Zephy. Myra. Nirix.

You pull out a Bottle of Pancea, giving Saph one last look.

She smiles, and then closes her eyes. Waiting...and Hoping.

It was Time....To Begin


*****
*****

You began by painting a circle of chalk around the bed, mixed in with a little of the Pancea and imbued with the power Myra's Safeguard and Nirix's Heal Pulse, to block out all but the Evil Curse that lay within Saph. You throw a bit of the water into the air, using your natural Air Affinity to aerolite it into a fine mist to fall onto everything within the circle - something that your newest addition Spritzee helped greatly, their power and Specialties guiding you to make the most effective purifying mist possible. 

Purify, Purify.

Evil, Banished.

Curse, Begone.

Music: ~ Tingsha Chakra Meditation Series #8 ~ 70 min. ~ 1st/Root thru 7th/Crown

You could feel the vile, HORRIBLE forces recoil from these, dispelled from the circle, before they came back with A VEGENCE, banging away at the barrier with enough force that you swayed, your link to the circle subjecting you to the same abuse.

Let us in. Let US IN. LET US I N ! Y O U  C A N  N O T  S T O P  U S !! Y O U  W I L L  N O T  S A V E  H E R !!!

Then *SHING!*  - A Bright Blue Pulse of L i g h t  burst out of The Sapphire Pendant, bolstering you and the circle and greatly easing your burden!

I am with you. Now save her. Save my Saph.

Preparations complete, you walk carefully over to the IV supporting Saph. Going to one of the ports - where you could add medication to the IV Mix - you carefully poured in the Panacea, making sure not a single drop was wasted. The bright, iridescent brew immediately caused the mix to brighten into bright, crystal white color, and you could see it slowly make its way into Saph.

Going back to her, you kneeled beside her. You placed one hand over the Pendant, and the other in the girl's hands.

Then, for the first time in a long time, you prayed.

Prayed, for innocent young Saph's SOUL.

Prayed, for her recovery.

Prayed, for the Evil that befell her to Be Gone.

Prayed, for All to end Well.

Prayed.....for a Brighter Tomorrow.

Praying, muttering arcane spells, you focused everything on Saph. On that foul, evil Curse. Focused on saving her and destroying IT, once and for all.

Saph squirmed, the Curse within her wracking her form as it fought harshly, viscously against the Panacea entering her veins, your Purifying Prayers, and the Love and Protection of the Pendant. Several times she whimpered and gripped your hand tight, the coldness eating into your with unnatural, aggressive Spite. Tears began to leak from her closed eyes - tears of blood.

She started coughing, more blood joining, and as you felt the fury and twisted satisfaction and mocking HATE from the Vile Curse, you realize it something: now that its Existence was truly Threatened, is was no longer merely 'content' to make Saph suffer, prolonging her torment and invalid condition. No, it was going to try and K I L L her, and make it  A L L  Y O U R  F A U L T , M E D D L I N G  S C I M I T A R .

Y O U  W I L L  S U F F E R.  S A P H  W I L L  S U F F E R. R U B E N  W I L L  S U F F E R. E Z M E R E L D A  W I L L  S U F F E R. A L L  W I L L  S U F F ER!  A L L  W I L L  S U F F ER  F O R  W H A T  H E  D I D !!!

Grim-face and desperate, you once more through to reach into your Core to provide everything to this Ritual to Banish this C U R S E  and Cure Saph. A risky move, all the more so due to your recent overexertion and the earlier near coma inducing creation of the Mega Panacea. This could ruin you, but -

Music: Void Stranger OST - Void Symphony

*Shine*
*Shine*
*SHINE*

Nirix's stepped forward, looming over young Saph. His eyes were closed, his breathing even, and his concentration absolute. What remained of his horn glowed softly.....and then all at once it grew in a flash, a pink, ethereal horn in place of what was missing. Your Mystical Unicorn opened his eyes, and you could see It: His Belief. 

He would do Good.

Nirix lowered his horn over young Saph, and breathed. 

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

The horn transformed into a ball of light, so pure it was blinding, before entering into Saph's Chest!

-* Healing Wish *-
Automatic Success with the Panacea, Yours, and The Sapphire Pendant's Ezmeralda's Help

L i g h t  , bright, pure L i g h t  radiated outward from Saph, from her heart ....!

Nirix buckled, before gently collasping to the Floor, Fainted...

Myra fanned out her tails and howled.

Spritzee cheered you on.

You held onto Saph, never letting go. Never stopping Praying. Never giving up.

Zephy sang, worldless, soundless music of Spirit and SOUL as she was swept up in the waves of Purity, Goodness, and L i g h t .

Ezmeralda held tight, keeping you firm and protected as you saved her daughter.

The vile Curse screamed , angry and horrified as it was blasted and cleansed into the Great [ V o i d ].

And
Everything
Went
White
...
....
.....
......
.......
........
.........
..........
...........
............................ "Mr.?"

"Mr. Mage?"

"Mr. Mage?"

"Please.....

"....Wakey wake!"

Your head shot up with a gasp, sweat on your brow as you took a deep breath. That was....that was something else. Such Magic, such pureness and rightness....it was so overwhelm -

"Mr. Mage!"

*Pomp!*

You're taken out of your revelatory musing as something crashed into you shoulder. Snapping towards the it -

"Mr. Mage! You're alright! Yes, yes!! Mama said you would be okay, but it is good! Good to see you are alright!!" 

- Was Saph Gleam, still dressed in her nightgown, hugging your shoulder and giving you a bright, sunny smile.

Her skin was still pale, her eyes that same gradual purple, and her hair seemed to float of its own accord....

But Saph Gleam was Healthy. 

Saph Gleam was well.

Saph was Cured.

"Thank you. Bernard."

Another voice, behind Saph.

Looking past her, you see what appears to be an etheral woman, wearing a seafoam green dress and carmel brown hair, and blank green eyes. Around her neck was the Sapphire Pendant - now sporting what looked to be a Pupil and Iris within the gemstome.

The woman - Ezmeralda - gave you a tearful, grateful smile, clasping both hand to her heart.

Music: Void Stranger OST - Void

"Thank you for saving her."

Everyone gains 7 XP, No Negative Modifiers. You gain + 1 Will. Myra learns Heal Bell. Zephy Learns Sing. Spritze learnt Helping Hand. Nirix learned Healing Wish for 63 XP, loses 2 Will, Faints, and is Exhausted for the rest of the Day but gains Trait: Sanctifier - His Healing Moves are guaranteed to restore at least 2 HP or 1/2 at Target's HP (Heal Pulse and Healing Wish, respectively), and cures Basic Curses.