While the raven mage is with the others, alone in the woods, Carlsen is kneeling down and struggling to stand up. Hallucinations of a young man that looked almost the same as Carlsen are all that he can see.
He was stressed out…his eye had turned navy blue as he touched one of the trees in the forest. Taking his hand back, he pulled out an enchanted staff from the tree. Holding the staff up, he fired a barrage of electric and poison orbs at the commotion faraway before collapsing to the ground…fainting.
(Carlsen’s Navy Blue Energy is Creation)
Endan grit his teeth. "Oh, you've done enough here to constitute a fight." His eyes flashed a dangerous blue and frost began to form on the tips of his fingers. Small ice throwing knives, sharp as a razor formed in his hands. "Though I do hate using such improper terms- "he tensed, ready to attack,
"Come on snake, let's rattle."
Endan grit his teeth. "Oh, you've done enough here to constitute a fight." His eyes flashed a dangerous blue and frost began to form on the tips of his fingers. Small ice throwing knives, sharp as a razor formed in his hands. "Though I do hate using such improper terms- "he tensed, ready to attack,
"Come on snake, let's rattle."
(How do I react to this. I don’t even understand it. Wow.)
(oh sorry it was directed at altrincekun)
(If that was directed to Dark, that would be quite interesting honestly XD)
The raven mage smiled before disappearing leaving a spark and appearing again behind Endan tapping on his shoulder, coursing high levels of electricity to slow down his movement. Before Endan could attack him, he flew up with his wings and cast a blue lightning bolt to strike Endan directly.
Endan's magic reacted a split second before his brain. A burst of ice jutted up through the cobble inches away from his face, stopping the bolt in its tracks. He grit his teeth through the pain of the earlier shock and threw one of his daggers, though slower than usual.
Enderstorm watched Endan and Carlsen, her tired brain not sure what to do.
The raven mage looked the other way when the dagger was directed at him. The dagger pierced his left, which made him move slower and has blood dripping from his wing.
“You insolent brat…” He said faintly.
As he flew upwards trying to escape, another figure can be seen flying towards the escaping mage, slicing his neck open before he could return. Before anything, the detached head of the raven mage fell to the ground in front of Endan, followed that was his body. The figure landed softly in front of the group, slightly showing their face. The figure was wearing a black traditional yukata with a white fox symbol on the back. They wore a fox mask, covering every part of their face except their mouth in which they smiled as they said…
“I apologize for the rather…rude coming…I sincerely mean that…” They bowed once before looking at Endan.
“You are…if I remember correctly…Endan Randrat from the nation, Alsteinthern…correct…?”
Enderstorm watched Endan and Carlsen, her tired brain not sure what to do.
The raven mage isn’t Carlsen. He is just a corrupted creation made by Carlsen.
(I know, but my actually tired brain typed that and posted it and I couldn’t edit it so yeah)
Endan blinked in shock before rightening himself, retaining his composure. He gave a deep bow. "Why yes, that is me." He rose back to him full height. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance?"
The figure took a pause, turning their face towards the empress and took a bow.
“Greetings your highness…it is a pleasure to meet you, even in this situation…”
Blood dripped from the blade the figure held. They sheathed their blade before standing still for a moment, saying…
“They, the corrupted, has now started the song…
We, the uncompleted, shall now play along…
Follow the tones and the rhythm alike…
Or you might end up being a corpse by daylight…”
Enderstorm shuddered slightly as the figure recited the macabre words.
They grinned after seeing the empress’ reaction. “Indeed…this is my first time meeting you…and actually my first time in this realm…” The figure said to Endan and the Empress. Their appearance and voice say nothing about their gender or who they could be. They turned to look at the forest, seemingly staring at nothing…
On the other hand, Carlsen stood up weakly, having difficulties to even stand straight. Struggling to walk, he sat down by a tree looking at the sunlight shining through the leaves.
Endan winced, a headache piercing his skull as a familiar energy reached him.
'That's… Carlsen?'
Though he kept his face straight, Endan's mind raced.
'He's in danger. Does this mean he kept us linked? Is he under someone's control? I must ask him what he meant by his last words before I left. Then again, what if this is a trap? Should I…
After a few more seconds of deliberation, he'd decided. Once he'd handled the situation with this new fellow, he'd go after Carlsen. And then… well, whatever happens, happens. "So then," he asked the masked figure, "who might you be?"
The figure paused to look answer Endan.
“Ah…I forgot to introduce myself…I’m sorry for my poor manners…” the figure said before turning to Endan.
“For now, you all could call me ‘C’. I have a duty I must fulfill here…with the same person your mind is currently linked with…” The figure said calmly.
(Whoops, “The figure paused to answer Endan”, sorry :P)
Enderstorm shook her head. She was having trouble processing the situation at the moment, and needed to leave for the Second Dimension soon.
“Well, if things have now calmed down, I need to get back to the palace and start the preparations to leave the First Dimension.” She began walking away toward the village to meet up with Father Wick.
Carlsen sensed that the empress’ soul energy is starting to move further away from him. He slowly stood up and said with a smile…”Finally, you’re going away…this can finally be easier for me—“ but he had to cut himself short as he sensed another entity’s energy near Endan’s.
“Why is he here…” Carlsen questioned himself.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, C," Endan said, "though I do hope you may clarify as to what business you have with Carls- er, the individual I am linked with." Endan withheld another wince as he felt a pang of distress run through his and Carlsen's connection.
'Something is troubling him.'
“I’ll need to first clarify that I came from the same place Carlsen did…so yes…I know who he is…but maybe he doesn’t know who I am…” C said confidently while smiling.
“Now…regarding my duty…I’m just here to bring him back…bring him back to his actual ‘home’…” C said as a strong breeze blew their way. As the wind blew, the fox mask C wore moved a little by which he quickly returned to its position.
“But worry not…I will not use force unless necessary…” he said before he paused.
“Now allow me to ask…” he asked in a cold and somewhat creepy voice as he grabbed onto his blade’s handle… “…where did you hide that corruption layer of yours…?”
Endan's yellow eyes narrowed, taking on a slight blue hue. "That's none of your concern, I'm afraid." The tips of his fingers swirled with faint tendrils of frost, only noticeable if you were paying attention. "I'd suggest you move along in your search. I cannot help you locate Sir Carlsen, nor do I have any will to." Concentrating, Endan attempted to send signals of danger along their connection.
'I know I shouldn't be doing this. Carlsen has done nothing to redeem himself. But…' Endan readied himself. 'There is good in everyone. I must try.'
Enderstorm was ready to leave the village, her guards rounded up and ready to leave. They began the short trip back to the palace, her flying above the ground and her guards teleporting short distances rather than walk.
Minutes felt like hours, Carlsen finally found a way out of the forest without wasting his energy. He looked around for…someone. He is now fully recovered and is ready in case of a battle.
C let go of the handle, knowing Endan won’t be a threat. He sensed a magic circuit walking out of the forest, he disappeared leaving a white feather behind and appeared behind Carlsen without him knowing…the action was faster than one’s eyes could catch.
He pulled out his blade, about to pierce Carlsen’s torso…as he said faintly…
“Time to return…’Matthew Syrain’…”
