The endless waste

[aestrix]

Once, this planet teemed with life. It doesn't do that, anymore. The ground is dry and cracked and occasionally broken up by charred remains of trees. There are no birds, no bugs, no living plants - nothing but an empty, endless waste.

With one exception.

But the world is so very big, and the exception so very small. If someone showed up away from it, they could be quite forgiven for thinking this world is completely dead.




with Sable (Kappa)

with Aisilian (Link)

with Grendyne (Rockeye)

with Temple (Curiousdiscoverer)

Comments

[greatestgift]

"I have lots of weapons that make light," she says. "Most of them are probably overkill for this purpose, but I have lots."

[light_another_life]

Snort. "What kinds of weapons do you have, anyway? Is it all just bows that shoot dragons or is there variety?"

[greatestgift]

"Many bows that shoot a wide variety of things, dragons among them. Magic weapons with all sorts of bizarre individual effects. Weapons that make little creatures who attack monsters for me. There are things like swords and axes too, but I prefer range when I can get it."

[light_another_life]

"Huh. All right. I feel rather boring now, I just have my bow and occasionally the ability to shoot lightning."

[greatestgift]

"If I see any of your shadow creatures I'll try my Last Prism on them."

[light_another_life]

"What does it do?"

[greatestgift]

"It makes bright light that kills things!"

[light_another_life]

"Aha. Yes, sounds appropriate."

[greatestgift]

"I thought so!"

[light_another_life]

And eventually they reach the house.

"Some of them will start showing up soon. A good place to see and shoot from's the top of the walls, if you want to test anything on them."

[greatestgift]

"I think I will perch on your walls and shine bright lights on the shadow creatures."

[light_another_life]

Giggle. "All right. I will go do - general magical householdy chores. I should also get you some kind of bed."

[greatestgift]

"I brought beds! But I do need a place to put one, yes."

[light_another_life]

"Hmm. I didn't really build the place with a space bedroom in mind... Do you mind if I put you in my library?"

[greatestgift]

"Not at all."

[light_another_life]

"Then I'll put you there. Though, until I get you a translation poppet you won't be able to read any of them."

[greatestgift]

"I'm sure I'll survive."

[light_another_life]

Snort. "All right. And while I'm housekeeping I can get you food. Any food preferences? Or do you want me to show you the kitchen and let you grab whatever you like?"

[greatestgift]

"Anything you have will be different from the extremely limited selection of things I've been eating for the last ten years and therefore almost certainly delicious."

[light_another_life]

"Ha. Okay then. I'll get you something. What were the things that were in the extremely limited selection? I can avoid them."

[greatestgift]

"Please no duck, rabbit, blueberries, mushrooms, or fish."

[light_another_life]

"I do not actually have half of those things. Not easily, anyway. I think we'll be fine. Be back in a little while. Call if you need me."

Off she goes, to do housekeeping things and fetch food.

[greatestgift]

And Sable perches on the walls, ready to shine bright lights on the shadow creatures should any appear.

[aestrix]

There is a shadow over there that twitches.

And then it starts seeping in a Sable-ward direction.

[greatestgift]

Sable expands her Last Prism to its full size, aims the glowing pyramid at the shadow, and calls on its magic.

There is quite a lot of bright light, in flickering colourful beams that swirl and dance, kicking up a rainbow of sparks where they rake the ground.