Dragons

Sorry it took so long for me to publish this. I got a bit injured and then had some work things that I had no choice in attending. Then I got a bit sick and am still battling an annoying cough that's been bugging me for the past weeks or so. 
I'm posting the next three chapters as an extra apology.

I honestly didn't know where to start here: I still hadn't run into any beings that seemed like they knew their way around this place in the past hour since messing around with my (Planar Shifting) Skill, and the fact that I hadn't was starting to worry me: Had they already started a plan of attack? Was I too late in getting here? But I couldn't be, because otherwise the Quest wouldn't be here for me to complete...right? 

So far I'd been able to get to what used to be the Throne Room, a Meeting Hall of sorts, and maybe a Dining Hall or similar because there was a run-down and neglected kitchen near it that looked like it hadn't been touched in decades or longer. It was really a huge shame, and it was actually quite heart-breaking to see such a room in such a state, but there wasn't anything I could do about it myself, so I just took one of the pans from it to fix up later in remembrance and since the kitchen and Dining Hall reminded me of food I ate a quick snack before continuing my search. 

Since just looking around with my eyes wasn't working I guessed that I was just going to have to use a few more senses, so I re-attuned all my body-parts back into the Layer that I was using, and then I focused on my Skill and outlined only my head and half of my neck. It was actually really anxiety inducing, knowing that I was essentially decapitating myself should my Skill fail for any reason, but I had no other way to find whatever it was that I was looking for here without using at least two other senses: being smell and taste. 

I read through the description of the (Planar Shifting) Skill another time just to make sure that this wasn't going to backfire on me and cause me to accidentally decapitate myself, and just to be safe I isolated a pretty large part of my forelegs and used the Skill that was as I was pretty sure that I would be able to find someone or some way to reattach a lost limb rather than a lost head. I activated the Skill around the area of my leg designated and, like before, it seemed that the Skill was facilitating the use of two Planes of Reality at once so I could actually feel the stagnant air wafting through the space, as well as feel the cold stone that actually felt real.

It was a strange sensation though, and while I wasn't too keen on having to do it again for a longer period of time I deactivated the Skill and reactivated it around the secondary designation that was my head and part of my neck so that I could not only see what was around me, but also feel, smell, and hear it should something catch my attention. And lo and behold, not three seconds later, I got two hits...I heard the sound of someone talking nearby, as well as smelled the stench of something rotting and likely already dead near-by as well. 

It was not a pleasant smell, and I was immediately thankful for (Odor Tolerance) for filtering out the majority of whatever toxins and other stenches that followed, as I was sure that without it I likely wouldn't have been able to really get anywhere here without being entirely in the second Layer that I'd sort of designated as a fallback for me. I slowly made my way over to where it was I heard and smelled something nearby, and to no one's surprise it was something dead that I was smelling, but it was also something that I didn't expect to find: 

<
Name: Natalie Basilisk 
Species: Undead Naga (Viper Gorgon)
(Class SS Being)
Estimated Rank: SS
Job: Undead Elite Guard 
Personal Level: 369/600

Name: Alexander Charming
Species: Undead Centaur (Knight Calvary of Pride) 
(Class SS Being)
Estimated Rank: SS+
Job: Undead Elite Guard
Personal Level: 372/600
>

Ah, two very powerful being encounters in a row...I was really starting to draw out a bad habit wasn't I? Then again, it didn't seem like they'd noticed that I (Spy)ed on them so I was hopeful that this meant that they had a hard time discerning where identification Skills came from, or they just didn't care about it; either one was scary, as it meant they were powerful enough that they viewed such a skill used for intel against them as something they could overcome regardless. 

I quietly, deliberately backed away, thankful that I was both invisible and partially hidden from this reality by any sensing Skills, but the moment I was out of sight I stopped and listened to what they might saw that I could use...

"..." 

There was a long moment of silence, something that told me they'd definitely known that I'd looked at their information and had done nothing about it, but the fact that they did nothing about it only made me even more curious as to what it was they were planning, or guarding. They were standing in front of a rather well embroidered door and it looked pretty important, so I could only guess that there was either something that I could use on the other side, or whoever it was that I was looking for was on the other side...either one would be a win for me. 

-------------------------------------------

You felt that probe of our Status too didn't you? Natalie asked Alex through the telepathic network they shared with all those connected to the Master. 

Was it that? Alex asked, one of the few times Natalie saw his more serious side come out when something unexpected happened. I was starting to believe I'd imagined it, as there is no possible was a Human or the like could've made it this far into the Territory without having raised notice by the Legion outside, or the wards the Castle itself has. 

Regardless, I am sure that it was a Skill used to see our information, even if a little bit of it before having to have retreated, but the Skill's use was so short and quick that I'm having difficulty determining where it came from. Natalie admitted and they both looked down the narrow hallway at a completely empty, well lit room. I only know for sure that it originated from the end of the hall, and that the user of the Skill is rather unskilled in the act of subtlety. 

It's a good thing I don't do subtle then isn't it! Alex said with a grin and he opened his mouth to speak aloud, stepping forwards as he did so, "We know that you're here intruder, and I can assure you that you will not be getting past us and through these doors. Best if you come out and face your death with whatever honor you can gather lest I force you to reveal yourself and skewer your remains for a century of torment." Alex brought out his net and Trident in a show of confidence and for a moment Sc'the was scared, wanting to quickly scurry away, but seeing the strange weapons caused him to think of something: 

D-did you happen to capture something with that net recently Mr. Centaur? He asked and Alex paused in confusion for a moment before letting out a hearty laugh that echoed across the hall. 

"Haha! A child, in here? Ahahaha! How did you manage to survive the Legion and get all the way here without setting off any alarms little one?" Alex asked, tossing the net around and looking for the kid he'd have to snag with it...maybe they'd be a good snack for him, or just a good course of entertainment through all this boredom. 

I just flew over it all, and what alarms? Sc'the asked, looking around to see if there was something he'd avoided accidentally as to not set off any alarms. I'm looking for someone, and seeing as the rest of the castle is empty I was wondering if one of you two would be able to point me in the right direction?

"How about you step into the open and we'll tell you whatever it is you want to know little one." Alex grinned, licking his lips in anticipation of what was to come. 

No. Sc'the countered immediately, I'm not stupid, Centaur-Man, and that look on your face tells me that you'd rather have me as a snack than answer anything I want to hear, so I'll stay here, hidden, thank you very much.

That immediately struck the grin from Alex's face as he realized his prey was smarter than it let on..."Alright, how about this then, kid. I'm going to count to ten, and if you haven't revealed yourself by then I'm going to charge down the hall and ensnare you with my net whether you flee or not. I assure you, I am much faster than I look." Sc'the looked around the corner as Alex scuffed a hoof on the ground in a charging warning. He looked around for the Naga-Lady, but she was no-where to be seen, and when Sc'the looked around to try and see where she'd gone Alex started counting. 

"One" 

I very much doubt that you'll be able to catch me Centaur-Man, and I don't think I'll taste very good either, sorry Sc'the admitted, backing up a little as Alex scuffed his hooves a few more times, 

"I don't care whether you think your fast, or slight kiddo. I am going to catch you, and when I do you better hope your screams last long enough to entertain men should you have no answers I want..." Alex's grin turned cruel as he continued, "Two." 

This one is very good at hiding, I'll give him that Natalie admitted from her place behind where she thought the invisible child was, He's on the left of the hall, and backing away from the corner as we speak. 

Good, it's better when they try to run, Alex growled, "Ten" He finished, setting forwards into a charge that surprised Sc'the with how fast he was. 

Huh?! Hey, that wasn't Ten seconds! He roared, outraged, but little did they know, everything was going according to plan. 

"I've got you now, you little brat!" Alex said from around the corner, throwing the net just barely before his first hoof had even passed the threshold into the intersection, and for a moment everything looked true: his net was going directly for where it was that the kid was scrambling to, Natalie had released her own (Invisibility) Skill and was striking for the only other place that the kid could flee to, with her body blocking the high and low avenues of escape, and within the blink of an eye everyone struck. 

Natalie did several wide sweeps just in case their target went wide, and Alex reared back his trident to throw just as the net collapsed around their target...flopping to the ground like the limp weave of rope it was, and both sides froze in shock. Sc'the stood next to the door that they'd abandoned with just his head revealed to the pair as they looked back towards it in shock. 

Gotcha He grinned, doing a little hop in place before doing another backwards and through the doors. 

Dragons

I almost had to erase the entire chapter and start over because I got side-tracked a few times and didn't like how it turned out, but I got through it eventually...so here it is!!

Thanks for reading! 
I'll see y'all in the next one! 

Here's IRD's Discord Server

Spoiler

(If you want to join to see quicker updates about what's going on with the story and extra information (when Asked)

[collapse]