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shardweavers · 4 years ago

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Chapter Seventeen - The Familiar and the Unknown

The sun had slipped past the horizon as Ice and Angel arrived at the Inn. They handed off the reins to the Amarokeep, who called over two Carers to help unload the supplies. Ice stretched, then winced as his side twinged. Angel reached around Ice's chest from behind, his face against his husband's back.

"I haven't forgotten," the White Mage mumbled. He whispered something quietly, then slipped a hand to Ice's side; the injury he'd gotten from the sin eater.

A cool, soothing feeling helped Ice relax as he felt his husband's magic mending his injuries. He looked down to the gentle, blue glow around Angel's hands, and smiled.

"That's enough, love." Angel stopped, then looked up as Ice turned around. "Thank you," Ice said as he kissed Angel's forehead. "I feel much better now."

"Are you sure?" Angel flicked an ear thoughtfully. Ice poked the slash on Angel's arm, which made him wince.

"Yes. Tend to yourself now. I'll find out where our friends are and be right back." He turned to head off towards the Carers, as Angel pouted slightly... but did as Ice suggested, and mended his own minor injuries for the moment.

"Ah! Ice!" A familiar voice called, "Are you alone?"

"Angel's also here, Lamon. We delivered the supplies from Mord Souq," Ice perked his ears proudly, as he grinned.

"Oh! That's great news!" The Hume cook seemed to perk up instantly. "I might be able to whip up something extra when Miss Alisaie returns with the others," he turned back to a large stew pot he'd been tending when he spotted Ice.

The Warrior curled his tail at the mention of their friends. "Do you know where Alisaie went?"

"Sure do," the cook nodded. He picked up a large spoon, stirred the stew in the pot as it began to boil, then continued, "She and Urianger went to Il Mheg early this morning. Thancred and Ryne made a trip to Twine," he trailed off as he looked around. "Mmm, the Nu Mou visitor we had seems to have wandered off, though."

"Nu Mou," Ice responded thoughtfully. That meant Beq Lugg was still around somewhere. "Any idea when everyone will get back?"

"Mmm, should be soon. They all agreed to meet back here for dinner," he turned to sit the spoon in a bowl on a table nearby. "It's evening now, so they should all be coming back soon." Lamon gave Ice a big grin as Angel stopped behind him. "Why don't you two sit and wait for them? I need to take the stew off the fire and let it cool a bit so it doesn't burn anyone's mouth."

Ice blinked, then turned to find his husband just behind him. He put a hand to Angel's forehead, then touched his cheek, "How are you doing?"

Angel nodded with a smile, "I'm okay, love. I took care of myself like you told me to, and... I think I've calmed down a bit. I was starting to feel a bit overheated, but it was probably just from... everything all at once." He leaned into Ice's hand a bit, and curled his tail happily.

"Good, I was worried," Ice looked relieved. He moved his hand away, then sat at the nearby bench. He gestured for Angel to join him, as Thancred and Ryne arrived first; they landed on Amaro, then hopped off, each carrying one small sack.

"Angel? Ice! You're both here already!" Ryne called happily. The two Miqo'te turned to look at the girl, then raised a hand in greeting. Thancred stretched before he started to head over; he looked quite tired.

"Welcome back," Ice grinned. "What've you two got?"

"Clay!" Ryne sat the sack on a table nearby that seemed set up for something. Thancred did the same, then crossed his arms; he looked around twice before he focused on Angel, who happened to be facing his way.

"Clay...?" Angel tilted his head, confused.

"For Beq Lugg and Alisaie... the latter of which went to Il Mheg with Urianger," Thancred looked around once more. "Is Beq Lugg still about?"

"Lamon said they were." Ice glanced about, then back to Thancred, "They probably went for a walk."

"Beq Lugg did say they would take the time to think while we went to gather materials." Ryne looked thoughtful as she sat across from Angel and Ice. Thancred turned, then made his way to the rock wall behind the other table. He sat on the ground, then closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall.

"He looks exhausted," Angel noted, a concerned look on his face.

Ryne frowned, then looked over as well. "I noticed that too... I'm sort of glad it isn't just me."

Ice looked thoughtful for a moment, "Well, what did you two do today?"

"Beq Lugg told us we'd need to find some good quality clay, preferably from Amh Araeng. We asked the miners of Twine if they knew where to look. The place we went was full of wildlife that didn't really like us taking stuff from them," she blushed a little, then put a finger to her chin. "But I didn't think the fights were anything too strenuous. Maybe," she trailed off a bit, "Maybe he's just not resting as well as he should be."

"We could let him sleep until the others get back." Ice suggested. Angel and Ryne both looked thoughtful, then to one another, then nodded in agreement of his suggestion.

Lamon passed out bowls of stew to Angel, Ice, and Ryne. Thancred continued to nap against the wall while they ate and caught up on some things. Angel made a comment about the Whispearl, and Ryne wanted to see it. He had just handed it to her to examine when Alisaie and Urianger finally arrived. The young, female Elezen sat a small lamp on the table next to the bags of clay, then let out an exasperated sigh.

Urianger placed a container of water next to the lamp, then placed a pack on the ground, against the table leg. "Pray tell, Lady Alisaie; from whence comes thy vexation?" he asked with a gentle smirk.

"Because you agreed to help me with the Pixies, and you left me alone with those three," she pouted, her cheeks puffed out and arms crossed.

Urianger smiled and chuckled, "Ah, 'twas not mine intent. Pray forgive me, but... 'twas thine turn in their game."

"That's just an excuse!" She grumbled, then took a breath to calm herself.

"Humu humu." A quiet chuckle came from behind Alisaie. Everyone jumped at the sudden sound, then turned to find their Nu Mou companion looking at the materials on the table.

"Beq Lugg! Where... Where did you come from...?" Ryne asked; her hand still on her chest from the surprise.

"I noticed you had all returned, and came back inside." Their response was quite matter-of-fact. "I was convinced the pixies would turn one of you into a garden ornament, but no."

"A garden-" Ice cut himself off, then shook his head.

They nodded as they inspected the bags of clay and water. "Yes, this should be plenty for your porxie, Alisaie."

"Alisaie's porxie?" Angel's ears perked in curiosity.

Beq Lugg nodded as they fidgeted about with a bucket that had been stored under the table. They gestured for Alisaie to kneel by the bucket, which she did. "Yes. The method I have in mind for helping to revitalize the incorporeal aether of these people requires a familiar." They poured some of the clay into the bucket, "Familiars are able to amplify energies poured into them, which makes them perfect conduits for the aether-revitalizing magicks we will employ."

"Familiars can..." Angel trailed off thoughtfully. He looked to the ground, as Beq Lugg picked up the container of water. Urianger tilted his head curiously at Angel's thoughtfulness.

"Ah, I must confess, I've never had cause to make such a distinction in aether before. Yet now, it seems perhaps I had been missing something in all my research before." They shook their head and opened the bottle of water. "Humu humu. Something to ponder later. For now, let's get to your porxie!"

Alisaie had already rolled up her sleeves while Beq Lugg talked. She seemed focused on the bucket of dry clay. The Nu Mou slowly poured the water in, a bit at a time, as Alisaie began to mix them together under their supervision. Ice stood and took their empty bowls over to Lamon, as he noticed Angel seemed quite focused on watching what was going on. Ryne had moved over to sit on the bench beside Angel to do the same. Urianger, while interested in what Alisaie was doing, seemed to split his focus between her and the still-napping Thancred.

"Once the clay is solid enough, we will heat the mixture with the fae lantern."

"I think a little more water should do it." Alisaie squeezed some of the clay into a rough ball, then put it back with the large lump on the bucket. Beq Lugg nodded in agreement and added more water. One more check and Beq Lugg moved to heat the mixture with the fae lantern.

Alisaie stood up to pick up a wooden board, then turned back to the bucket. Beq Lugg picked up the heated lump then swiftly threw it onto the board. It flattened a bit, but seemed more solid than a few moments ago. Alisaie put the board on the table, then poked at the clay lump to test the temperature. I was still warm, but not as hot as she expected; she found herself likening it to holding an animal.

"If you are prepared, then let us begin," the Nu Nou said, as they moved to stand beside the table. Angel, Ice, and Ryne had gotten up and stood across from Alisaie. "I would have you sculpt for me," they thought for a moment, "a porxie. Plump, with floppy ears and a tail."

Alisaie concentrated on the clay, with her hands on the lump. Ryne looked between Alisaie and Beq Lugg for a moment. The Elezen looked to be thinking hard, and only barely moved her hands.

"Porxie... Oh! I remember those from Il Mheg!" Ryne chimed in excitedly. Ice blinked, then looked to Ryne. He couldn't react before Alisaie blushed and squeezed the clay. Angel's ears flicked, but he seemed too focused on the clay.

"O-Of course! Those plump, floppy eared, curly-tailed piglets! I-I remembered!" She puffed her cheeks a bit as she began to work the clay. "I-I was just... focusing."

Ryne giggled at Alisaie's fluster. Ice stood once more, and stretched as Alisaie began shaping the clay. Urianger left her to her clay, then headed over to check on the sleeping Gunbreaker. Angel stayed just as focused on Alisaie and the clay as when they started.

It took a little while for Alisaie to complete her sculpture. She remained quite focused, and seemed to ignore almost everything else around her. In the meantime, Urianger had woken Thancred with his share of food. Ice and Ryne had helped clean up.

"There we are," Alisaie put her hands on her hips, ignoring the clay. "H-How's that?"

Ice looked at the pile of clay. It was flat, the features of a porxie were there ; eyes, nose, mouth, curly tail, big floppy ears; but they were a bit off-center, mismatched, and disproportionate. The body itself was flat, and the legs were stubs on the bottom.

The Warrior chuckled quietly, "It's certainly... creative ."

"There's no denying that," Thancred stifled a snicker.

Angel and Ryne both looked to Alisaie, then to Ice and Thancred. They saw the death glare she gave, even as her cheeks puffed a bit in annoyance. The two inches away from Ice and Thancred. Urianger pinched the bridge of his nose with a quiet sigh, then waved his hand a little; he refocused on Alisaie at her pouted response.

"Yes, yes, I'm no artist! Very funny!"

"Pay them no mind, child," Beq Lugg encouraged. They looked to the porxie once more and held their hand out towards it, "Though it may look like a grotesque parody of reality, it is what the invoker believes that matters."

Angel's ears perked up at that, as if he'd heard something interesting. Alisaie turned her head to pout at the Nu Mou as she crossed her arms.

"You're not helping."

Ice and Thancred snickered again, then were immediately silenced by another glare from her. Ryne, in turn, giggled at Thancred... who just sighed at her amusement.

Beq Lugg reached up to take Alisaie's hands and refocus her on the task at hand. "But I speak the truth." They placed Alisaie's hand over the clay, then let go. "If successful, this incantation will turn imagination into reality. Which is why the only thing of import is what you believe this figure embodies . You must focus. Hold the porxie's image steady in your mind's eye."

Angel's expression looked as if he'd heard something important... or familiar. His eyes were a bit wider as he stared at Beq Lugg, his ears were perked and facing forward, his tail sat almost completely still on the bench beside him, and his hands seemed unsure if they wanted to return to the bench or move up to his face in thought.

Ice blinked when he noticed. He didn't speak, for fear of interrupting Alisaie's focus, but he did reach over to take one of Angel's hands. The mage jumped at the touch, then interlaced his fingers with his husband's as he relaxed a bit. Angel gave Ice a gentle smile to reassure him.

The Red Mage had her eyes closed to focus on the porxie image in her mind. Beq Lugg nodded, then continued their guidance.

"Now then, as I taught you. Relax and let your energies flow."

Alisaie took a slow breath, then put both hands by the clay porxie, then focused as Beq Lugg had taught her. Once she felt her aether moving towards her creation, she began the incantation. "With flesh of clay, I bid thee rise, on wings of dreams to touch the skies. What once was idle fantasy, I call forth to reality!" Her aether had built around her, then channeled into the clay porxie. The clay flashed, then hovered up above the table. With a quiet popping sound, the light disappeared with a bit of a 'poof!', which left behind a pink porxie; one that looked exactly the same as the ones they had seen in Il Mheg. Urianger looked rather fascinated by what he'd witnessed, while Ryne hurried over with an excited look on her face to check out the familiar.

Angel had gone back to staring, but now turned his head to the side and put the fingers of his other hand against his chin. He thought about Ambrosia; he wondered how she had originally been created. Ice continued to hold his hand, which now rested on his lap.

"Humu humu," Beq Lugg nodded thoughtfully as they examined the newborn familiar. "Not bad for a first attempt. Now let us see what can be done for young Halric." They gestured toward the young Drahn on the other side of the table.

Alisaie nodded in response, then looked to Ryne. The girl blinked, then nodded. She knelt beside Halric, and spoke quietly. The boy followed her guidance and stood up, then moved to stand where she had been but a moment before.

"Through the operation of the magicks you invoked to animate this familiar, it is now replete with the energies required to stir the boy's soul." Their hands moved to indicate the fluttering porxie. The flying familiar was intently watching Alisaie, who was currently focused on Beq Lugg's further guidance. "You need but give it a name, and it will do as your heart desires." Beg Lugg smiled.

Alisaie turned to face her porxie, then tilted her head and put a finger to her chin, thoughtfully. "A name..." After a moment of thought, she looked back to her porxie, then nodded with a smile. "Alright, I've decided. Now," she pointed dramatically to Halric,"Go! Angelo!"

Angel blinked. The porxie flapped up and did a backflip in response to the name. A flash of gold preceded the turn towards the young Drahn. The familiar then released the aether it held into Halric; it was quite bright. Alisaie seemed intensely focused on the boy, and moved a step forward as he moved a little in response to the channeled aether; he put his hand against his chest.

Halric looked around slightly, and he opened his mouth. His choked, raspy voice struggled, and at first, all he could do was make noises. He paused, the glow around him shimmered a bit. His eyes glistened with tears, then he finally managed two words.

"Mo...ther... I-I..."

Alisaie's eyes went wide as a single tear fell down the boy's cheek. Angel looked just as shocked, then covered his mouth quickly. Ice blinked, visibly amazed. Thancred, Ryne, and Urianger were all varying degrees of impressed as the glow faded, and Halric lowered his arm back to his side.

Beq Lugg seemed to be the most enthused, however and did a little wiggled dance at the success. Sure, it was just two words, but they could see the stirring of the young boy's soul.

"H-Halric," Alisaie stuttered, with a smile.

Urianger looked thoughtful, then looked over to Halric; he had been guided back to his seat at the table. "...Only two words he spoke, yet each redolent with meaning, and cause for hope, nay, friend Beq Lugg?"

"Indeed," they nodded. "Her resolve is quite impressive. One might think she drew her strength from another," Beq Lugg trailed off as they looked to the two Miqo'te.

...or... one Miqo'te...? Wait...

Alisaie turned to the Nu Mou, her voice hopeful. "How is he, Beq Lugg? Did it work?" It was enough to pull them back from their thoughts.

"I believe it did. You and your fledgling familiar have done well. If my eyes do not deceive, a hint of color has returned to his soul."

"Gods," Alisaie sounded relieved and tired, "I would jump for joy if I weren't so exhausted." She smiled, then looked at Halric with a smile. "We're so close now, Halric..."

Urianger laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, but his gaze tracked to where Beq Lugg had been looking, and the tall Elezen Archon frowned. "...passing strange...Prithee, Ice, whence did thine husband go? For it seems ere Halric found his voice, Sir Lockhart departed."

"...Eh?" Ice blinked, then looked to where Angel had been. It took him a moment to realize Angel had left, and hadn't returned yet. ' When did he even...? ' Ice shook his head as he interrupted his thought, then stood; he hesitated as he looked over to Alisaie. She was speaking to Ryne and Thancred as well as Beq Lugg.

"I'll...I'll go look for him," Ice managed, to which Urianger nodded, a pensive look on his face. "Sorry to--"

"Nay, nay, 'twould be unkind and unwise to let our fair Angel alone with mind in turmoil. Go thou to him; our exchange, I expect, shall last long into the night, and thou might rejoin it; though such depends on if matters are well with each of thee. Go, go!"

Ice smiled ruefully and nodded; he'd wanted to talk more with Alisaie about using this technique on Ga Bu, the orphaned kobold from the Source, but...Urianger was right. He had to find Angel before he focused on anything else, and off to find his husband he went.

* * * Angel sat at the bench at the guard station. His thoughts felt jumbled, and the walk down here hadn't helped sort them out at all. He'd realized halfway down the incline that he had taken his pack with him... then lamented not leaving it behind. He'd hurriedly sat it on the table when he arrived, then plopped onto the bench to rest. After a few moments of his thoughts tumbling around in silence, he looked to the palms of his hands for a moment, then frowned.

"Ambrosia..."

The quiet sound of gentle bells drew his attention to the bench next to him. He looked a bit surprised; it took a moment to register how simple that seemed to be.

"...Ah... Come to think of it... this is the... third time...?" Angel reached over and gently petted her head, and the familiar seemed quite happy at the attention. He gave her a sad smile as he continued to gently pet her.

You're a familiar, aren't you...? So... I wonder... is that something... you could do? Channel my aether...?

Ambrosia simply cooed, then leaned into his pets. He smiled a bit more, then heard a quiet voice answer his thought.

《 I don't see why she couldn't... 》

What do you mean...?

《 Well. Remember all that training in Arcanima...? Aren't carbuncles and faeries just solid forms of your aether? 》

Angel blinked, which stopped his pets. Ambrosia tilted her head at the stop.

《 I know what you're thinking, Angel. Ambrosia feels different than Emma or Hyacinth. 》

Angel looked to his familiar, he moved his hand in a single, thoughtful pet. Ambrosia cooed once more.

She still feels like an aetherial being... I can still understand her.

《 I'm not arguing that... based on how Angelo was created, that makes sense. You could always ask Beq Lugg about familiars... I think they would recognize her for what she is. 》

"That's not the issue, Anubis," Angel mumbled out loud, as he picked up his familiar to hold like a cat. She squeaked in surprise, then curled up against him once he stopped moving his arm. Anubis quietly sighed at Angel's pouting.

《 At least think about it. It can only add to everything you've studied so far. 》

"...I will," he petted Ambrosia behind an ear, then stopped. He heard Emet-Selch's question once more.

'These appearances, are they linked to intense periods of... concentration? '

"Concentration..." His face scrunched a bit... There was also what Beq Lugg had told Alisaie just a short while ago.

' ...the only thing of import is what you believe this figure embodies . You must focus. Hold the porxie's image steady in your mind's eye .'

Angel sat Ambrosia on the table, then pulled his bag towards him. He dug around

《 ...What are you looking for...? 》

"I never used it," Angel responded, then stopped as his hand seemed to find what he was after.

《 Used... what? 》

Angel removed a small, light blue box from his bag, then pulled the lid off. Inside was a carefully wrapped... lightning cluster. Ambrosia tilted her head, then sniffed at it. A moment later, she pawed at it curiously. Angel gave her a small smile, then held the box with both hands.

"The matrix," he answered.

"What matrix?" Ice's voice asked from directly behind him. Angel squeaked and jumped. His tail and ears fluffed instantly, and he nearly sent the box flying.

"I-Ice!?" Angel quickly turned his head to look at his husband.

"...Hm? A lightning cluster?" The Warrior sat on the bench beside him and focused on the cluster. "Why've you got one in a box?" He looked up to his husband, "And what's a matrix?"

Angel's face turned red, then he turned to look at the cluster once more. Ambrosia seemed eager to play with it; acting very much like a cat trying to make a toy of something they weren't supposed to. "A Concept Matrix," he sat the box down, then pulled the cluster out with his fingers.

Ice frowned, worriedly, "That again...?" He looked at the cluster, "We all agreed that those were just normal elemental clusters. In fact, I think I gave mine to Shoto. I'm not that talented with any sort of fancy synthesis," he blushed, even as he pouted in frustration.

Angel blushed a bit more, a sheepish look now sat on his face. "W-We did. I-It was... completely unremarkable at the time. That is... it still seems so, but... We caught those cubus especially for the purpose of being used to create something. The clerk had called it a concept matrix, and... said it would function to let us use our creation magic to make a robe."

《 This is silly, Angel. You were all right then, and Ice is right now. It's just a normal elemental cluster; exactly the same type you used in making his Starlight scarf. Exactly the same type you use in repairing your robes. 》

Angel frowned at Anubis' discouragement.

Ice didn't catch the look, as he was honestly trying to see anything that might indicate his husband might be right; but there was nothing. The blonde sighed, "I can't believe you kept it after that whole mess, though..."

"I can't either," Angel admitted. Ice blinked, but couldn't say anything else before Angel continued. "Maybe I just wanted something to remember such a strange experience. The debate over what's the right thing to do... even when the world is literally ending, an unimaginably large library of ideas that everyone and anyone can look over, the bustle of a city far too large to make sense of, the strange excitement of trying to get somewhere important..." Angel lowered the hand that held the cluster, then reached up to his head as he felt strange; for some reason the focus on Amaurot made him feel... sad.

"Angel?" Ice frowned at his husband, "If you're not feeling well, love, we should head back for the night."

Angel shook his head, "I'm fine... I was just thinking," he lowered his hand back to the cluster, "Ambrosia is a familiar, like Angelo. I was... I thought..."

Ambrosia put her front paws on Angel's arm, soft bells were followed by her laying over his wrist. Ice blinked at her, then sighed.

"I suppose you won't settle down unless you try, huh?" He reached up and ruffled Angel's hair a bit. "Okay, okay. Something small, just to try. I'll be right beside you."

Angel blushed as he looked over to his husband in surprise. "You... You mean it?"

"You were going to try anyway, weren't you...?" Angel's blush brightened, and Ice chuckled, "I'd rather be here in case something goes wrong than to leave you alone... Even if what you're trying to do doesn't work, your aether may attract something from around here."

Angel jumped a little, then looked thoughtful, "Do you... really think that... I'd draw something's attention... instead of create something...?" He looked worried at the idea.

"...I dunno. Maybe not? I just thought... We're close to the wall, so it can't be ruled out." Ice fidgeted, then took a breath. "Look, it doesn't matter what happens, right? I'm here, so you're safe no matter what." The Warrior gave the mage a reassuring smile, then gently hugged him around the shoulder.

Angel nodded, a smile replaced his concerned look. "I believe you. Could... Could you scoot down just a little bit, then? If I'm going to try this, I don't want to risk your aether." He seemed confident now. Ice's encouragement had helped reassure him it was safe enough to try.

The words made Ice feel a bit uncertain, but he noticed the more confident and relaxed demeanor. "Of course, love." He leaned over, gave Angel a kiss on the cheek, then scooted further down the bench; about an arm's length away.

Angel looked to Ambrosia, who lifted and gently wagged her tails. Anubis still seemed... doubtful.

《 Even if this idea works, what are you even going to try for...? 》

Angel stared at the cluster for a moment, then closed his eyes.

Asopus made creatures, right...? I kept seeing small things like fish and birds... So... If that's really my power... perhaps... something small...? Something... unusual? ...I know this isn't a matrix, we saw one when that other Amaurotine asked us to test his idea...

《 You were the only one able to get it to work in the end. I remember. 》 Anubis paused, then frowned. 《 So...? There's no set creature or concept in a regular, old, elemental cluster... What will you try to turn it into? 》

...Perhaps... a sand crab...?

《 Aren't those still wavekin? 》

A yarzon; like those in Southern Thanalan?

《 I'd think those might still be a bit too large... 》

Angel scrunched his face a little, but an image finally came to mind. A purse web spider, like he'd used many times as fishing bait. If he just imagined it, say, the size of his fat cat, Popo, that should be sufficient.

Once he had that, he could picture it clearly in his mind. Not that he particularly liked spiders, but... the creature made sense--it wasn't normally seen in Amh Araeng, it was different than the spiders in Rak'tika, and should be unique enough to prove the theory; this was creation magic, not a simple summon or a toy synthesis.

《 You have something, don't you. 》

I do. It should prove the idea. But now... where do I... start...?

《 You said it felt like when you first learned to summon your carbuncle or faerie; that the sensation of a... what was it...? A 'tug' on your aether? Perhaps a similar focus would work? Keep the creature clear in your mind, and let your aether flow into the cluster in your hand. If you're right about Ambrosia, then she'll help without your direct guidance. 》

He wasn't sure, but neither was Angel. They only had the training in Arcanima and the creation of Angelo to go off of for this experiment. Anubis was right, though; the times it happened accidentally, there had been a similar tug on his aether when they appeared... but they were separate once created. Whereas, Emma and Hyacinth were just extensions of his aether, and as such, would always return what he used to call them forth, if he couldn't maintain his focus to use them. However, the first time he had to give them form...

《 It'll be just like the first time you summoned Emma. 》

Angel's powder blue aether became visible in little particles around him, then began moving down his arms and toward the cluster in his hands. Ambrosia stood, then sat on the table, in front of his hands; she, too, seemed to be focusing on the cluster now.

Ice blinked; it had been a few moments since he'd started, and had begun to wonder when his husband might give up on the idea.

Angel opened his eyes just enough to see the lightning cluster that he held in his palms. He kept his eyes mostly closed to focus on the feeling more than what was happening; he worked to recreate the same feeling as before. Anubis quieted his voice to try and assist in guiding this experiment.

《 Breathe .》

The mage's breath slowed, as he took deep breaths in and out, and the particles of aether became more of a flow. The effect was mostly visible in the movement of his hair and clothes.

Ice felt no breeze at the moment, so he realized quickly enough that it was a flow of aether around his husband. Somehow, though, this felt different... it almost felt... dangerous. He wasn't sure why, but the air around Angel felt tense, and it made him frown.

《 Focus. 》

Light.

White Magic made it very easy to draw on that element, and it was quite comfortable for him. It was still most abundant here near the wall; near The Empty. He felt the element still in the air around them; still in the land beneath them. The balance was still tipped toward Light, but this just made it far easier to weave some of it into the cluster with his aether.

If he supplemented the Lightning element with another element, then the spider he could still picture in his mind might be more solid when created. More of his powder blue light was drawn into the cluster at his thought. His aether noticeably swirled around the cluster now, as Angel kept silent and continued. He felt the condensation of his aether just above his hands, focused on the cluster that he'd normally use for synthesis. It felt like it was building rather swiftly; more swiftly than he'd expected.

It was a bit more frightening now... but it was still strangely familiar.

《 Once your aether is set to burst... 》

The light built to a rapid crescendo, making the cluster in the center of the ball of aether glow brightly with a white light and hover up, off his palms.

《... release .》

Angel quickly pushed the charged cluster up over his head, and stopped channeling his aether immediately. His hands dropped back to the table. He shook as he held himself up. Ambrosia continued to stare up at the violently swirling ball of aether.

That was a mistake...

《 What happened...?! 》

The light and aether-charged lightning cluster suddenly shattered as it hit the roof of the guard station. It then immediately reformed, as the faint sound of a summon was heard. Powder blue aether swirled rapidly around the ethereal shard, then solidified. It was far too large; perhaps the size of the table itself.

That was... too much... aether...

There was a form to the solid light; a very large spider clung to the ceiling. Eight spindly legs spread out from a bulbous three-sectioned body. The light faded into its form, revealing a blue and white carapace. Its legs each had white sections covered in violet hairs that sparked with lightning. Its eyes were fixed on the mage that had just created it, then hissed loudly. Angel took a sharp breath in, and slowly looked up. His eyes were wide with fear at what he saw and heard... but he felt too heavy to move; he felt dizzy.

"I thought we agreed on something small ?!" Ice quickly stood, as he expected Angel to do the same. The spider dropped from the ceiling, and crashed into the table, destroying it and the remaining light sources in the guard station. It was dark, and sounds of crashing had drawn attention. The soft, orange glow of Ambrosia was seen bouncing through dust and debris; she was headed towards the divide.

"Ice? Angel? What's going on!?" Alisaie's voice drew Ice's attention away for a brief moment, but he didn't respond. He realized his husband hadn't moved, and moved forward as he drew his axe.

"Angel!? Answer me!"

"Good enough for me," Thancred growled, and drew his gunblade. Ryne jumped, then drew her daggers as she followed the Gunbreaker down the incline. Alisaie frowned, then went to draw her rapier, but Urianger stopped her.

"Milady, stay thy hand; thine treatment of Halric full sapped thy strength, and the foe 'tis both mysterious and dangerous. Pray, leave its disposal to our party, and seek the Carers in haste!"

"I'll be fine!" She pouted, but Urianger looked back at her solemnly, and firmly his head. Alisaie growled, then sighed. " Fine ... Angelo, c'mon!" The Red Mage turned and hurried back inside in a huff. She hadn't questioned how he knew there would be any injury, but Alisaie also refused to admit he was right about how exhausted she was.

"Angel!?" Ice called once more as the dust settled enough to see the large spider slowly walking away, towards the divide. The Warrior spied the glow of Angel's familiar near the edge of the divide. He felt panic rise in his chest, and took off. Thancred and Ryne both did the same. Urianger hurried after them with a concerned frown, as he drew his planisphere.

The spider, however, would have none of it, and upon their approach, screeched and stomped its two front legs towards Ice. The Warrior stopped, then dove to the side to dodge two lightning orbs. The light color of the carapace showed blood on its face and forelegs; the sight of which made Ice's blood boil. He gripped his axe and charged the spider, bringing a swift Heavy Swing down with intent to break it in two if he could. The axe only hit sand; red flashed in his eyes as he growled loudly and turned to follow the creature.

A shot rang out, followed by a sharp voice, "Oi! This way, you shiny piece of kobold dung!"

"Wherefore must thou involve the Kobolds in this?" Urianger quipped, but it slowed his arcanima not a whit as he wove a shield of energy around Thancred, then hurried past them to Ice's side. "Sir Farran, let us hasten to retrieve Angel, ere the miscreation rights its course, or other fiends attend...!"

"That... That thing--" Ice growled, but Urianger shook his head.

"Prithee, allow Thancred and Ryne to struggle alone, for now!" Urianger nodded sharply to the unmoving White Mage on the ground "Thine husband must be our priority!"

His pointed comment was enough to shake Ice from his anger; though the Miqo'te was still displeased at not being able to go after the creature.

"I should've been faster..." Ice growled to himself. He put his axe away as he hurried down the incline towards the divide. He followed Ambrosia's glow. As he and Urianger approached, Angel's form came into view. He'd been saved from falling into the divide by a rock and a plant, both of which bore stains of blood by now. The two hurried over, his husband shakily rolled him over onto his back and off the rock, as Urianger knelt by the Miqo'te's head.

The Elezen said nothing, but immediately reached a glowing hand out to the mage. He focused on mending the unconscious Miqo'te's more severe injuries, so as to allow him to be moved and taken back to the Inn.

"...A-An...gel," Ice cradled his husband against his chest while Urianger worked to heal him. A large gash on his forehead bled profusely, his right arm had a piece of wood impaled in it, and his left leg looked broken. To top that off, his trip down here had covered him in dirt and sand, and bruised a few other places. "Gods, I shouldn't have let you try this... I should've been more insistent... I'm... I'm so sorry, love." He couldn't help it, seeing his husband this hurt brought tears to his eyes. He felt terrible guilt for letting him try. He realized how close he'd been to losing him in a blink; if he hadn't been caught on the rock... The fear, guilt, and anger swirled violently inside him, but had no outlet at the moment

All he could think about was how dangerous this creation magic now seemed to be, and... maybe... none of them... should try this.

"Ice...mayhap, if thou could, pray tell: what befell the two of thee?" Urianger asked, biting his lip, as he carefully removed the wood from the mage's arm. He tried to help refocus Ice in the present, as Angel's more grievous wounds slowly mended.

The Astrologian's magic faded a bit as the sounds of fighting intensified up the incline. Ryne called Thancred's name, only to gain a response of 'I'm fine!' for her trouble. Urianger sighed slightly, then stood up. The Warrior shifted his husband in his arms, standing up after Urianger did.

"Everything went to the seventh hell in an instant," Ice mumbled, then looked down to Angel's face.

"Ah. A familiar notion, and why, nor has't all ceased descent," the Elezen man sighed softly, as he glanced over to see a dent in the side of the Skyslipper. With a closer look, three of the spider's limbs were missing now, so the fight, at least, wasn't one-sided...Urianger shook his head and looked regretfully to Ice.

"For the nonce, Angel's condition is stable enough to make the Inn. The Carers expect him, and shalt tend him well till our return; for my part, I must make haste to shield our errant Gunbreaker and his ward. 'Twould be ill if they were wounded whilst I tarried."

"...I know," the Miqo'te responded without thinking, then turned to hurry straight for the Inn; Urianger watched him leave with an expression of worry, but as he'd said, he could delay no longer, and rushed to rejoin the Scions in their fight.

@angel-lockhart drew the picture of Angel using magic with the lightning cluster. It was an older art she did for the old RP before we restarted things, and was able to change the crystal to post here for you lovely Starlings despite having hurt her hand. We hope you're doing well during this crazy summer. Thank you for your patience and support. We hope you enjoyed Chapter 17!

Next Chapter, we check back in at Eulmore to see how their night is going. Hopefully, their evening is less... eventful... than Amh Araeng...?

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