Abyssal Road Trip

Amdirlain’s PoV - Demi-Plane

No sooner had Amdirlain materialised to float above the barren landscape than a presence flared around her and sealed the Demi-Plane’s boundary. A sulphurous gaze manifested in mid-air about half a kilometre ahead of her, each eye some hundred metres across, but surrounding them was only the faintest hint of scales staring at her from planes away.

Yeah, she was biding her time.

“Amdirlain, I heard your words with the Human Cyrus and thought I should correct your perception of me,” announced Nüwa. “I’m glad my daughter found her way to you.”

“Nüwa, I didn’t expect you to be so congenial to me,” said Amdirlain carefully. Fear crawled up her spine, but Amdirlain locked it behind her Mental Hardening not wanting to risk Nüwa sensing it.

Laughter rumbled in the surrounding emptiness. “Then your memory is faulty. Not completely unexpected of most reincarnations, but I had expected more from one coming from Orhêthurin.”

“I don’t have all the memories of your interactions with Orhêthurin,” admitted Amdirlain. “So I’ve only your chosen abode and reputation to guide me.”

“And tales that Sidero told you of me,” added Nüwa. “Though her interaction with me was minimal, aside from breaks in her training and assignments.”

“You knew who she was from the start, didn’t you?”

“Her and your friend Isa,” confirmed Nüwa. “I expect you to repay me for the protections I provided her.”

“Oh?”

“When her first song echoed off the stone in her prison cell, I confused those that investigated,” said Nüwa. “You owe me for ensuring none considered the possibility of True Song. Given the emotions her Soul had for Julia I knew who it had to be, and Sidero knew how she’d died.”

Amdirlain felt spikes of fear battering away at her Mental Hardening and shifted her gaze from Nüwa’s eyes.

“I have a gift for you,” continued Nüwa.

“As I just mentioned, Lady Nüwa, I don’t have all my recollections of you, so I’m unsure why you’d be offering me any gifts,” replied Amdirlain. “Especially given you just said you expected your protection of Isa would need to be repaid. Would you do me the honour of advising me on the real purpose of your visit?”

“Then I’ll make what I want from you clear,” replied Nüwa. “I want to control Atonement when you are done with it.”

“No,” replied Amdirlain.

Nüwa snorted. “You don’t know what I intend, and you’d refuse me?”

“I don’t know what you want now, but you wanted to make the wicked suffer,” replied Amdirlain. “Is that still the case?”

“Of course,” confirmed Nüwa. “Though there are some wicked whose suffering is more important to me than others.”

“I’ve no intention of making the souls suffer,” stated Amdirlain. “Atonement won’t be a Plane to inflict suffering.”

“What was your intention, then?” snapped Nüwa. “How will you ensure they make amends? Do not others deserve to know those who made them suffer have, in turn, suffered? Like the one who cursed you?”

An image appeared of an impaled figure with the sigil of the Titan’s Maze upon his chest. The focus of the illusion expanded to show her former stalker’s surroundings. The end of his spike was supported above an iron pan that collected his blood, along with the Soul motes torn free by blades within him. Dozens of ebony-skinned succubi used it as an obscene punch bowl, consuming the blood and Soul fragments alike. Beyond them, other succubi competed in a wild melee before a raised throne of carved bone that Naamah occupied. While her attention primarily lingered on those fighting before her; an Incubus knelt between her feet and had his face pressed between her thighs. Her wings were outstretched behind her and beat in time to the tempo of his ministrations. The expanding focus of the illusion showed Amdirlain the elaborately decorated columns and walls, covered with murals fashioned of carved gemstones and precious metals.

Amdirlain hissed and forced herself not to grind her teeth. “I plan to refresh the souls, set them back to a blank slate. Isn’t oblivion punishment enough?”

“Where is the balance for those they’ve wronged?” questioned Nüwa.

“It’s not about balancing those they’ve wronged. You can never repay someone for a loved one lost, and so many of the damned have done unforgivable things,” replied Amdirlain. “That is why I’ll completely reset each Soul. Some will need to work for me before that reset, and others will work afterwards, but they’ll all go through oblivion. People can take comfort in knowing that some evil individuals lose all chance at an afterlife.”

“You had no problems adding to your stalker’s torment,” stated Nüwa. “Some pains are only eased by knowing those who caused it are paying for the suffering they’ve caused.”

“How did you even know about him?”

“I’ve known about him since you found him. I watched over your shoulder as you lashed out in rage at him,” said Nüwa. “You’ve waded through so much torment that you’ve often drawn my attention. Do you want to know who he once was? Or the details of how far he fell with you dragging him through lives?”

His Soul didn’t have the feel of an Anar.

“Not particularly,” replied Amdirlain. “Do you know how she came to take possession of him?”

“I told Naamah where to find him and when to steal him from Moloch’s store room.”

At Nüwa’s use of her name, Naamah pushed the Incubus aside and snapped to her feet. Her gaze scanned the air, and Nüwa’s will strengthened the faint tendril of attention that touched the Demi-Plane. Meanwhile, the beacon of Moloch’s name was casually snuffed out.

“Should I allow her to join this conversation?” asked Nüwa. “She’s so eager to do so.”

“I’d prefer it remain just the two of us,” replied Amdirlain politely.

“But she and her Fallen allies had gone to great lengths to gain a toy for me. I believe you remember Castellan.”

Another image showed a Succubus suspended mid-air by a series of barbed hooks. Her gaping wounds and shattered wings marred the standard uniform appearance once maintained by the Sisterhood. A Kyton wearing red chains similar to what Sidero had worn listened and followed her elders’ instructions on vivisection. The blades at the end of the chains danced along the Castellan’s arms; trails of parting flesh traced the outline of the muscle strands in her biceps. The knowledge that the Kyton was Sidero’s daughter pressed into Amdirlain. Through the veil of chains across the young Kyton’s face, Amdirlain caught hints of a smile that seemed a predatory version of Sarah’s occasional grin.

The sight of Castellan stirred her memory of the angry conversation she’d had with Rahka in the cloister, convincing Amdirlain further of their involvement with Naamah.

Allies? Was it someone else within the Cloister? Or someone not following the path?

“Sidero’s daughter has grown skilled over the years, though her progression isn’t as fast as her mother’s rise,” commented Nüwa casually. “Perhaps you’d like to correct that issue?”

“I gave Naamah a crystal to help find Balnérith,” said Amdirlain, ignoring Nüwa’s hint. “I’m sure Castellan's capture occurred while she played with Balnérith.”

“Indeed, the Castellan was caught then, but your trinket of tracking was insufficient. Naamah came to me, and I refined it for her. Yet even that refinement doesn’t help, since Balnérith has changed her name. Unfortunately, Naamah didn’t take a trophy for me to use.”

Yeah, that’s a lost option.

“Indeed, you should have acted on it sooner or spoken to me, and we could have come to an arrangement. I’ve watched on while concepts and deities, unwitting of who they toyed with, had you struggle against their machinations,” said Nüwa.

“I’m glad you had fun,” drawled Amdirlain.

Fuck girl, back to poking bears?

The pressure of her awareness settled on Amdirlain. “I’ve so enjoyed your suffering and determination. The fear within you as you severed your own legs and found they wouldn’t heal is a memory I’ll savour for centuries. We might have spoken then if only the little Phoenix had arrived later.”

“Why show me these two?” asked Amdirlain, ignoring the content edge in Nüwa’s tone.

“Do you not see how poisonous love can be? Or how its traitorous nature can destroy one’s sanity? Two greater beings brought low by the love they held for another.”

“My stalker didn’t love me. He was obsessed with owning me,” dismissed Amdirlain.

A black-haired woman clad in a layered white dress bound at the waist with a midnight sash appeared in the air before Amdirlain. The enormous sulphurous eyes vanished as she appeared, but the same glow shone from beneath her closed eyelids. Concentrated energy leaked across rounded cheekbones and ice-blue lips before it washed her white dress into a putrid hue.

“Love is merely a different flavour of obsession. Do you know the depths of foulness to which love can drive a being? The suffering so many have inflicted on others, all in the name of someone or something they’ve loved? Do you know how neglected or lost love rips them apart? You should know. Is there any greater punishment than love denied? Or torment greater than love killed? Do you know how it hollows you out inside?”

Amdirlain caught crackling notes in her form’s theme and allowed Nüwa’s questions to flow past her.

“Did you send an Avatar?” breathed Amdirlain. “I didn’t think you could leave Hell.”

“You are wrong and right,” Nüwa replied. “I’ve never wanted to interact with anyone outside Hell before now, but I knew you wouldn’t come to me. Not that my physical body can leave Hell, but an Avatar is merely a projection of will. Deities don’t see them that way, but they’re woefully stupid and ignorant.”

“Cyrus didn’t draw your attention, did he?” asked Amdirlain.

A smirk twisted Nüwa’s mouth as she slowly shook her head. “I felt you emerge into the Abyss through Shindraithra’s link to you. It screamed for her to come to you when Nicholaus’ servants finally released you from temporal stasis. I snuffed that call out before she felt it. That was an interesting event. With all of Gideon’s permutations, I’m surprised they didn’t shatter with the stress of deciding which moment provided at least a slim chance of you evading capture. If you’d been close at hand, I would have scooped you up.”

“Why did you name Gideon and draw their focus?” asked Amdirlain.

“I’m not worried about the little crystal ball,” laughed Nüwa bitterly. “They’re trying to figure out what we’re talking about now, but I’ll ensure this conversation stays between us until we’re done. Or should I put the little knowledge bug in their place? Would you like me to keep them out of your head? Keep them from knowing your every idle thought? Should I flood Gideon with everything I’ve ever kept from them, see if they shatter? Trying to peek when I wished my turn to speak with you.”

The sharp fury in Nüwa’s voice threatened to shatter Amdirlain’s Mental Hardening.

“Please leave them alone,” gasped Amdirlain. “I’m sure you’re not here to talk about Gideon or anyone else. What do you wish to talk about?”

The wisp of Naamah’s attention was snuffed out.

“Are you sure I didn’t want to discuss them?”

Amdirlain shrugged helplessly. “Are they worth your time?”

A platform appeared beneath Amdirlain’s feet, and polished black wood furniture seamlessly emerged. Nüwa sat down, timing the growth of a chair behind her perfectly. “You’re too Human still. Work on cutting out those weaknesses. Sit down.”

A low table carved with figures from Chinese mythology appeared between them with a white jade tea set, fragrant tea steaming from the suddenly filled cups.

When Amdirlain regarded the cups warily, Nüwa waved at them. “Is this not what your little daughter offers you to relax?”

“I’m pretty sure neither tea nor sitting is going to help me with that,” said Amdirlain, but she sat on the front edge of the chair that rose behind her and folded her hands in her lap. “Your presence is very overwhelming.”

“What your friends did to your stalker’s memories was interesting,” remarked Nüwa casually. “It was such an interesting and time-wasting trap. It had the pest Moloch chasing his tail, which was amusing.”

“You enjoyed his suffering as well,” noted Amdirlain. “Are you enjoying tormenting me with this nerve-wracking conversation?”

“Should not the wicked suffer?” Nüwa smiled broadly, and the slight parting of her lips showed fangs. “I know your panic is banging away behind the steel walls you’ve built in your mind. You don’t have to compartmentalise your emotions anymore. You let them struggle and thrash, recognising each but letting it die in the darkness behind your barriers, as futile as Jinfeng’s flailing to overcome you.”

Amdirlain stiffened before forcing herself to sit back. “You want Atonement. Why?”

“There are beings more wicked than any Mortal, and I want their ilk to suffer as well,” laughed Nüwa, but it resonated with wails of fury and anguish, sounds that Amdirlain knew originated from the victims of Nüwa’s kytons. “It was not mortals that killed my husband.”

“I won’t give you Atonement, but I will repay you for the protection you provided Isa,” said Amdirlain.

Nüwa’s predatory smile expanded. “Are you sure you won’t? I could ensure you beg me to take it if I set myself against you.”

“I’m sure you could,” replied Amdirlain. “But no, it will be for those souls’ rebirth, not torture. You could only be involved if you followed all the rules I laid out for it, and if you did, I’m sure it would dilute your natures.”

“I don’t think you’d be a fit version of the Yomi King for this entire realm, Amdirlain,” stated Nüwa. “When you’re done setting it up, give the plane to my control, and I’ll ensure everything atones for its wickedness.”

“Now you’re overlaying your standards and expectations of how the Plane will be set up,” chided Amdirlain.

Nüwa laughed. “Perhaps you don’t see how I could work within your intended rules.”

“Nüwa, we both can see the loophole in what you just said, and that’s even less reason to let you be involved with the Plane’s operation,” said Amdirlain. “The mortals aren’t even what you’re after—you want those whose power should have increased through receiving those souls to suffer, correct?”

“Yes,” hissed Nüwa.

“Then you can delight in its creation. What greater torment for them to know that they’ll never get the souls? To know all those souls’ deeds have burned away. To know so many souls won’t even have the residual vileness of a previous life that might steer them into darkness? If you want to make them suffer, ensure their agents can’t interfere with Atonement.”

Nüwa’s renewed laughter was a frenzy of sound that battered Amdirlain’s mind with her cruel amusement. Yet it was clear the claws of sound could have obliterated Amdirlain instead of scratching across her mental barriers.

“No, I won’t make it easy for you. I might even send worthy foes to test your strength. I’ll continue to watch for now, but if I feel you’re faltering, I’ll step in and take everything related to this place of Atonement that you’ve built. Your Soul might be the first I put through the process you’ve developed before I return it to your father’s care.”

The platform vanished with Nüwa, and Amdirlain caught herself and floated trembling in the darkness.

“Faltering according to whose standards?” asked Amdirlain, but no response came. With Nüwa gone, Amdirlain waited until the mental agony from being in Nüwa’s presence had calmed.

[Phoenix’s Rapture [G] (107->108)

Mental Hardening [S] (48->50)

Note: Her daughters are always ecstatic to be in her presence.

Note: I didn’t even know she had been watching you. Ori isn’t the only one able to keep secrets from me.]

What is Bahamut up to? Why did he use something she gave him to arrange a meeting with the Jade Emperor? When did she even give it to him?

He didn’t draw Nüwa’s attention to me. Was he provoking her into showing her hand so I’d know without telling me directly?

I can’t tell Sarah about this meeting. Another blade poised overhead, joy!

With the lingering energy of Nüwa polluting the place, Amdirlain shattered the Demi-Plane’s boundary and let the chaos streams flood in. Before she vanished to another Demi-Plane, she scrubbed away all traces of Nüwa’s scent.

When Amdirlain appeared in the next Demi-Plane, she pushed the visit behind her and ignored the possibility that Nüwa was still watching.

Her melody expanded the Demi-Plane’s boundary, stretching it further by the minute. With her focus on smoothing out the burrs in her songs, a notification quickly signalled an improvement in True Song Genesis as it grew large enough to encompass Earth. As the complexity and number of themes involved in extending it climbed, so did the challenge of smoothing away the burrs. Though the rules she’d set in the Demi-Plane generated its own atmosphere, Amdirlain supplemented its efforts to ramp up the challenge. Once its radius exceeded ninety thousand kilometres, the expansion slowed. It felt glacially slow at the two hundred thousand mark; the following four kilometres added a volume of near Earth-size to the sphere, and its expansion continued to slow because of the sheer volume involved.

[True Song Genesis [G] (22->23)

Note: Yep, make an enormous ball and ignore other issues.]

The latest notification spurred her to fight against the strain involved, though Gideon’s taunt didn’t even warrant a reaction.

Amdirlain had been at it for nearly four hours when a Message from Sarah reached her. Though she momentarily debated continuing, Amdirlain closed off the expansion and replied with the Demi-Plane’s details. A Gate opened in the Demi-Plain’s centre, showing the backdrop of a cliff-side, and Sarah stepped through in her willowy Human form. The rustle of her leathers didn’t echo back despite the stillness, and Sarah sniffed the air curiously.

“There isn’t even a hint of a boundary scent. How big did you make this place?”

“Its diameter is a tiny smidge over four hundred thousand,” advised Amdirlain. “The effort has provided a nice progression in True Song.”

“A tiny smidge is a little redundant,” noted Sarah drily.

Amdirlain rolled her eyes. “Eighteen kilometres.”

“Why?”

“Practise,” laughed Amdirlain. “More importantly, practice that didn’t flood me with experience. I earn experience from making the seeds, environments, biomes, and challenges, not from blowing up the balloons.”

“Interesting. At least you’ve got a way to push your skills up. I did some Class research for you while enjoying the mountain air currents,” advised Sarah. “I found something that might help since it will add to your Quickness and Willpower, but it’s not a Monk Class.”

I got focused on the lessons Cyrus had for me and didn’t even ask.

“Oh?”

“Alarca Maeth,” said Sarah. “There are others, but that one gives the biggest gains of both attributes.”

The translation from Elven made its name clear, but the phrase swift battle carried a violent edge to it.

[Alarca Maeth

Requirements:

One or more combat skills in Grandmaster rank.

Perception in Grandmaster rank.

Death Strike in Grandmaster rank.

Silent Kill in Grandmaster rank.

Suppress Target in Grandmaster rank.

Assassin and a melee Class have combined into a Tier 5+ Prestige Class.

Increased chance of insights into combat and infiltration skills.

Powers available for acquisition:

Immediate evolution of Death Strike.

Immediate evolution of Suppress Target.

Attribute Adjustments:

+3 Quickness per level.

+3 Willpower per level.

+4 Free Attribute Points every four levels post level 22.

+2 Melee Attack Power per Level.

+1 Defence per Level.

Details: This evolved Base Class favours swift, targeted strikes against foes.]

“Have you and Ebusuku been exchanging notes?” quipped Amdirlain. “At least you’re not sending me to an Assassin guild this time.”

Sarah shrugged. “You’re often getting into trouble alone. With your ability to move about fast, you can easily get into a position to kill someone before they know you’re there. On top of that, Analysis helps you identify options for Suppress Target, making it easy to apply, particularly with your Willpower.”

“I’m going to have to find foes to beat up,” murmured Amdirlain. “I didn’t think any Base Class would give decent attributes. While it’s low compared to Fallen or my recent acquisitions, it’s leagues above my first classes.”

“The stronger your foundations, the stronger you can grow,” noted Sarah. “The downside for you is that it needs three skills at Grandmaster, which you’ve not progressed to Senior Master. You’re close to qualifying for another option, but it doesn’t help Willpower. That one’s name is: Maicatur.”

Duelling lord, but with an implication of swiftness.

[Maicatur

Requirements:

One or more combat skills in Grandmaster rank.

Perception in Grandmaster rank.

Agile in Grandmaster rank.

Quickness over five hundred.

Three combat classes having previously merged into Tier 4 or higher Prestige classes.

Powers available for acquisition:

Hasten

Flicker

Increased chance of insights into combat and movement skills.

Attribute Adjustments:

+4 Quickness per level.

+4 Free Attribute points every four levels past level 22.

+3 Melee Attack Power per level.

+1 Defence per level.

+2 Skill points per level.

Details: This Class focuses on using swift and fluid combat styles. While its possessors typically seek fights against individual foes via duels or challenges, they’re not hampered during ‌large-scale battles.]

[Hasten:

By burning Mana, the possessor speeds up their body’s reaction time. While initially minor, the boost causes significant increases in Quickness as the Power progresses.]

[Flicker:

An evolution of Blink, this Power allows for rapid line-of-sight teleports centred around a target.]

One interesting option and one that likely would merge with my Greater Teleport.

“I don’t quite qualify for that one,” admitted Amdirlain. “But I could with a bit of work. I’ve got forty-seven points available, and applying Muse’s Insight helped me increase my Perception.”

“Given that it gives two points for skills at each level, using your store of points to gain it would get quickly reimbursed,” noted Sarah.

“If I take that and raise the levels of my existing classes, I could accept the transformation. But I’ll likely need my True Song Genesis evolved to get a stronger Base Class after I’ve got Class spots free again,” pondered Amdirlain.

“Surely you’ve gotten better ones than Ostimë and Ontãlin offered?” questioned Sarah.

“Yes, just not ones that are good enough yet,” replied Amdirlain. “Especially since I’ve got access to someone who can help me push my True Song skills.”

That goes for my combat skills as well. What classes would I get offered if I evolved them further? The downside of accumulating experience points quickly is that I’ve not progressed in various skills.

“Are you dragging Gilorn back?”

Amdirlain nodded and cast a Message Spell. “Gail, would you and Gilorn come to visit me at the monastery? I need her help with True Song.”

“Not telling her you’ve learnt to play a floor harp yet?”

Amdirlain took in the smile that curved Sarah’s lips and restrained a rueful shake of her head.

My decisions are in my control. I can’t imagine life without her. Can I learn to look past flesh properly? I procrastinated with Torm, which cost us so much of the time we could have enjoyed together.

“Something on your mind?” asked Sarah.

“Am I that transparent?” snorted Amdirlain. “I was just dwelling on something a few people have said.”

Chords jangled inside Sarah, but she merely tilted her head slightly. “Oh? Someone stuck their nose in.”

“No, they talked about other people and life’s paths, but it gave me context. I don’t know how things will be between us, but I’m willing to give us a shot,” said Amdirlain.

Sarah’s composure shattered; her gaze went wide, and tears glistened as emotions rampaged. “No.”

“No?” asked Amdirlain, failing to keep the shock from her voice.

“A relationship for you isn’t about giving us a shot. If you’re not sure, then you still need more time,” insisted Sarah. “When you’re sure about something, you’re immovable unless the evidence mounts up or the world explodes around you. I will wait until you are sure because I want ‘us’ to be your immovable constant. I want you to be sure I’ll always love and be there for you. Until you reach that point, holding your hand, being around you, and sneaking the odd kiss on the cheek is enough for me.”

“So, no, as in not yet,” said Amdirlain.

Sarah’s sigh shuddered through her. “Amdirlain, you said you needed time to get your head on straight. I’m not rushing you to do that. I can wait thousands of years, and even if you pick someone else, I’d consider it time well invested because it’s time I gave you.”

“I wasted time I could have had- “

“That’s why you need to stop,” said Sarah as she gently tapped Amdirlain’s chin. “I don’t want you to start anything because of regrets. I know how your self-doubt and regrets can eat you alive. If the ‘us’ option doesn’t fill you with joy, then it’s not a path to start down, maybe not now or never. Give the idea time to grow or not at its own pace.”

“But- “

Sarah put a finger to Amdirlain’s lips and gently shook her head. “Please take your time. I’m not pushing you for an answer because what I want is what makes you happy. Acting from regret isn’t something that brings happiness, it just eases one fear and potentially replaces it with doubt.”

Amdirlain opened her mouth to protest, but Sarah kept her finger against her lips.

“What?” rasped Amdirlain.

“You didn’t have that radiant glow you get when you’re thrilled with something,” replied Sarah, dropping her hand to her side.

“Did I have that talking about Torm?”

“Yes, you’ve had it for everyone you’ve opened your heart to romantically,” replied Sarah. “That’s how I know you’re still unsure. If you need to go through the motions so you get comfortable with the idea, then it feels like you’re choosing to try for the wrong reasons. You’ve got regrets, and you’re looking to act because of the fear of missing out again. I get it, I do, but I don’t want a relationship spurred by fear. I want one grown with love, and you deserve that relationship.”

“I can’t imagine life without you,” insisted Amdirlain.

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Sarah, conviction ringing in her voice and theme. “You could fall in love with someone tomorrow and end up marrying them, and I will still be here supporting them to give you even more happiness. I’m not lusting after you, Amdirlain. I love you, and I always will. Your happiness, seeing you glow with it, that’s what I want for your life. If I can’t inspire that in you, I’m not the right person for you, no matter how I feel.”

Though Amdirlain wanted to groan in frustration, she raised her hands in surrender. “I’ll shut up.”

I’m back to keeping secrets from her already. Is it a surprise she doesn’t think my suggestion was a good idea? How do I talk to her about Nüwa and seeing her daughter?

“I’m not asking you to,” countered Sarah. “If you need to talk to me about churning thoughts, regrets, or whatever, I’ll listen. I’m only holding up the stop sign on changing our relationship further before you’re sure.”

“Consent requires both parties,” said Amdirlain.

Sarah snorted in dry amusement. “Yes, and I’m not consenting to a change you’re lukewarm about, sweetie. You got swept up in a surge of emotion from those memories, and I’m not holding that against you. I’ll always treasure the fact that what you experienced could move you and even make you consider me. You told me that in my original life, I made Ori utter a stupid promise without regard for her feelings. I didn’t want to die thinking she’d have no one to love her, and that ended up hurting her for aeons. So if there is never anything further romantically between us, then my choice caused this, not you.”

“Okay, I get where you’re coming from, and I won’t pursue it,” sighed Amdirlain, quickly adding. “For now. But this isn’t over, I’ll keep working on my issues.”

With the palms of her hands, Sarah scrubbed the unshed tears away. When they lowered, she settled her mask of composure into place. “What you got planned, sweetie?”

Get back to business, it’s safer.

Despite the scrambling anxiety, Amdirlain smiled politely to ensure she hid it. “I was going to make that hollow Earth Demi-Plane, and I’ve been thinking about Qil Tris. This Demi-Plane got completely out of hand, so I’ll use it for experimentation or a firing range.”

“What about Qil Tris was bugging you?” asked Sarah.

“The training complexes and the ghost caverns.”

Sarah frowned in confusion. “Why are you back to thinking about the ghost caverns? You said the divine curse was too much to take on.”

“Took much to take on, but bypass? That’s far less work,” offered Amdirlain.

“This should be good. How is dealing with a divine curse less work?” questioned Sarah.

“The curse feeds off the life experiences of the souls passing through their conduits,” stated Amdirlain. “The curse uses the world’s link to the Astral Plane to form the conduits.”

Sarah smiled viciously. “You’re planning to gut the curse by starving it.”

“And I have two options to do it,” confirmed Amdirlain. “The nature of souls naturally transitions them to the Astral Plane. That’s why astral pools form, because of the repeated transition of souls, like a path worn by those previously crossed over. They then travel through the Astral Plane and transition again close to the Plane they’re bound to seek, whether Judgment or elsewhere. Hell doesn’t allow a direct transition since the devils took control so they go through Hades’ astral pool.”

I’m rambling, and Sarah’s letting me ramble.

“Is the curse manifesting the ghost caverns inside the event horizon of that pool?” Sarah asked. “Is that where you got the idea of playing games with connecting Atonement?”

“Yep, on both counts,” replied Amdirlain. “I don’t have to be the smartest person. Sometimes, re-engineering ideas someone else has come up with is the best solution. Anyway, I can put my connections to the Astral Plane at the entrance to the ghost caverns or cause the souls to stay in the world longer and route them to the Outlands’ Portal. I’ll need to complete the training complexes before I do either as the cities will lose the materials from the ghost caverns. That brings me to my other topic, using a layout of hollow Earth for each Demi-Plane. I could go one per city or multiple cities linked to one.”

“You’re going to throw people off if you suddenly change the training complexes,” cautioned Sarah. “Not to mention the issue with cities coming into conflict if they’re linked to the same Demi-Plane. If you want to build a hollow Earth, maybe use it for the monastery or the kingdoms.”

“I was trying to reduce the work I needed to do,” admitted Amdirlain.

Sarah smiled. “You’d only need to do that work if the ghost caverns remained a threat. How many cities already have training complexes with challenges rated to provide mithril and adamantine?”

Amdirlain hummed in dissatisfaction. “Cities would go to war to control the training complexes already in place. I’m back to a catch-22 about disrupting their countries unless I put them in place.”

“I’d suggest one small hollow Earth-type or ring world Demi-Plane for each city. Have a beginning zone like your games had and ensure creatures can’t migrate along the curve,” proposed Sarah. “You started planning to cover around three and a half thousand cities, but most of them only have a few levels in a chain set up so far.”

“I might set up one of each and get someone to see what they think once ready,” said Amdirlain.

“Someone?” queried Sarah suspiciously.

“I know a few people on Qil Tris. Do you think anyone would freak out hearing from me?”

“Depends if they shared the recording or not,” laughed Sarah.

“I’ll have to figure something out. I’ll need both feedback from their perspective and someone to smooth out my advanced warning.”

The pair hopped to another Demi-Plane.