Draley took a deep breath before unveiling her answer to who can block the Corrupted Eye's connection to Necromoon. She answered:
"Chami.”
The others' eyes widened with realization, their jaws dropping simultaneously.
Svenja, her mouth agape, muttered, "Chami...?"
Reagan, his expression stunned, exclaimed, "Chami? The same Chami we retrieved from that demon fairy girl Svenja fought?”
Draley nodded, her expression solemn.
"Yes, the same Chami. The Acolyte of Possession herself. I've worked closely with her before, and as an Acolyte, her abilities are quite simply unparalleled. She's our best bet at restoring Evelynn, and blocking the connection to the corrupted eye.”
The others fell silent for a moment, absorbing the implications. Svenja clenched and unclenched her fists, a mixture of determination and worry on her face.
Svenja, her voice steely though tinged with slight hope, stated, "Then we need to get back on our mission of retrieving her soul and placing it back into her body. If she can help Evelynn, we need to get 'er back in shape as soon as possible. Agreed?"
The others nodded, their resolution strengthening.
"Sylvie is a huge threat though, that's for sure. However, with Kurovika's strength, perhaps we stand a chance against that powerful demon.”
Kurovika, her smirk returning slighty, nodded.
"You can count on me. I'll be sure to show Sylvie what I'm made of."
Reagan, his spirit lifted, chimed in.
"We got this, guys. We're strong, and we're getting stronger together. With Chami's help, and our combined strength, we'll get through this."
The others nodded, the determination in their eyes burning brighter than ever. They continued on in silence, their spirits lifting as they prepared themselves for the challenges ahead.
As they exited the dark lair, the sunlight, though dim, made them squint.
Evelynn, still unconscious yet safe in Svenja's arms, let out a low groan.
Svenja, casting a concerned glance at her friend, continued walking.
Draley, taking the lead, spoke up.
"We're almost out. Just a few more steps.”
The others, nodding their heads in determination, followed Draley's lead with unwavering spirit. Svenja, carrying Evelynn, quickened her pace, eager to get to safety.
They stepped out of the dark castle and into the open, the sunlight shining on their faces.
Draley took a deep breath, the fresh air bringing a renewed sense of hope. "Alright, we're out. We'll need to get back to HQ as soon as possible. We've got a lot of work to do.”
Reagan, his adrenaline starting to peter out, slumped a bit.
"Yeah, work. Can't wait. Once we get back, I'm taking a long, hot shower and going to bed for a week.”
Kurovika, a smirk playing on her lips, teased, "A week? You're shooting low. I'm going for at least two.”
Svenja, chuckling, chimed in.
"Ye guys are amateurs. I'm goin’ for a month.”
Draley, a tired smile on her face, shook her head.
"You're all ridiculous. I'm only going for a week and a half."
The group chuckled, the tired banter lightening the mood.
…
The group, finally back at the HQ, collapsed in the common room. They looked tired, and drained. Svenja sat on the couch, still holding the unconscious Evelynn.
Reagan, slumped on the couch, groaned. "I can't believe we made it. I feel like I've been hit by a truck...a REALLY big truck.”
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The group, finally back at the HQ, collapsed in the common room. They looked tired, and drained. Svenja sat on the couch, still holding the unconscious Evelynn.
Reagan, slumped on the couch, groaned. "I can't believe we made it. I feel like I've been hit by a truck...a REALLY big truck.”
Kurovika fell into an armchair, her limbs sprawled.
"I don't think I've ever been this exhausted in my life. I feel like I could sleep for a week straight.”
Draley, slumped against the wall, laughed weakly.
"I'm seriously considering never moving again. Can someone just bring me food and water and leave me be for a month or two?”
Svenja, her voice weary, spoke up.
"I hear you, mates. But we still haveta debrief. We can sleep after that. We needa discuss what happened today an' what we're gonna next. Let's get some help from Marla.”
Reagan, managing to sit up straighter, nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right. We need to debrief. Then we can rest."
Just then, Marla walked in, her eyebrows raising in surprise at their ragged looks.
Marla, her eyebrows raised, surveyed the group.
"You lot look like you've been through the wringer. What happened out there?"
The group groaned collectively, but Svenja managed to reply.
"A lot, to put it simply. Necromoon attacked us. It got pretty rough.”
Marla's expression turned serious, concern etched on her face.
"Necromoon attacked you? Are you lot alright?"
Draley nodded weakly, a weary smile on her face.
"Yeah, we're mostly okay. Just extremely exhausted.”
Marla's gaze darted to Evelynn, still unconscious and in Svenja's arms.
"And what happened to her? I haven't seen her in quite a long time, and she's out cold.”
Svenja's expression darkened.
"Necromoon tried to possess her through the Corrupted Eye. We managed to cut the connection, though. She should be fine once she wakes up.”
Marla's expression remained concerned, but she seemed somewhat relieved.
"That's good to hear. But we should still have her checked out by our healers as soon as possible. Just to be safe."
Kurovika nodded in agreement, her eyes barely open.
"Yeah, a thorough check-up would be for the best. Until then, we need your help locating Chami's soul.
Marla, nodding, responded to Kurovika's request.
"Alright, I can look into Chami's whereabouts. But you lot need to take a breather first. You look like walking corpses. Go get cleaned up, eat, and rest for a bit. I'll look into it in the meantime.”
The group, too tired to protest, agreed.
Reagan struggled to stand. "You're right. We could use some rest. Thanks, Marla. We'll be back after a bit of a recharge.”
Marla smiled softly at the group, their exhaustion showing vividly.
"No worries. You all look like you need it. Take your time. I'll get started on tracking Chami's soul in the meantime.”
Svenja, carefully passing Evelynn to Marla, sighed.
"Thanks, Marla. We'll be back later. Just keep an eye on ‘er for us, yeah?”
Marla nodded, holding Evelynn gently.
"Of course. You lot go relax. I'll make sure she's taken care of.”
The group, grateful for Marla's assistance, nodded weakly.
Kurovika, barely managing to stand up, muttered. "Thanks, Marla."
Draley, stumbling a bit, chimed in. "Yeah, we appreciate it."
Reagan, his eyes half-lidded, echoed the sentiment.
"You're the best, Marla.”
Marla smiled warmly, waving them off.
"No problem, guys. You lot go take care of yourselves. I'll handle things here.”
The group, grateful for Marla's reassurance, stumbled out of the room to tend to their tired selves.
…
The following morning, the group, now well-rested and fresh, reassembled in the common room. Their energy had been somewhat restored, and they looked significantly better.
Kurovika, stretching her arms, spoke up first. "So, Marla. Any luck with locating Chami's soul?”
Marla, who had been researching Chami's soul the previous night, looked up from her notes.
"As a matter of fact, yes. It took some time, but I managed to find where Chami is located.”
The group perked up at Marla's news, their fatigue replaced with anticipation.
Reagan leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Really? Where is she?”
The group perked up at Marla's news, their fatigue replaced with anticipation.
Reagan leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Really? Where is she?”
Marla, referring to her notes, responded.
"Chami's soul, it seems, is being held at the very same castle in the Forest of Remnants.”
Svenja, her eyes widening in surprise, repeated, "The Forest of Remnants...the same area we found her body in?”
Marla nodded grimly.
"Yes, sadly. It seems the demon fairy, Sylvie, has taken Chami's soul to that location and is holding it there as some sort of sick trophy.”
Draley spoke up.
"So, we need to get Chami's soul back from Sylvie as soon as possible. Has Sylvie been doing anything to damage or harm Chami's soul since she took it?”
Marla sighed, flipping through her notes.
"Thankfully, no. It appears Sylvie is keeping Chami's soul in some form of stasis. However, the longer we let Sylvie keep Chami's soul, the more Chami's life force will dwindle.”
A concerned silence fell over the group at Marla's words.
Kurovika, her eyes narrowing, spoke up. "So, the longer we wait, the worse off Chami will be. We need to get to her soul as quickly as possible.”
Marla nodded, her expression grave.
"Exactly. Time is of the essence. We need to get Chami's soul back as quickly as we can. We don't know how long it can last in Sylvie's possession.”
Svenja stood up from her seat.
"Then let's leg it, mates. We needa get goin' as soon as possible.”
Reagan, his face serious, stood up as well.
"Yeah. We need to get there and get Chami's soul back before it's too late."
Draley, standing up, nodded in agreement. "We can't waste any more time. We need to head to the Forest of Remnants, rescue Chami's soul, and bring her back here as soon as possible.”
Marla spoke up with determination in her tone.
"You're right, but you all need to be careful. Sylvie won't let go of Chami's soul easily. And there's no telling what she might have planned for you.”
Kurovika, her determination undeterred, smirked. "Don'tcha worry, Marla. We're prepared for anything Sylvie throws at us. We won't stop until Chami's soul is back where it belongs: with her body. Let's get moving, y'all.”
Svenja, her spirit unyielding, nodded in agreement.
"Aye, let's do this shit. We'll get Chami's soul back no matter what it takes.”
Marla nodded with pride. "You lot have my full support. Just be careful. And come back safe.”