Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 4

Chapter 4

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:07

***Draga***

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:07

Drega did not know how long this nightmare lasted. Any pain and suffering for her always had a beginning, a course, and an end, she could adjust to it. She always sensed the passage of time and was able to assess her condition at any particular moment.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:10

But not this time. Despair, guilt for a mistake, fear of an eternity filled solely with emptiness. The unspeakable pain of feeling deprived of the radiant attention of her Creator. Thousands of voices of Darkness, formerly part of her, cursing and reminding as if devouring her alive and giving no hint of peace. Thousands of voices of Darkness, against which she felt neither the strength nor the right. It was more painful than she could have even imagined, more disorienting. Her consciousness could not know WHEN it had bound itself to a certain moment, and only a will freeze in monstrous tension kept her at the edge beyond which her soul would be torn into tiny pieces.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:12

So she could not tell how much time passed when those voices began to fade, and a tiny ray of hope broke through the bottomless blackness of despair. That beam was subtly broadening, multiplying, dispelling the fog of pain, loss, and fear of the future. Little by little, she began to realize again what she sees and where she is.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:13

Afraid to frighten that beam away, Draga froze on the floor in a fetal position, delighted even by the cold coming from the rough stone. The chorus of Darkness supplanted the only whisper that still sounded on the edge of audibility. The whisper called to her begged her to listen and promised her that all would be well. Draga gave in to it cautiously.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:15

For a moment she felt dizzy, and there was a strange sensation of split consciousness. It felt as if there were actually two of her, and the one that was the second was skillfully, quickly going over the memory of the first. The fake was getting to know the memory of the original.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:22

Draga sprang to her feet, gathering her will, rejecting the intruder with the use of her skills.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:24

[Washing by Darkness] Instantly applicable skill, with long recovery time, eliminating all current negative effects.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:25

[One Man Army] Instantly applied skill, with long recovery time, for a short time giving total immunity to damage and negative effects. When the time expired, the skill returned 100% of the damage and effects received.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:26

At the same moment, Drega activated what the Prophet called an 'equip macro'. Armor, jewelry, and weapons disappeared in an instant into [inventory] and appeared clothed on her body.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:30

"Show yourself!" She shouted, swinging her two-handed sword around and searching for the unknown enemy.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:31

"Oh, such a magnificent gratitude for the relief of pain." There was a low, velvet-soft female voice behind her.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:33

Draga instantly turned around and put the point of her sword on the shoulder of the source of the voice.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:34

A medium-sized woman with gray-purple skin, dressed in a shabby rag tied at the waist with a rough rope. It was strange to think of, but it looked good on her. Her silver-white hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and a rag was tied over half of her face, along with her eyes. Demonstrating defenselessness, the guest spread her arms to her sides, tilted her head toward the sword, and continued.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:35

"Is that in trend right now, or is that your personal style?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:36

Drega, who had regained her icy stillness, replied.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:37

"Who are you, how did you get here, and why are you here? Answer quickly and briefly."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:37

"Take away your dangerous sword, Draga. I have helped you, and I expect for other thanks."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:39

Drega, hearing the wrong answer, jerked the sword down sharply, across the collarbone and chest of the intruder. But the blade met no resistance, passing through her as through a smoke.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:41

"I am not here." The guest stepped smoothly toward her, letting further swings of her sword pass through her. "What you see is only the image you have in mind. With my help. And you need me, don't insult me. Or do you prefer the loneliness from which I pulled you?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:43

"I'll say it again - who are you, how did you get here, and why are you here?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:45

"How stubborn, almost like Wilhelm." The guest smiled. "I am the one who is branded a traitor. I'm here because I wanted to ease your suffering, and you gave me the opportunity to do so. And in return, I need a small favor from you that you cannot refuse."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:46

Drega's mind was struck by conjecture, and she muttered, barely able to contain her anger.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:48

"Malicriss."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:48

She wanted to shred the traitor, to cut her into a thousand little pieces, but she knew that was impossible. The only way to destroy what is only in your head is to kill yourself. [Washing by Darkness] was useless because there were no negative effects from the connection, and closing one's mind to the speeches of such monsters... Only Lords can do that. And Malikriss herself.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 19:51

"Whatever you want from me, you will receive only contempt and hatred." Drega, though she gave up trying to kill the image, remained in a fighting stance.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:10

"Oh, believe me, I won't be impressed with that." For a moment, a cold, tense expression ran across the beautiful part of her face that was visible from beneath the bandage, and then the ironic smile returned. "Your misery a few minutes ago is not even a shadow of how I've lived all these years."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:11

"Just leave me alone and go back to your dungeon to rot for the rest of eternity, bitch."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:12

"I am beginning to tire of your bravado, you foolish child. My freedom is only a matter of a very short time. Now I want to know if we will be friends or enemies by the time I get it."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:13

Draga's body began to fill with renewed fatigue - the effect of [One Man Army] was over. At the same time, it felt especially light. It seemed that the feelings I'd recently experienced weren't going to come back. All that was left was an eerie hazy memory of them, but that, too, was slowly fading into nothing. Desperate hatred was replaced by dislike.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:15

"So why did you think your imprisonment would soon come to an end?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:15

"Haven't you sensed this strange change? The world has changed. It is only the appearance of a small wave that portends a mighty storm. A storm of destiny that will overturn the existing order of things. And this storm is the key to my freedom."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:16

"So what do you want from me?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:17

"Hmm..." Malikriss raised her face to the high ceiling. "Tell Him about our conversation. Help Him remember me."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:19

Drega only inhaled to speak out angrily, but an unpleasant insight came over her again. 'A favor you can no longer refuse me.' Could such an encounter be hidden from Him?

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:21

"You sneaky, lying bitch, you think that's going to be enough?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:21

"You'll see. And remember this - you can call me mean, you can call me a traitor, and it will be the truth. The truth for someone who doesn't know how to see through things." She grinned with a piercing sadness. "But among all my sins there are no lies. Well, my bet is made. I'll see you around."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:23

The image of Malikriss was gone, and her voice was no longer there. She was alone again, and she felt the Darkness behind her, greedy for her suffering, attentive but indifferent. It was a sickening thing to realize, but it was worth thanking the Betrayer for.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:24

"Fuck you..."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:24

But no time before Draga gathered her thoughts, she heard a melodious ringing [message] and felt a new presence - one that was impossible to confuse with anyone else. Prophet. The light, the reason, and the way, the one whose attention she craved with all her being and whose disapproval was worse than all the torture of the world.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:27

"Draga, this is Tallarius. Aren't you busy right now?"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:27

"I..." Draga knelt at the sound of His voice. "I..."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 20:31

"I can contact you later if it's inconvenient for you."

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 21:08

Drega cursed her own unaccountable clumsiness. Thoughts, until recently relatively orderly and predictable, scattered like moths.

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 21:10

"Yes! I mean, no! I mean, I'm all yours!"

Camrad_RIP 07.06.21 в 21:10

"I'm glad to hear you're feeling better." The Prophet's warm voice echoed in her heart in a singing, enthusiastic voice. "There's a meeting tonight at eight o'clock in the Prayer Hall. I want to see the whole Elite there, including you."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.21 в 05:24

The Hall of Prayer... The very heart of Dawn City, the sanctum sanctorum. The most beautiful place in all the worlds. The first place Draga saw when she was born. The passage between the world of gods and mortals.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.21 в 05:27

"I have no words to express my gratitude for such an honor, Prophet..."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.21 в 05:40

"I'll take that as consent. I'll see you there."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.21 в 05:42