Ойкумена / Oikumena: Эпилог

Epilogue

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 11:19

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Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 11:19

Above, the winter sun was shining brightly, and the day was in full swing. Here, deep underground, there was semi-darkness and silence. It was broken only by the occasional drip from the high vaults of the man-made cave, and by a constant, monotonous rustle, punctuated by quiet clicks.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 11:30

The monstrosity slid inside the magic circle like a huge, wide ribbon one and a half-human long. The Ribbon was indeed motley, combining shades of orange, red, and yellow on a dark brown base. The segmented carapace crackled dryly at the joints, and the paws rustled. The movement did not stop for a moment. Here the millipede was testing the strength of the circle bordered with green candles, drawn with the blood of the infanticide, and here it was flowing into the middle of the figure, drawing figure eights. The creature never tired and never backed down.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:25

The dark-haired sorceress folded her arms across her chest, grimly contemplating the insect-like creature, one of the Wasteland's most fearsome creatures. And perhaps the most precious, worth more than its weight in pure gold. The woman was in a rage that the hoops of iron self-control, an indispensable companion of sorcerous skill, could hardly contain.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:26

The stone staircase behind her echoed with soft footsteps. The red-eyed witch stepped on the polished granite that paved the floor of the crypt for special practices. The witch turned around, and for a few moments, the two women stared at each other, looking very much alike - tall, black-haired, cold-blooded, and tall. A black gaze crossed with a blood-red one. After a second's hesitation, the witch lowered her eyes.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:31

"Come here," the sorceress commanded. "Look."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:37

Without raising her eyes, the witch stepped toward the patroness. Her dark gloved hand rested on the hilt of her sword, pulling the hilt aside so it wouldn't interfere with her walking. They stood side by side, as angry sisters, watching the flowing creature run in a circle. The green candles shook the tall tongues of flame, reinforcing the magical barrier, and preventing the creature from breaking free.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:31

"I can't see anything," the witch stated.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:31

"Indeed," the sorceress said sarcastically. "No wonder."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:31

As if sensing who they were talking about, the Ribbon slid to the edge, rose two-thirds of its length like a snake ready to lunge, and swayed in front of the humans, ready to attack. A dozen grasping legs and razor-sharp stingers moved in unison, ready to claw, tear, and gnaw. When it was sure it could not reach its victims, the monster sank to the rocks and continued to run.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:32

The witch was silent, waiting.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:32

"It was my fault," the witch finally gave in and admitted her guilt. "My signs weren't as good as they should have been. The mindless thing never found anything."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:33

"Really?" The sorceress's words increased in venom as if they were limescale on top of broth, so that the witch retreated a few steps, as if confused.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:34

"What did I do?" The red-eyed woman asked hoarsely. "What do you blame me for?"

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:35

"Indeed, your signs turned out to be not so good...'' The magician snapped her long fingers with gold-colored nails. There were no rings or bracelets on her hands, just silver wire, carefully inserted under the skin and twisted in intricate patterns to concentrate magical energy.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:36

"Yeah, that's what failed you. It's too unsophisticated."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:37

"I don't understand," the witch took another step back, her head thrown back, trying to show innocence, confidence, and determination.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:38

"When Ribbon accomplished nothing, I wondered why. My Ritual was flawless. Things belonged to Spark. So it was bound to fulfill its purpose. Then I checked the words you had inscribed on the Ribbon's shell. And the errors seemed too simple, too deliberate to be natural. Just a little bit, but still..."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:39

"My hands are more used to the sword," the witch tried to defend herself.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:39

"Not so much. And I looked deeper."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:39

The sorceress clenched her fists with such force that drops of blood came out where the gilded nails dug into her skin. But her voice remained calm and steady.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:40

"I was so surprised to find out the signs were applied in two layers," the magician said with feigned surprise.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 16:41

The witch remained silent, only clenched her fingers tighter on the spiral encompassing the hilt of her sword.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 17:30

"I have given you a clear and direct instruction. The symbols must be woven into a pattern of Death. So the Ribbon will find the target and kill it. But the hidden pattern. hmm... can you tell me what it was?"

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 17:33

"The pattern of the Watcher," the witch twisted her lips in a wicked grin. The red-eyed girl didn't seem to have done anything, at least nothing noticeable, but there was a distinct change in her demeanor. Gone was the subservience and apprehension, but the readiness and focus of a seasoned warrior remained.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 17:33

"Watcher..." The sorceress rolled the word around on her tongue, wrinkling her nose at the unpleasant taste. "You disobeyed. Or, more accurately, betrayed me."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 17:34

"Yes," the witch agreed, putting aside her show of repentance, not feeling an ounce of fear or guilt. "I didn't need Ribbon to kill Spark. I wanted the creature to lead me to Spark."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 17:35

"I see," the sorceress said dryly, like a south wind. "Why? Did you want to kill her yourself? To avenge her shameful failure on the ship?"

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 17:35

"No. After the, uh... the ship, I wondered whose soul you sent me after. How a girl with no magical power or skill could perform a miracle of necromancy with a single move? And I was in for some amazing discoveries!"

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:33

"Knowledge has not been good for you."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:32

"You all are so stupid..." the witch said with genuine disappointment. "So limited. You're so afraid the Spark will destroy you, take away your privileged, sweet, sleepy existence. I am not afraid. I am worthy to possess it more than all of you put together."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:54

"Because you're a filthy brat," the sorceress's words snapped like the teeth of a bear trap. "A talentless wretch who couldn't give up her stupid steel to serve pure magic. A feeble-minded spawn of stupidity that went mad and died from immoderate sorcery and frequent transitions."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:55

"Funny. When your magic failed, when you sent me out again and again to do your secret, dirty work, I never heard anything like that," the witch said, the leather of her new glove creaking as her fingers clenched on the hilt of her sword. "On the contrary. When it came to stealing, intimidating, and killing, you sang the praises of my skills, will, and willingness to transition."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:57

"Do you hope to squeeze the power of the Foundation out of Spark's soul through nightmarish torture? Do you want to keep your sick mind on edge and prolong your existence a little longer? You are driven by the same fear. Only it comes from a different source."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:59

"And that's among other things," the witch said coldly. "But only among other things. While you were shaking with terror, I looked at you and wondered if no one would think how much was hidden in the essence of the Foundation. What power it is? What possibilities? But no, you're like a barnyard cattle, afraid of being taken by the tail and dragged away from a trough full of food. That's why Spark is mine. Not yours."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 14:00

The steel hissed faintly, sliding against the wood of the sheath. The witch unsheathed her blade, signaling a short salute to the magician.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:44

"Really?" The sorceress raised her eyebrows in feigned surprise. "No, really? You're going to try to kill me with this?"

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 14:01

She unclasped her hands, palms up. The air above her fingers rippled, as if over an invisible and hot flame.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 14:01

"No, of course not," the witch smiled miserably and, quickly folding the fingers of her left hand into a tricky figure, knocked down one of the candles at the edge of the circle with the tip of her blade.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:38

"Enjoy it."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:24

The Motley Ribbon curved without changing speed, never stopping, sliding over itself, tearing toward the gap in the magical defenses. With a furious cry, the magician threw a stream of fire in the witch's direction and was only a moment too late. The millipede was already making its way through the circle, the dried blood slowing the monster down, but it couldn't stop it completely. The sorceress wasted no time in cursing and further screaming. She turned toward the mindless foe, arms stretched forward. Her skin sizzled, dripping fat in the places where the implanted wires burned the flesh from the inside out.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:40

The ribbon snapped all its jaws at once and broke free. Liquid fire doused the carapace, burning away the lithics and symbols, ice coating the joints and claws, slowing its movements. But the monster crawled and crawled forward, writhing its multicolored body.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:41

The witch watched the battle unfold for a few moments. She decided not to get mixed up in the mad cycle of magical forces and ran up the stairs, leaving the two men to fight alone.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:19

* * *

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 11:31

Curzio drew the curtains. The islander didn't like bright light, preferring dusk. Besides, in the light of the exquisite, almost soot-free candles, Yulo's bulging eyes seemed almost normal. The conversation was not going well.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:19

"You have deceived me," Curzio accused. "You have concealed the most important thing from me. From me! A key executor. And I want no further part in it."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:20

"My friend..." The woman lightly adjusted the huge wig, and the man wondered how her neck could bear such a weight daily.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:21

"My friend, I would not say your choice is so broad. A rider does not change a horse at the crossing, and you understand that a horse cannot replace a rider at the crossing."

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:22

"A horse," the man gritted his teeth as if in readiness to spit.

Camrad_RIP 03.03.24 в 13:22