Nethra
To Nethra Sunaru this is nothing more than an easy pushover of a mission.
Find the weapon.
Get the weapon.
Get promoted.
All easy-peasy.
Or so she has thought at the start before she and her partner entered the labyrinth. Her partner, whose name she doesn't even bother to think of, also has no clue about where at the moment they are. Perhaps because she does not care to find the right way or even the weapon. All Nethra‘s partner is about is getting her payment to buy herself quirky and utter useless gadgets, that do nothing except take up space. Well, Nethra wouldn't care about this quirk, but the fact that she shares the cabin with this collector changes that. Those gadgets litter the place their narrow cabin offers. On bad days Nethra has to tiptoe around those gadgets and on worse ones she can barely leave or enter her tank. Damn this girl, she thinks while slogging after her partner. One day, I'll go ahead and throw the crap out or better into her tank when she sleeps. Maybe she gets electrocuted that way and I'm done with her…
Soon Nethra's mind wanders from her annoying happy-go-lucky roommate to the hornless Menkar. So, this is his best, long-time Bondmate… she muses and shows her sharp teeth in a humorless grin. Not only has he no horns, but he's also a midget. Remembering the despair in his face when she flipped him off, makes her smile. Serfin never shut up about the small fry but now she couldn't remember his name. For a few moments it hovers at the border of her mind. Almost unreachable.
Respin! That's it, she recollects and snaps her fingers. I wonder if Serfin still remembers me… Maybe I can rough them up for a bit. This'll be fun…
Even thinking about to play around with their minds and perception makes her giddy. But the smile spreading across her face is soon wiped away. From somewhere ahead, the sound of a few explosions echo through the labyrinth. A moment later the smell of ozone clogs the air. Suddenly, the ground starts to shake but before either Nethra or her partner can fall it stops. Both remain frozen for a few moments, then they start to move again. As she moves ahead Nethra unstraps her bow from her shoulder and places an arrow on the string. The glow of the hyperspace-bracelet clinging to the projectile for a few seconds.
"What the hell was that?" asks her small roommate a bit too happy.
"The hell I know," she replies annoyed.
Her partner chuckles nervously and pulls her carbon-fiber sword out from her bracelet.
While they walk ahead, they move through a bubble large enough to cover at least twenty feet of the temple area. A pleasant feeling tingles Nethra from the horns down her spine and to the tip of her short tail as she enters the perimeter. But after it ebbs away, she feels apprehension.
Everything around her is green again. Strange birds and other animals move through the thick-leaved plants. But they don't make any sounds and don't take note of her or her partner. Yet, the smell of flowers, wet earth, and water hover through the air.
A strange irrational fear that takes hold of her. But before Nethra‘s body can tighten up the green place starts to rot away and vanishes.
"What the hell was that?" she wonders aloud.
"How am I supposed to know?" her partner replies with a shrug and continues to move on. "Com'on! I think we're close!"
Although Nethra doesn't like her, she ought to give her some points for keeping calm. But then again she can't stand her being able to stay calm, when she almost freaked out.
As fast as possible and avoiding other such bubbles, Nethra follows her roommate until they arrive a few minutes later in the middle of the temple. Once they arrive by a massive tree, Nethra stops dead. In front of her are Serfin and Respin with a small fiendish looking creature. A moment later Nethra notices that Respin is holding someone or something on his back. But all she can see of this creature is an immense bush of long silvery-white hair as well as pale skinny limbs. The rest of the body is warped into Respin's jacket and some old gray rags.
Suddenly, it makes click in her head. He is holding the weapon the Empress wants! Nethra hasn't thought about the actual shape of the weapon, but now everything becomes clear. Nothing is better than a weapon that can think on its own, she thinks triumphant. But only if controlled and handled properly. The whole thing gets even easier if it can be mind controlled. Brilliant! But the fact that Respin holds this weapon right in front of her nose isn't as brilliant as her realization. It is a disaster.
Another idea strikes her cold and brilliant. I can mind-control this creature and let it kill Respin, Serfin as well as my partner for good measure. Although Nethra knows that it can be difficult to control a being of another sentient species, she deems it worth a try. Careful she stretches her mind out towards this creature.
The sensation is strange.
Despite being dormant the creature is much more aware than Nethra has thought possible. Still, this is nothing to deter a capable mind-controller like her. She knows her abilities and is confident to even bend this creature to her will.
Careful she stretches her mind again towards it.
Slow.
Meticulous.
Confident.
Something is not right.
Nethra feels lightweight all of a sudden. Almost as if her body starts to float. A second later something seems to shatter in her head and a for a split-second she sees an abhorrent monster charging her.
Then everything becomes black.
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