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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TwoHeadsBarking" data-source="post: 5009770" data-attributes="member: 82251">Haruka unpacks her bedroll off to the side and begins to take off her armor.  Those who watch notice that practically every inch of visible skin beneath her neck is covered with twisting, serpentine tattoos.  Those who stare notice that Haruka is glaring at them angrily.  Without a word, she slips into the bedroll and falls asleep.[sblock=Haruka dreams...]...and finds herself in the outskirts of the twisted marsh where she fought the Lady of Nightmares.  With a shiver, she enters.  Branches lazily reach out and coil around her pale limbs as she walks barefoot through the dark grass, but they do not hold tightly and she is able to continue unhindered.  Before long she finds herself standing at the bridge that led to the Lady’s hut.  It is much like how she saw it last, only now there are several dead bodies scattered across the landscape.  The closest is sprawled out on the bridge.  Curious, Haruka lightly steps over to the corpse and rolls it over onto its back, only to recoil in horror when she sees its face.  The body is hers, eyes rolled up into its head and with severe bruising around its neck.  Haruka’s eyes dart around from corpse to corpse, and she knows they are hers. She shakes her head in confusion, "This is a dream.  It isn’t real."    The temperature noticeably drops as a large shadow wells up behind Haruka.  First the shape is blurred and indistinct, but it rapidly convalesces into a large figure.   It wears ornate armor and a mask depicting a passive face.  All that can be seen of its flesh is smoke and shadows.  As the Oni speaks, the face on the mask moves appropriately.    "No, my daughter.  It is a dream, and it is real.  Or rather, it should have been real."    Haruka  winces, but does not turn around.  "Master?  What do you mean?  What are you doing here?"    The Oni slowly walks around Haruka "This is an interesting world you have brought me to.  Everything is less orderly, more…chaotic.  So different from our homeland, yes?  Even the gods of this land seem fickle and uninterested with their mortal worshipers.  Not at all how I favor you."  The Oni extends an armored claw and caresses Haruka’s cheek.  She shudders at the touch, but it seems not to notice.    "I have come to a decision, my daughter.  I will leave my siblings to their war against the Iron General.  Let them squabble amongst themselves and fritter away their resources.  You and I will start anew.  Here we will gather our strength.  There is power in this world, waiting for people willing to seize it.  And you are such a person, yes?"    Haruka smiles slightly at the compliment. "I am glad to hear it, master.  But what did you mean about how this should have been real?  What were you talking about?"    "I would have thought it obvious.  You should have died.  Do not look so surprised.  There was a point when you were expecting it, yes?  When you thought I had abandoned you."    The Oni appears beneath the bridge, standing over another body.  This one bobs up and down as it floats in the water.    "This," the Oni gestures at the corpse, "is what would have happened had you not managed to, shall we say, rekindle your flame.  It is what should have happened.  You should not have been able to do that.  But you did.  And I find that… interesting."    Suddenly both Haruka and the Oni are standing by the patch of burned vegetation.  In the center is a charred skeleton. "Even had you been able to defeat the Fey, your fires should have consumed you.  I taught you how to drain life into yourself, but I never taught you how to handle something like this.  One as inexperienced as you should not have been able to survive.  But you did.  And I find that… very interesting."    "Wait, are you telling me that I could have died, because you didn’t bother to teach me this?  I’m glad you find this very interesting because I-"    The Oni darts its hand out towards Haruka. Its fingers wrap around her face as it effortlessly lifts the girl off her feet.  "I am sure you meant to address me as 'Master', yes?  Your fire is appreciated, but perhaps you could stand to show more prudence as well." She struggles to break free, but it shakes her like a doll, stopping all resistance. "Do not forget that you enjoy a great number of my gifts.  And that which I give I can easily retake.  Were I to do so, I am sure you will have no trouble returning to your previous vocation, yes?"  At this, Haruka’s gaze turns from frightened to defiant. "Certainly some fishmonger or cloth merchant would be happy to take you on as an apprentice.  Perhaps not as exciting a life as you wanted, but certainly safer."    The Oni gently lowers Haruka to the ground, "Now, as I was saying, there is power waiting to be taken by those who are both willing and capable.  I knew you to be willing, but until recently I did not know you were capable.  I am, of course, pleased to see that you are.  I thought you might be; that is why I chose you.  When you awake, things will have changed.  Perhaps even for the better.  The next time you attempt to use your own essence as fuel it will go much easier for you.  At least, it should.  But you are very good at ignoring what should happen, yes?" The Oni giggles a little at its joke, but Haruka just glares.    "If it is power you’re offering, I accept."  A flicker of regret passes over her face.  "I don’t have much left to lose."    "You do not?  Hmm.  If you say so.  You should know there is one death here you have yet to outrun.  It has been delayed, but it is still a threat."  It  extends a claw at yet another corpse, lying nearby the skeleton.  This one has been hacked apart by a large blade.  "It would be a shame to outlive your enemies only to die at the hands of your allies, yes?  Be wary, my daughter.  I would not like to have to replace you."[/sblock]...and awakes with a start.  She props herself up on an arm and whispers to herself, testing to see if her voice has returned.  Apparently she is satisfied with the results, as she gently lowers herself down to the ground and drifts back to sleep.[sblock=ooc]Well, I'll use DM credits to get to 3, if it's allowed.  And once I actually finish my adventure.  Does that mean you'll need to make another official "here's your xp" post for the skill challenge?Oh, and while I was considering using the overhaul to switch my Pact, that last battle and the recent Dragon article changed my mind.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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