[center][h2]Freedom[/h2][/center] For a time, there was a silence in Sanvādam as a mutual hatred formed between Atmav and the Echoes that forced her to stay where she was. Having no bearing of time, Atmav only watched the Echoes moved back and forth, their white eyes burning into her very being. She could give a growl back as she fought the temptation to try and break free from her prison. However, restraint was the key to the situation as rushing to would merely lead to the swarm of soulless wretches attacking her from all sides, even if they certainly seemed a bit dull. They were nothing more but mere animals, incorporeal animals, but animals all the same. They would slash at another of one came to close which indicated some territorial nature between them, likely some personality that Vakk and they shared. Atmav learned much about this species, however, her mind was also thinking of how it was possible of how Vakk had become so powerful. She remembered how his form was not this gargantuan, or ugly for that matter, nor did he have the ability to will creatures to life. It was a strange chain of events that she could not fully comprehend since she simply missed whatever process had made Vakk into what he was. Her thoughts stirred as she heard utterances of words, the Echoes spreading a single word around themselves like a wildfire. “Talk,” they said. Their voices were hushed and many had stopped their movement to look in a singular direction. For a moment, she could only see the darkness of Sanvādam, then there cake the gargantuan form of a worm. Such a being was hard to forget, especially the form of the one that had brought her to life. “Hello, Vakk. Find what you were looking for?” Atmav asked, her voice was sarcastically indifferent towards the being she faced. Such bravado was something only fools would dare to do in a captive situation, but she knew that Vakk wanted her alive for the time being, even if it was just for torture. [color=9d8618]”Unfortunately, I have run into a problem and as such my item has been lost.”[/color] Vakk stated, looking down upon the still kneeling form of Atmav. [color=9d8618]”Have you had time to realize the position that you are in?”[/color] he asked, some tendrils gesturing to the numerous creatures that surrounded both of them. It was clear where the Lord of Talk was going with the conversation. Such talk was no surprise to Atmav, she had heard all the same from him before. “Yes. Though I must say, this reminds me of one of our first encounters. When I was merely a war-slave who was subjected to a war that I nor my brothers and sisters wanted,” Atmav reminisced, similarly indifferent to memory before she let out a yawn. She had thought about what to do, things that may get her freedom. [color=9d8618]”Do not try to change the subject, Atmav,”[/color] Vakk interrupted her thoughts. He leaned his head down a bit, before he continued to speak, [color=9d8618]”Why do you resist my will? You know your loyalty to your old master was waning by the time our final fight had come.”[/color] Atmav shook her head for a moment, knowing what Vakk was trying to do and unable to say anything about it lest he starts torturing her again. “I made a promise to protect him until my death,” she said before she began to feel cold. She knew what was going to come next, knowing that Vakk was going to use her words against her. [color=9d8618]”But you have already died. It was by my mercy that you were resurrected. I am giving you a chance, a chance to live a normal life in this place. The only price is that you do what I ask when I need you.”[/color] His offer seemed tempting, but she could not put things together properly. Hadn’t he last said that he planned to get them home? Perhaps he changed his mind and wanted to stay? She couldn’t think properly. There was too much noise around her, the Echoes had begun to repeat part of their conversation and they wouldn’t stop. She just needed them to be quiet. Atmav needed [i]silence[/i] [color=9d8618]”You will love the life you want. The Talk, nor I, will have any say in what you do.”[/color] All she wanted was freedom and here it was. She looked up before rising to her feet, slowly gauging his response. [color=9d8618]”Do you accept?[/color] She silently nodded. With that she was whisked away, Vakk’s tendril wrapping around her and navigating her through Sanvādam. The darkness gave way to light. She felt salt water spray on her face from the crash of waves against rocks, she could finally see a new world before she was forcibly thrown onto the ground. Despite her treatment, she was happy to just experience something other than torture and the coldness that had surrounded her. Atmav took in a breath of the air, slowly getting to her feet once more. Her four wings stretched out, finally being able to escape the cramped nature of her hell. [color=9d8618]”You are free to go.”[/color] She stopped taking in the scenery for a moment, turning to face the gargantuan form of Vakk, she cocked her head to the side, “But I do not know where we are. Where do would I go from here?” [color=9d8618]”It is your life. Figure it out for yourself.”[/color] “Can I at least have something to defend myself with?” Vakk seemed to think to himself for a moment. [color=9d8618]”No. Figure it out yourself, you were one a guardian. Now, I will remind you that I will call upon you when I need you. Other than that, you are free.”[/color] “How will I know you need me?” [color=9d8618]”I will send an animal to fetch you.”[/color] With that Vakk retreated back into the depths of his sphere, leaving the woman where she was with no clue as to where to go. She looked around and saw a storm brewing in the distance. However, as she had time to properly think, she could not understand why she so quickly agreed to the offer Vakk gave. Was she really that desperate to lead her own life? Or was it something that worm did to her mind? Atmav did not know, but she was at least happy to earn a modicum of freedom even if she would occasionally have to do things for someone who had once been her enemy. She let out a sigh and flapped her wings, taking her body into the air. Her mind continued to go back to the conversation, how it seemed like Vakk was able to achieve what he wanted so easily. It bothered her, it bothered her immensely. However, what was she able to do? He held the power in that situation and he made a deal that she could not have achieved otherwise. The storm grew closer, but she did not care. The winds grew, but she did not care. She couldn’t think straight and soon the storm was on top of her. The noise was everywhere. The rushing wind, the lightning, the rain. She was unaware of it all until she hit the sea water. [hr] The sound of splashing awoke her. “Is it okay?” “Do we even know what it is?” “I think it’s just an animal.” “Can we please just get back to the fun?” She moved her arms to push herself up, what she saw was a strange people that moved away from her upon her stirring. They seemed frightened even though she had been at their whim only a few moments before. Atmav slowly got to her feet and looked around, there was only them. “Should we get Yimbo?” one asked another. “Please, stop talking.” Atmav requested, the beings giving a shocked impression that she could speak. She looked them over, gauging their attitude. They certainly did not seem hostile, but she was always the cautious one and preferred to take no risks. Atmav took a single step towards them, they moved back. Another step, another few back. It seemed that they were cautious of her as well. “Who are you,” Atmav asked. “We’re the Selka,” one answered. Atmav stepped to the side. “Okay.” There was an uncomfortable silence between the two for a few moments. Atmav charged at them before she took flight, causing them to give shrill screams and running away. She could see that there were quite a few of these beings, most of them doing some form of celebration. However, as she climbed into the air, she could see no other sign of civilization and even then those [i]Selka[/i] had no shelter. This caused her to let out a sigh before she looked back down at the Selka, they seemed to be pointing at her. Some seemed worried, others seemed enthused to see her. She would have to keep an eye on them, but for the time being, she needed to find food. [Hider=Summary] Atmav gains her freedom after Vakk returns, the price of such being that she do what Vakk tells her to do when he needs her. She is taken out of the sphere, but all she can hear is the talk of the sphere. A byproduct of being in there for so long with nothing else but to listen. She then gets lost at sea. After a nondescript amount of time, she awakens on a shoreline to meet the some Selka who are just as cautious of her as she is of them. Atmav takes flight, some Selka and more of them see her. She decides some food would be good. No might spent. [b]Prestige[/b] 2 Prestige +2 4 Prestige Total. [/hider]