Time seemed to stand still as Terra and Nihl converged their minds to recap the last tidbits of information the Resistance required. They entered the world of heat and strings that was their shared spirit world, and spoke in hushed tones. It had been long since they had actually been one body, and Nihl could feel the strange tug of freedom that encompassed it. Admittedly, it was intoxicating.
"Nihl... Nihl..."
His attentioned snapped back to Terra, his should twitching to the left, answering with body language.
"When do you return? Pasert is worried that about you. We all are."
Nihl's hand gripped the hilt of his blade, a negative response. Not for a while. He could hear the sigh coming from Terra, the man was saddened by the apparent news. An apologetic gesture, a slight decline in head position.
"No, it's fine. There must be something out there that keeps you away."
Nihl twisted his head upward, and then back to Terra, his other half, quite literally. "Answers."
As the word passed his lips, a formless figure formed at the edge of his peripheral. Terra couldn't see it, but Nihl could feel the coldness that accompanied it. He twitched slightly, indicating he needed to go.
"Wait... answers to what?"
But it was too late, Nihl had turned.. what was once a formed humaniod broke into what seemed to be a million lines of string. A faint eight legged shadow dissipating behind him.
That was twenty minutes ago.
For once, a smile grazed his face behind his silken mask.
The slow passing of the tattered rags; the near debilitating smell of fresh death; and the ragged piece of paper that now flapped in his right hand, it all led to one thing - another contract. Unlike the rest of the contracts that the Resistance recieved, this one was specialized for Nihl, and had come from a time long passed. The messengeer passed himself off as a long dead deliverer, and that this had been his last assignment.
"Protect the I.M.P.A.Q.T. The future weaves in a odd pattern, but all things lead to the Nexus of Worlds, he shall be there, a participant.
-
The Red Sage."
Protect the I.M.P.A.Q.T. obviously this creature had some connection to his ancestor, one that had waged war with the other side of his family for as long as any could remember. Seraphics vs the Tsh'Rael's. Supposedly, though, the Sage and the Sacred of Creation were long dead.
Nihl looked out across the small room his body was situated in, at the white haired youth that he had once been at war with. An Uncle.
"Long live the Queen." A voice echoed, pretending that the ghost had not just been there. Joseph was speaking, but not in his voice. Rarely in his voice.
The youth eyed the paper, and smiled. "Another contract, nephew?" An affirmative nod.
"Well, you clearly must accept it. After all, it'll lead you to your answers."
Nihl rose from his seat, and placed his hand on his mask. It was secured on his face. Strangely, a part of him hoped for forgiveness. But why?
He looked towards Joseph, and then, as the youth spoke to the wind, a sharp dressed man appeared.
'I cannot condone this, but a favor for a favor." Liaison tapped his cane, and a portal opened.
Nihl, without hestitation, stepped through the portal to the Nexus of World's tournament. He appeared several feet away from I.M.P.A.Q.T and his entourage. Words echoed as his appeared, and one of those he landed near vanished almost immediately. It approached from the front, extending the contract towards the group, before speaking.
"The Red Sage sends his regards from a time long past. I am here to protect Isaiah."
He shifted to the left, a single string - unimportant - trailing behind him.
Scrawl Banditta
Ohm
KactusPunch