Fiction:Hysteria/Dialog

 was originally meant to be written in dialog form, like most fiction by the creator. However, it eventually came to a halt and no interest to return to it was present.

This is the written dialog of the story.

Prologue
It had only been a few days since the group had returned from the war at Talmyr. While they had successfully brought the Shiarchon Praetor Arcturus back to Dar-Nahalant with them, the mood around the fortress was less than optimistic. Because of it, had taken the liberty of calling back a number of individuals who worked with them before back to the fortress in hope of boosting their numbers. While they waited, the slept while leaning into a wall, while  and Norrigan sparred together to pass the time. remained over a table, but was nowhere to be seen. The elder Lagosi warrior,, remained close to the Sea Witch, his malformed face pointed downwards to the floor while the extensive vertical scar he had sustained from the Mad Pyromancer Xacutus had since ceased burning, although it remained ever present nonetheless. His younger accomplice and student,, was absent from the gathering.

The half-elven pirate,, was splayed over a table, fast asleep with a collection of rum bottles at the legs of the table itself - numbering at least five bottles scattered. The Orichalcum Elves, and  were elsewhere; Septimus was likely keeping to himself following the war, and Longinus was keeping a viciously watchful eye on their Shiarchon prisoner. The others,, , , and  were also somewhere else in the vastness of the citadel. Lekren isolated himself in one of the castle chambers, left alone to toy with his inventions and write down what he saw at Talmyr.


 * Norrigan - I sure hope our new old friends get in here soon.
 * Earath - You know who's coming?
 * Norrigan - Not really. I just enjoy extra company.
 * Earath - Father didn't mention who he was calling, other than it was folks we already know. I get the feeling he was unsure how many would accept returning.
 * Ndrhthryr - You'd think they'd run at the first sight of Vixaatus nowadays. 'Oh look, it's the apocalypse dragon'.
 * Earath - That... makes some sense.

At this moment, however, the new arrivals revealed themselves at the entrance of the fortress; the sound of the old doors of the hall opening and slamming against the wall the doorway was built into echoed throughout the room as the first of those invited practically danced into the room, having kicked open the doors with eager movement. His robes and trenchcoat swaying, the Inquisitor Paladin pranced into the hall, his arms perched above his head as he flexed his muscles, and an excited gaze met those already present from his dry eyes.


 * Alfgund - Never fear, my solemn companions; the brave! And stalwart! Alfgund is here!
 * Javina - By Pheonas, ever the loud one.

A puff of black smoke appeared suddenly next to the Inquisitor Paladin, rising enough to cover a man; once the dark cloud dissipated, Inquisitor Venator appeared from within it, looking smugly - yet at the same time visibly distressed - at both her companion and the rest of the team.


 * Javina - Though I presume dramatic arrivals do have a certain panache to them.
 * Sea Witch - ... W-what... Are we finally getting fortress servants?... Oh, it's just you.
 * Alfgund - I, the great Alfgund, a servant? Absolutely not! I am only servant to the Empire, Mannazia, and the great destiny of humankind!
 * Javina - Alfgund does have a point. We would enjoy an explanation for our call. Why is it that the Inquisition is called for service by those not of our order and not of the Empire?
 * Ndrhthryr - Long story short; the Shiarchon invaded the Dalmiric Kingdom and now they rule the west.
 * Norrigan - Indeed, my human friends! And you know what happens when those horrible creatures start messing around the world order. People die. Empires fall.

Javina clenched her chin. Sweat appeared on her brow, but she still continued to maintain her cool. Alfgund, meanwhile, approached Norrigan and eagerly clasped ahold of his hand in a firm, brotherly handshake as he patted the Visonian knight's armoured shoulder.


 * Javina - ...A great pity. To know that another nation of men fell would be a great grief to all peoples of the Empire. Black banners shall be raised above the Imperial Center tonight.

It was then that Longinus walked into the room, his eyes passing at the human Inquisitors before looking at the residents of the fortress.


 * Longinus - Vixaatus did not tell me that we were expecting visitors.
 * Norrigan - That is because you spend your whole day staring at the Shiarchon, friend. He warned everyone.
 * Alfgund - Nobody expects the Imperial Inquisition!
 * Norrigan - We did. We knew you were coming. Well... we knew someone was coming.
 * Alfgund - ... It appears you are all far more solemn than I had first anticipated. My apologies, my friends, if I had known the mood was so somber, I'd have not barged upon my path with such inappropriate glee.
 * Sea Witch - Yeah, we kinda let the Shiarchon destroy the Dalmiric Kingdom. It left a few people moody. As for me, "moody" is my standard mood.
 * Longinus - Nevertheless, our prisoner appears to be compliant. The threat of an excruciating death seems to work on a Shiarchon.

As Alfgund analyzed the group and began to read the mood, attempting to calm himself in the process, he felt something pierce through the upper half of his Inquisitorial hat with enough force to swipe it from his head - a crossbow bolt. Turning, his brow furrowed and his teeth bared in agitation at the sight of the lithe, slender elven woman who strode - barefoot - into the hall, eyeing the Orichalcum Elf with a neutral expression on her face, as if dismissing the Mannazian Inquisitor's irritance.


 * Khadya - ... I would hate to experience whatever it was you had in mind for him should he not have complied.
 * Norrigan - Ah! It is our other friend, the orc girl! Greetings!
 * Khadya - Ah yes, I remember you. The charming knight with bountiful eyes. And the rest of you. ... It is a pleasure to see you all again.
 * Sea Witch - Hi. I see you're still walking around naked. Stupid youth.
 * Khadya - You should try it sometime, Sea Witch. It really leases the weight from your shoulders when you have nothing to weigh you down.
 * Earath - ... Yeah, anyway. I take you're all of Father's reinforcements. Better than nothing, I suppose.
 * Alfgund - Better than nothing? Why, I think you shall find that we are more than enough!
 * Javina - ...Eh... yes. - Javina covered her face - ...Ehm.

At this moment, Clothovera entered the chamber. She stumbled on her steps, holding into the All-Knowing staff like a walking cane. And her eyes were blank and pitched black, tears of blood falling out of them into the floor. Hachi moved behind her, his hands on her shoulders as she moved into the hall, a look of concern written on his face.


 * Clothovera - ... Guys... I don't feel well...

Longinus immediately took his spear into his hand, somewhat disturbed at the sight of the young witch.


 * Longinus - That's the Sanguine Plague! Mortals do not have a cure for that illness!
 * Javina - Sanguine Plague?! Have we not already vanquished the Blood God?
 * Hachi - Yeah, thanks for the support, Longinus. That really helps. ... Sweetheart, take a seat just in case you fall over.
 * Longinus - Blood God? I speak of that plague that causes mortals to bleed out of their eyes and orifices...or has that been extinguished in the modern age?
 * Alhazred - Not a mere illness, Longinus. I feel a dark energy flowing through Clothovera. Malevolent energy. Hachi, keep distance from her.
 * Hachi - Huh, why? I feel fine.

Clothovera's hair launched itself upwards and the witch let out a blood-curled scream as her skin lost its pigment, turning nearly pitch white. A shockwave of dark magic was blasted around her, hitting Hachi and other nearby objects, which caused him and whatever items the dark aura struck to be launched from where they had been positioned prior. The Lagosi collided with the female Inquisitor, while Alfgund raised his shield as cups, knives, chairs, and tables were thrown across the length of the hall in all directions. As the table that Pelagrios was asleep upon tumbled over with him upon it, the pirate remained fast asleep, completely oblivious to the situation. Clothovera's fangs grew in size, resembling vampiric teeth as she pointed the All-Knowing to the team while letting out somewhat animalistic growls and hisses.


 * Sea Witch - What the hell is happening?!
 * Alhazred - I feel the powers of flowing through her body. She has been corrupted by him again!
 * Ndrhthryr - This is exactly what we need right now.
 * Earath - We need to immobilize her!
 * Alfgund - Worry not! The brave and stalwart Alfgund shall neutralize her!

Throwing out his arms, the Inquisitor glared at the manic witch-girl with an almost sorrowful glare, sighing deeply as the debris around the room began to gradually levitate; Alfgund stepped towards the dark mage, rocks and stones - both blunt and sharp - beginning to circle around his form as he prepared to launch them as if they were projectiles. However, before the Inquisitor could initiate his assault, Kanna moved to flank Clothovera with his Lagosi dexterity and aimed to strike at the back of her head with the butt of the hilt of his blade. The girl was hit and screeched as she fell face-first into the ground, letting go of the All-Knowing. The staff, however, remained raised and then begun levitating. A voice was emitted from it, a voice they could recognize.


 * All-Knowing - As I have already exclaimed... the girl is gone.
 * Hachi - ... I know that voice.
 * Javina - It lives?!
 * All-Knowing - Indeed, young Lagosi... You are all here... to watch young Clothovera's fall... to servitude.

Hachi growled as he stood up, dusting himself off from where he had been thrown and approached the staff, a hand on his katana as he glared intently at the godly artefact with his lone eye.


 * Hachi - You have no business here anymore, Zran Kar. ... You were defeated. You should have stayed gone.
 * All-Knowing - Ignorant child. I was not defeated... I won our little schism.
 * Sea Witch - What is your damn problem?! We're in the middle of a war with the Adversary!
 * All-Knowing - Leave the war of the gods... to the gods, Alvinian. I do as I please... and young Clothovera's family line is mine.
 * Javina - She will never be a slave!
 * Alfgund - How cruel! How utterly preposterous! ... Such a damnable curse!
 * Hachi - I freed Clothovera! And I can - will - do it again if I have to! ... Why do you insist on hurting her like this? What has she ever done to deserve it?
 * Sea Witch - ... Hachi! Kiss her again!
 * Earath - Isn't that kind of inappropriate right now?
 * Khadya - Depending on your perception, that kind of thing is never inappropriate.

Hachi moved towards Clothovera swiftly, moving to take her into his arms the same way he had done on the last night of the Vampire War - albeit, somewhat disgusted by how her fangs had grown from beyond what they were when she was the Countess and how her orifices leaked with warm, fresh blood - and prepared to initiate yet another kiss, attempting to keep her restrained so that she would not potentially hurt him or herself. Unlike before, however, kissing her appeared to have no effect, as she retaliated by attempting to bite his mouth aggressively.


 * Javina - Alas, the power of love dissipates in the face of deceit.
 * Alfgund - ... I was just bound to proclaim such, you wicked heathen! Now I know for certain that your sinisters eyes have trawled the pages of my journals!
 * Javina' - ...What? No-
 * All-Knowing - You did not truly expect... for me to fall for the same trick... twice in a row, did you?
 * Hachi - Grr... Y-You bastard...! Let her go or I'll make you regret not finishing me off when you had the chance, you parasite!

Norrigan approached the downed Clothovera, pushing Hachi out of the way as he put a foot on her back, keeping her in place. The knight then rose his sword, which was engulfed in lightning.


 * Norrigan - I'm very sorry, friend. She must be purged.
 * Javina - I concur. Sacrifices are to be made in this situation.
 * Sea Witch - Yours, maybe.
 * Hachi - ... What the hell do you think you're doing?!
 * Alfgund - Aye! Restrain the damnable maiden, not execute her!
 * Norrigan - I am freeing her from the demon's control. Such a pity. She was young and had much to live for. But now, she must die. May Isiris grant her eternal rest.
 * Alfgund - I object to such a claim! If the dear Clothovera had tasted liberty once, she can taste liberty once again!

In a fit of action, as if unsure of what else to do, the Inquisitor Paladin launched his shield at the Visonian knight in an attempt to knock him off his balance, while Hachi dashed to restrain Clothovera in her primal, frothing state. The shield collided with Norigan's helm, letting out a loud clanking sound as the knight then fell back, unconscious.


 * All-Knowing - Such interesting outcomes... will you try and save her... will you kill her... will you fail?
 * Hachi - You're the All-Knowing... You already know we're going to save her!
 * Alhazred - ... I believe I know a way to save Clothovera.
 * All-Knowing - Oh? Let us hear it then... my old friend.
 * Alhazred - Hmpf. If we cannot remove the corruption from the outside, perhaps we can do it from the inside. We must venture into the depths of Clothovera's soul and rip Zran Kar's influence out of it manually.
 * Hachi - ... You're suggesting we go inside Clothovera? ... E-Excuse me for a moment, Al, but... b-but I think t-that might be just a little bit awkward since, well... B-Boyfriend and all...
 * Alhazred - Idiot. I said venture into her soul, not her body. We transport ourselves to her mind.
 * Hachi - ... And you lost me completely.
 * Norrigan - No offense, friend, but you're kind of stupid.
 * Kanna - That's rich.
 * Khadya - So, if I may interlude, you suggest we lobotomize the All-Knowing's infestation from her psyche? ... I am unsure if any of us present are capable of accomplishing merely invading her mind, let alone modifying it.
 * All-Knowing - Because you are weak. You give up so soon. I see how much you care for the young girl. And by that, I mean you do not.
 * Ndrhthryr - For the All-Knowing, it isn't very smart.
 * All-Knowing - Then prove me wrong.
 * Kanna - No, it is. It knows how to strike at our vulnerabilities and make us feel hopeless or vulnerable, and get us worked up and lose our concentration. ... Speaking of which, why has nobody attempted getting rid of that thing by now?
 * All-Knowing - As if you could... I am now one with young Clothovera... and your mortal weapons cannot damage me...

The All-Knowing circled over the team's heads, leaving a trail of darkness behind it.


 * All-Knowing - Will you attempt going into the depths of madness?... Young Clothovera is not exactly... a role model of sanity... and my influence may have pushed her... slightly over the edge.
 * Norrigan - This is why I'm suggesting killing her! You heard the floating stick! It's hopeless!
 * Alfgund - Take no offence when I proclaim that you are out of your depth when it comes to making major decisions within such circumstances, dear Norrigan. Silence.
 * Longinus - I would usually agree with whoever concerns themselves with extinguishing evil presences. Though I would much rather prove a god wrong.
 * Hachi - You think this is bad, Zran Kar? You really think that? You haven't seen anything of Clothovera's insanity! You didn't see her when she attempted to make me eat my underwear for saying she shouldn't skip breakfast! ... Wait.
 * All-Knowing - Keheheheh. Young Lagosi... I am her insanity. She is my property.
 * Hachi - Wouldn't be the first time I defiled your property, parasite. ... I mean, invading your homerealm.
 * Alhazred - Get everyone willing to venture into her head. I will send us there.
 * All-Knowing - Yes... try it... I will not stop you... I would rather watch you fail...
 * Kanna - Come on, people, you heard the book! Get your stuff together and hold onto your asses; we're going on yet another fun adventure.

Norrigan grabbed Clothovera and restrained her upon a table, while the All-Knowing continued to hover over their heads. The Sea Witch looked at the witch with an expression of worry, something not usual for her to do at all. Hachi approached the Sea Witch, glancing down at Clothovera with his face contorted into an angry frown, while Kanna began gathering his equipment.


 * Earath - I'll let you guys deal with that. I'll stay here in case something happens.
 * Norrigan - Likewise. I believe I would not resist the temptation to purge the girl if I venture in her head.
 * Longinus - ...I believe it may be more beneficial if I remain behind. Fortifying Dar-Nahalant in the case of Sanguinaries attacking, or perhaps Void Denizens.
 * Alfgund - Bah! Then the task is left up to I to venture forth inward into the young woman and dare to remove the wretched flower of impurity that has blossomed within the loins of her very lineage!
 * Longinus - Hmph. Go and find Septimus if you are so concerned with your safety in this task.
 * Sea Witch - Septimus! Riad! Pelagrios!... Is the bastard still asleep?
 * Ndrhthryr - Hold on.

Ndrhthryr went over to Pelagrios, still stone-cold asleep on the floor. Shouting at the top of whatever remnants of his lungs that he had left, Ndrhthryr's room-shaking roar was just enough to spur Pelagrios into waking up.


 * Pelagrios - ...Am I dead?
 * Sea Witch - Close enough. Where's mister blue and mister gold anyway?
 * Kanna - In mister gold's bed chambers, I would imagine.

Around the corner, Riad's light foosteps was heard as he entered the hall with his knife in his hand, almost interpreting the Sea Witch's call as a command for help. Septimus followed moments after from the opposite direction, with a blade tied to his belt.


 * Septimus - How insensitive do you think an Aurelian's hearing is, Lagosi?
 * Sea Witch - Hey there. Clotho's leaking blood and Zran Kar's possessing her. Get over here.
 * Septimus - Why is it always the girl?
 * Riad - Probably because of the staff...I think they already worked it out.
 * Sea Witch - It's also floating all over the ceiling and spouting snarky giggles at us. We're venturing inside Clotho's mind and removing Zran Kar out of it the old fashioned way.
 * Riad - Old fashioned way? You've done this before?
 * Sea Witch - I meant beating him up until he leaves.
 * Riad - Oh. That I know how to do.
 * Alhazred - Are you all prepared to go? There is no telling what awaits us inside Clothovera's mind.
 * Pelagrios - Rum, if there's any luck.
 * Hachi - ... No rum. I know Clothovera the best of any of us here... except Alhazred, maybe. And Nyakik. Anyway! ... I think you should all be extra cautious. It will be dangerous. It will be weird. ... We must be careful not to cause any permanent damage. Pelagrios.
 * Alhazred - Very well. Here we go.

The team found themselves surrounded by a magic aura as Alhazred begun chanting incantations. Before the eyes of those who chose to stay behind, they disappeared from sight, and Clothovera's eyes widened as a feeling of great itching was felt in her brain.

Nyakik Village
The team's vision returned to normal almost immediately, and they found themselves in a very simple home, the walls and floor made of stone. It only took a few moments for the Sea Witch, Hachi and Kanna to realize this was the interior of the Skull Cave.


 * Sea Witch - ... We're back home?
 * Hachi - Alhazred! You teleported us to the wrong place!
 * ??? - Who the hell are you people? Oh, wait. It's just you loads.

A voice spoke behind them. Hachi turned his head instinctively as his ears twitched, while Kanna shifted his whole body to look around at where the voice had come from. Revealing itself to them was a hunchbacked, masked Lagosi, the mask itself moving its eyebrows in a frown. He used a walking cane stylized like a katana, which he rose and shook in the air.


 * ??? - You damn people never heard of knocking?!
 * Kanna - Calm it, old timer, we'll be out of your fur soon.
 * Hachi - ... Hey Kanna?
 * Kanna - Yeah?
 * ??? - Yeah?

At that moment, Kanna's eyes widened and he froze momentarily, feeling a cold shiver tingle through his spine as he heard the decrepid, even elder Lagosi warrior reply to the young Hachi's inquiry. The old warrior turned to his even older counterpart, his face expressing a concoction of confusion and distress.


 * Kanna - ... You're not Kanna. I'm Kanna.
 * ??? - Yes I bloody am Kanna! And so are you! I am you!
 * Kanna - No... I don't wear a goofy looking mask like that. It's not even an authentic war-mask. And... And I don't skulk around like that!
 * ??? - Yes you do, you git. I am Kanna, by the eyes of the one in charge of this place. You. Stupid rabbit thing.
 * Alfgund - Hohoho! Yes, it is clear to me now; the teleportation was, indeed, successful! Yes, we are already well on our way to ridding the fair maiden's mind of the blood rot!
 * Sea Witch - A Kanna inside Clotho's psyche... I'll call you Psycho Kanna.
 * Psycho Kanna - And I'll call you a smelly, grumpy, irritating bag of bones and feathers. And what's up with your face, monkey boy? You look like what happens when a girl has an eventful meeting with a rock golem in a dark alley.
 * Pelagrios - Heh.
 * Javina - You've pierced the very fabric of souls! That is both strange and dreadful - but dreadfully fascinating.
 * Alfgund - ... Your wretched words pierce my stonelike flesh far more than any blade or bullet, crone!
 * Kanna - Heh, what do you know? It might just be me after all.
 * Psycho Kanna - I know why you things are here. You want to stop the Bloodstream. Well, you can turn back and leave because no way you're gonna succeed.
 * Hachi - W-What? Clothovera's bloodstream? N-No, we don't want to kill her!
 * Psycho Kanna - Not what I meant, you one-armed, one-eyed imbecile. The corruption! The thing destroying this place! We call it the Bloodstream.

Psycho Kanna pointed his cane to a window. At the skies, the team could see what looked like a massive red vein which pulsated every few seconds.


 * Psycho Kanna - Stupid girl decided it'd be a good idea to keep a dark god's staff like it wouldn't leak evil energies everywhere and turn her mad. What kind of idiot does that?
 * Lekren - A most disturbing sight.
 * Javina - ...How did you even get here, little dragon?
 * Lekren - I am not very talkative. Just because you have not chosen to notice me before does not mean I necessarily did not witness the events that the All-Knowing spurred.
 * Psycho Kanna - Yeah yeah, pretend you care all you want. No one can defeat the Bloodstream.
 * Hachi - Well, we tend to have a knack for doing the impossible. I mean, I don't intend to toot my own horn, if you know what I mean, but uh... You were there when I freed Clothovera the first time. And fought Zran Kar.
 * Psycho Kanna - Yeah and he got so bored he let you win and left. Good job.
 * Hachi - Hmph. Unless Zran Kar is here himself, which I doubt due to how Simulacra work, then we have a chance of defeating the Bloodstream.
 * Psycho Kanna - If you're so inclined to kill yourselves, then I suppose I should explain this place to you. This place is divided in five Spheres. You are currently in the Sphere of Happiness, where Clothovera keeps all of her happy thoughts. Her own personal happy world, if you'd like. The Bloodstream originates all the way from the Sphere of Love, at the deepest reaches of her mind.

Psycho Kanna walked over to a wall and scratched his cane in it, causing drawings to appear.


 * Psycho Kanna - From here, you must go into the Sea of Sorrows to reach the Sphere of Wrath. Then you go to the Sphere of Desire. Then to the Sphere of Terror. If you last that long, you arrive to the Sphere of Love.
 * Ndrhthryr - Well. That sounds horrible.
 * Lekren - Or fascinating.
 * Psycho Kanna - I'd not set foot anywhere beyond the Sphere of Happiness. And this place is already so sweet it makes me nauseated.
 * Kanna - I was going to say, I don't feel so fond of the sounds of this place either. ... I can only imagine why you live in the Sphere of Happiness when you're about as sore and wrinkled as my ass.
 * Psycho Kanna - I'm flattered. And I'm here because everywhere else is falling apart. How about you go outside and see it for yourselves? Take the opportunity and leave already so I can go back to mope over the fact we're all going to die.
 * Kanna - Alright, we will. ... You first, Alvy.
 * Sea Witch - Don't you ever call me that again.

The Sea Witch, followed by the others, left the Skull Cave and were bathed in sunlight, and they could see this place was definitely not the real world: flowers were shaped in the form of little cat heads and so were the fruits of trees around them. In the sky, clouds were also shaped like cats, and the sun itself appeared to have a cartoony cat smile in it. Hachi's face brightened into a wide, open smile as he looked in awe at the wondrous landscape, while Kanna had to be restrained by Alfgund not to retreat back into the gloomy innards of the Skull Cave.


 * Hachi - This looks... great!
 * Sea Witch - It looks like a five year old's idea of a perfect world! My eyes!

However, something else could be seen in the sky, most specifically where the Bloodstream was coming from. Over the horizon, a red vortex of fire and brimstone loomed, the blood vein apparently emerging from its center, and it moved side to side, releasing torrents of blood over the distant landscape every few moments. Hachi grimaced at the sight of the raining blood while Kanna tilted his head to analyze it, with Alfgund and Khadya stepping forward to take a closer look at the effects of the monstrous phenomenon to the surrounding, joyous landscape.


 * Khadya - Speak of that time of the month--
 * Alfgund - You dare and I shan't hesitate to batter your heathen face, elf.
 * Javina - The greatest enjoymen of beauty, it seems, does come only when this beauty is taken away from us- I mean... eh... - Javina closed her mouth.

Progressing, the team eventually found themselves in what looked like a village made of small, primitive huts. At its center laid a large statue of. As the Sea Witch approach to inspect it, she was suddenly tackled by several small versions of Nyakik, who also begun surrounding the team while letting out loud, feminine giggles.


 * Nyakik 1 - Hai! I am Nyakik! And this is best friend, Nyakik!
 * Nyakik 2 - Hai! I am Nyakik! Don't forget friend, Nyakik!
 * Nyakik 3 - Hai! I am Nyakik! And there is other friend too!
 * Nyakik 4 - Hello. I am Bob.
 * Kanna - ... Get me out! I changed my mind! I-- I think I'll help the other guys with the fortress! Don't make me stay here!
 * Hachi - Strange. Nyakik was never this friendly. ... Or friendly at all, for that matter.
 * Nyakik 1 - Lagosi... Such a CUTE!
 * Lekren - Does she really percieve her pet in such a way?
 * Alfgund - It would surprise me not. ... The maiden does take after our dear Sea Witch, after all.
 * Sea Witch - What'd you mean with that?
 * Kanna - I think he might be referring to the fact that someone who is brought up by an old hag living in a cave, living off Smeever soup and spending all day talking to a crow might not come out in the best of shapes.
 * Sea Witch - Not my fault Squarks is the only one who understands me.
 * Nyakik 2 - Welcome to... Nyakik Village! You speak crow! You want speak to chieftain then!
 * Kanna - No. No that's not what we want at all--
 * Hachi - Y-Yes, yes, let's go meet the chieftain of this place.
 * Ndrhthryr - I'm going to die in a girl's mind.
 * Khadya - They call that sort of thing "the little death", don't you know--
 * Alfgund - I swear in Great Ahmalhrich's name!
 * Javina - And I swear by Pheonas and all five of His faces.
 * Riad - And Nalashtannylor and his nine faces. Though I doubt Kinmorunddraver would want me to do that.

The swarm of Nyakiks giggled as they rushed at the team, who found themselves carried by them and taken to the other side of the village. They put the team down in front of what looked like a psycho version of the Sea Witch's pet crow, and they could see it wore a crown made of pebbles.


 * Psycho Squarks - Bwagh! Welcome to the Hysteria!
 * Sea Witch - ... Can't say I expected that.
 * Psycho Squarks - Bwagh! Must help us! Bloodstream will kill us all! Bwagh!
 * Septimus - I am somewhat lost now.
 * Hachi - Ah, Squarks. Even in Clotho's mind, he is still as irritating as ever. ... Where's your master, Squarks?
 * Psycho Squarks - Bwagh! Sea Witch at the end of Sea of Sorrows. Guarding over entrance to Sphere of Wrath.
 * Kanna - Hah. I thought she would be.
 * Psycho Squarks - Bwagh! Find Forest Sage! She guide you to Sea!

The Nyakiks mashed into each other, taking the form of a large hand which proceeded to point at the woods near the village. Having no choice but to follow their directions, the team proceeded into the cat-decorated forest until they stumbled into another character: it was a psycho version of, except she had the proportions and body shape of a deer, and a saddle on her back. Mounted on her was a rock with a face carved on it.


 * Psycho Ophellatar - Moo.
 * Khadya - Ooh! Ooh! It's a deer, it's a deer! Allow me to reach for my crossbow--
 * Psycho Mikko - You can grab me instead, babe.
 * Khadya - ... E-Excuse me?
 * Sea Witch - The rock. The rock is talking.
 * Lekren - Should I write this story down, I will most definitely omit this section. Otherwise my readers would likely accuse me of intaking opiates.
 * Psycho Mikko - You can put your hands over me aaaaall night long, and then we can vanish into the forest and never be seen by pesky other eyes again. Isn't that right, Latar?
 * Psycho Ophellatar - Moo.
 * Ndrhthryr- The walking corpse would love this.
 * Sea Witch - Don't tell me you are the forest sage.
 * Psycho Mikko - That would be me alright. Forests, natures, all that jazz. All me, babe.
 * Hachi - Nngh... This guy's such a pervert!
 * Psycho Mikko - And who's talking? I don't need magic powers to smell your thoughts for Clothovera, little man. And the elf. And the woman with the hat.
 * Hachi - I-It's not like that at a-all! S-Stop making me look bad in front of the others!
 * Psycho Mikko - I don't blame you though, these are some fiiiiiine legs.
 * Sea Witch - Okay, enough of this charade. Tell us where the Sea of Sorrows is before I crack you in half.
 * Psycho Mikko - Woah woah, no need for violence, ey? The Sea of Sorrows is just north from here. Look for the fellows by the name of Pelagrios and Riad and they'll take you all across. You better hurry, too, because the Bloodstream's getting worse. And that thing's totally cramping my style, hm?
 * Lekren - That being said, I do indeed wonder if I have taken opiates recently.

The Sea of Sorrows
After partaking in the knowledge of the great forest sage, that is a rock with a deer for a mount, the team followed his directions in order to arrive to the Sea of Sorrows. After about ten minutes of venturing in the forest, passing by what they could assume were badly constructed stone copies of the, each decorated with little cat faces, they found themselves arriving to what appeared to be a small coastal city, vaguely similar to the same city where some members of the group met Clothovera little more than a year ago. Walking around were many and more of the same horde of Nyakiks they had found earlier, except these were wearing tiny pirate outfits.

Khadya could barely contain herself as she knelt to stroke and pet the cats at her feet, enamoured with their rather adorable choice of uniform, while Alfgund eyed the surrounding environment for anything that may strike him as suspicious - or rather, more suspicious than the immediate, bizarre setting he had become immersed him. Hachi thought to himself, licking his lips at the hope of rum, as Kanna had to tug and restrain him from wondering near any bars or pubs.

Javina was, if anything, terrified. The alien landscape around her, unnatural as well as grossly cute, made her shiver, to which Feli more than agreed, judging by the way she seemingly shrank in size from fear. Lekren, however, seemed to be interested and appeared to memorise every location, his monocle shining in the alien light as he turned from Nyakik to Nyakik. Pelagrios gazed around the surroundings, wide-eyed, and then his eyes furrowing as he was lacking the ability to understand what was exactly going on around him. Ndrhthryr held tightly on to his axe, his head sharply turning in whatever direction he saw something move.


 * Ndrhthryr - I'm never doing this again, just so everyone knows.
 * Sea Witch - You and me both.
 * Hachi - I never took Clotho for being such an... imaginative person, admittedly. Not like this, anyway.
 * Javina - I shall admit, I am a cat person, but even that is too much for me.
 * Khadya - So, you appreciate small, adorable pussies as well.
 * Pirate Nyakik - Hai! I am cute small pussy! Yarrr!

Khadya giggled as she crouched and embraced the kitten in her arms, hugging it and cooing affectionately while Alfgund merely stared at the elf in a befuddled manner, taken somewhat off-guard by the sudden display of uncontrolled excitement which contrasted with her "typical" manipulative tendencies - as was common with all elves to Alfgund, of course. The Sea Witch approached the pirate-themed Nyakik in Khadya's arms and put her finger against its snout, causing its face as a whole to shrink in size as it smiled mischevously.


 * Sea Witch - Okay, you awful creature of the night. Where are Pelagrios and Riad?
 * Pirate Nyakik - Rum man and bodyguard! Harbor!
 * Kanna - We should have known.
 * Pelagrios - But we're right here.
 * Pirate Nyakik - Very harbor!

Having no choice but to go deeper into the city, the group eventually arrived to the docking bay, where they could see a medium-sized ship with flags decorated with pictures of drinks. Sitting on a crate was Clothovera's equivalent of Pelagrios, who appeared mostly the same as the original sans a much thicker beard. Her equivalent of Riad was also there, and while physically identical to the actual elf, he appeared visibly taller and more muscular, with a frown on his face. Kanna tilted his head, his brow furrowing at the sight of the two copies.


 * Kanna - Oh, come on! Why is it that I am a frail, grumpy old man in her mind, yet the pirate and the elf look the same or better?!
 * Lekren - I shall admit, the romantic aura that pirates exude does win over many of the more intellectually limited women. Although, I hoped that Clothovera is not be one of them.
 * Riad - Huh. I guess I actually am the brains and brawns of the operation.
 * Pelagrios - Very funny...no wait...I guess you're right.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - As I was saying. Rum. Mine... Who's that handsome devil?

The mind-spawned pirate pointed at his real counterpart.


 * Psycho Pelagrios - You look like me. That makes you incredible.
 * Pelagrios - I was about to say the same thing.
 * Sea Witch - We gotta go to some place called Sphere of Wrath. The 'forest sage' says you can take us there.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Sphere of Wrath? Yes. That I can do. But rum first.

With a snap of his fingers, bottles of rum appeared over the fake Pelagrios's head, which then poured down on his mouth.


 * Pelagrios - I've got to learn that trick.
 * Javina - Wait! Before you go, make as much alcohol for me as possible! Arak, rum, vodka - anything! I can't possibly take this place sober!
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Only rum here, miss legs. But that I can also do. I am the king of rum around here. Isn't that right, Riad?

The Psycho Riad replied by smacking the Psycho Pelagrios's head, sending the pirate face-first into the ground rather violently. After a few moments, he got back up, visibly unharmed.


 * Psycho Pelagrios - Yep.
 * Khadya - Mmm, mayhaps we should stay for just a short while longer to become more acquainted with these... mirror people.
 * Riad - Well. At least Clothovera has an honest view of us.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - So yeah, get on the ship. Don't wanna waste time now that the seas are getting more sorrowful. What with the giant angry blood tentacle destroying the world and all.
 * Kanna - Agreed. I am uncertain how much time is passing while we are here, and how much time is being spent in the world outside of Clothovera's mind. ... It barely feels like hours, but really, it could be much longer.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Try asking that to someone who understands clocks. And is sober. Like the Lekren fellow. He likes clocks. Clockwork.
 * Septimus - One dreads to imagine how Clothovera exaggerates the Klaxxa.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Also I'm gonna need your help for a thing while we're sailing. It's season and they like to try and jump on the ship. You all ever shot harpoons before?
 * Khadya - Hah! You are talking to the girl who fought the-- Actually, wait, you would not know of it. Yes, I have launched harpoons in my experience.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - I don't know anything. I just know you're a talking, walking cleavage.
 * Pelagrios - She really has me figured out.
 * Javina - Kill me.

As the team boarded the ship, they could notice it had more pirate Nyakiks as its crewmates, and once they left the docking bay, the ship begun sailing at the direction opposite of the Bloodstream, where nothing could be seen over the horizon. The fake Pelagrios created drinks for everyone as they could see fish jumping out of the water, until they came across what looked like a fake. He also jumped in and out of the water, chasing after the fish.


 * Psycho Mhor - Come back here. You won't eat yourselves.

Lekren opened his eyes in confusion.


 * Riad - Well.
 * Alfgund - Whatever is that beastman doing?
 * Psycho Pelagrios - That's the bear guy. Showed up recently. Really, really, really likes fish.
 * Ndrhthryr - Clotho's got a good judge of character.

The ship continued to sail to many minutes more, with no destination visible. Over the horizon, they could see what looked like super-deformed versions of and Zhmagaralahtius beating each other's heads with tentacles, and the Sea Witch did little but drink from one of the bottles of rum, giving up on making sense of the situation. Javina, however, did not so much drink as devour bottle after bottle, leaving them empty with nearly inhuman speed and then immediately drop them in the sea. Lekren looked at the scene in confusion, but neverthless kept his journal on, writing something constantly. Kanna drank in a reserved fashion, however, as he sat beside the Sea Witch and looked over the open waters cautiously while Hachi, after just two bottles, had fallen asleep on the deck of the ship and curled into a ball position. Septimus merely looked at the bottle of rum in disdain, his eyes curling at it in great curiosity. Alfgund glanced at Javina in disgust as she drank, having refused participation.


 * Alfgund - Only Ahmalhrich knows for certain how an Inquisitor such as yourself can drink so... haphazardly in such dire times. And proceed to litter a poor maiden's mind with emptied bottles.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Hey. Leave the gal be. Everyone can drink all the time on my ship. Hell, it's a rule, even. Drink. Rum. Mine, though. Don't touch mine.
 * Alfgund - I had better not. I may do something I shan't be proud of.
 * Javina - No fallen women in this world. No chance to fall to sin again. - Javina took another bottle while mumbling - Must drink. Must drink. Can't take this.

At this moment, the fake Riad smacked the fake Pelagrios, beating his head against the ship's wall and then pointed forward. It was then that the imaginary captain noticed several Merkan jumping out of the water, hissing at the group's direction.


 * Psycho Pelagrios - MAN THE HARPOONS. Harpoons. Man them. Fish. Harpoon the fish.

Khadya, who had been admiring the powerful frame and physique of the imitation of Riad while having drank from the endless reserves of rum, moved swiftly to tend to the armaments on board the ship and Alfgund eagerly took position as it gave him something else to do other than drink and lament. Merkan attempted to clang into the ship, only for the Nyakik crewmates to hiss and claw their faces, making them fall into the water again. The harpoons were placed inside cannons, with a rope to be pulled to fire them. In the water, a larger Merkan could be seen, clearly being a fake version of, and he left a trail of brown mud behind him as he swam. Kanna's eyes narrowed as he moved across the deck, using his blades - ignited with flame - to deter any Merkan boarders from the ship.


 * Kanna - Aim for the larger one!
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Get to work, you people. What are you, drunk?... Oh yeah, you are. Heh.

Javina, who at this point was lying on the floor in a drunken stupor, responded only with a disagreeable mumble, raising her head slightly before losing consciousness completely. Feli looked tentatively at her mistress, but refused to leave her. Khadya closed one of her eyes as she took aim at the emulated Mudpriest, growling under her breath as she once again came to encounter it - or at least, some form of it. She proceeded to launch her harpoon in its direction, aiming to at least injure it.


 * Khadya - Smile you son of a bitch!

The Mudpriest rose his head and hissed at Khadya, only for the harpoon to hit it. The Merkan leader's head exploded in a shower of blood and mud, and his body spazzed for a moment before going limp and sinking. The other Merkan appeared to panic as they immediately retreated, going back to the water. Kanna stood dumbfounded for a moment, slowly turning his head to glance at Khadya as a satisfactory smile overcame her, passing a sigh of both relief and contentment.


 * Khadya - ... If only it were that easy when I first encountered it.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Good. Also, good again. We're almost at your destination.

There was nothing ahead of the ship. However, something could be heard.

The sound of a waterfall.


 * Alfgund - ... What is that sound?
 * Psycho Pelagrios - What do you think? The edge of the world, of course!
 * Lekren - Preposterous! The world does not have edges because, as the most perfect form in existence it must be a- oh wait, this is a dream. Damnation.
 * Kanna - Hnk, pfft. Guess you could say this adventure is getting pretty... "edgy", hehe.

Soon the group could see the ocean ended in a gigantic waterfall, one which led to a pitch black abyss. The Sea Witch, despite her affinity with water, could not help but feel worried over the sheer size of the abyss.


 * Sea Witch - That's not what I asked!
 * Psycho Pelagrios - You asked to get to the Sphere of Wrath. That's down.
 * Ndrhthryr - Listen, you twice-as-lazy bastard. If this is a joke, I'll throw you in there myself.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - I'm not lying. Who wouldn't believe a drunk, stinking sailor? A fool, that's who.
 * Riad - That's definitely Pelagrios I'm talking to.
 * Psycho Pelagrios - Anyway. Pack your things. Down you go.

The Nyakik crewmates of the ship all mashed themselves together, forming a wall of kittens which pushed the group out into the abyss. The fake Pelagrios waved at them nonchalantly, while the fake Riad only watched with his eyes focused on them and his arms crossed.


 * Psycho Riad - ... Good luck.

The Witch's Kitchen
The world went pitch black as the team fell for what felt like hours down the edge of the ocean. However, they finally saw light once again as they fell into another body of liquid. The Sea Witch coughed as she regained her composure, and looked at her surroundings: the group appeared to be inside some sort of container filled with...


 * Sea Witch - ... Is it just me or this tastes like my Smeever soup?
 * Javina - Wha- - the Inquisitor regained consciousness, if only barely - Shmeever shoup? Shounds tashty...
 * Ndrhthryr - Heheheheheh, the human's speaking like a drunkard.
 * Lekren - She actually is.
 * Hachi - Hngh! It's so... so... Warm, actually. Like a hot bath.
 * Kanna - This is no time for fooling around, sleeping beauty. We've got to work to save your little girlfriend, remember?
 * ??? - What is this? The seasoning has fallen, at last.

The entire world seemed to quake as a colossal version of the Sea Witch appeared in their view, watching them from outside of the container - her cauldron - and her real counterpart cringed as she realized what had happened: the Psycho Witch's body was covered in reddened and black scabs, and what looked like tendrils of blood wriggled out of them. She had been corrupted by the Bloodstream.


 * Psycho Witch - Now my soup is almost ready, and I will finally feast! Feast!
 * Javina - Fish! No. I don't like fish.
 * Riad - You know you said it was a bath?
 * Hachi - ... Y-Yeah?
 * Ndrhthryr - Guess again. We're in a god-forsaken cooking pot.

Kanna's eyes widened as his eyes met the visage of the Sea Witch, his mouth left open in shock while Hachi covered his eyes with his hands, yelping as he unwittingly threw soup into his eyes as he raised them. Alfgund reached into his coat for grenades, while Khadya brought forward her crossbow, visibly disgusted by the sight of the scabs and tentacles that had mauled through the fake Sea Witch's flesh.


 * Khadya - I... hate... giant things.
 * Sea Witch - I'm not going to be eaten by myself! That'd be embarrassing!
 * Psycho Witch - Aren't you a chatty food? Well, shut you traps already! I am the ruler of the Sphere of Happiness, and when I want to eat, I eat!
 * Lekren - No.

The gigantic Witch grabbed a giant spoon and begun mixing the soup, attempting to crush the members of the group with it. Kanna struggled to think for a moment before he launched balls of fire at the gigantic spoon, all the while attempting to swim to evade being crushed flat by the giant object.


 * Septimus - I have an idea, Lagosi.
 * Kanna - Make it a good one!
 * Septimus - Try freezing the cauldron.

The Psycho Witch's spoon caught on fire, burning her hand and causing her to recoil back, yelling in pain. The destroyed spoon sunk into the soup with them.


 * Septimus - Well. That also appears to have worked. Nevermind.
 * Sea Witch - We still need to get out of here. Freezing the soup will let you climb our way out.
 * Kanna - I've never tried stuff like this beyond small bodies of water. ... Give me a moment to concentrate.

Using the false Sea Witch's momentary disarmament as an opportunity to gather and collect his thoughts, Kanna's brow furrowed and his eyes widened with an icy blue spark as he splashed his hands into the liquid; the substance began to not only chill, but solidify as an icy floor formed gradually from the soup, extending outwards from where Kanna was positioned. It took much less than Kanna would expect to freeze the soup, allowing even the heaviest of the team to stand on it as if it was solid ground. The normal Sea Witch quickly ran to the edge of the cauldron, beckoning the others as she jumped off. Kanna swiftly accompanied her, as did Hachi, Khadya, and Alfgund, the latter of whom carrying a small vial of the soup in his coat pocket.

The group landed on the floor and could see this place was an enlarged version of the Skull Cave, fit for the gigantic Psycho Witch. She growled as she saw them escaping, reaching over to a table and grabbing a fittingly-large meat cleaver.


 * Psycho Witch - You've ruined my soup! Now I'm going to ruin you!
 * Lekren - You sure that's the Sphere of Happiness?
 * Khadya - This is the Sphere of Wrath, dumbass.
 * Sea Witch - She called herself... myself... the ruler of the Sphere of Happiness. I can't tell. Maybe we should ask her and/or me when she's NOT TRYING TO EAT US.
 * Kanna - Grr... Hey, Sea Witch! It's me, Kanna! You recognize me, right? ... I'm not food to you, am I?
 * Javina - Happy-wrath-happy- what?
 * Psycho Witch - Yes! All of you are my soup ingredients! Die!

The colossal Witch, large enough for the tallest members of the team to only reach her toes, sent the meat cleaver down at them, in an attempt to finish them off. Alfgund grunted as he stretched an arm and raised the earth around them into some form of barrier which loomed over them in an effort to "catch" the Witch's blade, sweating profusely as he did.


 * Kanna - Don't make me come up there, Al!
 * Sea Witch - What makes you think I would obey you, especially when I'm twenty times larger?
 * Kanna - Because otherwise, if you eat us, the Bloodstream won't get stopped and you'll be alone and all by yourself again.
 * Sea Witch - What kind of reasoning even is that? Are you hiding something from me?
 * Psycho Witch - Stupid little people!

The gigantic Bizargar grunted as her cleaver got stuck between the rocks formed by Alfgund. She growled in rage as she then grabbed a knife, looking down at them and waiting for them to leave their cover.


 * Ndrhthryr - This makes me think; what the hell did you do to Clotho?
 * Sea Witch - I did nothing. She's got scabs and tentacles in her, she must've gotten corrutped.
 * Kanna - Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. I mean, I have seen what you look like when you wake up in the morning.
 * Sea Witch - Don't make me give you to her.
 * Hachi - Guys, I have an idea; one that cannot possibly fail, even.
 * Sea Witch - And that is?
 * Hachi - It's a plan that I keep in mind whenever stuff like this happens, whenever something might have the chance to take us all out at once like this. I've spent years coming up with this, and I've revised it over and over again to make sure it always works.
 * Psycho Witch - I'm going to butcher you like pigs! Pigs!
 * Sea Witch - Hurry it up already!
 * Hachi - What we do is this: split up and run for your lives!
 * Javina - Eh? Eh... brilliant plan, that is. Wait, no. I've got a better idea. Shplit up, run, AND kill everyone else you shee. Good idea, eh?

Kanna grunted as he swiftly moved from cover with Hachi dashing out from the other side, and Alfgund also began to run as he used his geomancy to launch the rocks at the gargantuan Sea Witch's direction in order to gain an addition moment of distraction. Javina joined in the fight, jumping around in seemingly chaotic directions - keeping her deadly agility even while drunken. At the same time, knives, throwing stars and firebombs began flying in the Sea Witch's direction, joined togehter by Lekren's bullets and potions. The giant Witch screeched as the weapons all hit her head, and she attempted to retaliate by sending her knife down at them, trying to stab them. Her hat fell from her head, revealing a pulsating tentacle coming out of the back of her cranium with a glaring eye on its tip - Zran Kar's eye.


 * Ndrhthryr - Eugh.
 * Psycho Witch - How dare you?! I am the ruler! You will be a fine meal! Young Clothovera is mine to keep, give up and accept your end.
 * Javina - Oh bloody 'ell, him again?!
 * Lekren - Why are you talking like one of us?!
 * Alfgund - Oh, how utterly horrifying! Dear Norrigan would have soiled his breaches thricefold should he have to witness such a despicable sight!
 * Pelagrios - Hey, I have an idea. Use that spell on it.
 * Sea Witch - Spell?
 * Pelagrios - The one that turns people inside out. Stick of Killing or something like that.
 * Sea Witch - Oh. Oh yeah! You all keep her distracted. I gotta climb on her head somehow.
 * Kanna - I suggest covering your eyes, Hachi--
 * Hachi - No way, this is going to be awesome!

The Psycho Witch roared out, revealing more tendrils of blood coming out of her throat as she continued her attempts to stab them with her giant knife. Khadya loaded a bolt into her crossbow and launched it towards the giant's fingers which clenched around the knife's handle, while Alfgund shot more rocks towards the Witch's body, aiming to afflict pain to her and potentially knock her over.

While their attacks were not powerful to even stagger the gigantic Bizargar, they were enough to keep her attention off of the Sea Witch, who climbed onto her clothing and quickly begun to make her way to her head. After some moments of climbing, the demonic eye sprouting out of the Psycho Witch turned itself to the real Sea Witch as she arrived to the nape of her neck, her hand creating bolts of black lightning as she prepared to cast her spell.


 * Sea Witch - Here's to you, Zran Kar. Taste the Finger of Death!

A ray like a black thunder came out of the Sea Witch's hand and struck the eye, which briefly widened as it then turned inside out, before exploding in a shower of blood. The giant Psycho Witch's own eyes widened as she froze in place, and she then begun to fall directly over the rest of the team's heads. Kanna grabbed Hachi and jumped out of the way, strafing to avoid being crushed by the giant's weight while Khadya clasped onto Alfgund's collar and dashed to the side with him, causing him to complain and yell.

As the giant fell, the whole location shook as she impacted with the ground. In a matter of moments, the scabs and tentacles around her body appeared to rot and fall off, and she mumbled as she tried to get back up.


 * Psycho Witch - ... By the Great Beasts, what an awful nightmare.
 * Kanna - Oh, she's still alive. Good.
 * Sea Witch - I'm going to make you need an even sturdier mask.
 * Hachi - ... E-Excuse me, Sea Witch, but... are you alright?

The Psycho Witch rose from her spot and sat down on the ground, looking down at the team. Now no longer corrupted, they could see she was visibly identical to the normal Sea Witch other than the size.


 * Psycho Witch - Yeah. Now I remember. Not a nightmare, but that stupid talking staff.
 * Khadya - I was worried we were not destined to survive this encounter.
 * Kanna - Not a great entrance into the Sphere of Wrath. ... At least there's no Nyakiks.
 * Psycho Witch - I'm going to crush you under my finger, smartass.
 * Sea Witch - So, you rule the Sphere?
 * Psycho Witch - Yes. I am the ruler of Clothovera's happy place. In your tongue, I am the "Sea Witch", but here, I am know as "Mom".
 * Javina - See! I was correct!
 * Lekren - In what way?
 * Ndrhthryr - Ooh. Hachi got kicked off the top of the list.
 * Hachi - ... Yeah, that's a good point. We've yet to meet Clotho's version of me in this place. I would have thought he'd be in the Sphere of Happiness.
 * Kanna - I find it ironic that the Sea Witch is the ruler of the Sphere of Happiness yet she has the disposition of a rabid dog getting a stick shoved up its arse.
 * Both Witches - And you have the attitude of a cactus, you sack of fleas.

The two Witches stared at one another before exchanging a chuckle.


 * Psycho Witch - You want Hachi? He's down at the Sphere of Love, not here. He was meant to fight the Bloodstream, but it seems like he's been defeated.
 * Hachi - Even in Clotho's dreams, I'm still a loser!
 * Psycho Witch - You must be here to fight the corruption. Well, go all the way down and free Hachi, he'll be able to help you. All I can do is open the gateway to the Sphere of Wrath.
 * Riad - Aaand...what are we going to find down that way?
 * Psycho Witch - The place holds all of Clothovera's violent thoughts.
 * Ndrhthryr - We're in for a bumpy ride, then.
 * Psycho Witch - Cheer up, at least you're free to murder everything you want. The place is ridden with madmen and Sanguinaries.
 * Ndrhthryr - Hm. Now when you put it like that.

The giant Witch rose to her feet and walked over to the door of the giant room, and as she opened, a portal was revealed on the other side. The portal was red in colour, and the sound of battle could be heard coming from the other side.


 * Psycho Witch - A word of advice. Don't trust anyone in there. Everyone wants to kill everyone in the Sphere of Wrath.
 * Javina - Great! Great! I've always wanted to kill everyone!
 * Hachi - I've a feeling we're either going to enjoy ourselves, or we're in for a bad time.

The Burnt Badlands
The world around the group took a turn as they found themselves regaining their senses at the other side of the portal they went through. The skies were covered by thick, stormy red clouds and the sun was nowhere to be seen, and the landscape appeared to be made of a badly damaged battlefield. Ruined buildings could be seen scattered around, the grounds littered with the skeletal remains of cat-like animals. Through the horizon, the faint sound of someone - a woman, sounding exactly like Clothovera - growling in rage could be heard at the back of their heads.

They had arrived to the Sphere of Wrath.

The Sea Witch was left startled by the sudden change of the landscape, before she begun coughing as dust and ash was flung at the group by the hot wind. Hachi tore off pieces of his coat and gave strips of cloth to the members of their group whom had no means of protection, wrapping a strip of cloth around his own mouth and nose to ensure none of it would be ingested. Alfgund huffed in agitation, while Khadya pulled a bandana around the lower end of her face. Kanna, meanwhile, kept his ears perk and maintained a firm grip on his blades.


 * Hachi - Make sure none of this stuff gets in your mouth or nose, and keep your eyes covered!
 * Ndrhthryr - Way ahead of you.
 * Sea Witch - What the hell is this place? It's like I'm looking at the destroyed Bizargar tribe all over again. I almost miss the Nyakiks.
 * Alfgund - Remain steadfast and move onward! The Sphere of Wrath shan't wait for our departure!
 * Khadya - ... Please tell me that I am not the only one who can hear that sound. It reminds me of an animal in preparation to pounce.
 * Javina - Prepare for the slaughter.
 * Pelagrios - Whatever it is, I think we're in for a rough time.

Venturing onwards, the group passed by what appeared be a destroyed Nyakik village. All the residents were dead, as evident from their skeletal remains, and the buildings were left stained by blood marks. They could also see the Bloodstream was deeply rooted into this place, as blood-red tentacles could be seen scattered across the land, each large enough to rival small mountains in size. Hachi gulped and winced as he looked upon the ghastly tendrils that dominated the landscape, clenching a fist instinctively while his eye analyzed the landscape around the group.


 * Hachi - ... I cannot imagine how much this is hurting Clotho.
 * ??? - Over here.

A voice was heard coming from one of the ruined buildings, beckoning the group. Khadya's ears perked as she heard the voice and tapped Alfgund's shoulder, before dashing towards the ruin as the Inquisitor followed, looking over the ravenous horizon with a hint of apprehension before moving for shelter. The two Lagosi soon followed after him, Kanna assisting the Sea Witch in moving. Ndrhthryr's axe raised in his grasp, his head tilting slightly towards the sound of the voice.

Inside the ruin they found a face drawn across a wall, except it moved itself. The face identical to that of Alhazred.


 * Psycho Alhazred - Finally. Someone has come to put an end to this nightmare.
 * Pelagrios - There's something in that dust, isn't there?
 * Kanna - ... So it looks like Alhazred is a crude painting now.
 * Psycho Alhazred - I am not. I am projecting myself from the Sphere of Love.
 * Hachi - Al, what's going on? What in the Twelve Hells is up with this place?
 * Psycho Alhazred - You are at the Sphere of Wrath, where all of Clothovera's violence and hurtful feelings are kept. This place was roughly like this before the Bloodstream came along, but after it arrived, it got... sufficiently worse.
 * Javina - Lovely.
 * Riad - So...what do we have to do?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Progress to the Sphere of Desire. I do not know if you realized it, but my real world counterpart has lost all contact with you.
 * Septimus - Why is that? That Alhazred cannot speak to us?
 * Alfgund - I held suspicion such was the case. ... Whatever shall we find within this land of rage and blood?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Correct, he cannot. And you will find all of Clothovera's rather homicidal tendencies in the form of the inhabitants of this place. To get to the Sphere of Desire, you must venture into the Aether Mountain, at the far north, but it is guarded by... her.
 * Khadya - Her? ... Clothovera herself?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Her Aether State. That monstrous, revolting thing.
 * Lekren - Aether State? You do not refer to-
 * Javina - That thing from the legends. The demon-god of the diamond unleashed.
 * Pelagrios - I blame the Phoenix for that.
 * Hachi - ... Would it even be safe for either of us if we were to fight her? Wouldn't destroying her in this place... affect her?
 * Psycho Alhazred - It would lead to short term memory loss, but it will recover in time. Most specifically, it will recover as soon as you get rid of the Bloodstream. You will have to kill the inhabitants of this place if you want to survive, for your death here means the death of your real selves.
 * Kanna - So getting rid of the Bloodstream shall essentially reset this place back to how things were before.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Somewhat. I fear the Bloodstream will leave some permanent scars.

Hachi winced upon hearing the false Alhazred's words, looking downward at the ground and lamenting at the thought of Clothovera having to suffer permanent side-affects from this possession. Javina, however, merely smiled, licked her lips and petted Arya, the wildcat growling in the anticipation of bloodshed.


 * Javina - Very well. Let the battle be joined.
 * Psycho Alhazred - At the far end of this battlefield, you will find a door that leads to your next destination. If you are ever lost, I have left some directions hidden in walls or rocks.
 * Ndrhthryr - Well. Let's go kill some...things.
 * Psycho Alhazred - The giant pyromaniac guards the door to your next destination, and she will not allow passage willingly. Dispose of her.

With this, the false Alhazred's face disappeared from the wall, which now displayed a compass marking west.


 * Sea Witch - Okay, west it is. Get moving, you all.
 * Kanna - Giant pyromaniac...?

Leaving the ruined village, the group progressed into the desert that was the battlefield. Hot winds blew at them, and the voice of Clothovera grew somewhat louder the more they ventured into it. I will kill you!, they could hear. I will make you suffer and die! Hachi furrowed his brow and pressed onward, reluctantly clasping the hilt of its sword as it resided in its scabbard. Alfgund and Khadya had paired together, with Khadya watching the Inquisitor's flank while he pressed forward in anticipation for a forward assault or ambush. Pelagrios went to take ahold of a sword, though he found that his scabbard contained no blade whatsoever.


 * Alfgund - Touched are we by great misfortune! Our eyes and ears we must keep open lest we are touched further!

At this moment, erupting out of the sandy earth were many small, horned creatures with three eyes. Bloodlings, the lesser form of Sanguinary. They hissed and growled at the team as they prepared to attack.


 * Javina - Bloody hell.
 * Sea Witch - Shove your puns up your a-

The Bloodlings pounced the group, their claws raised, and the Sea Witch defended herself by streams of water magic, sending the demons flying across the battlefield. Kanna sliced at the Bloodlings with his sword enhanced with fire, aiming to burn the fiends, while Hachi danced around and actively approached the Bloodlings while Kanna had maintained a defensive stance. Khadya drew her crossbow and took shots, while Alfgund slammed his mace in all directions. This in turn allowed Javina and Lekren to retreat, opening gunfire at the Bloodlings from afar.

As the demons died, they exploded in harmless, but messy showers of gore. The Sea Witch winced in disgust as she was covered in demon viscera.


 * Sea Witch - Gods damnit, this is gonna take ages to wash.
 * Kanna - ... You do realize we're probably not going to be covered in this stuff when we leave her mind, right?
 * Sea Witch - Still disgusting, who knows for how long are we gonna be here?
 * Hachi - If Zran Kar can summon his demons within her mind, the Bloodstream has already taken a large amount of influence over her. ... We must be cautious about what is up ahead for us.
 * Javina - The question is if this influence can be overcome.

As the Bloodlings were defeated and the team progressed, at the horizon, they could see a lone wall, looking like what would usually be seen in a human house, with a wooden door in it. The door had a window in it, and what appeared to be fire could be faintly seen at the other side. Alfgund stepped ahead of the ground and analyzed the house from afar, his eyes narrowing as he trekked towards it, his mace carried at his side while Khadya switched her crossbow for her shortbow, wishing to remain afar. Javina ordered Arya to come forward, while keeping her weapons ready.


 * Khadya - Take caution.
 * Alfgund - Do not tell me what to do.
 * Sea Witch - Grow a spine and take caution.
 * ??? - Hmpf. Someone has escaped my holy fire of retribution! But not for long!

Heavy footsteps were heard coming from the group's left, and emerging from the sand storm was a gigantic version of Javina, standing about thrice the size of the original, her eyes shining in red as she carried an equally large torch. Unlike the real counterpart, this Javina's body was made of pitch black shadow, covered by her trenchcoat. Hachi's eye widened as he looked upon the large warrior and stepped back, glancing her up and down before his gaze met with the visage of her flaming torch. Alfgund also turned and growled angrily, snarling as he clasped his mace tightly in his hand.


 * Javina - Oooh, do I look pretty.
 * Alfgund - You are naught but a manipulative fiend, obscured with shadows of your own making! ... I shall say, it will be exhilerating to finally pummel you to little more than pulp!
 * Hachi - ... T-Too many giants in this place!
 * Sea Witch - Guess we found the "giant pyromaniac".
 * Psycho Javina - Shut up, Alfgund, you useless rock-faced fool. I will burn you all in the holy fire of Pheonas. ISN'T THAT RIGHT, FELI?
 * Javina - ...Do I really shout that much?

The giant Javina looked at her shoulder. The team realized there was something in it - a small house kitten, clothed in tiny Inquisition clothes.


 * Psycho Feli - Meow.
 * Ndrhthryr - ...Well that was underwhelming to say the least.
 * Hachi - Ngh, it looks like we can't run now.
 * Alfgund - Even if running were an option viable, I'd refuse! If only Carlini were here to watch as I rend this bitch's bones apart!
 * Sea Witch - I get the feeling the humans don't like each other a lot. Why even work together, then?
 * Psycho Javina - All your talk only bores me. Prepare to be BURNED. I will make you scream, like Clothovera's parents screamed when WE BURNED THEM.
 * Javina - ...Lovely.

The giant Javina raised her other arm, revealing a very large-sized hunting rifle, which she promptly opened fire one-handed at the group. The real Javina smiled, apparently amused by her dark mirror, but neverthless continued to press on, throwing daggers and knives at herself. Alfgund dashed ahead towards the giant, carrying his mace in one hand while he kept his buckler in front of his face, his body partially crouched to carry momentum and keep cover. Khadya scowled as she loaded an arrow into her bow and began aiming at the giant woman, or more specifically, for the kitten on her shoulder. Kanna moved to attempt flanking the faux Inquisitor as Hachi rushed her from the front alongside Alfgund. Septimus, from a distance, launched pulses of sun magic at the shadowy giant, doing his best in not being crushed under her foot.


 * Javina - If that thing is anything like the real me, she will be trying to trick you. Do not fall for her distractions. Press the attack and overwhelm her until she is no longer able to fight.

The giant Javina grunted in pain as the sun magic burned through her shadowy form, though she froze in place for a moment as the Psycho Feli was struck by an arrow, sending the kitten into the ground, dead. Her eyes narrowed in rage as she turned her head to Khadya's direction.


 * Psycho Javina - You filthy elven whore! I will be extra violent with you!
 * Khadya - Mhm, I knew that any copy of Javina would become enraged should she be deprived of... mhm, pussy.
 * Javina - What are you suggesting?! But- but you're right. Her strategy prioritises offense over defense. Hit her while she's charging.
 * Alfgund - As she is now enraged, perhaps mistakes are sure to follow. ... Treacherous, yet clever thinking, elf. ... Khadya, rather.

The false Javina prepared herself as she then leaped high into the air, falling down at Khadya's direction, preparing to strike her with her torch as if it was a greathammer. Alfgund threw a hand which morphed the ground at Khadya's feet, launching her away from the giantess' point of landing while Kanna growled in annoyance at her sudden repositioning, having made an effort to flank her. Khadya groaned with widened eyes as she realized that the Inquisitor - a Mannazian, at that - had just saved her. As she collided with the ground, a shockwave of fire exploded out of the false Javina, though the team had enough distance to evade it. However, the demonic entity rose her rifle to Alfgund and opened fire at him, annoyed by his intervention. The Inquisitor made an attempt to evade her gunfire, yet he found himself caught in the side by one of the pellets, exploding through his armour and blasting into his right rib, flooring him. Javina stared at the devastation her facsimile had created, but her attention was not on Alfgund, but rather on the weapon the false Javina was carrying.


 * Javina - Rifles? Why rifles? I don't use rifles!
 * Sea Witch - Since you're evidently stupid, I'll tell you, this place exaggerates things.
 * Javina - Or the girl cannot distinguish between different sorts of firearms.
 * Sea Witch - My theory is more likely.
 * Ndrhthryr - Enough theorising, more hacking this thing to bits!

Rising her torch again, the false Javina prepared to crush Alfgund under it, but before she had the chance, the Sea Witch sent a blast of water at her head, causing her to stagger back. Alfgund snarled as he hurled burning rock and debris at the giant with his geomancy, aiming for her face and eyes while holding back coughs and spurts of blood mixed with spit. Javina, seeing an opportunity to attack, joined in the attack too, began throwing poisoned blades and firebombs at her dark mirror.

The combined firepower sent the demon Javina to one knee, and she growled in rage as she then rose her rifle, before passing her torch through it. Before the team's eyes, the giant gun was set ablaze, and she begun firing at them again - instead of bullets, she now fired blasts of fire from it.


 * Psycho Javina - Burn! Burn like ANIMALS! INFIDELS! FOR THE EMPIRE!
 * Javina - Silence! - Javina drew her poisoned knives, preparing for another strike - I'll kill you!
 * Alfgund - I... the brave and stalwart Alfgund... shall turn you to little more than dust!

Struggling to his feet, Alfgund threw his mace towards the flamethrower despite his injury, placing what remaining strength he had into his thrust as he roared, sharp stones and rocks also being launched towards the weapon. The projectiles hit the fake Javina's hand, causing her to yell in pain as her rifle was thrown out of her grasp. She turned her furious eyes to Alfgund again as she rose her hand.


 * Psycho Javina - Arya! Come!

The dead Psycho Feli was engulfed in shadow as she begun growing in size, becoming a giant Faeles which, like its mistress, was made of darkness and a pair of blood-red eyes. It growled as it begun to approach the group.


 * Lekren - Can your girl do that?
 * Javina - I am afraid not.
 * Sea Witch - That's not fair! We're being outnumbered!... wait, no we aren't. Oi Nd, Riad, Septimus, kill that cat! Pelagrios, try not to die.
 * Pelagrios - Wait...what?

The Psycho Arya charged at the group, aiming to rend through Ndrhthryr with its claws while Psycho Javina rose to her feet, trying to get her gun back. Alfgund, however, also made an approach for the weapon and, with subtle movements of his fingers and hand, sent a trail of sharp, tall spikes towards the weapon from the earth it laid on, aiming to run it through and render it unusable. Meanwhile, Javina sent Arya after the weapon, seeking to prevent the false Inquisitor from taking it, while throwing poisoned knives at herself. Ndrhthryr rose his weapon into the air, aiming to bring it down upon the feline once it was close enough.

The axe cut through the paw of the giant cat, causing it to recoil back in pain as it then attempted to bite the warrior. The false Javina growled in anger as she saw the team trying to take her gun from her, but none of them would be able to grasp it - not only was it too large to be carried by a normal man, it was also wreathed in flames, and while Alfgund's spikes scratched through it, it appeared too sturdy to be destroyed by them. She turned to her real counterpart as she rose her torch and attempted to strike her with it. As the Inquisitors fought between one another, Kanna growled as he launched his fire-engulfed sword at the gargantuan feline's rear, and Hachi made a swift dash to attempt dismembering the tail from its base with his sword.


 * Kanna - Bad kitty! Bad!

The giant Arya whined in pain as the blade stabbed through its rear, and it then shrieked in agony as Hachi severed its tail, which once fallen out of its body, turned into ash and smoke which dissipated in the wind. The animal was left vulnerable for Ndrhthryr to attack it up-front. The mechanical warrior saw the opportunity to lunge at the creature, coming in to tear away at Arya's side with his axe, causing the beast to scream as it was thrown to its side, bleeding heavily. The sight of her pet being defeated caused the giant Javina to grow even angrier and more irrational.


 * Javina - Thrown off balance. Excellent! Now is the time!
 * Psycho Javina - No! NO! I am meant to cause pain to YOU! Not you to ME!
 * Sea Witch - Finish it off!
 * Alfgund - Javina... You strike from the rear, I shall... assault the front!
 * Javina - Well, it's not that my rear is that- ahem, nevermind. Attack!
 * Ndrhthryr - Sorry about this, cat. Oh wait, you're not real.

Ndrhthryr hacked at the neck of the apparition of Arya in one clean swoop, severing the head straight from the shoulders. The false feline had no opportunity to scream again as it died immediately, its body turning into ash and smoke while leaving the warrior covered in its blood. Psycho Javina was sent into a frenzy, swinging her torch wildly around herself as she made blind attempts to reach her rifle. This in turn allowed Javina to maneuver around herself; as her facsimile turned around, she used the moment to jump on her back - preparing for her signature tactics. Using her scimitar and one of her knives as hooks, piercing deep into the specter's black flesh, she climbed Psycho Javina's back until she was standing on her neck. As Javina climbed the giant spectre's spine, Alfgund plucked his mace from the ground and charged from the front, leaping into the air with some assistance from his geomancy to augment the earth at his feet, and threw himself towards her upper chest so that he loomed over the giant's face, scarling and glaring at her with fierce, maddened eyes.


 * Psycho Javina - Get off! Get off get off get off get off get off get off get off get off-
 * Javina - Our Empire is superior. - Javina stabbed the specter in the neck, all while preparing for the killing blow - Alfgund, attack now!
 * Alfgund - ... You've everything to fear, vile fiend... for the brave... and stalwart... ALFGUND IS HERE!

Clenching his mace in his hand, he slammed it diagonally across the spectre's face twice before launching it away and reeling back his arm; he thrusted it foward with as much strength as he could muster and rammed his fist and gauntlet, adorned with spikes, into the eye of the giantess with a furious roar. At the same time, Javina jumped, keeping her scimitar thrust in thher facsimile's flesh so as not to fall, and plunged one of her poisoned knives into the specter's carotid artery. The giantess let out a pained roar as darkness erupted out of her form, and after some moments of agony, she fell to her knees.


 * Psycho Javina - Pheonas... curse you... all...

With this, the false Javina begun falling face-first into the ground's direction, directly where Alfgund was. The Inquisitor attempted to leap away from the landing zone of the giant Inquisitor as he had been clasping onto her, yet he could not muster the strength to land on his feet, instead falling weakly at the group's feet - with Javina landing right next to him. The dead giant begun to slowly turn into smoke as Psycho Alhazred's face reappeared, now on a rock located close to the mysterious door the false Javina was guarding.


 * Javina - Job well done. Though I guess you know my weaknesses. That is a liability. Normally I kill those who know my weaknesses.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Good riddance. I believe you all understand the reason behind her power.
 * Pelagrios - Who now?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Have you been in a drunken coma for the last fifteen minutes?
 * Pelagrios - You've obviously never heard of Pelagius Dromaedon, then.
 * Kanna - Heh. I guess she hates the brown-skinned human that much.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Not quite. Clothovera has a low opinion on her. Sees her as a bone-headed, abrasive, rude person. But that is not the reason she holds such power.
 * Alfgund - Clothovera... shan't find herself wrong...
 * Sea Witch - Hmm. I remember her saying "burn like Clotho's parents did". I take that's what you meant.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Yes. Clothovera's family was slaughtered by Lympharians. And Inquisitors. The woman has become a catalyst of the young girl's hatred for the Empire of Man.
 * Sea Witch - For how much we stumble into these two humans, I'd not be surprised if they were there when it happened.
 * Alfgund - How... How dare you...?! ... I'd not have dreamed of condoning the massacre of the Moirai bloodline, even... in the depths of my nightmares! Unsanctioned mages, mayhaps... but--
 * Javina - Which is exactly what they were. Our order has slaughtered thousands of others like her.
 * Psycho Alhazred - You would without a shadow of doubt. Witches and elves. The perfect target. Of course, it ended with the Inquisitors slaughtered by the Lympharian horde, so I suppose you were not there.
 * Alfgund - ... The massacre of the Moirai family was a travesty. An inhuman means to profit from bloodshed...!
 * Psycho Alhazred - Do not pretend you would not have been part of it at the time. You only care now because you have befriended Clothovera and learned of her ancestry.
 * Alfgund - I would not! I would never dream of such! I defend the Empire and Great Mannazia from its enemies, but I am no assassin who preys upon the innocent!
 * Javina - But that is what we do. - Javina sighed - Perhaps that's not something that your part of the order does often, but the Inquisition has no limits.
 * Alfgund - I fulfil my duty as a paladin to Malleus Ater.
 * Javina - Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.
 * Ndrhthryr - Oh shut it, both of you. You're both guilty of being idiots.

A drawing of a hand formed on the rock next to the false Alhazred's drawn face, which begun gesticulating.


 * Psycho Alhazred - My point... is that Clothovera hates being half-human. You are the example she sees. Given the chance, she would rip her human heritage out of her.
 * Alfgund - But... To be human is to be a child of freedom... An example of a thousand years of liberty and rebellion...
 * Psycho Alhazred - For her, you are a thousand years of oppression, a thousand years of xenophobia and murder. You destroyed her life and she wil never forget you for it... I sometimes wonder what would have happened if she had died that day. Perhaps we would not be having this conversation, because the world would now belong to Zran Kar.

Hachi remained quiet during their exchange, contemplating the idea of having never met the young witch; if the Empire had not persecuted her bloodline, it was very likely they would not have met at all. Alfgund growled, standing to his feet as he clasped his side, scowling towards the ground.


 * Javina - Have you not gotten used to it, Alfgund? To hear the screams of those you've murdered at night and see rivers of blood of those that died by your blade in your dreams? - Javina's tone was bitter and weary, though the words she chose were lofty - Do the ghosts of the dead not haunt you? Are those feelings alien to you?
 * Psycho Alhazred - By how much you love your carnage, it is no wonder she made you the catalyst of her hate.
 * Javina - I do not love carnage. Or at least, I am not sure I do. I've just... grown accustomed to it.
 * Alfgund - Javina... The carnage and destruction you seek... and indulge yourself within... shall never replace Carlini as you hope it would.
 * Javina - What?! Do not bring her into this! - Javina drew her blade - Let the dead rest in peace.
 * Alfgund - As a son of Great Mannazia, it is bound to my blood to find distaste for elvenkind... As a son of the Empire, it is bound to my ideals to despise magic and sorcery. And yet... as a human and a possessor of a soul, I shan't ever allow myself to revel in the bloodshed you treat as little more than routine...
 * Javina - Because you've not been made to. You're the bright exterior of our order, made so that the people would adore us. But what hides behind white marble and plaster?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Hah. Look at you. You do not even know what you fight for anymore, and you are supposedly partners. The only humans Clothovera has any feeling other than contempt for are Ndrhthryr, Pelagrios and Norrigan. And none of them are true humans.
 * Ndrhthryr - Hey. I was human once...alright, I get your point.
 * Sea Witch - The real Alhazred doesn't go deep into people like this.
 * Psycho Alhazred - I am not merely a doppelganger of Alhazred the Kormacvarah. I am Clothovera's conscience. I am the judge of her mind, and I will speak in her name.
 * Hachi - ... I don't like any of this. I would rather not... dwell on the implications of all this. People are not infallible and perfect, but people are more than their jobs and their weapons. ... I can quite clearly see both of the Inquisitors, killers and murderers as they are, are different to each other and hold their standards differently. And both have their own senses of love, honour, and cause. As all people do.
 * Javina - I presume you... you are right.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Your mindset is your own. Clothovera's mind is black and white. You should have realized that by now. All the doppelgangers you have encountered, and will encounter, have a reason to be the way they are.
 * Hachi - So be it, then. ... I will make sure to reshape this place for the better once we rid it of the Bloodstream.
 * Psycho Alhazred - For example, Kanna is a frail, grumpy old man, because she sees him as a grumpy old man who speaks too much.
 * Kanna - And she is little more than a misguided child.
 * Ndrhthryr - Hardly misguided. Clotho's seen enough to make normal men go mad.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Unless you have any further questions, proceed through the door. You will be taken to Karps Island, your next destination.
 * Javina - The island?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Yes, the island of Sprak was rather impactful for Clothovera.
 * Hachi - It makes sense that we would visit an interpretation of it. ... Somebody feed Alfgund some alchemical potions or something and get your bearings together. We leave as soon as possible.
 * Psycho Alhazred - It is a shame you have no healers with you. Oh wait, you do. You just happen to be inside her head.
 * Lekren - I suppose I could help. - Lekren appeared seemingly out of nowhere, much to the team's surprise.
 * Javina - ...Where were you all this time?
 * Lekren - ...There? I just happened not to converse freely while a giant specter tried to transmogrify us into fine paste. Is that a crime? - Lekren stepped forward - Now, I suppose there are a few things that could help. Auroran Extract, Drakesblood, Immortal Distillate...
 * Pelagrios - And rum. Rum's a good healer...or are talking about physical wounds here?
 * Psycho Alhazred - Idiot. I cannot grasp why you are so successful at the Sphere of Happiness. Guess you are just so lucky, your fake version inherits it too.
 * Pelagrios - ...Well. A spot of divine governance helps.

Hachi took off his coat and tore at the material again, ripping a long strip and approaching Alfgund so that he could bandage the wound after the Inquisitor and the Lagosi picked out any debris that they could find and touch upon. Lekren passed Hachi several of his ointments and healing potions, pointing at each of the bottles while commenting on their functions.


 * Lekren - This is applied to skin. And this you need to pour into his mouth. For that, you will require a clyster. Make sure not to confuse the two.
 * Hachi - ... Mind not talking in tongues?
 * Lekren - Have I not been concise enough?
 * Psycho Alhazred - For someone who interacts so little with her, Clothovera holds a rather positive view of the Klaxxa. Mostly because she finds him rather, well... funny-looking.

Alfgund soon stood upright, passing a hand over his wound while a shamed expression was wrought over his face; for the first time, the group could see the Mannazian Inquisitor remaining quiet, his bravado and loud pride not making itself seen. Khadya, her ears perked downwards, gently punched the Inquisitor's shoulder to snap him out of his trance, as he had been simply staring at his bandaged wound prior.


 * Khadya - Are you fit enough to press onward?
 * Alfgund - ... Yes.
 * Psycho Alhazred - If it makes you any better, human, Clothovera's view of you is not as harsh as the female's. Positive, even. Probably because she does not see you as an Inquisitor. More like a very loud, fairy tale knight.
 * Alfgund - I am not ignorant of the stigmata against humanity and its Inquisitors, my friend. ... I am more stricken with sadness that she would come to despise her own, human self so fervently. Perhaps... Perhaps I have have options to consider beyond my occupation.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Living with the Lagosi boy has made her more acceptable towards herself. But she nonetheless retains an immense distaste for her human side. She would rather be born a pureblood wood elf.
 * Khadya - Mhm, and who could blame her otherwise with a physique and natural, elegant dominance as my own? She would have made for a rather... adorable pureblood, to say the very least.
 * Javina - It's not like you're that hot- I mean, erm, shut up.
 * Psycho Alhazred - Hm hm. You will probably be amused when you arrive to the Sphere of Desire. But I will leave what is to come for you to find out.
 * Hachi - Come on, people. The Bloodstream is not going to wait for us to keep moving and we can't spend our precious time talking and lamenting over things. ... If we don't hurry, we will lose not only Clotho, but our lives.