"So," Big John finally said, his voice a low, gravelly murmur, "the demons we fight... they're not just a different faction of your people. They're what happens when the chaos of the canvas consumes the artist entirely. They're a corruption of the very purpose your people were meant to serve?"
Sheut nodded slowly. "That is precisely the conclusion I came up with," he confirmed, his gaze intense. "The 'demons, you know, are what remains when the vessel of the soul is overwhelmed by the primordial darkness. They lose their unique pattern, their sense of self, and become little more than a twisted extension of chaos itself."
Adah's hand, still intertwined with Sheut's, tightened slightly as the weight of his words settled upon her. She squeezed his hand gently, a silent gesture of support. "And the elves and devils?" she asked softly. "Why would they side with that corruption? Especially the elves, who are so closely tied to nature and life?"
Sheut's expression became grim, a flicker of cold anger in his eyes. "Because the chaos of primordial darkness is not just a destructive force, my love. It is also a source of immense power. And both elves and devils, in their own ways, are masters of manipulation." He paused, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "The devils sought to harness that power, to bind it in contracts that would make them gods. The elves, in their arrogance, sought to control it, to weave it into a new, purer form of magic."
He shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. "They thought they could use it, master it. But the chaos can't be contained. It consumes everything it touches, including those who think they can control it. They didn't just target us because we were a threat. They targeted us because we were the only ones who truly understood the danger of the canvas. We were the only ones who knew not to play with a force that precedes all existence."
Activating the carriage comms, General Kar's voice, now a sharp, professional command, cut through the contemplative silence. "Master, I'm picking up a Class C disturbance coming from a merchant road 50 miles to the east of the cart. A distress signal was also detected from the same area. What are your orders?"
The sudden shift from a metaphysical discussion to a real-world crisis was jarring. The carriage, which had been a haven for profound revelations, was now a command center. Queen Nandi's contemplative expression instantly hardened into that of a ruler. Her eyes, which had been soft with reflection, now held the piercing focus of a military strategist.
"A Class C disturbance," she repeated, her voice crisp and devoid of any emotion. She looked at Big John, who had also straightened up, his genial demeanor replaced by a silent readiness. "John, what's our current ETA to the palace?"
"Approximately thirty seven and a half minutes, Your Majesty," Big John replied, his hand still resting on the power orb. "A detour would add at least ten minutes, depending on the severity of the terrain."
Queen Nandi considered this for a moment, her mind weighing the risks. "A distress signal is a direct call for aid," she stated, her gaze now moving to Sheut. "Sheut Khensu, your abilities could be invaluable in a situation like this, given what you've shown us. Are you willing to assist?"
Sheut, who had been listening silently, simply gave a short, decisive nod. He had a viscous expression upon his face. It was one you usually find on a battle junkie. "I am, My Queen. My commitment to Adah's world is a commitment to her people as well."
The Queen's gaze returned to the front of the carriage where General Kar was positioned. "Kar, re-route. We're responding. Take us to the source of the distress signal. And prepare for anything. If a Class C disturbance is sending out a signal, it's likely more serious than the classification suggests."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Kar's voice responded immediately. The carriage, without a perceptible jolt, smoothly altered its course, the hum of the mana crystals growing slightly louder as it picked up speed towards the unknown danger ahead. Adah, holding Sheut's hand tightly, watched the world outside blur past, her heart pounding but not from fear but exhilarating thrill of living out her new, fantastical reality. She would have the chance to show her man her strength.
"Your majesty, please allow me to go on ahead of the carriage to assist sooner," Sheut said, his voice laced with an eagerness that was at odds with his usual composed demeanor. He was clearly itching to get to the battle, to do something more than simply sit and talk.
Queen Nandi was a little taken aback by his question, her perfectly arched eyebrows rising in surprise. "Are you saying that at your level, you can travel faster than eighty miles per hour without exhausting yourself? I can tell that your level is at a low C, and aren't you a mage type? I only ask because of your aspect." Her tone wasn't one of doubt, but of genuine curiosity, as she processed this new piece of information about his capabilities.
"You are right, My Queen," Sheut replied with a confident smile. "I believe according to your world's standards, I am a Low C level. And, yes, I guess I would be considered a mage type. But I've never let that stop me before." He paused, a challenge in his voice. "Also, yes, I believe I could make it there in eight minutes. Even with a small handicap."
A thoughtful silence fell over the carriage. Queen Nandi's eyes narrowed slightly as she weighed his words, her mind already calculating the tactical advantage of having a low-C level mage who could outpace a high-tech carriage. It was an anomaly that defied all conventional understanding of their world's power system.
"Very well, Sheut," she finally said, her voice a low, authoritative murmur. "You have my permission. Go on ahead, assess the situation, and provide what aid you can. But do not engage without cause, and do not put yourself in unnecessary danger. We will be there to back you up in a matter of moments."
Sheut nodded, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. He then gave a quick, reassuring squeeze to Adah's hand, and then, without another word, his form began to dissolve into the shadows beneath the carriage. But before he could dissolve completely into the shadows, Adah's grip tightened, pulling him back.
"Wait!" she said, her voice a little breathless with excitement. Seeing that she had his full attention, she leaned in, her eyes shining with a mischievous glint. "Is there… is there any way to take me with you? I don't want to miss the chance to show off."
Sheut thought about it for a second, a playful smile touching his lips. "Since my shadow is missing," he replied, "I can't do it the usual way, by having you ride on my shadow. But if you sink into your own, I could attach it to a part of myself and we can travel together."
Adah's excitement grew. She turned to Big John, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and concern. "Adah, do you mind if I join you?" Big John asked, his voice calm but his eyes indicating a silent request for permission.
Agreeing, Adah sank into her shadow and moved over to Big John. He stepped into the shadow and was quickly dragged into it. Looking around the space, Big John was immediately thrown off. All the spatial coordination's he had set were gone. Well, maybe not gone, but they were blocked. Seeing that Adah summoned comfortable-looking chairs, he sat down. Adah then moved the shadow to Sheut, who grabbed the shadow and placed it on his right breastplate. He then finished merging with the shadow of the carriage, only to pop out the next second. He began running, matte black shadows covered his legs. The shadows seemed to catapult him forward like a spring, each stride a blur of motion.
Inside the shadow, Big John was still trying to orient himself. The space was a paradox. A vast, formless void that was simultaneously cramped and intimate. The walls were shadowy mists, purple aura shimmering in the darkness now and then. But the main source of light came from the soft, ethereal glow of the chairs Adah had summoned. He couldn't sense the outside world, couldn't feel the movement, and all of his finely tuned spatial awareness was utterly useless here.
"Don't try to make sense of it," Adah's voice said from beside him. She was curled up in her chair, looking entirely at ease in this bizarre environment. "It's… a pocket dimension, a space between spaces. Sheut says it's a part of me." She giggled, a sound that seemed to echo in the silent void. "It's like we're riding inside my soul!"
Suddenly, the space lurched, a sensation unlike any physical movement. It felt less like acceleration and more like a tear in reality itself. Big John gripped the arms of his chair, a look of profound unease on his face. He was a master tactician, a warrior who thrived on data and predictable outcomes. This was the antithesis of everything he knew.
"This is… unnerving," he managed to say, his voice a low grumble.
"You'll get used to it," Adah replied, a playful smirk on her face. "Besides, we have the best view in the house. We're a part of the chase, not just watching it from afar." She reached out and touched a wall of the inky blackness, and a small, translucent window appeared, showing a blurry, sped-up view of the ground rushing past. Outside, Sheut's form was a dark streak, a line of pure speed moving with impossible grace and power.