Welcome to the Netherworld!

[lazyvassals]

[It is difficult to define what a normal afternoon is by Netherworld standards. In the dark, torch-lit halls of the Overlord's Castle, penguin-suited prinnies totter about pretending to do work, while most other vassals make no effort at all to pretend. No fights have broken out yet, but it is questionable how long that will last with the Overlord being awake. It is just the sort of calm that comes before something unexpected happens, or someone makes it happen out of boredom.

And that is precisely when the first stranger comes through the swirling vortex of the Dimensional Gate.

It doesn't seem so unusual at first, because people use that gate on a daily basis. But more people start to show up, people who aren't demons. The Gatekeeper herself has no idea where they've come from, or how they've found their way to the Netherworld.

Unfortunately, neither do the unexpected guests.]

Comments

[narsheprincess]

[Terra doesn't stir for a while. Whatever happened to her, she's out cold as a result. But rest and some healing is really all she'll need, fortunately. At some point, a soft moan is heard from her as she stirs and opens her eyes slowly. Focusing them will take another moment.]

...Cosmos...?

[She thought she had heard the goddess' voice at some point, or was that wishful thinking?]

[vulcanblazer]

[Adell waited, patiently as he could, while she rested. A lot of questions rattled around in his head... her being here pretty much cemented he was dealing with another phenomenon like Mallow Hallow, or worse, Luceti. He could only hope things wouldn't be like they were back then.

Still, that was getting ahead of himself. First thing was first... she was finally waking.]

Cosmos...? No, nobody with that name here. You okay? Looked like you were in a hell of a fight.

[narsheprincess]

[When her eyes focus, they immediately widen in confusion. She turns to focus on her companion, no recognition in her eyes but more receptive to his concern thanks to Vaan and his kindness. He didn't hurt her when she was too unconscious to stop it, so that gets her attention already.]

I'm sore, but I think I'll be alright. And I...I was.

[Her brow furrows as it begins to come back to her.]

I was fighting manikins. There were so many, but I had to stop them from reaching...reaching Cosmos. I wanted to protect her.

[The concept sounds new to Terra, who perks up a little at remembering a purpose beyond fighting.]

But...where am I? How did I get here?

[vulcanblazer]

[He shakes his head a little, to express his own confusion.]

Well, you're not wherever you were before, that's for sure. That may sound obvious, but bear with me.

You're in a place called the Netherworld. No, I don't know which one, and no, you are not dead. As for how you got here, I'm not sure of the specifics. I'm not even sure how I got here. All I know is there was some sort of problem with this world's Dimensional Gate, and it looks like people from all over got dragged through it.

Looks like you were one of them.

[narsheprincess]

[Terra's soft frown lingers, uncertain what to make of all this.]

The...Netherworld? I've never heard of it. Or a Dimensional Gate.

[She bites her lip, wishing she'd had longer to speak with Vaan. Maybe he would have known about all that.]

What am I supposed to do now? Will I be forced to fight?

[...again?]

[vulcanblazer]

I'm not terribly surprised that you haven't.

[Adell pauses at her question, trying to think about how to answer. The question was... troubling.]

You may have to. To protect yourself, and maybe others, if it comes to it. The demons and monsters that live here mostly appear to be lazy and generally uncaring for the most part, but there might be some who pick fights. But hopefully you won't have to.

[He reaches under his chair, producing her sword, and standing it up against a table near her bed.]

Otherwise, for now, you just go day by day until we figure out what's going on. Right now, you need to rest more than anything.

...My name's Adell, by the way.

[narsheprincess]

[Terra's concerned expression eases a little as Adell's words sink in, and she perks up at seeing her sword again.]

I can do that...fight to protect, I mean. If I have to. I just don't want to fight just for fighting's sake. I'm tired of that.

[Her lips curve into a tired but genuine smile.]

My name is Terra...Terra Branford. Thank you for keeping track of my sword for me.