sortileges |

I don't know, maybe I could make sparkles. [ He's joking..... Though really he wasn't serious about a desert either. That sounds dangerous?! ]

It's a good thing I can make water, isn't it?

[ He looks at the machine, then nods once. ]

As ready as I will be, I'm sure.

[He doesn't give a verbal response, but with a few keystrokes away they go into the arena. It's not quite so high in the air but it's hot and the wind blowing is just as hot, sand swirling a little bit as Hiro and Merlin land in the center of the arena. It appears more open than it really is; the surrounding area is just a backdrop Hiro designed. The only space they can move in is the actual arena filled with rocks and little pillars and the like.]

So...what do you think? Should be enough open space. [He's just. Leaving out what sort of monsters he programmed for the levels. This is fine.]

[ An arm raises to cover his face as wind blows sand towards his face. He's never actually been in a place like this before. Deserts just don't exist in Camelot, or even in Odin's Kingdom where he's from either. Snow is the most extreme weather he's witnessed. Sweat already crawls along the back of his neck, and he ends up tugging off his jacket to deal with the heat. ]

What kind of place is this?

[ He spins around on the spot, a little amazed that Hiro apparently designed something like this. In the meantime, he'll be yanking and tying his jacket around his waist, not knowing where else to put it. ]

[This wasn't his smartest idea, but he's at least programmed a failsafe mechanism so it won't get tooooo much hotter. He's not in his hoodie anymore and instead this is probably the first time Merlin's seen him in just a t-shirt and his shorts. Congratulations, feast your eyes on the noodle-child.]

This is a desert. It's hot and dry and barren but it's probably one of the best test arenas since we don't have to worry about moisture in the air or a ton of monsters. The sand'll absorb any spells that go awry, too. Or that's what I'm hoping anyway.

[ Hopefully it doesn't, because he's used to shitty English weather. Ah. Though it's fine. This is fine. Two dumb noodles in a desert won't be the end of the world. ]

Sounds complicated. Do we just have to wait or wander to find the boss fight for this level?

[ Hopefully it doesn't make things too difficult, anyway. ]

[And then Hiro sent Merlin home with a sunburn. But really, he gestures for Merlin to start heading for a slant of rocks providing minimal shade.]

With this level we've gotta do some walking. I didn't set the boss too far from the start because it's a desert and this is our first practice run, but there're a couple of smaller monsters programmed in.

[He pauses, pointing off to the distance at such a creature.] Like one of those guys. Think you could take him on?

[ ~~It's okay Athena can rub after sun on for him u//u.~~

It's alright, he'll live! As it goes though the rocks might help slightly but it still feels as though he definitely didn't wear the right clothes for this. He wears boots most of the time, this was a Huge Mistake. ]

Smaller. [ He looks towards Hiro as if he's crazy. ] This is smaller?

[ And really it isn't as though he can't, but it isn't going to be easy in a place as barren as this.

He should have brought Excalibur with him... Seriously. ]

I mean... probably. It's going to be more difficult with this kind of weather, but let's try it. Get behind me.

[ Which means yes, he's going to do it from this kind of distance. ]

[He should have thought this through but hey. He shrugs in response even as he looks at the abomination he's created, already drawing the silver cylinder housing his gunblade out of his pocket.]

You don't wanna see the boss fight if you're already worried about this. [But okay Merlin you know, you do you. He's going to zip behind him to watch in anticipation, already also trying to time when the weather's going to shift in the arena.]

[ Look, Merlin just likes to complain. Even if it was the size of a dog he'd probably still find fault in it. It's only when Hiro is behind him though that he properly takes in the size of the thing. It's probably actually only the size of a car, really. He's just being a pain.

And considering there isn't much humidity in the air, it's going to have to be something dry.

He already has a plan though. Both of his hands raise up, palms flat towards the floor a little in front of him. ]

Cume þoden. [ He pronounces it clearly, loudly enough that the spell is quick to unfold. Hiro will first see the sand on the floor start to shift before a mini tornado seems to start growing right in front of them. Sand blows up into it and it seems to capture the heat from the wind too. The further forward it crawls, the bigger it gets until it looks like it's starting to reach up towards the top of the dome.

The creature didn't really stand much of a chance, it's swept up and spun around, eventually getting spat out through a higher point and over the area. Where ever it ends up landing, it's safe to say it'll snap its neck.

:) ]

[And Hiro...is just...quietly putting his gunblade away and staring at Merlin's back in awe. That monster sure did disappear into who the hell knows where, disintegrating as it hits the ground.]

...so...you weren't kidding when you said your magic could basically ruin a bunch of stuff. That's awesome! [He's actually very excited about this.] Do you have complete control over it? Like you could change the size and everything or is it sort of a one shot deal?

[ Yeah, you won't be needing that, Hiro. ]

Why would I be kidding about something like that? [ He glances back to give him a smile that's definitely trying to hold back a laugh. ]

It depends on the spell. If I've used it before, I have complete control, if it's new it's a lot more unpredictable. That's why I come here to test things.

Makes sense to me. [He gestures for Merlin to follow then. Come on, off to find more monsters.] Think you could learn more spells in Cerealia that aren't in...wherever you're pulling the other ones from?

I've read some tomes, grimoires... even just general theory books in the shop I work at, but I don't really know how my own magic works to compare. I had to learn by myself for the most part because of the whole... ban on magic at home and everything.

[ He follows Hiro along, wiping at the back of his neck with a cringe. ]

I'd like to try sometime though.

It's no different than any other research. [It's said idly as he thinks this through.] You start making diagrams and charts and comparisons and start running tests to see what does and doesn't work...magic as a whole is still magic isn't it? [He pushes his sweaty bangs up from his forehead to see, nudging Merlin to point out what looks like a giant scorpion monster not too far ahead.]

Besides, it's not like we don't have a ton of time on our hands here. I don't think there's a whole lot actually banned in the colony anyway.

That sounds like a lot of effort, why can't I just... try it? [ Hiro... if you want legitimate research on this you might have to be the one to observe. He'll literally try something and say "yes" or "no" and that's it.

And why is it always giant scorpions... thank god he hasn't met them at home yet. ]

It doesn't seem like it.

[ He does indicate for Hiro to stay behind him again though this time it isn't because of the risk that he'll be swept into a tornado, just that he isn't sure how damaging the spell will be. ]

Ástryce! [ It seems like nothing happens at first, until the blast hits the scorpion thing like a harsh gust of wind. Harsher than anything natural. If it were human it might have died on the first try from being crushed by the force of it. It skitters slightly. His hand raises up then: ]

Ic þé wiþdrífe [ This time the force is harder, sends the thing flopping to the floor even further back probably with a broken tail and limbs. There's little chance of it moving again. ]

Because if you try it and it backfires you might end up dead, dude. [Just a thought. This is how the analytical mind works.] Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I drafted designs for my team's armor over, like, a couple of days. [Because clearly that's a Long Time. Also the fact there are giant scorpions in Merlin's home world disturbs me, I'm so glad. Anyway.

He's absolutely observing the spells as Merlin goes and tests and practices, nodding in approval.]

…they're all spells I've never heard of. [The language, he means. He doesn't recognize it at all.] I almost want to strap a camera to you and send you out to fight real monsters. They never said you were capable of this kind of magic.

[Okay but who's they? We just don't know.]

Hasn't happened so far! [ That sounds way more cheerful than it should be, especially as he gives Hiro a smile at the same time. ] I haven't really needed to worry about it. [ Serkits are actually poisonous even for him, too, so funtimes!!! Though at least here it's... dead now. ]

Well it's probably nothing that exists for you anymore. I doubt the Old Religion means anything to you, anyway.

...Though I'd rather you didn't do that. But uh... who is "they"? Are you talking about the legends?

[ Too bad he's asking anyway. ]

[THOSE ARE HORRIFYING WTF.]

"So far." [Just a look.] The Old Religion and new religion don't mean a lot to me, no, but legends are pretty timeless. [So yes. Those.] I know it's weird and you probably don't wanna hear about them but this is way cooler than anything else they've ever said.

[ I couldn't find a better picture but YEAH THEY ARE... They're deadly even for him, too... ]

Exactly. [ He gets a look in return. ] A lot more things try to kill me other than my own spells, you know. But really it doesn't bother me that much. [ In fact-- ] It's more of a relief to hear that this is actually... cooler. Better. [ He looks at bit sheepish now. ] No one has really said anything other than that I'm well known in the future, so I wasn't even sure what people were expecting.

People are probably worried about freaking you out by telling you anything they know about you. [You have his vote, Merlin. It's enough for him to take magic a little more seriously now.] You're kind of like synonymous for the word "magic" in our world.

[He pauses, squinting ahead against the sun.] I think we've got at least two more mini-bosses before the big one. You think you can handle that?

I'm not sure I want to know everything either. I already saw... or was told some things and they aren't exactly rainbows and unicorns. [ Or something like that.

But Hiro has a point. ]

We probably should keep moving before I melt to death first. But... probably.

Melting to death would seem preeeetty lame. Come on, let's head this way. [And away they go to fight more insane monsters Hiro's programmed and for Merlin to destroy them with his powers.]

[ The next one he uses the earth to grow vines from the floor. It's harder with the lack of water, but given the distance he starts from there's little danger there. The one after he uses a storm with. The storm doesn't actually reach the sky, but the rain pours out of a cloud that seems to form, and lightning strikes down between the cracks.

All that's left, is the boss.

The giant snake uncoils itself, hissing louder the closer they get. This time he raises both hands. ] Lyft sy þe in bǽlwylm ac forhienan se wiðere.

[ His eyes flash, and this time Hiro will feel hot air rushing from behind them both before the air itself sets on fire. It works a bit like a flame thrower, Merlin's glare staying on the snake as it tosses from side to side, the fire rising until it engulfs its entire body.

It thrashes, the sand even crisping under the heat of the spell as it sticks to it like glue.

...It's kind of horrific, tbh. ]

[He's absolutely monitoring all of Merlin's moves, pinpointing what he can do and the elements he's using. Air, earth and water so far, and it all makes sense, and it's probably good for Merlin's ego to hear Hiro cheering now and then each time a new spell shows up to obliterate the NPCs he's created.

But like most things, all good things must come to an end. The snake itself is tall, towering stories above both of them and while he's not worried, he knows that if Merlin doesn't stop it soon it'll strike. But he recognizes the eye flash and he lingers back, anxious to see what will happen next.

Except...no. Nonono, he feels the heat before seeing it and there's a startled yelp as he jerks back and stumbles along the sand, mostly trying to get away from the heat and the open flame. He knows this is an effective way to kill the snake. He knows that, but at the same time he has to wonder...this is what it's like to watch something burn? Is this what happened to Tadashi those times?

The idea makes him sick, really, and it's dizzying to watch as the skin of the snake sizzles and pops under the flames and it eventually becomes so engulfed that it doesn't even resemble its original form, still trying to desperately escape. He takes a deep gulf of air to pull himself out of his own reverie but when he yells at Merlin his eyes are still shut.]

Dude, enough! [The almost cheery victory music is remarkably inappropriate right now, but it's a sign that the snake sure is dead.]

[ It is good for his ego, though he's also trying to not get too smug until they're out of the desert and safe again. It's because Hiro is behind him that he doesn't really know what's happening until it's too late and that enough! rips through the air. He fire starts to die down, but it's very much alive. His hand drops as he turns to look back at Hiro, worried because he expected Hiro to be right behind him, not on the floor with his eyes squeezed shut.

He steps towards him, trying to block the now dead snake that's lying limp on the ground. The fire is slowly starting to disappear, but it won't be instantaneous. ]

...Sorry. [ He reaches to pat Hiro's shoulder then, not knowing what was going on, but not wanting him to think he's doing this on purpose. ] Turn with me, alright?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

one ptsd delivery

what a thing to wake up to

you wanted this...