User:Nextoy/Dissidia Alto/Into the Valley of Shadows

''Twice now, I have failed. Once at the bridge, and again to stop that beast from travelling further. However, something strange has occurred. I may have previously misunderstood the words of that goddess and her knight.''

''I was lead to believe our foes would be destroyers and ravagers. However, instead I have met but one of that nature among the three I encountered. I haven’t a doubt in my mind that sanguinemancer was out to kill me and any others he may encounter, but the girl and that wolf who just left… they are something else entirely.''

Dia Umbra had considered the previous two encounters she had. Both of them were telling, but in very different ways.

The first was her fight on the bridge. While one of her opponents was bloodthirsty and relentless, the other seemed panicked and withheld. Not something like the vague danger that she was told of before.

The second was an unknown creature. A giant wolf who she felt kindness from, even if hidden behind hostility. This one showed genuine care for man, despite keeping its guard up the entire time.

''Come to think of it, I was never fully told of my enemy. These “forces of destruction” seem as varied and disorganized as the side I’ve found myself aligned with. I fear that Her words were vague intentionally, with that physical weakness being merely an excuse.''

Dia had found herself a place to hide out and repair her body. Light poured from her hands into the wounds as she rested against a rock, weaving together healing threads that would sew up her wounds. Soon after darkness poured from the other hand, seeping into her skin to numb and cure internal injury. Her eyes carefully watched both her magic and her surroundings.

While she did not fear them, manikins would be inconvenient to come across while she was injured.

...Injured?

''That’s odd. Everyone else I’ve seen displayed incredible natural healing. Why am I unable to do so?''

Surely the thought had been in the back of her mind for some time, but only now had it came forward. Like something had clicked in her head during this moment of peace. Perhaps she had not been awarded the same luxury due to her skills in the healing arts?

Then again, perhaps they always had such regeneration. She was looking too far into it, expecting this world to be of some divine magic when it could just be a designated battlefield.

But is it so strange to expect divinity, given how she came to this place?

Perhaps it does not truly matter.

Now healed, she would wander back towards that bridge. No matter what, she had entered into the wrong mindset. Instead of a protector, she needed to be an inquisitor.

''Even if this world is not Divine, it is indeed magical. It seemed so big when I travelled down that coastline, but now that I’m making my way back up it feels so small. I know I’m not moving as quickly, yet I find myself at the foot of this bridge before sundown.''

''However, I feel a very different energy from the desert beyond. It seems all those who seek to cause discord have already left, and the only one who remains is myself.''

Dia walked across the bridge, comfortable that she was no longer needed there. Though the desert felt vast, it was only like that due to emptiness. Even manikins dared not step foot here, although Dia had no idea why.

''Perhaps they had gotten scared of something. They may have feelings, or at least the ability to mimic them. Its clear to see their personalities change based on what form they take. Maybe this means that some of them could have souls, rather than being lifeless husks. And if they have souls, they can be saved.''

That last thought undoubtedly came to her mind when noticing a grand tower that stretched up into the heavens. Such an architectural marvel wouldn’t go unnoticed by her, after all. Such wonders in the middle of this desert gave Dia the hope and drive to continue on this journey she had sought herself on.

A journey no doubt to that volcano that came into view the moment she lost sight of the bridge.

And again, this place seemed to change its size and dimensions. When aimlessly wandering, the world was gigantic. But upon focusing on one spot it she found herself there almost immediately. There, gazing into canyons that lead up the mountain.

''How is it only a day has passed? Why have I encountered not a single soul thus far?''

She had made it from one end of this world to the other in a days time, and with detours no less. Yet somehow only just now does the moon shine down upon her. What a strange moon it is too, like someone merely dimmed the sun. It even hung in the same place.

Actually, Dia had only just now considered that the sun had not moved its position this entire time, instead the world merely brightened and dimmed to simulate a day night cycle. Whatever is happening in this world, Dia is now sure that there’s some kind of divine intervention with the natural order of things.