As we stood before the princess, I would like to say that I was casual and charismatic, able to look over the princess after what she just did and say the right thing to get us out of this situation. Instead I fell on my ass and couldn't get back up.
My legs seemed to be made of jelly as my breathing sped up, and my heartbeat was in my ears as the world seemed to fall into static more and more. For a moment it was even like everything flicked to not having color before Jax dropped to a deep bow before the princess.
"Your royal highness, I feel nothing but joy knowing you have been able to exact revenge against your husband. In this you have done myself and the rest of my party a favor, please name your task and we will seek to accomplish it in your name, even if it takes us years."
Taking his lead, the others quickly shifted into bows, as even from where I was bowing I could see Jax and the others shaking. Death was death, even for adventurers, but it never appeared in such an instant, and unblockable way.
The princess stared down at us for a second before the corner of her mouth contorted into a small smirk.
"Little mutt, the only thing your group can do for me, is to stay quiet. I won't just take you at your word, as I am a very paranoid princess, so I believe death is the fastest way to avoid rumors."
She turned to walk away as she spoke, her hand gesturing casually as I raised my head to speak, a desperate gamble on my lips as I felt a strange pulse rush over me. I looked up, partially expecting to see I was floating over my own body, however to my surprise, everything was black, white, and gray. In front of me, the princess's knight stood, holding their blade partially drawn, but frozen as if in a painting. I turned to the others as I saw Jax and Selene looking up in surprise and despair, as they also stood frozen. To my left Selene's arm was twitching back like it was about to return to normal as Liora was moving her hand as if ready to blast a wind ball, but they were also frozen. I stood looking around, confusion etched onto my face as a system window appeared before me
ALERT: The summit is beginning to discuss the fate of NPC:Aiden Hollowcreek
Summit Caller: the Observer
Summit members: Excel
Heros
Squid
Architect
Misery
Sweets
As I looked around confused, I found the sky changing as 7 figures seemed to float around us, all standing in different poses and not saying a word as they floated around as if inspecting the scene from above.
One looked like the night sky had taken a humanoid form with a glowing cyan cloak rolling down their back and covering their head in a hood. They floated as if they sat at a conference table, their elbows propped as they gave a polite smile to the others.
Next to them sat a strange creature that seemed to have a black hole for a head. Tendrils of purple and black energy coalesced into several tendrils ending in deep pink, arrow-like tips. It seemed to be the one flying around the most, observing the scene as if trying to see everything at different angles.
After them a figure that looked to be wearing very ornate mages robes with several strange items dangling off of them, and a full head mask that was a deep purple, with gold accents and amber eyes. They even wore a tall hat with a pointy tip that seemed to have flaps out to their shoulders as they held their chin as if in introspection.
The next one seemed to be floating around me and the others, looking us over with a worried look. They seemed to be wearing a white tunic that covered their chest and waist down, with a long cloth hanging down to their feet with a large hood over their head. Their body seemed to be made up of millions of fireflies all buzzing around at once.
The last two were strange. Both seemed to be standing as if observing the others around them. One seemed to be made of a black liquid, a toothy maw opened to reveal a faint red light from within as they wore a black uniform like a military officer, even wearing a hat with dim brass on the front. A large overcoat rested on their shoulders, the ends tattered and ripped like they had walked through a warzone.
The last one seemed oddly human, wearing simple dress pants, and a white shirt with black suspenders, a sportscoat sat over their shoulders like a cape as strange axolotl like frills rose from their head in spots, the whites of their eyes were black and their hands seemed to accent in a strange purple way.
They were all around 20 ft tall, so not massive, but at the same time, too large to be normal. I noticed the first of these beings held a hand out as system screens appeared before each of them and even one for myself as my head started to throw with pressure.
Excel: Well; I for one am curious as to everyone's thoughts on the matter here. I know some of you pay much more attention to this story than others.
Observer: why not, you all have been in his shoes before, and you all always talk about loving to see people climb from the bottom to the top.
Heroes: I pay a little attention, can some one tell me, is Aiden a good guy? I know its the story there in but like, are they GOOD?
Squid: I pay attention to his story from time to time as well. He seems like a good lad.
Excel: Some of the other Avatars would need to tell you that, Heroes.
My head screamed as each time a new message appeared I felt like a vice was cranked tighter on my entire body, and yet I couldn't speak. I looked up as I saw the different figures typing into the system screens. Excel was the one that looked like a wizard, Observer was the one with the cyan cloak, Heroes wore the white tunic, and it seemed like Squid had a black hole for a head. Looking over the messages they seemed to be discussing our group as I held a hand up I poked at the system screen trying to see if I could send a message, but my hand passed trough. A smaller screen appeared warning me
Warning: You lack the capacity to participate in the summit
Warning: your soul is too weak to last long in the summit
Warning: when your soul becomes too weak you will be expelled from the summit
I staggered as the pressure pulsed again as I tried to force my mind to think despite the pressure it was under. They seem like they may help, I just need to stay continuous long enough to see what they are planning to do. So I stared up at them, hoping whatever was making my soul strong enough to witness this, would last enough for me to see the end of it.
Observer: considering recent actions, it would align with good, plus he helps those he can, the real question is how he gets out of this situation
Excel: I've been busy as of late. Unable to witness everything, just like many here.
Heroes: Indigo is the objectively nicest mask, right? so why doesn't Aiden ACTUALLY do a favor for indigo if they intend to use the name of indigo to survive
I staggered slightly as the pressure continued to increase. They even knew what I was planning to do? I thought as my knee almost buckled and I had to force myself to remain standing.
"Don't think, listen and endure."
I hissed to myself as I turned back to the screen.
Observer: well, he's not going anywhere, just rewind and start from the beginning
Excel: Indigo is the worst mask. One that deals with manipulation.
Observer: please, you are discounting yellow, that sadistic kid
Heroes: so purple is not indigo, and what Observer said, I think yellow is the worst
Excel: At least Yellow is upfront with their cruelty. Indigo hides it.
Heroes: right so I take what I said back, screw indigo, should of used a better masks name... but I still don't like that Aiden is in danger
Y-Yellow? Just go back, T-they know my name. I thought as my mind pulsed with pain, my knee buckling as I was forced to the ground.
Observer: we are getting off topic here, the question is whether this is a case where an alternative needs to be raised, or if we let him continue his course of action
Excel: Observer, do let us know what exactly entails "his course of action."
Squid: Can he truly not get away from this on his own? He can take one from my book and, well… book it.
Excel: Nice one Squid.
Observer: well, the situation is a very pissed off princess, a level 72 samurai guard, and all of them without their gear. also quit staring Aiden, were trying to save your ass here
As I read that text I slowly looked up and saw that they had all floated down from their lofty purchase as several stared at me, though the one made of black liquid, and the one with purple hands didn't seem to type a single message or even glance my way. The one called squid seemed to fly over and waved a tentacle at me as it typed.
Squid: Oh is he looking at us? Hello, Aiden! How's your little splashy spirit?
Heroes: I mean, there's a few things I would suggest, such as having someone save them, but it's really a question of if that's right for the story. or how that would even work
Observer: think they are still at his house in Hopestone
They know everything, from Misty, to everything that lead up to this, they knew it like they were reading a damn book. As this thought flashed trough my mind, I noticed the one with purple hands smirked and looked down at me before typing
Architect: I say let him do it. Diamonds are built from pressure and the ensuing turmoil will be great for some development. Go on kid, take the gamble. You could either go broke...or win it all.
Excel: I imagine he's a bit out of it, considering recent events.
Observer: especially with his meeting with Mr. Lee, hell it's probably why he can see us
Excel: True, but even diamonds eventually shatter.
Heroes: I Don't like stories that have the characters suffer for the sake of it…
Observer: unlike shrimp
Excel: I share the same mindset as Heroes. Suffering for the sake of suffering is boring.
Squid: Suffering builds character, Hero. But too much is a drag, I'll agree with that.
Excel: But not needless suffering.
Observer: regardless, I say we hold a vote. we can
1. allow him to continue his course of action.
2. give him advice to escape the situation. or
3. one of you can use your characters to bail him out
As I continued to read, I felt warmth run down my upper lip as my nose began to bleed, and I felt something shift and sting in my eye as blood ran down my cheeks from my eyes. T-They know about the guy Mr. Lee mentioned? Then they must be players, but why would they be here unless…
I scanned my group remembering what Mr. Lee has said and realized something. They might be here, because one of us is their character. Can they really blend in that well? That Seamlessly?
Heroes: correction Suffering CAN build character, it can also be just awful for the sake of being awful. you know what also builds character, kindness and charity
Excel: How very interesting Observer.
Architect: Surely you've a bit more faith in the lad
Squid: I'll say that needless suffering can be quite fun to cause… Those little terrors I watch over are rubbing off on me, huh?
Architect: How needless is it when it teaches the classical yet valuable lesson: Actions have consequences
Excel: Even squids get mistaken for monsters in the dark.
Observer: uh guys, we should vote before his soul withers too much, he's already bleeding from his nose and eyes
I doubled over from pain as I opened my mouth in a silent scream. Everything hurt, my head, my body, and even something deeper, more vital. The figures overhead looked down, some with boredom, and others with concern as they continued to fly around and type.
Heroes: I hold the same opinion as my character, so I would gladly vote 3. send my sweet bean to save them
Squid: Oh, let me have my fun!
Excel: Yes, about the vote. If one of our characters was to interact; how would that work?
Squid: Hmmm. He's in Misagen, correct?
Excel: Would you send a duplicate of them to help out immediately?
I felt my body drop as whatever strength I had been using to hold myself up gave out on me. I could feel blood pouring from more spots, as seemingly random cuts opened up all over on my body. I felt dizzy, from pain, from blood loss, and whatever else was happening to me, but I refused to close my eyes as even as I laid in a pile of my own blood I continued to read.
Observer: you go back a few days and they just travel to attend the event
Excel: Then only ones in the 7th world are eligible?
Observer: most of you have world hopping capabilities, and he just collapsed, shit
One of them or more of them may have flown over, but I didn't see them as my eyes were locked onto the screen, even as my blood continued to drain and my body started to shiver from cold.
Heroes: ah that would... is cursing allowed.. That would *&^% with our story a very large amount, like WAY to much for anyone to be happy with. I'm still not against it but i would have to talk with the others..
Squid: My little terrors are a bit busy. But if no one else comes by, I'll see what I can do.
Heroes: is Aiden even saying anything, I want to know what they want, or even if they understand.
Excel: Most? I believe only two groups have such capabilities.
Observer: if you look over there you can vaguely see him, but he's rather small down there
Excel: Two of the seven or so.
Squid: Just tear through the space-time continuum, Excel. Not that hard.
My eyes were lead, as everything in my body felt like it was shutting down. I tried, I really did, but I couldn't control it as I blacked out.