Calling the Realm Defenders

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Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
[A few years ago, in an alternate universe's Earth realm]

"Try, Mage. If you can achieve this - and if anybody can, it's you - there will remain a chance of us staying in contact with the rest of you when we're all gone."

The Flame Warrior, as some called him, stared at the Ability Mage, who nodded in response.

"I'll do my best, Aflima. We have the Bert and Ernie robots. I'll send one towards Mecha City, one I'll keep with myself... where I go, I'm not sure. But I'll program them accordingly."

Ability Mage placed a reassuring hand on his ally's shoulder. "We'll find a way to gain contact with your Realm in the future. I guarantee it."


[Present day, in another alternative universe's Earth realm]

Aflima laughed. "Going to take more than a tri-blade to knock off all those greys in your beard, pal."

His friend shook his head vigorously, but didn't hide his smile. "What can ya do. I'm pushing 40, young Rosa hits 21, and even you aren't a spring chicken... so you better behave," was the reply. "We may have done a ton of good... and crazy... things during our time, but neither of us can defeat Father Time."

Aflima blinked. "Speak for yourself, gramps. Now finish your plucking and let's go. Your god-daughter is waiting."

***

Rosa Velazqua had never looked more radiant, thought Tri-blade. From head to toe, she was the splitting image of her mother. He was glad to have been part of her life, even though now he suspected his role would diminish. Adulthood and independence, he sighed to himself.

As if sensing his gaze, Rosa turned her head slightly, and stuck out a tongue. The gesture brought a loud laugh from her godfather. Like the child she once was, she then half-ran, half-skipped over to Tri-blade.

"Happy birthday, preciosa."

"Thank you. It's been a great day."

Tri-blade looked over Rosa's shoulder. In the distance, Analisa waved. It was through a promise to Analisa, the famed Macaia, that Tri-blade made sure to watch over Rosa whenever he could. After all, he was present when Rosa's powers manifested. He wouldn't have it any other way. He turned back to face his goddaughter.

"But look, godpa!" came the excited whisper. She reached into a pocket of her skirt, and pulled out an old ring.

Not just any old ring.

"You still carry that on a regular basis, Rosa? I've barely seen my own, and I don't think Aflima even knows where his own one is..."

"Maybe it's a girl thing, but I like keeping it. But look again!" She held it up closer to Tri-blade's face.

He squinted, then stepped backwards in surprise. "It's got some kind of faint, flashing aura. When did this start, Rosa?"

"Today, godpa. What could it mean?"

Tri-blade's eyes lit up. "On the face of it, either a distress signal or a summoning... which may mean that someone's found a way to reach us across dimensions."

Rosa held back a shriek. "Then we better find a way to reach them."
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
Rosa could not contain her excitement. She hopped up and down like a child about to open presents on Christmas morning. It took Tri-blade a bit of effort to calm his goddaughter enough to restore her attention.

"Side-bar, Rosa. This way." He gently took Rosa's hand and led her to a side. He caught Aflima's eye and motioned him over to join them.

By the time Aflima reached the pair, Rosa's mother had also made her presence known. Tri-blade smirked slightly - it wasn't likely that he'd object even if he wanted to. He took a deep breath, then spoke to the group.

"Several months ago, not long after we returned, Aflima here filled me in on this mini contingency, whatever you want to call it, scheme that he tried to organise that may eventually allow us to reach or be reached by, our old allies."

He paused only to see Rosa's eyebrows move another inch higher on her head. Analisa, for her part, showed little change in emotion.

"There are different ways of realm-travelling. We already know that we can use the set of gates to go to Dominar and back; however there are no gates from either realm, to another distinct realm. Of course, there have been times both in the past and in recent times, of people having emerged or gone to other realms using other mechanisms. However, there's been no way to control, direct, or predict these circumstances. It usually happens as a surprise - and heck, that's how I first wound up in the realm that eventually - and surely it has by now - was devoured by Ea."

Analisa asked, "And what does this have to do with Rosa's old ring glowing?"

Aflima reached into a pocket and pulled out his own ring. It also glowed with a faint colour. "It's probable that one of our allies has tried to reach us, and despite being in a completely different dimension, or across universes, whatever,... the signal has gotten through!" he nearly shouted.

Tri-blade added, "What this may mean, and don't get carried away,... is that we should just be prepared for anything. I only wish we had a way of sending a signal back... wherever it came from."

***

[A couple of weeks pass]

It was one of those windy nights that you just knew something out of the ordinary was going to happen, remarked Rosa later on.

Tri-blade happened to be tutoring Rosa in advanced algebra when, completely bored, she decided the time was right to head outside for a doughnut break.

"Seriously?" sighed Tri-blade, as he closed the surprisingly lighter-than-expected text book and followed Rosa outside.

"Just for a few minutes, godpa. One maple bacon doughnut won't make me fail the exam, you know."

They made their way to their motorcycles, but just as Rosa pulled her key out, a low rumble in the air interrupted everything.

Tri-blade turned slowly. "What the devil,..." he began, not even noticing that Rosa's old ring had started to glow again.

"Oh my gosh," came Rosa's response, as she pointed towards the source of the rumbling noise.

It wasn't quite transparent, but there was a faintness to the image that initially made Tri-blade wonder if he was watching a hologram or the like. However, the image solidified rapidly and gained volume. They quickly could see the shapes within - and Rosa's hands went to her mouth.

"Ernie,..." she began.

Tri-blade gripped Rosa's arm lightly. "And look, Ability Mage is just behind him." They stared.

Finally, the figures gestured as if they had finally made a connection of some kind. Ability Mage's voice was clear as daylight.

"Friends," he began, "I can't tell who is on the other end, but consider this a distress call of sorts. We have finally achieved the unthinkable, but it may be to our detriment. We can open a communication pathway to others who wield one of the rings, but we cannot yet transfer physical objects, including people.

"However it is urgent that we make rapid progress, because we are under threat. We need you. We're in a dangerous world over here. It's only a matter of time before this place reaches its boiling point. You must understand. There is a group here, they're violent, and merciless. And get this, they call themselves The Legion -"

With a flash, the rift shut, the images disappeared and the voice was silenced.

And two heroes stared open-mouthed into the night.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
Weeks passed without any further incident, but Rosa showed no signs of diminished alertness. Every morning upon waking up, she scanned the room, then checked the security cam footage from the previous night. She insisted that to do otherwise would be betraying Ability Mage and the robots.

Analisa wasn't so sure, and expressed her concerns to Rosa's godfather.

"I'll try my best," Tri-blade said, "maybe I'll offer to take over the 'surveillance' and Aflima will back me up. Last thing we need is her losing her mind on something she has no control of."

Seemingly satisfied, Analisa relaxed. However, Tri-blade's worry remained.

***

[Elsewhere]

"Wish we had programmed you to talk, Ernie," said Ability Mage.

The robot's eyes flashed as if in response. Ability Mage absent-mindedly stroked the metallic head of his companion.

Huddled closely in a stone dwelling, Ability Mage struggled not to shiver as gale force winds howled. The temperature had dropped significantly, but it was an unseen sense of evil in the air that made it feel even colder.

For countless weeks, it was just him, and the robot. It was purely by accident that he stumbled into this world, and without a way of escape, he was forced to spend his time trying to contact his old allies... any of them.

And one fateful day, he made the mistake of encountering... and challenging... the faceless man in blue. Ability Mage heard the word "Morphon" and a few unintelligible phrases, then suddenly he was in the battle of his life. Indeed, it was potentially the last battle of his life, until Ernie appeared and shot a flash bomb in the direction of the stranger. The blast was enough of a distraction for Ability Mage to make a speedy getaway, only to rendezvous with Ernie at the shelter several hours later.

"Did you discover anything else?" Ability Mage asked Ernie at the time. The robot opened a slot in its chest and ejected a recording disc.

It didn't take long to construct a device to play back the contents of the recording, and Ability Mage was initially shocked to discover that the Faceless Man was part of a group called Legion (not *his* Legion, of course, and unlikely to be part of the old Dark Legion crew he sparred with a long time ago), then pleasantly surprised to discover that this Legion possessed significant abilities... including space-time manipulation.

The exact ability that Ability Mage needed to harness somehow, if he was ever going to be able to contact and summon his old friends.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Maximum Thermal Output
Somewhere in a pizza joint a ring on a hand begins to glow feebly, dimly.  Something it has not done in far too long.

The glow has not been noticed yet.
Maximum Thermal Output (L*)
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Maximum Thermal Output
Somewhere in western Pennsylvania, on an earth that is pretty close to this one.

In a basement apartment on the outskirts of town.

A computer voice says “charging complete in thirty minutes”

I look up from my computer terminal, stretch, and walk to the kitchen to get a fresh beer. Damn I am going to miss this brand when I am gone from here, this is some good stuff.

A fresh cold one in hand I walk into the bedroom and change clothes to my “rumble gear”  jeans, black tshirt with a lightning bolt, and a trench coat.  I miss my hammer, but unfortunately it did not survive the EA event, hell, I am not sure how I survived it.  

“file transfer complete, AI has been transferred.”

“Computer, after I leave I want you to scrub the local devices on your way out, we dont want the local law dogs getting anything they shouldnt.  Are you secure in your new home?”

“yes”

“excellent, I have a copy of you I will take with me, when I set up shop I will re-animate you there, but I dont want anything to happen to you here when I am gone.  Please check the transporters circuits for me one last time would you?”

“testing …....  everything is in order.  Charging complete”

after taking one last deep swig of the beer I leave the empty bottle on the device.  I almost wish I could be a fly on the wall when the local version of the men in black find this thing and take it apart.  I have spent too much time on it to rig a destruction circuit on it.  They are going to wonder.

Taking my place on the duck tape X on the platform “Computer, give me a ten second countdown then transfer me to the co ordinates”

ten

nine

eight

seven

six

 man I hope I got this right

five

four

three

two

one

…..

the next day when the police kick in the door all the lights are off except for one computer monitor

“please insert boot media”
Maximum Thermal Output (L*)
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
Months passed.

And even for Rosa, interest and motive finally began to wane. But part of her continued to hope beyond hope for a way to reach her old allies.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

PowerBottom
In reply to this post by Tryangle
Great stuff, as usual, look forward to reading more.
Player ID 11166
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Space Ape
Administrator
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Great job! What's your ID?
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
ID: 10879

Sent: Friday, June 21, 2019 at 12:08 AM
From: "Space Ape [via Heroes Rising Forum]" <[hidden email]>
To: Tryangle <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: Calling the Realm Defenders
Great job! What's your ID?


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NAML

[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
The dust-filled winds continued to batter against the stone hut. Every day for the past 3 years. Ernie worked without question to locate food and water for his human companion, while Ability Mage planned his strategy. Not once did Ability Mage despair of his situation nor flag in his work.

The only constant in his life, the sandstorms.

Once he had attempted to make an expedition beyond his shelter, but he was unable to see more than twenty feet in front of him at any given time. To risk losing his only shelter point while exploring a limitless void... even he could not bear to deal with such a situation. As such, he sneaked back, counting over the steps and feeling for his crude landmarks dropped behind. Ernie could travel further afield but the robot was no navigator.

Much of Ability Mage's time was spent reviewing the Faceless Man's messages.

Morphons.

Growing slowly, but soon to burst exponentially.

Spotting it, being the cue for the so-called Legion to move in and destroy life, while somehow... feeding? off of the morphon energy? It took a while for Ability Mage to decipher what the Faceless Man was planning, but as soon as he realized that the Legion itself was seeding the planet with these tiny particles, he knew the time was approaching when he had to leave his sanctuary.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Space Ape
Administrator
In reply to this post by Maximum Thermal Output
Max, what's your ID?
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
"We are close, but I can't get past this roadblock," sighed Ability Mage in the general direction of his robot companion.

Ernie stared back.

"We are out of time," he continued. Either we starve - and rust - to death, or we head out. Stay close to me."

He loaded his backpack with his remaining water bottles, his failed communications device and a collection of tools - all that remained from his sojourn beyond S.H.C. in the escape from Ea, then stepped outwards into the sandstorm.

For the first hour, Ability Mage kept an accurate count of his steps. Although visibility was poor, the ground was relatively flat, albeit devoid of grass, road or anything apart from rock and dirt. His voice was steady and quiet as he counted in batches of 20. Ernie walked directly behind him, soundless except for the slight squeak of his gears and joints.
However, it proved impossible to maintain focus as the wind swirled rapidly around the pair. Ability Mage often had to brush off the sand from his face as his bandanna couldn't keep out everything.

Three hours later, they hadn't yet stopped for a breather. Ability Mage asked Ernie for a time check.

Silence behind him.

Ability Mage's senses went on high alert. He whirled around, a half-second too late.

The staff of the Faceless Man cracked and splintered as it connected with the side of Ability Mage's head.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
Ability Mage's eyes opened, looking upwards at the person who ambushed him. Even without the swirling dust, the features of his assailant were impossible to gauge. He looked on, unmoving.

He hoped that Ernie wouldn't try to be a hero again; no way that someone as skilled as this Faceless Man would let himself be caught unaware the same way as before... then he realized that it was possible that Ernie was already taken out of the equation.

His head dropped backward, touching the uneven ground softly.

When the Faceless Man leaned over to open the backpack, Ability Mage rolled over, only to be kicked viciously in his side. He groaned loudly as his assailant reached for the communications device. Suddenly, his arm was grabbed and pulled upwards, eliciting another shout of pain. The beginnings of what appeared to be a grin emerged on the enemy's face as whatever passed for eyes gazed on a small bronze-coated ring on Ability Mage's finger.

"No," whispered Ability Mage as he realized what was about to happen.

The Faceless Man yanked the ring away and held it aloft.

"It... won't do anything for you anyway," said Ability Mage.

The Faceless Man grunted as if in defiance. It was soon followed by another well-placed kick to the mid-section of Ability Mage, who was too battered to even attempt a block. He wondered if his fate, after all his adventures, was an unceremonious bludgeoning in some uncharted wilderness, unseen or unknown to any other living soul. He closed his eyes, hoping to will his body to respond.

Undeterred, the Faceless Man drew out an orb from a pocket on his trousers, and dashed it towards the ground. Deep purple mist emerged from it, and the Faceless Man held the ring over it. The mist swirled around, seemingly drawn to the ring. With a sudden burst of light, the ring absorbed the entirety of the mist.

For the first time, the Faceless Man spoke. It was unintelligible to Ability Mage, but it was speech nonetheless. With the ring held in front of him, the Faceless Man activated - how did he know how to do that?, thought Ability Mage - the communications device.

In front of him, a silvery barrier began to form.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Aflima, Warrior of Fire
"Take those blasted shades off," huffed Devra, trying to look serious. She wasn't able to hold back a smirk, however. Her boyfriend's cheesy grin was too much for her to bear,... which considering the situation, was quite out of place.

"C'mon. Whaddya say?" came the response from below. He continued to hold Devra's hand... her left hand... with a brand new engagement ring now enclosing her finger.

Devra's face showed a mishmash of emotions. Anger, that she wasn't prepared, Giddiness, that something she never dreamed of but one day hoped for, laughter at how this came out of seemingly nowhere, and the type of joy that one simply has to cry about. Finally she just burst out laughing, her hands trembling without warning.

"Dammit you nut... 'D', were you in on this?" she said to a man leaning against the wall. Her boyfriend's... fiancee's?... great friend and constant companion through trials, battles, realms and simply growing up, was smiling quietly at the scene.

Tri-blade shook his head. "Sorry Devra, my pal only asked me to hang out here for a minute." He turned towards a still-kneeling, still goofy-grinned Aflima. "He didn't say he wanted a witness to his proposal."

"Can you just say yes so I can get back up, Dev? My knee is getting stiff."

"Quiet, you," replied Devra, not facing him.

"Oh come ON!"

Devra grinned at Tri-blade. Then she turned to look back at Aflima.

"I -"

Out of thin air, a silvery mist formed, as wide as a car and twice as high. The silvery appearance faded into an image of a man with a dimly-visible head who was pointing an object at the threesome. Behind him lay a figure, one that looked vaguely familiar to Aflima.

"Get help!" cried Aflima as he jumped to his feet. He instinctively stepped between Devra and the now-translucent panel.

Tri-blade was quick to jump to the side of his friend. "Already pinged them. What is this... whoa," he said as he felt a weight on his armguard.

Aflima felt the same weight on his gauntlet. The fact that they wore their devices at almost every occasion was turning out to be wise advice, even this many years since the last incident that involved their using of their abilities.

"Our Legionnaire rings," muttered Aflima as silvery energy poured into their armguard and gauntlet.

* Aflima, Warrior of Fire - ID 10898 *
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
It was laughter. Whoever this person was, they were freaking laughing, thought Tri-blade as he stared through the shimmering mist.

For its part, the mist had settled into its rectangular shape, only tiny tendrils emanating from its border. The heroes were able to see their potential adversary very clearly at this point, yet they only stared at the moment.

"What is going on?" whispered Aflima, his shoulders heaving in anticipation of conflict.

Suddenly, the man jogged forwards.

Tri-blade sensed malice, and before anybody could react, dashed forward.

"Wait!" called out a voice - Devra's, no doubt - but Tri-blade wasn't going to ignore his instinct. This was surely a threat to his world, whoever this being was. He spread his arms out, and leaped at the misty barrier.

Tri-blade felt a body, and immediately grabbed it. His weight and momentum were sufficient to tackle his foe and drive him back into the ground. Tri-blade quickly leapt to his feet, spitting out sand.

Where are we?

A grunt emanated from the being on the ground. His head rose and Tri-blade was only able to see a dark blue head, possibly masked or veiled but it was difficult to see anything else with the sandstorm whipping around them. Fists clenched, Tri-blade hesitated.

The Faceless Man rose to his feet but in a pensive fashion. Seeing this moment as a sizing-up opportunity, Tri-blade took a chance and glanced behind him. Beyond the misty panel, there was only the sandstorm... but within it he could make out his friend. He couldn't see if Devra was still there, but hoped that she was backing away from whatever danger was threatening to invade.

It was then that Tri-blade turned around and saw for the first time, a Legionnaire ring, held by the Faceless Man.

One of our old allies... is in trouble...

"Who are you?"

Silence from the Faceless Man. His body swayed left to right rhythmically, but showed no sign of agitation.

"Where is this?"

Again there was no response. Tri-blade looked behind him again. It appeared as though Aflima was shouting, but no sound emanated from the mist.

Tri-blade turned back and saw that the Faceless Man was holding up the ring. It glowed silver.

"What the -"

The misty shape vanished. Tri-blade was suddenly alone with his adversary. The sandstorm continued its relentless assault.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Brain Chef
Administrator
In reply to this post by Tryangle
Than
Tryangle wrote
Months passed.

And even for Rosa, interest and motive finally began to wane. But part of her continued to hope beyond hope for a way to reach her old allies.
Months... and months...  and more months passed...

The being known as BrainChef had promised to bring it back, but many began to doubt.

Brainchef has always kept his word before, but sometimes it took so long that any reasonable being would wonder....

The months dragged into years, until one day....

------------------

Thanks for sticking around! Hope it's worth the wait...
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Macaia's Daughter
In reply to this post by Tryangle
"Tri!" screamed Rosa as she approached Aflima and Devra. She saw the mist and had ran as hard as she could. Her godfather was somewhere within - but her cries were in vain.

Aflima walked towards the area where the mist had once been, then around. He probed with steady fingers at the air, but sensed nothing out of the ordinary. There was absolutely no evidence of anything mystical or magical...

Rosa lifted her hand. The ring.

It glowed.

"Can we get it back?" she asked Aflima.

Rosa's mother, Analisa, had also arrived, along with Frederick and Neeta. Both of these long-term friends had experience over the years assisting and dealing with various threats across realms, and their speedy response to Tri-blade's call-out was of no surprise.

"Get what back?" asked Frederick in a quiet voice, one that wouldn't be expected of someone 6 and a half feet tall and overly muscular.

Neeta chimed in, "a portal of some sort, I think." She had a reassuring hand placed on Devra's shoulder, sensing that comfort was needed to an ally in a state of mild shock.

Aflima shook his head slowly. "I have no idea. Everything happened so suddenly. And now Tri is gone..." he attempted to continue, but the words would not come out.

This time, it was Rosa who lent her hand in support. To her though, she knew for certain that Tri-blade wasn't going to be 'gone' for long.

Player ID: 10890 | Sig by Acidburn
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
The Faceless Man did not let up on his assault, as he circled around with no sign of fatigue to begin another series of attacks.

Tri-blade grunted - he wasn't expecting such a barrage - then stepped back to put some distance between them. With the sand whipping around so vigorously, the ability for him to see his opponent precisely was limited. He noted that the Faceless Man likely didn't have such an impediment.

He ducked and rolled away from a flying kick.

"Well, unlike that Cap-Am fella... I definitely can not do this all day," he muttered as he got back to his defensive fighting stance.

His fists clenched and began to shiver slightly. The Faceless Man seemed oblivious to this development as he ran in. With some effort, Tri-blade parried the attacks with a knee and then a reverse kick, making the Faceless Man lose balance.

This gave Tri-blade the opening he needed. His fists glowed a shade of indigo, the energy summoned inwards at its capacity. He thrust both hands outwards, his opponent too close to react.

Nova BurstTri-blade yelled. His Nova Burst signature attack struck his enemy dead centre; a steady stream of energy emanated with precision.

Knocked back a few dozen yards, the Faceless Man rose slightly but in a crouching position. Tri-blade saw that his enemy was clearly wounded. Tri-blade wiped his brow, content to catch his breath. He tried to look around, but saw nothing but gritty sand in all directions. Tri-blade began to walk towards his enemy. The only thing on Tri-blade's mind was getting that ring... and information on who last possessed it.

The Faceless Man attempted to rise with a surprise quick uppercut; it was easily evaded. Tri-blade responded with a left cross followed up with an uppercut of his own. The Faceless Man tumbled over. Tri-blade pressed the advantage with a hard kick to the rib-cage. A loud grunt came from the man on the ground.

"Where. Are. We," said Tri-blade.

No response.

He launched another boot at the Faceless Man, who rolled away with a grunt. Tri-blade noticed that he had released his grip on the ring, and quickly spotted it in the sand. He rushed toward it.

As he picked it up, the Faceless Man got to his feet. Tri-blade stared at his adversary.

With great speed, the Faceless Man pulled out an orb from a pocket and dashed it towards the ground. The smoke bomb's effect totally clouded Tri-blade's vision. When the smoke cleared, the Faceless Man was no longer there... and neither was the sandstorm.
[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]
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Re: Calling the Realm Defenders

Tryangle
Tri-blade took in his surroundings. In all directions there was desolate, gritty grey and brown sand. Only dunes of negligible height distinguished the landscape from being a completely flat and miserable scene. White clouds lay in the sky but they were practically immobile. There was no sound of bird or animal life. After the sandstorm abated, the quietness was of equal discomfort.

He held the ring aloft and stared at it. The ring was metallic, and though it had the appearance of gold, was actually composed of a metal not found or known to Earth. Tri-blade touched the insignia on the surface of the ring and allowed himself a minute to reminisce of the days where he and a band of fellow warriors helped to take on evil hordes from Zigon and other otherworldly threats to protect a realm.

"Can I get back home?" he silently asked the ring.

The ring glowed silver, surprising Tri-blade. He had several instances of dealing with enchanted objects during his time, but he wasn't prepared one bit for this old ring to act as a sentient object.

He looked ahead, and the mist wall - portal, Tri-blade considered - reappeared. Silver slowly faded to reveal a row of concerned faces. The youngest of them - Rosa - opened her mouth to speak, but as before, no sound came through.

Tri-blade held up his hand with a finger raised. One minute, please. A brief walk around the bizarre object, surveying everything available, was in order. That task was completed without interference, and in less than a minute, he was reunited with his friends and allies.

*

"It's another realm," Tri-blade said while affixing his utility belt. "Possibly another Earth, too, although that wasteland didn't look like anything I've seen before."

Rosa asked, "And Ability Mage?"

"I don't know. But I feel that your hunch has been right all along. I think it's obvious, our old friend is in trouble and we need to find him. Who knows how many other of those faceless men, or other beings, there may be?"

The pair walked back to the main group, where other conversation was already taking place.

"We're going to have to seal off this area for an indefinite period," muttered Frederick. "Government's not going to be impressed."

"I'll handle that," sighed Neeta. "We still have some goodwill with the powers-that-be."

Aflima, while holding Devra's hand, said, "Tri, we've completed our tests. Each ring, including the one you found, can open one of these portal-things. They also can somehow close the same portal. The portal opens out to the same location each time, which might be problematic."

Frederick added, "It may mean that we'll have to set up some base in wherever-that-place is for everybody's protection. That place, being desolate, doesn't lend itself well to such a venture."

"At least there's no sandstorm anymore," replied Tri-blade.

"We'll find resources, people and equipment. I'll take care of that," said Analisa.

"Mom?" called out Rosa.

"Hush, dear. If you're going on another adventure with Tri, at least this time I'll be in closer contact. Because I already know you're not staying here."

"I'm coming too," said Devra.

"What?" interrupted her boyfriend. His grip didn't waver.

"Why have just one intelligent, strong woman, assist behind the scenes while you guys do what you do? I dare say Rosa's mother could use a doctor with experience working with enhanced humans over in wherever that place is."

Aflima smiled. "I can't win that argument."

"Okay, guys. Get some gold, silver, copper and pearls for your currency strips," said Tri-blade. "We may need an exchange if/when we meet friendly persons over there. Also a fold-able ATV for each of us."

"Analisa, hold onto Ability Mage's ring. When we find our friend we'll take our next steps."

"Let's do this," said Aflima confidently.

They put their hands in, and held a moment of silence and contemplation.

As Rosa, Aflima and Tri-blade made their way to the open portal, Devra shouted out, "One more thing!"

They turned around.

"Yes I'll marry you!" Devra bounced with joy.

[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]