Minutes, hours, and eventually a full day passes. But our progress towards the exit becomes increasingly incremental. We're definitely getting closer just slowly. As if we're walking against a flow of invisible water. The culprit the grass.Plant-Sliver Glade-Resistance-Faithful.
At first we didn't notice that the grass was literally moving under our feet. When we did it was easily discarded as absurd or meaningless. But inevitably it became obvious what was happening when we stopped passing the skulls along the wall, yet were still moving at a constant pace. When we came to a confused stop it and saw the skulls moving past us and the hallways end getting further away calling what I felt anger is an understatement. When that rage made us move further backwards though I calmed down.
Rather than Faith we need positive or at least neutral emotions towards the dungeon and I suspected the Pillar of life to progress. Ironically if the Pillar hadn't tried to bind me to it I might have just strolled through this being completely confused as to what the challenge is. If I had entered the floor the right way around I would have just turned around and left. But instead I have to try and brute force a path forward as the floor itself resists our advance.
Sitting back down at the path up while Ghost sleeps i find my mind drifting towards the only real solution I have, Bind.
" if i can Bind my feet in place below the moving grass then shouldn't I be able to walk forward? The only question is can I Bind myself to other stuff?" Curious I place my hand on the ground and begin probing outward with my astral mass. As I do three memories hit me.
Roots burrowing forward infiltrateing and reinforcing the ground. Particals flickering, infecting, and subverting the grass. Finally I remember my crude smothering of wills that I used to communicate the way Glutton does.
Each of these memories eminate from my skill, overwhelming my sense of self for just a moment. When I come to my senses i find my hand firmly rooted in place and Force dripping out of my center into thin hair like threads that weave into the ground, to make it happen.
Confused and mildly concerned I trace along the root like formation I've unconsciously created and test just how stuck my hand is.
"Grrrrrrrr!" pop
Tumbling to the ground after using my whole body to try and pull my hand free I'm both surprised and worried at how well I've bound my hand. Plugging my hand back in place, i instead cut of the force feeding the odd effect. Rapidly my astral mass loses what ever physical presence it had and I'm able to retrieve it and pull my hand off the floor.
"What we're those memories?" The question slips from my mouth as I lean against the wall and ideally try and replicate whet I just did. The closer I get to replicating the root formation the clearer the memorie of burrowing roots becomes. " I only know of two trees, and only one has tried to get into my head? Are these memories some sorta trap, or are they just a side effect of having a something try and take over your mind." Poking at the construct instead my center only brings nasua instead of answers, so reluctantly I decided to not look this gift horse in the mouth and instead practice rooting myself in place in place until Ghost wakes up.
-
"Why and how are you on the ceiling?" The visible sprise on her face from seeing me standing on the ceiling above her, almost makes all the falling from the roof I did during the night worth it. Almost.
"I was hoping to maybe avoid walking along that accursed grass, but hanging upside down for just an hour is really starting to make it hard to think."
"You we're hanging above my for an hour!"
"No!… I was mostly learning how to walk like this, it takes a lot more brain power than you'd think." I unconsciously rub at a fresh bruise on the back of my head.
"So you're finally admitting to being an idiot. Good to know your finally being honest with yourself!"
"I thought we were past insulting each other?"
"I'm just playing around, mister sensitive." She looks away defensively. During that time I slowly stomp my way down the wall and back to the floor. The stomping of isn't strictly necessary to bind my feet in place, but the action is oddly helpful and cathartic. I've even found a practical longer term use, in binding my club to my back! While Glutton isn't super happy to leave my hand, being on my person is enough it satisfie them... so long as I give them a little extra Force to play with. Thus i finally have both my hands free again!
"So Ghost. I should be able to eventually force my way there this trial… But I'm not really certain how to bring you along?" I ask with genuine concern. By contenuisly electricuting her I could probably keep her sold long enough to drag her along, but I'm genuinely uncertain if that would even work? Plus that definitely counts as torture.
"Hmmm, I could probably walk across by making small weak platforms just above the grass? It'd take me a while to make I through though. So I'll probably lag behind you?" She sounds a bit stilted?
"Are you feeling okay Ghost? "
"I'm fine. I'm just…uncertain? I've never made tiny barriers before and the skill is kinda new and confusing?"
I half laughe" I know right! Traits, Abilities, Skills, and Shards! There all so similar it's hard to tell whare one ends and the other begins!…But like my aunt always says, perfect practice practice makes perfect people…" I unconsciously frown up at the memory." For this though we only need to be good enough." Forcing a smile I give her a thumbs up before turning around and advancing towards the entrance down.
How could I have noticed that Ghost following in my wake met no resistance of her own when her feet met the grass.