Waking in a cold sweat, I look around confused for a few moments, my eyes still adjusting to the surrounding low light. Something feels wrong…, I think to myself, before I finally acknowledged the stifling heat emanating from a source I cannot yet discern.
My eyes finally widen enough to see where I am, a small cell with barren stone walls and a rusty door. I reach my hand to the iron, feeling the heat course through it before I bring my face to look outside. Beyond my cell door lies a land of fire and lava, farther than I can possibly make out. My lungs burn as I breathe, the smell of brimstone filling my senses as I try to stifle back coughs.
Looking closer, I spot a figure in the distance, whom I assume to be the guard. The most intriguing thing about this guard was it appeared they had no legs. As I stare, it becomes clear that this guard is indeed missing legs, and in its place is a long tail. Trying to figure out what creature stands in front of me, I hear it let out a hiss, Naga! In such a place as this? Whatever it is they are doing here, I’m sure it is something I’d rather avoid. Positive this guard has the key to my freedom, I need to think of a way to get it.
Pondering through ideas, I think I can conjure my shadowfiend to retrieve the key for me. I start to concentrate on conjuring my little friend, then notice that nothing seems to be happening. I look down at my hand, rather confused by the lack of energy. I can see a small mass of shadow energy cradled there, yet I cannot seem to make it larger. I look around my cell, trying to find the source of the disruption. It’s at this point that I look down, and notice an object attached to my right ankle. I move my hand closer to it, and see what little shadow energy was there get even smaller. So, this little device is strong enough to quell even void energy, how annoying. Coming to the realization that my magic won’t be able to save me, I need to think of something else.
I pace slowly, trying to think of something I can do that doesn’t involve magic. I figure that getting the guard to come over to my cell would be simply, but any attempt I could make for the key would be rather difficult. At this point I stop, look down and mutter a curse to myself, “The solution is right here in front of me, and it took me this long to figure it out?” Being a Kaldorei, I can naturally blend in with my surroundings, even if it’s not full camouflage, it should work in a darkened area such as this. I love my stupidity of relying on void energy too much.
I back up to the cell wall, and do my best to hide myself among the stone, then I let out a sharp whistle, getting the guards attention. He looks at my cell, clearly alarmed by the fact that I appear to be missing from it. Slithering over in a rush, he quickly unlocks the gate and comes in. I have to be quick, while he probably can’t see me, he will most likely be able to smell me. I gather up what little void energy possible and move it to the tip of my finger. I lunge out from the shadows, jumping on top of the Naga, and using this advantage I put my finger to his temple, letting the void go. As it jolts through is brain, he stops for a moment, body paralyzed by what just occurred, before falling over in a slump.
I grab his sword, and find the key ring on his armor. Two keys hang from it, one clearly for the doors and the other I assume to be for the bangle. I bring the key to me ankle, and it slide into the keyhole with ease. One turn later, and I’m free of the magic suppression. I step out and channel the void into my hands, now overflowing as normal. Moving towards the end of the corridor, I look outside, seeing more Naga roam about. As I open the door, I hope they’ll be just as fun to play with as the guard.
First time responding to a prompt from you, but I’ve looked at some past ones. I had a lot of fun thinking about this story and what I could craft for Keli’s escape. Apologies if it’s long, I can always split up something like this into two parts in the future.
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