ULTRAMagic Prelude

Chapter 16

"Why does it have to be that place?" Dragoslava asked, incredibly nervous.

"I suppose it's time I told you some more about what the Lich is up to," Leif admitted. "My brother is planning to craft a dagger that will allow him to enter the Deep Nebula. Within the Deep Unlight is the Basalt Monolith Forest, which holds the gateway in the form of an organic abyss, leading to the aforementioned nebula. Presumably his goal is The Dark Grand Desert and its ruler. He plans to either rob or challenge The Great Unspeaker. I'm certain he will not succeed, but let's not take any chances."

"Why the Metal Oasis though? That place is anything but an oasis!"

Blood-Wraith was growing worried over Dragoslava's mood. "Sister? What's the matter? Why are you so on edge over this?"

Dragoslava cleared her throat. "Blood, that place is cursed. Every explorer that's ever gone there has never returned. There are just some places in the Unlight you never go to."

"Is it also that nightmare you had? Was it something bad?"

Before Dragoslava could answer, Desislav spoke up. "We'll have to save it for later. Looks like we're getting close."

The Metal Oasis was a very surreal place to behold. Everything was shiny metal and looked like it was expanding outwards. Tall, grotesque metal spires towered over them, spiraling and twisting up towards the sky. Wind howled past pools of liquid metal and effigies that looked incredibly life-like darted the exterior of the metallic forest. A deep red moon loomed in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the entire area. Dragoslava was definitely right about it not being an oasis. Everyone got off of Leif, but were slow to step on the metal ground.

"Good luck to all of you. I'll patrol the skies and make sure the Lich isn't hiding his forces somewhere."

"Thanks, I guess..." Dragoslava mumbled as Leif took flight.

Desislav took a step onto the metal. "Oh jeez, I'm going to need hoof treatment after this..."

"What do you mean?" Blood-Wraith bent down and inspected his feet. "What's the matter with your hooves?"

"Hooves aren't meant for hard, solid places like this... Hold up a second! Why is the ground soft now?"

Blood-Wraith noticed this phenomenon was happening as Desislav walked. "Oh wow. Maybe the oasis recognizes your issue?"

Dragoslava sighed. "Let's get moving. The less time spent here the better... OOF!" She walked into a flexible barrier. "Hey?!"

"I think you hurt its feelings, sister."

"What the..." She was confused. "Um, sorry? I'm just nervous and on edge..." The barrier went away.

The group began making their way to the center. Strangely Blood-Wraith appeared to be talking to the metal as they walked. It was very happy to meet him as it felt similar to him. The journey was tricky as there were many obstacles in the form of metal mud and flora. Dragoslava and Desislav were also becoming more metallic as they traveled. Eventually they had to stop as the two had become fully coated in a rubbery, metallic substance. None of their features could be made out as they looked like a pair of simple, metal statues. At some point they stopped moving, becoming like the effigies.

"I don't think we're supposed to be here..." Desislav said, a little muffled.

"I told you guys this place is cursed," Dragoslava grumbled as she tried to move.

This would not do at all, so the oasis got to work. Bundles of silver fibers engulfed them, removing excess metal and polishing them. Dragoslava and Desislav were now completely silver and metallic. It felt odd, like their skin was armor now. Through Blood-Wraith, it explained that that was a defense mechanism, designed to subdue intruders. Annoyingly it did not work on the undead (nor Blood-Wraith, due to his strange existence). The Oasis also proposed that the metal coatings should provide them some protection. It could not guarantee the durability of the metal, however.