Time to Cash In - II

A JP by Tahjerius and Ender

((The Dalen Remnant))

Shade opened his eyes, feeling someone approaching him. "What took you so long?"

Ponce looked to him, an exhausted teleportation scroll burning away in one hand. He raised an eyebrow as he approached the assassin.

“Apologies. I didn’t realize I was holding you up,”

His red gaze looked past the shadow demon to the light show beyond, and the scene from which the light emanated. The Dalen Remnant was a vast wasteland, flattened and empty. Smoke wafted across the ground as if it were the very last traces of the mass loss of life from the attacks levied upon the land. The Timber Crag had left the Dalen in ruin, and the process had begun long ago, when Ponce was still a part of this world as opposed to a stranger to it.

“Quite a scene, isn’t it?” Ponce finally said.

Shade glanced back at the light, "Just a battle between magic. They are common in the Abyss." The demon didn't want to endanger Draken with another lunatic, so he did what he does best. Lie.

"So, are you here to watch a simple magic fight, or are you finally giving me payment?"

Ponce took a few steps forward, looking down at Shade and regarding him with an inquirious look. He said nothing at first, simply reaching into a pouch and pulling from it a crystal. It did not glow or shimmer, but was comprised of a pinkish substance and was covered in engravings.

“This mysterious crystal is apparently one of three. It is said that when these crystals are combined, the possessor may wish for anything his heart may desire. Quite a powerful artifact, wouldn’t you agree?”

"To say, a fair trade of what I had to receive. So I agree, is this my payment or a simple ruse?" Shade kept his eyes on the man, a bit concerned about who he was and why he wanted the book.

“It’s no ruse, I assure you!” Ponce said, hands in front of him. His voice suddenly became warm, and startlingly so, as if he simply felt no angst or worry. It sounded absolutely genuine.

“To my knowledge, this stone is exactly what the legends say, exactly as you requested. It’s only that I did some digging, and interestingly I found that what the legends say isn’t all that concrete. There exist… alternate interpretations of what this crystal is supposed to be capable of. Resurrection, or some say they’re divine in origin, I’ve even heard some rumors of plane walking, or interplanar portal making to be more specific,”

Ponce looked at where the shifting mass of darkness’ face ought to be, and while he couldn’t see an expression, his apprehensive reaction was still clear. Ponce thought to penetrate the shadow assassin’s mind, but he knew from experience that beings who walked the line between life and death often had strange or otherwise incompatible relationships with psychokinetic abilities. He opted not to risk it.

"Ah. So one of three, eh? Sounds fair in our book." He put his hand out, "With the crystal I will count this as payment, thus our deal will be concluded. It also means I am not bound to do your bidding from now on." Shade glanced around, ensuring some kind of trap wouldn’t be sprung on him at the last second. He didn’t trust this strange man as far as he could throw him, but things seemed to be clear so far. He only wished he’d just fork over the crystal and leave already.

Ponce looked at the assassin, brows slightly furrowing with the smallest twinge of frustration. Shade’s body language had cleared up quickly. He must have had quite the experience hiding things from others. With nothing else to gleam and no other suspicions to confirm, the Sorcerer looked back to the clearing. The lights still had not ceased, and he wondered what all Shade was hiding from him. Ponce’s gaze finally rested on the assassin, and he dropped the crystal into his hand. That done, he grabbed his last scroll and unfurled it.

“Do be careful with that, ” He simply said, before looking upon his scroll. His eyes closed as he focused, and the air around him shimmered as magic began to envelop him. With a final burst of arcane energy, the Sorcerer was gone, and the assassin was left to his own devices.