It's strange for one person's eyes to crack open and feel as if they were newborn to the world. In fact, Georgi may be the second person to ever experience it. It's hard to say just how long he was unconscious, but it seems to be still nighttime, so presumably the same night. Nearby the wolf can see a pack containing the clothing promised. Alptraum and his former host, Annika, are still lying on the floor. Upon closer inspection, Alptraum's fur has gone gray and much of his body looks withered and aged; likely from the strain of transference. And as he sits up, he feels the slight weight of the necklace around his neck.

Crossroads Ruin
Dilapidated and mostly burned out is the best way to describe this building in the former town of Crossroads. All of the wood of the walls are coated in black soot, as is much of the stone support pillars and the well-worn stone floor. There is a rough stonework fireplace in the corner in which a fire burns, providing most of the light in the room. The air is still and slightly damp, creating an oddly oppressive feeling here.

The Jupani sits up slowly, using his arms to push himself upright. He looks at his new body with curious eyes, stretching out his fingers, then flexing the muscles in his arms. It's as if he's trying to figure out if all his limbs are working the way they should. He then attempts to stand, again using his arms to push himself from the floor.

Movements are jerky and confused at first and it's hard to find strength, but eventually it comes. Not long after he's to his feet, the Jupani's stomach growls. He feels hungry. He hasn't felt hungry in a very long time.

The wolf actually smiles faintly at the sensation but otherwise ignores it. Instead, he steps a little closer to the two forms lying on the floor. He watches closely for the rising and falling of their chests, to see if they're still even breathing. Also, much like he did when he was still sharing the mage's body, he nudges the Skeek lightly with one foot, to see if she will awaken, or move, or anything at all.

Yes, Alptraum is still breathing. It's shallow, but present.

At the touch, the Skeek woman's fingers twitch but she does not awaken. She's very much alive but still deeply unconscious. The spirit-transference seems to have cost her more in strength than she first estimated. The Jupani nods, seemingly satisfied, and walks carefully over to the bundle of clothing. He takes out the garments and begins to dress, although his movements are not quite smooth and natural just yet.

"Satisfied?" comes a rasping and weak voice from behind the Jupani. There's a faint scratching as the Eeee behind him struggles to sit up.

Georgi finishes lacing up the front of the shirt that he found packed away for him and casts a glance at the Eeee over his shoulder. His jaw works for a few moments, but at last he growls, "Is the money in here, too?" He gestures at the supplies.

"Of course," Alptraum answers from where he leans against the scorched wall. When sitting up he looks even worse than lying down. "So, what do you intend now? Resume hunting down travelers and brutalizing them?"

Georgi kneels down beside the pack and rifles through it, finding the money pouch at last. He hefts it in one hand and his eyebrows raise appreciatively. "Generous woman, your Countess," he remarks, before putting the pouch away again and hefting the pack. He only moves a few paces, however, before putting it down again beside the mage. He crouches at her side and stares into her face. "I shared her body for three years," he mutters, running the back of one hand over her cheek and down her chest. "That sort of closeness gives you insight, you might say."

"Is that so? I don't think she would appreciate you touching her," Alptraum comments a bit darkly. "Just as she didn't appreciate how you tortured her with that necklace."

"That's so, boy. A great deal of insight – into their personal habits, for example." The Jupani's hand moves lower, to the woman's waist, then snatches something out of her belt. It's a small, silver knife, just the right size for cutting herbs and other potion ingredients. He then grabs the pack with his other hand and slings it hard, right at Alptraum's chest.

Alptraum is in no condition to move and the pack certainly finds its mark with a sickening thud against his chest. The Eee's silvery eyes go wide briefly and then he collapses back to the floor. "Heh, I see," he rasps in pain. "I honored my agreement, but you see fit to break yours," he adds. His silvery eyes dilate and contract as he looks into the wolf's eyes … and then the Eeee just smiles.

Alptraum's claws scrape against the stone floor as he futilely tries to push himself back up. "If you harm here," he whispers, "You will regret it."

By the time the Eeee attempts to sit up once more, Georgi has pulled Annika's limp body against his chest. He is still crouched on the floor with the knife in his hand, but his other arm is wrapped around her waist to keep her against him. He laughs deep within his chest. "There you'd be wrong, boy. I'm actually going to enjoy it very, very much." The wolf's gaze settles on the woman's head, which is tipped back against his shoulder with her throat exposed. "What's even better is that you'll have to watch."

"Then you have made your choice, I cannot be held responsible for the consequences," Alptraum rasps as he weakly pushes himself upright once more. "Tell me … have you ever heard the phrase: You make your own hell?" the Eeee asks.

"Hell?" The Jupani laughs again as he digs the point of the knife into the mage's throat, just a little. A small trickle of blood rises around the blade and runs through the Skeek's fur. "I already know about Hell! I spent three years there when I was trapped in this bitch's body! So don't you preach to me about Hell!" The muscles bunch in his arm; he looks ready to draw the knife across Annika's throat.

The door to the building rattles, and then something pounds on it from outside.

"You don't even begin to know the meaning of hell, pup," Alptraum says darkly, the weakness in his voice gone. Without the slightest wobble, the gray Eeee rises to his feet and stretches to his full height. As if ink were flowing through his hairs, Georgi can see the gray fur flow back to black. He lifts his right hand and wiggles his fingers, asking, "Care to meet your future now? You chose this path. There were two places that door was to lead, you see. It was left up to your actions at this moment to decide which it was to be."

Alptraum's dramatic renewal and the pounding on the door distract Georgi from his intent, just long enough for someone to draw a breath. In that time, the mage's eyes suddenly snap open and she throws something into the Jupani's face! It's the contents of the second potion she'd prepared – and whatever is in there burns the wolf's eyes, judging from his howl of pain. His grip loosens just enough for the woman to slip out of his arms and roll out of reach. Georgi snarls and lunges after her, the knife outstretched…

The door bursts open and a figure steps into the firelight. It is man-sized and shaped, but covered in slimy, amphibian skin. The texture of the skin is warty, but it becomes clear that the warts are actually eyes scattered across the body. The head itself is eyeless, with the only features being a single ear in the middle of the forehead and a wide, toothy maw beneath it. One arm ends in reptilian talons, while the other is no more than a tooth-studded tentacle that is coiled like a whip. A talon is raised to point at the wolf, and in a gurgly voice the creature says, "Oath-breaker."

Georgi's knife manages to sink into Annika's thigh. For the Skeek there is a burst of pain; the blade feeling hot inside her muscle. Only … it doesn't last; the pain seems to simply fade. At the same time, the dagger feels loose in Georgi's hand and when he pulls it back the blade itself is gone. There is also no wound at all in the Skeek's leg. "Servant of Verminous, take him outside for sentencing.," Alptraum says. His voice is odd; as if two voices overlaying; one the normal Eeee, the other a hollow and raspy tone. "I will bring Annika shortly and bear witness against him," he adds and walks towards the fallen woman.

The tentacle whip uncurls and lashes forward to wrap around Georgi's right leg, the teeth biting deep into his flesh. And the demon begins to drag the Jupani back towards the door.

The Jupani looks startled as the blade simply disappears in his hand… then his gaze wanders to the monstrous creature and his eyes go wide. When its tentacle curls around his leg and starts dragging him away, Georgi roars in pain and fury and scrabbles at the floor with his hands, trying to find purchase.

The sooty floor offers no good grips as the wolf is dragged through the door. A gust of cold wind rolls over his body as he inevitably heads towards whatever awaits. Alptraum in the meantime has gone to Annika's side and lifted her up and now supports her weight by holding her arm around his shoulders. "I am sorry I could not tell you exactly what I had planned. In fact, I fear I haven't been honest with you at all," he tells her in that dual-tone voice as he slowly carries her towards the door, "But, I do think you will appreciate it … for he is about to be judged by the most demonic of amphibians; Lord Verminous."

The mage leans against Alptraum heavily, standing, but only barely. Two tired eyes of milky-blue stare into his for a moment, then at last, she shakes her head. "Remind me… to ask… how you summoned… Verminous… at all. But… it can wait," she murmurs. "We should hurry. I don't know… how much longer… I will remain awake."

"You aren't awake now," Alptraum tells her as the pair steps through the doorway.

The Edge of Reality
Many stories talk about about the end of the world. Some call it the crossroads between life and death. Others, the edge of reality. The truth is, it's none of those all all of those. Nestled in that legendary place stands a crystalline spire with its peak a flat surface from which others can see the infinite. Endless sky stretches out around the spire. Wisps of light dance and swirl, forming patterns in the dim light. Some craft images of lives that once were. Others … of lives yet to come. Even the gentle wind carries the voices of those long gone upon them, a soft whispering and chanting of things impossible. It is a world at peace … and a world frozen and forgotten.

The demon releases Georgi only to begin whipping him with the toothed tentacle. The whip leaves horrific gashes which, bizarrely, continue to expand – it's as if the flesh is trying to peel itself away from the bones. The sounds that go with this, aside from the Jupani's screams, are also unsettling. The whipping continues until Georgi's body is reduced to a quivering blob that is still trying to turn itself inside out, and it's clear that it is still alive and feeling everything.

"No. Both of us are still lying on the floor asleep back in Sylvania," Alptraum explains as he leads Annika out into the stillness. "Our minds and spirits … well, I drew into this place. It's a prison forged by an ancient evil. He used to to cage those he devoured for power. When he fell to Arkold and I, it fell to me to release those he caged. But … when I learned of Georgi, I realized it could hold at least one more. That door we just walked through could have lead to an echo that seemed to be the world he remembered and he could have blissfully 'lived' on not knowing that he put himself in here when he placed the necklace on the fake body. but, his final act of betrayal have summoned the demon who punishes all Oathbreakers here."

Annika continues to stare at Alptraum for a little while, lost in thought. "I begin to see, albeit dimly," she admits, finally.

A great foot reaches up over the edge of the spire, a web-toed mix of toad, dragon and rat. The rest of the body heaves itself up after, and 'squid' can be added to the mix of features. The face is scaled, with a huge batrachian jaw and topped by a pair of giant eyes, while smaller ones dot the surface between scales and scraggly fur. The throat expands, and the demon Lord Verminous lets out a croak-roar. The maw gapes, revealing row upon row of serrated teeth, while the tongue itself is more frog-like. Hinged, it flips out to catch the quivering blob that was Georgi, and then just as quickly flips back. The jaws snap shut, and the monster begins to descend the spire without a word.

A moment later, its demonic minion hops over the edge and disappears as well.

Alptraum leans over the edge of the platform and calls out, "Well, hello to you too! You could have at least introduced yourself to my friend!" Shrugging, he looks back to Annika and comments, "Sorry. Most of the creatures in here aren't the most social." He now sighs and adds, "And truly, I am sorry I did not explain everything. You had to believe I could raise the dead … because if you did, he would. In truth, it was all faked. There were no new bodies. Those were just crafted spirits held stable by my spirit ally, Kaira."

The mage thinks a while longer, then asks, "So, the hogs you brought along weren't hogs at all? Just spirits crafted by this Kaira you mentioned?"

"Oh, the hogs were real. I just absorbed them for spiritual energy, much as Melusine will do when hungry," Alptraum explains and lowers Annika to the ground and then sits beside her. "None of them were actually ever reshaped. The energy gained from the hogs was used by Kaira to make herself 'solid' temporarily. Kaira is … hard to explain. She is a complex spell created by creatures not from our world. She is a jailer for the monster named Vorgulremik; the one who created this place. When Georgi put the necklace on Kaira … he basically walked into the prison."

"Vorgulremik… I believe I have heard the Countess mention that name before, but I never knew who or what he was," Annika muses, staring around the strange place as she talks. "So he is the ancient evil you mentioned earlier. What type of being was he?"

"A dragon that devoured his own race out of paranoia," Alptraum explains, "One who fed on the bodies, minds, and souls, of others to make himself more powerful. From what I have learned, he destroyed entire worlds just to empower himself. Given time, he would have also devoured ours. Kaira's sole purpose is to imprison and destroy him … but to destroy him would mean to condemn all in here to oblivion. So … she has not done it. Nor will she until all those who are worth releasing are freed of this place. That is my duty and promise to her; to help her free those trapped here. My existence as the Barsunala gives me the ability to transfer to and from this place. She even helped me fuse with the dead shadow dragon, the shadow of Amena, to extend my lifespan and make it possible to complete her duty. that union you know about, since you have been watching me for unexpected side effects."

The mage seems ready to ask another question when she starts and holds one of her hands up to her face. When Alptraum turns to see what she's staring at, he can see that her figure is slowly filling out, returning to a much healthier weight. Looking more closely, he can even see her eyes turn from a cloudy, milky blue to a sharp, bright blue. The silver also fades from her braided hair, leaving inky-black hair behind. Even her fur takes on a healthier sheen. "Hmm. Will wonders never cease," Annika remarks, sounding only mildly surprised at her transformation. "Although this will happen much more slowly in the real world, I'm sure… "

"Unfortunately," Alptraum admits, "Some things are just easier in the outside world. Like, I couldn't do this… " Now grinning, the Eeee shows Annika his hand and once more comments "Nothing up my sleeve!" He then plunges his hand into his own chest, then pulls it back out. Instead of something as grotesque as his own heart … he pulls out a diminutive … and rather pissed off looking … dragon. "Meet Kaira. Kaira, Annika the famous FrogMilker. Annika, Kaira the dragon. Kaira helped pull of the ruse." he says by way of introduction.

"Hey! I was watching over your bodies you know," the blue dragon complains. "In case any wandering boars came to eat your toes."

The Frogmilker actually gives Kaira a genuine smile at this, which only underscores the beauty of the Skeek's healthy form. Even for someone in the middle of her life, she's quite attractive. "They'd only find us unappetizing, so we have nothing to fear in that regard," she remarks. "Congratulations on fooling an old mage who thought she'd seen everything. I'm not so sure, now."

"No, you haven't quite seen everything. Nor have I. But I have seen a few things I wish I could unsee. The things some immortals get up to in here are, well … they could make a Yodhinala blush," Alptraum quips.

"Well, glad that someone appreciates my acting skills!" the little dragon preens.

"Although you would have had a much harder time trying to fool a mage of spirit with this little ploy," Annika continues. "So I suppose it was a good thing I'm merely a life-mage."

"Well, yes. I did consider that," Alptraum comments with a grin as he drapes Kaira around his neck. "I'm currently the spirit expert at Draco castle … well sorta."

"Well, the happy ending is what counts," Kaira insists, climbing Alptraum's arm to perch on his shoulder. "We would have thought of something else if Georgi didn't take the bait."

"Right. The deception was honestly the safest route we could think of, since it would convince him to willingly release you out of greed for a new body," Alptraum adds. "If he didn't bite, we would have considered more dangerous options."

Annika reaches out to stroke Kaira's little blue head with one finger. "Then it is fortunate both he and I took your bait," she says softly. "The Countess had a hard enough time trying to convince me to go along with this plan, as it was. Anything more dangerous even she would not have convinced me to agree to."

"I am also sorry that I worried you about my physical safety in this. I know you had a hard time with that, given we made it seem to seriously weaken me. That was on purpose; if I seemed a non-threat, he would more likely agree to the plan," Alptraum adds. "I've often found people like Georgi delight when they can lord over some helpless victim. It was an extra lure. He was positively giggly with the idea I would have to just watch him slit your throat."

"She's a really good ally," Kaira notes. "And… why are you called the Frogmilker? Nobody ever gave me a good explanation for that."

"It's because I use frog's milk in many of my spells and preparations," the mage explains. "Alptraum even had to drink some, once. So I could conduct my examination on him." To the Eeee, she says, "I've had a life, young man. You're only beginning yours. I would never ask you to endanger that for the sake of a stupid mistake I made three years ago. The Countess knew this, which is why she felt it necessary to step in."

"Sometimes you have to take a risk to make a difference, though. I took a far greater risk for the Countess. Dealing with the Shadow of Amena could have cost me far more than just my life," Alptraum points out. "But what I got out of that was more than worth the risk. And I don't mean the extended life or all the weird abilities."

"Hey, I took a risk on this guy!" Kaira notes, tapping Alptraum's skull with her knuckles.

"And she regrets it every day," Alptraum deadpans.

"No I don't!" Kaira insists.

"Every other day?" Alptraum asks.

The mage's sharp eyes look into Alptraum's own. "Then I shall try to be worthy of your risk and your efforts." To the dragon she asks, "And what risk was that? Having to suffer through his 'Nothing up my sleeve' jokes?"

"Oh no, just the risk of him becoming a world-devouring monster," Kaira says, waving it off with a paw.

"In all honesty, that I would become another Vorgulremik. I have the potential for it," Alptraum clarifies it, "Given my abilities. But I have something he didn't; morals."

With a paw up between her mouth and Alptraum, Kaira stage-whispers, "And he can't refuse a woman."

Alptraum flicks the side of Kaira's head.

The dragon makes a bell ringing sound and vibrates.

"Now I have another question – what am I going to feel like when I wake up from all this?" Annika asks. "Any pain in my neck or my thigh? A headache the size of the castle? Dizzy? Or nothing unusual?"

"Well, did you eat a big dinner?" Kaira asks. "You hadn't soiled yourself or anything last I saw, or barfed, so you should be okay… "

"Groggy and tired, most likely. A little stiff in places where you were hurt in here. Nothing long-lasting," Alptraum adds. "I'll probably feel worse than you given I was the conduit for all of this!"

"So, be sure to rest up a bit before you start snogging and such," Kaira advises.

"Nothing that happens in here tends to make itself out to the regular world, thankfully. If it did, I would have been in trouble a long time ago," Alptraum quips. "Though I wouldn't have minded if some of the snogging had … er, never mind."

The Skeek rolls her eyes heavenward at the dragon's comments, but otherwise ignores them. "If you would actually obtain any nutrients from it, I would make you drink the second drought of the potion I made before all of this happened," she muses. "It appears you would need it more than I. However, as you are a vampire, it would do you no good."

"You could drink it then I could bite you," Alptraum offers and waggles his brow suggestively.

"Don't listen to him, he's got two hogs worth of life-juice in him now," Kaira notes.

"Hush, you!" Alptraum grumbles.

Annika blinks at the Eeee for a few moments, her expression blank – then she throws her head back and laughs. It's a pleasant enough sound, even if it hasn't been used in a long time. "Don't tempt me," she murmurs, looking boldly into Alptraum's eyes again. "Now behave yourself or I shall have to put you back into the restraints in my laboratory. And wouldn't that be such a shame… "

"Only if I get a pillow," Alptraum huffs at the wizard. "I refuse to be laboratory monster without a proper pillow."

"I want to see the frogs next time!" Kaira notes. "And did you want that necklace, Annika, or should we give it to Mort to destroy?"

"Personally, I vote to destroy it," Alptraum offers.

"I thought that not having a pillow would make you a proper monster?" the mage replies. "It would make you uncomfortable and therefore bad-tempered, as are all good laboratory monsters." She then nods to Kaira. "I would also like to see it destroyed. That terrible thing should be melted into slag. It was dangerous and ugly."

"Shiny though," the dragon points out.

Now it's Alptraum's turn to laugh! "Well, I like to think of myself as a polite monster. The charm of an Eeee, with the excitement and allure of a shadow dragon," he quips.

"Excitement and allure?" Kaira says in shock.

"Even you like it. Or do I have to remind you of the forms it allowed me to assume for you?" Alptraum points out with a grin.

The mage simply shakes her head. "I can see now why you have such a reputation with the women here in Draco County," she murmurs, although she looks amused.

"What reputation?" Kaira asks, leaning forward.

"Being a flirt," Alptraum answers.

"Let's just say that I've heard gossip about his having a wide range of… tastes," the Skeek says mysteriously. "And that he doesn't mind helping a woman begin a family."

"Hey, that was only with a special friend whom I've known for a very long time, thank you," Alptraum huffs and crosses his arms. "My truly serious interest and the woman who holds my heart, is the Countess herself."

"And I'm chopped liver?" Kaira demands.

A slow, mischievous smile spreads across the mage's face. "Oh dear, now I've offended you," she says, not sounding as concerned as she ought to be. "I did mention that it was only gossip, yes?"

"I bet it's that Reaper saying stuff, or Mave," the dragon claims.

"You aren't Eeee," Alptraum points out to Kaira, "But you are my number one dragon. I suppose that Melusine is my number two dragon, hm."

"Yeah, I'm number one!" The dragon puffs up a bit.

"Well, as delightful as this conversation has been, is there anything else we need to do here?" the mage asks. "I suppose we ought to go back to our bodies before too much more time has passed, since we have no dragon watching over them now."

"Need to do? No. Fun things to do? Always! We could go play brick with some demons," Alptraum offers.

"Play… brick?" Annika asks, clearly not understanding this.

"You go find some of the nastiest demons here. The real entrails eating ones. Then you take a brick and lob it at them!" Alptraum explains, "And if you hit, well, you get a point. If you miss … you have to go pick up the brick." Somehow he's managing to hold a straight face.

Kaira doesn't reply at all to this, and just tries to look innocent.

"I… think I'll pass. I like having all my limbs attached, be they merely spirit-limbs or no," the Skeek replies, looking faintly disgusted.

Alptraum breaks out into a laugh. "And if you hadn't guessed, I'm joking. Let's head back. We can fix a real meal and set up camp. We both need the sleep. We'll start back to the castle in the morning," The Eeee says and finally stands up.

Annika stands as well, then looks at Kaira. "It was good to meet you, even if the circumstances were quite odd," she says. "Thank you for your part in helping to rid me of Georgi's spirit."

"I hope he doesn't mind stewing in Verminous' bowels for awhile," the little dragon says. "But hey, you mess with the frogs and it's only a matter of time before you run into a toad."