Discover the Power

[Miss Mack]

Digging her feet into the ground, Bliss had to use everything she could muster to help pull Isaac out of the small tunnel. "Sorry... I haven't really had time to decorate." She said simply, wiping her hands on her leggings and walking over to the little makeshift shelter. She grabbed a clearly archaic steampunk bow with some crudely fashioned arrows. Bliss couldn't help but feel safe and sort of... Protected while she was with Isaac, almost as if they had bonded in the hour since they'd met. She bit her lip and smiling a little, throwing a bag over her shoulders, followed by the quiver of arrows. "I was actually planning on leaving this area soon. It's easier to cover up your tracks if you can take down what you made in less than a minute. You can stay for tea if you'd like, but I need to go meet- I mean find another hiding spot for the time being. Feel free to use this area." Bliss bit her lip and took a small step back from the guy, glancing behind him at the skyline and brown clouds. She needed to leave soon and if she didn't, Bliss would miss the opportunity to get something great.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac's eyebrows perked up quickly. "Ah -..." He stuttered awkwardly as he pulled a small butterfly-knife from underneath his make-shift rope belt. "If-...If you need help with hunting or something ...-" The young man quickly sheathed it afterwards, knowing that it would not really be good for much. Scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment, he lets out a low, awkward chuckle. "B-...But I would rather come along." Attempting to recuperate, he clears his throat and stands tall, crossing his arms across his chest again. "I don't drink tea - either. Erherm ... so I am coming with you, wherever you're going." He knew very well that he couldn't afford to accidentally loose her at this point. No, this was an act of fate. The odds of two people like them, with their abilities, coming together -... The chances were slim to none, and Isaac was planning on clinging onto this small encounter for as long as he could. The boy's gaze followed Bliss', uneasily darting to the bow at some points. Just how skilled is this girl? Sheesh ... Despite the fact that he was far larger, he could not help but to feel somewhat intimidated by her when she carried such a thing with such confidence.

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss looked down at her bow and then up at the guy. She smiled and bit and kept silent, nodded and taking a small pistol from her bag and handing it to him. For the life of her, Bliss couldn't shoot a gun. At all. She missed every time and the recoil always scared her, plus they were too loud. "Then please come, if you'd like to." Was all Bliss said before putting the bow over her should, the string going over her chest. She began to take apart the makeshift shelter silently, thinking deeply to herself. What is so different about him? Yeah, magic and all but something... Beneath that. There was something about Isaac that was slowly drawing Bliss in, like a fly to honey. She bit her lip as she worked, easily taking down the shelter in less than a minute, like she said before. When she was finished, Isaac was still standing there looking at her. Although he looked the opposite of her, she couldn't help but feel that he wanted to stay there with her and figure everything out. Their powers, the government, and their lives.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac places his hand on the grip of the gun, holding it somewhat cautiously. The boy had never fired one before, but had seen plenty of other people do it. These were not toys; they were weapons that could easily kill a person, or two, or three -... the capabilities of it was magnificent yet horrifying. However, seeing the sense of urgency over-coming Bliss, he simply holsters it in his rope-like belt and nods. I don't want to give her any doubts. The last thing he wanted to seem like in front of her was weak. "Alright - where to captain?" He said somewhat jokingly, though there was obvious nervousness in his voice that he attempted to hide the best he could. "Because, to be honest - I feel like we need to start setting the wheels of time in motion." What did he mean by that? He wasn't too certain himself, but it sounded right.

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss looked at him up and down, not really judging him nor sizing him up. Just simply observing. "Please don't call me captain." She said gently, shaking her head. The short girl walked up to Isaac and cupped his cheeks, making him look her straight in the eyes, windows to her soul. "Do not be frightened. Alright? We will make it through this alive." Bliss said, nodding a bit to her own words. She was trying to say everything she could to help calm his nerves, "Deep breath and we will be fine." She ran her thumb across his cheek gently like any mother would do to a cry child. Bliss gave him a genuine smile before speaking gently, "However, we do need to push the wheel into motion. Wheel of time must begin soon. Why not us to start it?" She agreed with everything he had said, but the girl was simply just adding to it all and making it all seem easier.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac was calmed - though somewhat flustered at the same time. Whilst he allowed his face to be cupped for a few moments, dazed by her confidence and grace, he quickly retreated backwards as her thumb etched across his cheek. "Y-Yeah, let's ... of course." He cleared his throat and scratched his neck, avoiding eye-contact for a solid few seconds before he stood up straight again. "Well - were are we off to then, Bliss?" Were it not for the dirt that caked his face, much like hers, a faint blush would be visible on his face. If anything, he was glad it remained hidden. Egh - what's up with her? W-Way too friendly. The young man thought to himself, shaking his head slightly before finally being able to face her, his confidence restored after a small psychological battle with himself. "Alright - yeah ... ok." Giving a few more solid nods, he let his lips curve up into a slight smile. "Let's move."

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss bit her lip and sighed softly, nodding as he said to get going. She crouched down and crawled through the tunnel again in silence, refusing to let herself over thing what was going on. The girl kept crawling until the entrance was near once more, just like before. Bliss climbed out into the alley and waited until Isaac had gotten out too before boarding it up again. As she shoved the plank back into place, her whole body was shaking a bit. Calm down. Relax and pretend he's not here. She thought to herself. The shaking subsided as Bliss walked through the streets once more, sticking to the shadows and keeping her head down. She had to move a bit slower so the tall man could keep up with her, but that was fine. Just more time to think and more silence without having to face anybody.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac struggled his way through the tunnel once more, groaning as he wrestled with earth and grime. "Why ... the ... hell ..." Once they both met the exit once more, he took a large breath of relatively fresh air, happy that he was out again. As Bliss boarded the hole up, he kept a look out. There was not much happening, apart from some shady-looking officials standing about a few meters deeper into the alley. However, they were most probably just some lower-city residents loitering about. Despite this, he kept them in his sights until him and Bliss were well away from the place. Whilst it was hard to keep up, he still managed to. Relieved that Bliss had broken down the pace a bit, he gave a sigh of relief. Unlike Bliss, he was not as ready to keep his head down and move about stealthily, but he still mixed in with the crowd to the necessary extent. His tall frame leaned over her shoulder as they were walking. "Oi, you still haven't told me where we're goin'." He muttered lowly, curiosity building inside him.

 

[Miss Mack]

As they were going along, Bliss was deep in thought, she wasn't really thinking or seeing where she was going. She just kinda kept going, but still slowly enough for Isaac to keep up. After awhile, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. This sudden noise made Bliss jump slightly with fright before she took a calming, deep breath. The young, short girl thought for a moment then replied, her voice low and conservative, "Outside the city. After we get out, I don't know where." She bit her lip and kept to the shadows, head down, letting her black hair cascade down her face, shielding and covering it from most people. Almost to the gate. Hook around, keep out of sight of the officials, and you... We will make it. Bliss thought, having to remind herself that there was another person there with her. But to be honest, Bliss didn't really know what she was doing anymore or where she was going. She just wanted to seem in control to make Isaac feel better about the situation, but that would all soon break down once they left the city.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac felt his confidence surging at Bliss' leadership. Despite it seeming as an unlikely role for the small girl, it somewhat suited her. "Alright." He said, determined. As they reached the city gates, he noticed that the two shade-clad figures from the alley were on their tail. Coincidence? The young man was uncertain - everyone pretty much looked the same around these parts, so he let it slip his mind. "Y'know," he started, whispering over her shoulder again, "those people might be following us. But don't take my word for it, I'm not all too observant." With that, he let off a slight shrug. I have a damn gun - what sort of threat could they possibly pose? Of course, the thought of holding such a weapon had clearly gone to Isaac's head. Perhaps once they had left this city, they ought to make their way to the outskirts of town, maybe find a village. There, they could rest for a short while and discuss what their next move would be. If anything.

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss took off her bow and glanced back at Isaac. "You just noticed?" She whispered, talking about the men following them. Being so small and being a girl, she had to watch her back and needed to learn to become perceptive, especially at night and walking alone. The last thing she wanted was to get jumped, kidnapped, or captured by the government. Each one sounding more horrid than the last. "Can you take them out? My bow won't do us anything in the city... Too much pollution to see well." Bliss said gently, biting her lip and trying to think quickly on her feet. There wasn't any obvious way out of the situation except to shoot the officials and run through the gate. Granted, the pair had the night and magic on their side, but it might not be enough to get them through the gate and to the outside world. "If you can't... We will just make a run for it and hope for the best." She said gently, taking a deep breath, awaiting their now almost certain death.

 

[Gospeller]

Looking around the crowded streets, he shook his head. He could not throw out a fire arm here without a whole lot of attention going on them and possibly, announcing their position to other officials. Furthermore, he was not too sure if his aim would do him any good here. What if he were to accidentally hit someone else? Whispering once more to her, he notes, "Why didn't you tell me? And -... Let's just keep walking. We can take action once we leave the city, if needed." The gates were just up ahead anywho, and they were about to step out of this place shortly. The two cloaked officials were walking calmly behind them, not seeming in a hurry. Either they were very confident, subtle, or perhaps they were actually not what the two of them had imagined them to be.

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss mentally face palmed as she realized what he said. A gun shot would easily alert the other officials to their location and who they were. "Sorry... Didn't think it would matter just yet." She bounced on her feet a bit as they walked, thinking quickly of an escape route. Eventually, an idea came to mind. And a good one at that. "How good are you at illusion spells?" Bliss asked softly as they approached the gate. Her walking slowly and she stopped jumping, coming out from the shadows a bit like she was a normal citizen, leaving the city on a vacation trip. "If you can alter my face just a bit to make them seem me as another person, I could get through. When I'm on the other side, I can then do the same to you. We both get through, them not being able to detect any magic because we wouldn't be casting it." Bliss explained her plan, trying to make it simple to him.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac's eyebrows perked once more, nodding at her plan. "That's ... pretty damn smart." With this in mind, he focused for a few seconds, placing a palm on her back. He had never really done illusion magic before, but he would attempt his very best in this case. He imagined her as a different person - but his imagination was incredibly limited at this point. Under the stress, he simply imagined her as she was - but taller. About as tall as him, in fact, and just as so, she'd appear taller to the naked eye. The increase in height was gradual enough to not catch anyone's attention. After that, he though of her face. Sharper jaw, brown eyes ... blonde hair ... the details flooded into Bliss like a vivid dream. By the time they had reached the gate, she'd practically be a completely other person. However, she would definitely catch the attention of some of the other residents; was it not for the grim dirt that covered her, she could have been mistaken for one of the many beautiful women that were purposefully placed on advertisements around the city for specific products that needed consumers. It was practically the only reference that Isaac had at this point, and the change was drastic enough that no one would give her a second glance. Perhaps it was too drastic ... it was hard to uphold this image of her, as he had never done anything like it before. With a light push, he'd ensure that she came before him whilst walking through customs. The two shady figures would certainly have spotted this is they were indeed, trailing them. However, they did not seem in a hurry at this point. "...Be quick." Isaac groaned.

 

[Miss Mack]

"Hold it just for a few minutes." Bliss said gently, biting her lip and walking forward to the guards. The illusion spell was strong and both guards easily fell for it, mistaking her for one of the city models. They talked to her for quite awhile and she would reply, saying she had to go but they would draw her back in conversation. Eventually Bliss made up a lie saying she was going to miss her bus to the next city and they then nodded, finally letting her go. She gave them a large, gorgeous smile and a small wink before walking through the gate, grinning to herself and extremely proud that her plan was working. Bliss then walked around the gate and to the fence, motioning Isaac over to her. They were in the shadows once more so they were not seen by anybody who passed by. "You can take it off now." She said. Once Isaac released the spell, she seemed to shrink and totally change, going back to her normal self. "You ready for your turn?" Bliss asked gently.

 

[Gospeller]

With an exhausted gasp, Isaac let the spell off. At this point, it was uncertain that he would be capable of casting anything at all; that had taken most of his energy, even as a gifted mage, such sort of magic did not come easily about in this world. "Yes." He noted, standing up straight and clearing his throat, he was prepared for anything that would be thrown at him as he attempted to walk past the gate, hoping that Bliss would be capable of applying the illusionary spell to him at any given moment. Despite his confidence, he could not help but feel unnerved by the figures in the background, still tracing their every move as they went about with the ingenius facade.

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she imagined Isaac's body as a white canvas and she was an artist. She began changing his shape and form, making him a tad bit smaller and shrinking his shoulders. Bliss made his face and stomach a bit rounder and cleaned up his hair, making him look like a scholar from the college that was up the street. The girl took a deep breath and grabbed onto the fence next to her, keeping the spell in line. Come on... Hurry up... I can't hold it- She gasped for breath and held herself up on the fence, making his fake looks seem more solid and real. Bliss would count to ten in her head and then start over, trying to keep herself calm and collected, although it seemed as if a spell like this could make her pass out at any given moment. She made a mental note to later tell Isaac that she shouldn't cast illusion spells unless it was absolutely needed. They required too much energy and the small girl couldn't handle large spells like that well.

 

[Gospeller]

Isaac passed flawlessy through the customs, as he practically just waved off the officials with some intellectual talk that was entirely made-up. As hoped, he had managed to bore the officials into passing him through quicker than usual. "Did you know that the hidrenogenous karonequator-..." that was as far as he came before he was pushed through, and once on the other side, he quickly made his way to Bliss. Grabbing her by the shoulder, perhaps a tad' too friendly, considering they had just met, he attempted to keep her stable and hurry her along away from the city, the shady officials just behind them having started to pick up the pace. "Come on, we don't have time ... you ok?" He noticed how exhausted she seemed. "I should've been quicker, apologies."

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss leaned into him gratefully and kept walking along with him, knowing that they needed to get as far away from the city as soon as possible. They were in a desolate landscape with no lights or any sign of life outside the city. She gulped and nodded, still walking. "Don't apologize." She said gently, catching her breath and fighting the migrane that decided to overtake her brain. "You were... As fast-... as possible." Bliss finished, her face contorted slightly in pain as they walked. "Let's just get out-" she couldn't finish talking as she fell into a painful silence. It was going to be clear that from then on, Bliss will always be a suffer in silence type. She almost held onto him as they walked, using him to help her stay steady on her feet. She wasn't steady, but because he was there the girl did manage to stay on her feet.

 

[Gospeller]

The young man shook his head left and right, a slight smile overcoming him without his wants. "You're such a badass." He muttered lowly, a slight chuckle escaping his throat as they made their way through the empty landscape. However, much as expected, they caught up sooner than wanted.


"Halt." the voice boomed behind them like a megaphone put on blast, and the two figures steadied themselves, digging in their heels where they stood. "Stay - and do not move - you are to come with us before you step off of our Great City's territory."


Isaac was uncertain who these people were, but he was worried that they were no in a state to counter them. They were both tired from the illusions cast, and it might have been the reason that they had waited to engage them here out of all places. He shoots a look at Bliss, steadying her. "Oi ... are you alright? We might have to move real quick real soon, or steady up for a fight." Isaac's spare hand reached for the gun he had been handed earlier. Perhaps I will not have another choice ...

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss blushed a bit at his comment and said, "Oh thanks." She rolled her eyes slightly, showing him a bit of uncharacteristic attitude. Suddenly she herd loud voices and she gasped, covering her ears as her head started pounding. However, Bliss had enough consciousness to keep walking. When the voice stopped talking, she froze, looking at Isaac as his words registered and bounced around in her head. "I-I don't know what to do..." She said softly, coming up empty. There was no possible way that they could fight their way out because of their recent casting with the illusion spells, but they couldn't run either, Bliss wouldn't be able to move fast enough. Maybe he could carry me-... Ah no, he wouldn't be able to run. She shook the thought away and looked at him once more then focused on the ground. "I'm so sorry, Isaac... I can't- I don't know..." Bliss let her voice fade away. This was easily her greatest fear, letting somebody down. She knew that if they survived, she would have to apologize again and make it up to him somehow. Bliss gave him a hopeless look as she slowly started to give up on herself and her mind, not sure what to do anymore.

 

[Gospeller]

Gritting his teeth, Isaac saw Bliss reduced from her leadership-like position. Damnit damnit damnit ... From here on, he was uncertain how to go about things. The voice boomed out again.


"By federal law, I am placing you und-..." the voice was cut short as Isaac heaved out his gun and emptied five shots into the dark, sending the two figures flailing for cover - unexpected, to say the least. It was somewhat rare for someone so young to have that kind of firepower on them. A low groan escapes one of them, but Isaac could not assess where he had hit him in the flurry. After this, he simply grabbed Bliss by the waist and hauled her over his shoulder, summoning up all his might as he kept shooting bullets into the dark behind them, hoping to throw them off. Speed. I need more speed. His mind went completely blank. Where was he running to? Bliss' light weight was like a feather on his shoulder - it did not bother him enough or for too long. Throwing away the fact that his sudden and jagged movements would feel uncomfortable for Bliss, he appreciated that she was relatively small. "Ok, ok, ok." He muttered to himself over and over, reassuring himself. "Are they still behind us?" Isaac half-shouted at Bliss, if she had not asked to be put down yet. Inhale, exhale, breathe through your nose. If she did see them, he would let off another few shots behind them, hoping that they did not carry the same type of firepower - though if they were not, then he'd simply dart into a random direction, run for a short while longer, and stop - absolutely exhausted. Hopefully, he had hit one of the two and they were caring for their wounds at the moment, though nothing could be assumed at this rate. His mind was too blurry to assess, and his limbs too tired to think.

 

[Miss Mack]

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Bliss closed her eyes, trying to willingly dispel the migrane but to be rewarded with nothing. She groaned and rubbed her temples, praying for the pain to end.


Bliss then jumped away from Isaac, hearing the shots loud and clear, five of them in all. She was about to tell Isaac to stop shooting but then she was heaved up and onto his shoulder. Gasping, her hands covered her face at the sudden movements which certainly increased her migrane, making her yelp. "They are still there, but not moving!" Bliss yelled back to him, clinging onto his shirt and praying that he didn't drop her. She could feel his body shaking under the stress of her weight and that terrified her so the girl pressed her palms to the small point in the middle of his back. She closed her eyes and tried to give him strength, casting a light but helpful spell. A temporary surge of power ran through Isaac's blood, giving him the last little bit of energy he needed to run somewhere safe. After emptying everything Bliss had into the spell, she slowly went limp as he ran, passing out. She gently ran her fingers through his hair before losing all consciousness, her arms falling against his back and her head on his.

 

[Gospeller]

Run ... run ... run ... run ... Despite the surge of power given to him by Bliss, Isaac was feeling himself practically dying at this point. However, the most frightening thing that kept him going was the way that she bounced upon his shoulder. Why isn't she moving? He ran harder and faster, harsh, sharp specks of air making its way in and out of his lungs. Why isn't she moving?! In the distance - barely a faint hope, he saw a small settlement. A village, if anything. His sprint fell down to a jog, but he was determined to make it. As he reached the outskirts of the village, he saw a small group of women next to a fire, their faces radiated by it, shielding them from the dark.


Isaac could not shout out to them. The boy did not even have the strength to, and in fear of wasting energy, he refused to. Only a few feet away from them, Isaac put Bliss down carefully, before collapsing in front of them. A hand reached out to brace for the fall, but it doubled like a straw the second it make contact with the ground. And just like that, the two of them were at mercy of the townsfolk.


Light ... There was light over his head. His light-blue eyes wandered around the room he was laying in. Single room - though quite modest if anything. Yet, despite this, it had a touch of what life was before the emergent wasteland. The building was made of wood, and his bedsheets were leather. But best of all, out here in the fields, the air was fresh ... something that one did not come across too often. He felt at peace there, until a though crossed his mind: Wait. How long have I been here? And where is Bliss? Almost a bit too quickly, he leaped out of his bed and towards the door, only to startle a boy about his age on the other side of said door. He was carrying a small bucket of water and a cloth - most probably to tend Isaac. They both stood there in dumbfounded silence.

 

[Miss Mack]

Bliss was sitting outside with the towns woman, but she wasn't really sitting. The girl was pacing. She bit her lip and kept looking at the small wooden house that they had put Isaac in. The last memory Bliss had before passing out the other night was being carried on Isaac's shoulder, people shooting at them before all went silent. Where is he? They said he would wake up by now... She thought get to herself, still looking at the house every few seconds. Bliss couldn't explain why, but she had grown fairly protective and attached to Isaac when she was told by one of the woman what had happened to him. "He was very tired... Carrying you on his shoulder. He lay you down gently then collapsed next to you." One of the woman told Bliss.


With a deep breath, she watched a young man, about the same age as Isaac, walk towards the house he was in. The boy was carrying water and a small rag so he could tend to Isaac. However, the boy gasped and dropped the pale of water, stepping back when he saw that Isaac was awake. But from her angle Bliss couldn't see that Isaac was awake. She just saw the boy gasp, drop the pale, and then run away towards the woman once more. Out of curiosity, Bliss walked over to the house and glanced in the doorway to see Isaac standing there, still watching the boy run away to the woman.