RETURN TO OBERON
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The forest clearing lay quiet beneath the soft, twilit sky of Rhy’Din, the colors of dusk painting the horizon in deep purples and golds. In the heart of the glade, two figures stood—Vincent Veneficus, tall and steadfast, his hands raised in focused concentration, and the Red Tempest, cloaked and masked, their robes drifting gently in an ethereal breeze.· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Vincent’s expression was one of steely resolve, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he summoned the energies needed to open a portal to Oberon’s Realmsgate. His hands moved in deliberate gestures, each motion carrying the weight of arcane precision. A faint shimmer appeared in the air before him, growing brighter as the spell took hold.
The Red Tempest, standing beside him with their hands clasped in loose repose, observed his efforts intently. They could sense the strain upon him—the quickening of his breath, the tremor in his hands as he poured himself into the spell. This portal was, as always, no easy task for him. Though Vincent bore it without complaint, the Red Tempest found it hard to ignore the toll it took.
At last, the shimmer solidified into a swirling, iridescent gateway, the colors shifting with faint glimpses of Oberon’s forests beyond. Vincent let out a long breath, stepping back to allow his strength to return.
The Red Tempest tilted their head, and with a soft sigh, broke the silence.
“Verily, mine friend, this labor doth wear upon thee as though it were a curse from some ancient misfortune. Methinks there must be an easier way to traverse the realms betwixt Oberon and this world.”
Vincent, still catching his breath, turned to them with a faint, amused smirk. “If you have a better solution, I’m all ears.”
The Red Tempest placed a gloved hand to their chest, the golden eyes beneath their half-mask gleaming with mischief. “Ah, ever shall I remain the voice of reason amidst thy labors,” they replied with a whimsical lilt. “An enduring relay of Realmsgates, or perchance an enchanted talisman to carry us hence—‘twould ease our way.”
Vincent chuckled softly, despite the fatigue in his voice. “An enchanted talisman that bypasses Oberon’s laws on realm-travel… yes, I’m sure Oberon’s magic would love that.” He shook his head. “You know as well as I do that Oberon’s energies don’t take kindly to meddling with such crossings.”
The Red Tempest let out an exaggerated sigh, their masked face turning to the portal as though observing some distant land. “Aye, Oberon is indeed a realm bound by such quaintly ancient laws. And yet here we are, two souls of great renown, left to the toil of spellcasting, when our very birthrights should grant us swifter passage.” They paused, lifting a hand as though to gesture dramatically. “Ah, but what price dost one pay for an obedient spell?”
Vincent shook his head, still smiling, and swiped a stray bead of sweat from his brow. “I sometimes think you just enjoy having something to complain about.”
“Complain, say’st thou?” the Red Tempest replied, feigning offense with a hand over their heart. “Nay, I seek only to call forth solutions, not complaints. Think of the boon such efficiency would bring to thee, if thou wast free from this ritual’s demands!”
Vincent’s smile softened as he took a step toward the portal, casting a glance back at his companion. “I’ll remember that the next time I’m caught between realms. But for now, this will have to do.”
The Red Tempest inclined their head, their voice slipping into a quiet sincerity, “Thou art a stalwart companion, Vincent. Let us not tarry any longer—our home doth await us.”
With a nod, Vincent stepped toward the portal, his silhouette lit by the swirling light as he crossed the threshold. The Red Tempest followed close behind, their robes sweeping the ground as they moved, but they paused just briefly, casting one last glance back at the twilight-drenched clearing of Rhy’Din.
“Fare thee well, Rhy’Din,” they murmured, voice low and wistful.
Then, with a final step, they vanished into the portal, the light swallowing them both as they returned to the world of Oberon and the destinies that awaited them.