Reality's Worst Nightmare(s)

Elena listened to the man's words since they had arrived at the forest in no time at all. It was an interesting concept, one that seemed if you focused too hard to understand it it would only confuse you further. As he continued on, he mentioned that science and magic were one here. A sort of genesis point. This was all quite interesting to her, from her purse she put on her special glasses in order to better examine her surroundings. She picked up a couple of random things such as a rock, or some dirt, or a leaf from a tree that she might be able to analyze later. They may prove to be the same as everything in her home dimension, but it didn't hurt to check.
As she was flipping through the different settings on her glasses, she picked up some fast moving life forms. Before she could say anything Zell was already quick on the 411 letting her know that they were Archounds. Judging by the tone of his voice this was a very serious matter, and there would be no problem will killing these beasts. Some action could do her some good. She closed her left eye to active her Celestial Eye, though it did not react instantly as she initially hoped. Elena could only assume that this had to do with being in a different dimension, so she kept her left eye shut until it decided to kick in. Even without her eye she still had quite a few tricks up here sleeve still. Vexus put her hands in a specific formation and inhaled deeply. From her mouth she released a massive volume of water. It had enough concussive force to keep the larger demon dogs at bay and even knock over the smaller ones. She was breathing heavily after this attack due to the damage it dud to her internally. Now that the area and Archounds had been adequately drenched she put her hands in another form and electricity began to flow around them. Using Zell's explanation of this reality she hovered herself above the soaking wet ground. What she was planning to do next should be quite obvious hoping to signal her coworker to also elevate himself.
Elena let out a powerful grunt as the lightning rocketed from her hands. It surged through the ground and all over the beasts. She rotated herself around so that the electric attack would reach all of them. Vexus gritted her teeth as she kept the attack going, a bead of sweat rolling down her face as she was clearly in an immense amount of pain. The lightning ceased and her arms fell to her side as the heavy burns along them had made them completely useless. It seemed that She managed to cripple most of them, and she was not getting any readings of life from the smaller ones. The larger ones had lost their footing for a moment but seemed to be coming around. She was only now starting to get feeling back in her arms and the internal bleeding had stopped from the water attack. These things were tough and she could see now why he was so concerned at their appearance. Hopefully Zell had something because she was tapped out for the time being, or at least until her hands heal and she could perform another attack. Still yet she waited for her Celestial Eye to kick in, once she had that activated then Vexus would easily be able to deal with these otherworldly animals. That is, if Zell hasn't managed to do them in.

"I can't do anything to them. They serve the First. and they're not about to give up without collateral" Zell called out to Vexus as he found himself teleported to her side. In peeling reality away to slip through, he found that there was yet another Archound produced, which caused Zell a rather large annoyance. Finally being able to assess the damaged that Vexus had done, she proved to be able to handle her own once more. Worst case scenario they died from Botox poisoning when they ate her. Joking aside he didn't figure that she would lose...not easily. "Archounds are pure energy constructs ushered into creation. If you could somehow cut them off form their energy source they'd be rendered inert." Zell informed her, hoping that she caught his meaning in all of this. It was rather obvious that Vexus needed to isolate them from the reality around them, which involved the very device which drew them. Rather than tearing a hole in reality and the Archon making a bridge she could open a hole and suck the things into the void. Then, as is his sole reason for existing, Zell would close the rift.

No doubt Vexus would deal with them as she saw fit, but if she followed his advice Zell believed she would see the sound logic within his comment. While tearing a hole in reality was most certainly taxing for her, it was far easier than having to fight multiple, Multi-versal mutts from Hell on her own. Though Zell was most certainly going to hear about how he was unable to do anything. He actually anticipated her on being partially irritated, if not entirely interested in his lack of help, or rather his "inability to help". Zell would willingly explain to her, though it would give up the greatest asset he had going for him against people like Miss Vexus and Elena Marie. His secrecy and is enigmatic nature.

"Well now, THAT was a treat!" An accented and excited little voice giggled as a gentleman in rather fancy clothing appeared behind Elena Vexus. His attire was by far beyond that of any common man, it was quite clear that this man was important in some way, simply by the way he dressed...though it wasn't exacly common to the world they were in. It was far more posh and stylish. "Well, who have we here...Archon....and?" The thick Scottish voice began, pointing to Archon and then looking to Miss Vexus with his hands clasped together in anticipation.

Vexus glared over at Zell with such a look that could kill a tiny animal. He could have mentioned that before she decided to engage them. Her arms were still healing at the moment, and even though she felt like her Celestial Eye was ready to use she did not want to activate it until she had most of the feeling retuned to her arms. In the mean time these creatures continued to attack her. They began to jump at her, Elena only managing to dodge some of them. The cut at her legs, and torso. One more lunged directly at her and she retaliated with a well placed kick to its snout. They continued attacking and Vexus fought back, giving the occasional glare over at Zell. Bringing her here to do all his dirty work. It was like they couldn't even see him. Not to mention they were ruining her bespoke dress. Another one of these Archounds jumped up at Vexus, this one she managed to powerfully clothesline. She made a few fists with her ands and shook out her arms. They were still a little burnt but it would have to do for now. Her left eye shot open and Technomatter began to form at her feet and swirl around her body.

Now anytime one of the otherworldly animals jumped up at her now a tendril of Technomatter would swat them down and begin to constrict them. Even when they started to get the idea that they were losing she had her element go after them and hold them down. Eventually every last Archound was captured in her Technomatter, which formed a cocoon like casing around them. Following she activated the reality gauntlet which she could see distorting the space around them. With this being the first time she has utilized it out of her home dimension she was walking in the unknown, not to mention using it for something other than ripping a hole in the fabric of reality.
Vexus gritted her teeth together as brightly charged streams of technomatter traveled off the fingertips of the gauntlet. Those streams then branched off into smaller ones, this repeated until there were enough steams to attach themselves to each of the Technomatter cocoons. Once they made contact, the sad like texture of the matter turned to a glowing mirror finish. A bead of sweat rolled down Vexus face as she concentrated harder, squinting the Celestial eye in order to manipulate the Technomatter even more precisely. The now mirrored traps that the Archounds were being kept in began to shrink, and they continued to become smaller until they literally vanished from existence. Vexus closed her eye, deactivated the gauntlet and put both her hands on her knees gasping for breath.

Not soon after that had finished there was an annoying little ringing coming from behind her. As the rest of her burns healed up and she began to catch her breath, Elena turned around to see an oddly well dressed man. One who managed to show up here in the middle of a forest in another dimension. He clearly knew who Zell was, but was looking at her waiting for Elena to reveal her identity.
"Is this Leprechaun sounding character the person we've come here for?" She said, turning to Zell and using her thumb to point at this guy from over her shoulder. "After discovering that I may have to be responsible for all the heavy lifting, this inter-dimensional field trip doesn't seem so 'fun' anymore." Having to hold up Zell's end of things as far as combat she could probably hold against him in the future, but it was no good for her hair now. She was recovering fine, but if all the hostile creatures in this dimension required as much effort to remove then Zell would definitely need to start pulling his own weight.

"Oh dearie, don'tcha know that Zell can't do anything on his own. He's about as useful as a broken window." The man said with a little giggle before his eyes narrowed at Zell.

 "Indeed, he is. His name is Samhain." Zell said, taking great care to pronounce it correctly for Vexus as "Sow-ain". The name might ring a bell for Miss Vexus, though it was unlikely that she would know it for much more than superstition and old forgotten traditions. Samhain seemed to be slightly pleased by this. "Also, Miss Vexus, if I were to use my weapon, or my own energy on the Archounds the would become impervious to all methods of damage...The Archounds adapt. If they adapt to me that leaves very little hope for us. As I am your only way out of here now I suggest you remember that you were brought here with great promises and appropriate compensation for a reason." Zell said, looking to her. Samhain looked a little "out there" as his unremarkable hazel eyes shot back and forth between Vexus and Zell.

  "Well he's not wrong." He said before snapping his fingers in a gust of wind they would find themselves in a rather grand dining hall of sorts. Still medieval by all means but definitely not lacking in luxury. "By all means, take a load off. If you need anything I'm sure Dante can get it for you." Samhain said turning back to smile rather wickedly at Zell, whom literally just stopped dead in his tracks to shake his head in disbelief. "You son of a bit-Dante! Come now boy, we have guest." Samhain cut Zell off, in a moment a young man appeared with what appeared to be a rather highly advanced piece of technology in his hands. He seemed to tinker with it a little before Samhain rolled his eyes.

  "Apologies my lord, I've been trying to fix-" Dante began Samhain let out an audible groan. "Just...make out guests comfortable." Samhain growled. The young man, Dante then looked to Vexus and Zell with a smile, Zell not seeming amused in the slightest but still smiling out of formality before giving Samhain a glare that essentially threatened death. "If there's anything you need don't hesitate to call. I'll just be working on fixing this little thing."

  "Still chasing the pointless dreams of invention. Magic is the only way to get what you seek, boy." Samhain said as he arrived at the table with his own cup, sitting at it and inviting the other two to o the same. "Magic is archaic, rudimentary. Science is refined, Magic is uncontrolled and mutates, Science is observed, understood and evolved. By time I'm done I'll make you eat those words." Dante said to Samhain, who just rolled his eyes. This argument was one they obviously had many times before.

  "Yes, yes, yes. Anyway. What can I do for you?" Samhain asked looking right at Vexus. "You, in particular. He can wait. You're obviously here for a reason. There's nothing beyond my power. Ask and you shall receive. Knowledge? Power? Revenge? A way to one-up a thorn in your side? A new hair color?" He said as he leaned back, keeping decent posture.

It seemed like their mission was coming to an end. Relatively short, but not without adventure and discovery. Samhain was their target and he had literally appeared before them, though such things did not come so easily in this world. Or the world she had originated from. Zell then continued on as to why he couldn't actually attack. Reason or excuse Elena could not really tell the difference right now, nor did she really bother to try. Samhain confirmed his reasoning/excuses, and with a snap of his fingers there were in an exquisite dinning hall. He invited them to have a seat, which Vexus graciously accepted.
Samhain then called upon a young looking individual by the name of Dante, Elena gave a nod as the boy look over to her. She then looked upon the piece of technology the boy had with him as he was tinkering with it. Samhain talked on about how the boy should stop playing with the object of science and focus his time on magic, however Dante spoke a powerful retort about science and Elena decided to give her two cents.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Don't be so harsh, Samhain. Let the boy chase his dreams."

He then completely skipped over the topic of science versus magic, and apparently Zell. Samhain asked her if she wanted anything, anything at all. Even a new hair color.
"So what, do I get three wishes or something?" she said with a chuckle. From her purse she pulled out a small compact with a mirror which she opened and examined her hair and makeup.
"Hm, well, I think I'm good on my hair color right now. Plus, I've got a pretty good girl in Soho for that anyways. But, I would like for you to come with Zell and I back to my home dimension. Whether its his home dimension as well I have yet to confirm. Other than that though, unwavering, foolproof, and infinite immortality would be nice. Despite such a thing being a total cliche, oh, and as long as it comes at no cost to me. I don't like reading fine print." She ended sternly. While she casually waited for his answer she reapplied some powder to her face from her compact. Following she pulled out a lipstick and reapplied that in the mirror as well.
Capping the lipstick, and closing the compact she placed them back in her Louis clutch. Her eyes glanced over to Zell, to Dante and then back to Samhain. She sat in her seat with her back to the chair keeping good posture and her legs crossed. While keeping a casual demeanor Vexus stayed on high alert. This man very easily changed their entire surroundings, if he disagreed with her requests then there may be no telling what he could retaliate with. If that be the case hopefully Zell could be of some use this time.

"Three wishes? I'm not into the whole granting wishes dear. I AM in the business of making deals. A deal that can be made. Immortality is overrated dear girl. Enjoy what you have here this...arrangement so that your soul doesn't move on when you die and you just...become something new. It's a rather good set up." Samhain said, apparently well informed on exactly what Miss Vexus was, though he was obviously unaware of WHO she was. That was probably for the better, truth be told. Knowing ones true name gave you power over them, after all. "Zell, if you'll excuse us." Samhain said before snapping his fingers. Suddenly, Zell was frozen.

"Don't worry. Not that you would. We've temporarily left the realms of reality. Suspended them to move beyond both time and space. He can't hear us. Yet. He's resourceful, if nothing else. Better make this quick." He said before giving a clap and a sigh. "Dearie I'm not so sure what he's promised you but I can match it, and even one up it. All I'm going to ask you to do is hold up YOUR end of the deal you had with him. Take me back to your world...MY world. In the end I will make a deal with him, trap him here with another powerful entity while we go on our merry way home. I honor his offer and you get a little extra. He'll hold nothing against you, he's in the dark." Samhain offered. It was a good deal, though it was suspicious. How could he possibly know what was promised to her? Of course this man seemed to have enough power to circumvent Zell's power for even a moment. It wasn't too long before things resumed and Zell glared at him. Samhain just smiled in return.

"Zelly dear, tell me. What did you have to promise her to bring me back?" Samhain asked. The eccentric man seemed to have no care in the world or rhyme or reason for asking.

"The ability to kill a Militant" Zell replied with a sigh. Samhain smiled and looked to Vexus before pointing to Zell.

"Them? Oh they're easy. Well...when you know what you're doing. I suppose it could be hard to some. Regardles... I will only agree to leave with both of you if you do something for me first... I want Miss here, and you, my dear Archon, to kill a certain..."Primordial". I believe all three of you are aquainted. All I need you to do is go to the top of White-water peak. Do you think you can handle that?" He asked, looking to Zell, and then Vexus with a grin still on his face.

He was very casual in his response. She didn't pin him as the wish granting type anyways. This individual appeared to know a little about Vexus' background, and she was curious to see if he knew anymore. Asking such questions would be difficult, as she needed to get answers but yet not reveal anything further about herself. The man then snapped his fingers and Zell had ceased all movement. An interesting trick. Samhain continued on promising to one up the deal that Vexus had made with Zell. She began to feel a bit like a messenger caught between these two. There was definitely something that neither of them were telling her about their relationship. She confirmed this when he said that they would be bringing him back to his world.
Elena began to theorize on who this man actually was. If he was not a being of this dimension, it would explain as to why he can freely control the reality that they're in. As Zell had explained to her, Elena would be able to slightly alter reality freely since she was not technically bound to this dimensions laws. Maybe the same was true with the Samhain. If so, then what is he doing here? And what would be the purpose of bringing him back to his world? Vexus did not like where this was going, but she would remain faithful to her promise to Zell and bring this man back as he requested. It would be incredibly dangerous to openly accept an offer from this man, so Elena just replied with a silent smirk.

Time, or maybe just Zell, resumed motion and Samhain bluntly asked what he had offered to Elena. She remained expressionless as he answered. It was interesting watching the exchange between the two of them. No doubt some history be tween the both them. Their target scoffed the offer away as if killing such a being was a simple task. Where as Vexus had failed on multiple occasions in trying to kill one Militant in particular. It would be interesting to see how he planned to one up this. It would be interesting enough to see how Zell plans on holding up his end of the bargain. Samhain said that he would agree to return with him, but there was a catch. Of course. They had to go to the top of a location known as White-Water Peak and do away with a particular Primordial. Maybe there would be soup.
"If that is what must be done in order to coax you along with us back home, then it shall be done." Vexus stood from her head and put her clutch over her shoulder by the chain.
"I'm unsure how time progresses here, but I do not believe that any of us are getting any younger. Where is the location of this White-Water Peak?" she asked hoping to get this branch of the mission underway. The sooner that this was completed the sooner the two of these men would grace her with their ends of the bargains. Elena gave a smirk, as she was truly excited to see how all of this would play out in the end.