h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*a small series of rooms which house the 250 archers of Oane. Separate from the soldiers barracks is the Magicians barracks, where any Magicians that stay at the outpost will sleep.*

*Syian runs into the barracks swiftly and stops to let Lumien catch up, they proceed a little slower, as if Syian is remembering a long forgotten path*

*They travel down many staircases and fianlly arrive at a pool of water, a vast lake inside the barracks, it is so still it seems to be made of glass*

We are here...

*Syian's voice seems to echo loudly although she spoke quite quietly*

*Looks around, trying to catch her breath.*

Oane is... familiar to me. But not this part of it. Where are we?

Nowhere special, just an underground lake...we need to be near water...

*she suddenly looks nervous*

What I want to show you is not pleasant but it will help you understand me...and...well......*mumbles* you are my friend

Do you want to see?

Of course!

*Takes a step closer to the water.*

*Syain takes Lumien's hand and together they wade knee deep into the water, which is surprisingly warm*

*Syian sits down in the water, cross-legged, so that the water is brushing her shoulders and motions for Lumien to sit with her*

*Lumien sits, looking a bit unsure. Her eyes are wide open, and she is listening intently.*

*the silence is complete as Syian unbuckles a bandolier on her chest revealing a collection of bells, she removes two and rings them in turn, one after the other. One produces a long deep note that seems to promote sleep and the other produces a series of high pitches flute like sounds which echo eerily*

*Syian once more feels herself sinking into death, the comforting embrace of a life-long friend...the water around her freezes holding her in place*

*Here spirit rises and, although Lumien cannot see it, touches her on the forehead causing the water around her to freeze also...Lumien's spirit rises and they find themselves in death*

*Spirits rise up everywhere and begin to murmur in consternation, they begin to move naggressively forward...Syain takes out a long sword which glitters strangely and stands in front of Lumien*

Welcome to death..

*Lumien is shaking, and turns so she ans Syian are back to back, so they can't be ambushed.*

This is death? Is everyone who ever died.... here?

No, this is the portal to the different levels of death...we are the closest to life here.....

..I have once been....down....

Down where? I've heard of the different levels of death, yes, but I never thought they actually existed...

They exist...I could show you but....

..well this is where I grew up, most of the time

*Lumien looks around, wide eyed, and still shaking.*

And I thought I had it rough... I'm sorry.

Don't apologise....I am glad I could finally show someone...my friend...

*the dead suddenly attack in great droves, Syian breaks contact with Lumien and Lumien instantly returns to life, Syian is stil lfrozen and seeming dead*

*Lumien gasps for breath as the ice around her slowly melts. She looks over to Syian.*

Syian? Syian!

*She shakes the remaining ice from her robes, and goes to check her.*

Gods... help! Someone!

*Lumien desperately tries to revive Syian.*

*a small trickle of blood drips from a slash on her face, it instantly freezes in place*

*suddenly the ice shatters and they are in the warm water again, Syian blinks and mops the blood from her face...she collects her two bells, places them back in the bandolier and looks at Lumien anxiously*

You called for help...said my name...what is wrong?

*Lumien looks stunned.*

What is....

Well, first we got attacked by all those dead guys, then I woke up and you didn't, and then you started bleeding! How's that for wrong?

*Rubs her forehead.*

What happened in there?

I noticed them come to attack and I didn't want you in danger so I pushed you back into life, however, it is my job to make sure they stay in death so I had to fight a few...*gestures to her cheek* hence the bleeding

*looks closely at Lumien who looks pale and shattered*

Your first trip into death seems to be catching up with you my friend, don't worry...just sleep and I will take care of you

All right.

*Lumien stands shakily and makes her way toward shore. Once there, she stumbles and sinks onto one knee.*

I don't know how you do it... I think I'm going to need a little help getting back up the stairs to the barracks.

*winds her one arm round Lumien's back and helps her to move further up the shore*

Sit here for a while, get your strength back before we tackle the stairs...