D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

--- Kamiko --- (Day 2 of travel without Kat and Lily)

"Hello?" asked Kamiko worriedly, "Anyone?"

Kamiko couldn't see anything. The mist was pretty bad but there was a level above that. They'd stepped into a bubble, clearly, and there was a blizzard out. Kamiko found she couldn't see any further then her wrist if she held her arm out. Her affinity for ice prevented her from getting too cold but the fierce winds threw hale against her skin.

It wasn't too bad, but the constant impacts did sting a touch.

The real problem was that everyone else seemed to have been lost in the transition. Nobody was replying, the bracer she had on her wrist that was meant to point her towards her closest ally was seemingly inert and Kamiko was freaking out a bit. "Anyone!" shouted Kamiko. "This better not be your idea of a joke Meg!"

Kamiko pulled out her naginata, unwilling to be caught unaware. Kamiko waved it around her slightly to see if there was anything nearby but she didn't make contact with anything. As far as she could tell she was a mostly open field that was covered in snow. It was almost to her knees already and walking through it was going to be a pain. "Hunter?! I thought you said you'd keep me safe?!"

I really wish I could fly! Though I don't know if it'd be safe to fly in this weather… just trudging through snow isn't going to be fun. Oh… where are Kat and Lily when you need them. I could at least trust that they'd never intentionally leave me behind. Oh… is this a prank? Is it not?

I hope not… but I can't SEE ANYTHING.

Dammit. No, Bower probably wouldn't go along with it. He's a nice old man if a bit too serious at times… but he gave me the bracers that aren't currently working. What even is the protocol for something like this? I've been in poor weather conditions before… but this might just take the cake for the worst. I can't see anything at all.

So what do I do? Do I bunker up here? Do I try to get out the bubble as soon as possible? I don't know, and it's just not clear what the right choice is… why?! Is this punishment for something I can't remember? We seemed to be getting along… I even had that enlightening talk with Hunter yesterday!

Kamiko summoned up her demonic fire in hopes that it would let her see a bit further… but all it did was enlarge the bits of hail that flew through it and Kamiko quickly dismissed the flames. "GUYS!? COME ON? I really hope you're out there!" screamed Kamiko with little hope of suddenly getting a response. The wind was screaming into her ears and she was started to get snow buildup there.

It was not pleasant.

Kamiko brushed her hand past her ears a few times to clear it then focused on her ring to see if it had anything applicable. A few moments later and the best Kamiko could find was a scarf, which wasn't ideal but she didn't really have the time to keep looking through it.

Kamiko took out the scarf and tightened it around her head, focusing on ensuring that her ears were covered and that no more snow could get inside. She was wearing it more like headband then a scarf.

It wasn't like Kamiko was cold, so it wasn't a concern. Kamiko did give a few moments thought to covering her nose but the few ice crystals she breathed in weren't worth worrying about. It would be lot more annoying just trying to work out how to keep both her mouth and ears covered without obstructing her eyes or mouth. *Then again… do my bubbles even work on me?

I don't think I've tested my healing on myself. Or did I? Oh I can't remember and my mind is a mess. Maybe… ok maybe I should build a little shelter and then work it out.*

Kamiko pulled out a shovel from inside of her ring and started to dig up the snow nearby. She quickly got to the more compact stuff and that was perfect. Using her sword to slice into the compacted snow Kamiko was able to quickly dig a staircase down into the snow. She had no idea just how deep it was, but Kamiko hadn't found any dirt yet.

She kept digging until the top layer of snow was above her head and then started to work on digging into the walls.

Though digging was slightly wrong, Kamiko was mostly using her naginata at this point. First she dug out an area towards the top, then got to cutting away the extra snow with her sword. It was a bit hard to get stuff at the back but she had a small knife in her ring for that. The ring made juggling tools a sinch.

Soon Kamiko had cut away a nice little bench and a hole to keep herself warm. There wasn't enough space to really lay down or do anything but sit… however that was more than enough for right now. Kamiko just wanted a chance to calm down and get out of the wind. The constant stinging was annoying and she just didn't know what to do.

Kamiko sat down… and quickly realised that she hadn't made the place large enough. She had to stoop slightly when sitting down… which wasn't the worst thing ever but not conducive to calming down. It made her feel a bit trapped. She wasn't normally one for claustrophobia but the fact she was already panicking just meant that all the little things were more noticeable. Continue reading stories on empire

It's the main reason she was getting out the snowstorm. It was fine on it own but she was alone and scared and…

Kamiko slapped herself in the face, the sting bringing her back out of the slightly spiralling panic she'd contracted. Taking a deep breath and picturing Kat and Lily smiling at her Kamiko got to enlarging the area she was in. First just a bit, pushing the wall in front of the bench further out. Then she lowered the bench itself…

Things escalated after that.

Kamiko added quite a few more steps to the stairs, and then she extended the wall again, before sitting down just long enough to know she was still uncomfortable and before she knew it suddenly Kamiko found herself somewhere between two and three hours later with a large underground bunker consisting of a bed, a chair, a table and an alcove for her stuff for some reason.

It wasn't like she was going to run out of space in her ring.

Kamiko let out a long breath as she sunk into the chair. It was dark down here, she was just now noticing. Taking out a lamp from her storage Kamiko sat it down on the table and suddenly she felt like she could relax. The wind was still howling up above, Kamiko could hear it still… but she was safe down here.

"Now… now what do I do? I was… I was sort of hoping that someone would find me. I mean… the original plan was to take a short break and gather herself… and then… then it was feel safe and… I… I really thought somebody would find me by now. I didn't think we would be separated and… and…" Kamiko looked down at the bracer on her arm and found it still unresponsive.

It wasn't pulling her in any particular direction and that seemed really bad.

"Oooh… this isn't good. I mean… I've got to get moving right? All of this is indicating that nobody else got caught up in this bubble right? But… but I thought the bracers were meant to work inside of them? And how am I even meant to find the exit? What am I going to do if I get turned around?

I mean… I guess I can always make another shelter and I've got food on me… but I don't want to get stuck here! Oh this is very much not good…" Kamiko felt herself starting to panic again so she started to take a few deep breaths.

"Why is this so nerve wracking?" hissed Kamiko to herself. "I've been on plenty of missions by myself. I've fought and killed scary monsters… heck we just took out a time controlling drake! And I helped! I mean, Lily was really the star of the show there… but I helped! It was a team effort. So why does this scare me?

Usually I'm fine on missions… but… hmm… is it something in the snow?

"I… I don't want to blame it… but maybe it would be easier to just say that the snow here has a fear effect embedded inside? That… feels like an excuse but I am scared and I don't like that fact. I'm on a mission I should be in MISSION MODE. I… perhaps a small snack first? Get my mind off of it?"

Kamiko shook her head to try and clear it but it wasn't really working. This situation had her on edge, and she just didn't know how to deal. "Maybe sending out a message? It might not get to anyone fast but…"