Paradisic Sanctuary 1 - Entering Purity
Story by TikTikKobold on SoFurry
Purity is the guardian of the city of Anteronia. Recently, she has been nominated a champion in a Tournament the likes of which she had never imagined. Now, she chases down her opponent from the first match in order to learn more about the mysterious magical girl.
This is a collaboration between myself and Luna-C
A chance encounter.
A Tournament of Pleasure.
A close round between two fierce warriors, yielded by forfeit.
Anteronia had a buried history of young women routinely vanishing over years, decades, even centuries. No sign of struggle, no return of the missing women, no men disappearing. The one pattern seemed to be that each of the vanished was young and single; species didn't matter.
A mystery of a legend tied to a supposedly more modern enigma.
Music. Soothing, enticing, less a force than a lure...or an audible trail. Near as Purity could tell, it started when the hero neared the forest and could only be heard by herself alone; it was faint and remained so, barely getting any louder...but with this enchanting melody, Purity could sense the path she must take--a route so clear it could've been lit up before her...but no one else followed it...
Purity clenches by her heart and takes the journey towards that siren's sound. What force was calling to her? Did she go because she felt duty... or because she wanted to heed its voice?
Portal. Such an obvious opening for this to be a mystery, yet she somehow knew this place opened just for her...and those like her? Who could possibly be like her? Through the shadows of the foliage she walked to be greeted by light...and a stunning sight beneath it! Women, likely all of the missing young ladies, still looking young and vibrant, despite how much time had to have passed. A few waved to her in greeting while the others were busy collecting or partaking in food, laughing and playing games, running or swimming, or engaging in rigorous "exercise" with each other. Humans, kobolds, slimes in female form, elves, faeries, even demons all co-existing peacefully and wearing the same scant fabrics that could barely be called an outfit, or less in certain circumstances, yet no one minded. No one was ashamed, no one was upset. They were all happy. And the song hadn't ceased, beckoning Purity further, not that she had much choice; the way back had vanished behind her.
She gulps, her eyes lingering here and there to see any crack in the armor of this facade. What could this be? Too good to be true? Did they have a reason to be here? Were they possessed? Enraptured by a spell? Regardless, she pushes forward, seeking to get the truth, at whatever cost.
A safe haven from the now-ageless runaways of Anteronia and beyond.
Paradise? The structures are all natural, as if created by wood nymphs. Lanterns that clearly rely on magic instead of technology imply day/night cycles beneath the likely illusory sky. The harmonious call draws her to the largest of these "buildings", though it was fascinating that even those women who would suffer beneath bright light can frolic with those who had no such difficulty; on further reflection, Purity would realize she hadn't had to squint since setting foot here, even with the quick transition from dark forest to bright grove. The air is comfortably cooler inside. That music guided her steps--though it remained her choice to take them--until she stands before what could only be called a throne (thankfully, nothing compelled her to kneel) as the melody finally ceases.
"You are not the first sent to find me", speaks the imp sitting in the throne, her diminutive height not diminishing her clear authority in the slightest, " I can aid you, if you so desire.." She certainly doesn't look malicious, with skin scarcely darker than Purity's, grayish hair with pale purple highlights, small pointed ears, curved brown horns, a strange rose-colored right monocle over one of her olive-green eyes, a golden star and moon mark on her left cheek, and a kind smile. To her right stood a young woman with pinkish-lavender hair and a dark cross mark--almost a scar, really--over her left eye...who was watching the newcomer cautiously.
Perhaps, Purity was in over her head. Or, perhaps, questions aside, this is the reprieve that she needed. Undoubtedly, the choice is hers, despite how trapped she seems.
“You want to help me? Who even are you?" The untransformed magical girl says. “What even is this place? These girls, women, here… they're all from the city, aren't they? How do I know this place isn't really some kind of trap or something?"
“You are free to believe what you wish," the imp replies calmly. “But no one is trapped here, not even you. This sanctuary admits those who need it, provided they fit the criteria: only one has entered here by alternative means, a curious little kobold who also recruited my Jaci for your Tournament."
Either supportive or independent of her words, this area certainly feels safe—whether or not she is actually trapped here, Purity can feel a calming sensation that coaxes her to relax, to stay, and maybe, to indulge?
“If it would set your mind at ease, I am willing to answer any questions you might have," the imp continues, “albeit with the caveat that you do me the same kindness, or until one of us exhausts her query pool. Is that reasonable to you?"
“Okay, I'll play this game," Purity says, poking at her cheek. “Who exactly are you and why do you do all…" she waves her hands around herself, “this?"
“My name is Mori Teufel," the host introduces herself, “a benevolent imp who has existed for longer than you could possibly imagine. My domain is a safe haven for the Discarded, meant to protect and preserve them from the world they knew."
“Now then," she adds, “perhaps you, Purity, will grant us your true name and why you think you're here."
Thus far, the magenta-haired woman merely watches and waits, cautiously curious but ready to retaliate if Purity proves herself hostile.
“I… hey, wait… people aren't meant to know who I am!" Purity stamps her foot, staring up at the imp with an almost childish resistance.
The scarred woman stifles a chortle. “Well, if you wanted to keep your identity a secret, maybe you shouldn't have transformed in plain sight for the Tournament match."
Purity sighs, lowering her head. Her voice comes up with a soft whisper. “It's… it's Libi… my name is Libi, and I'm here because… because I was searching for Jaci."
“Now, that wasn't so bad," Mori says, motioning towards her magenta-haired assistant. “As for your quest, you have been here with her this entire time. Obviously, she was trying to have an advantage over you here in my domain."
“Ack! Mih-Mistress!!" Jaci sputters.
Purity's face goes pale a moment after her gloating, a trembling takes over her as she grabs at her head. “Oh no… everyone knows… then… then any monster I face will… will know how to target me. There's no way I'm strong enough to survive direct attacks."
“Not unless you become stronger," Mistress Mori says. “That is one option I can help with." She tilts her head. “Two others are also available to you, if you so desire."
Jaci sighs at this latest benevolence. “Mistress, there's something to be said about providing charity to everyone you meet," she remarks, “especially if they've already decided upon a path."