THE MOMENT
"What have you done to my Earth?!" a woman's voice shook the room. Oz braced himself. He did not recognize the voice; but, his more immediate concern was the gaping hole in the side of the building. The powerful voice threatened to collapse the floor out from under his feet.
"Oh shit," Ozmond commented. "It's Gaia...," Movement caught Oz's eye. He looked out through the hole and saw a woman clad in vines and moss with dry brown roots for hair. Serpentine vines carried her into the building through the opening left by the abyssal.
[/p: She's a Mundo. -Astra] Oz felt the Whisper on his wrist and was grateful for the information. It did not change the situation at all; but, he still liked to know what was going on. The woman approached Astra, then looked down at her.
"Well? Explain yourselves," she said. A flash of protectiveness washed over Oz; but, he managed to stay quiet after a bit of thought. At face value, Gaia chose the youngest member of their group to pick on. However, Astra said she was a Mundo. She could could see what each of them were and she simply made the most logical choice about who to talk to. And Astra could take care of herself. She did not hesitate to point out Ozmond.
"We're still trying to figure it out. Somehow he opened a portal to Marciegeddon and an Abyssal came through."
"I gathered that much from the system message," Gaia replied. "I'm more interested to learn why you felt the need to engage it?" Astra's hand flew to her forehead and ended abruptly with a sharp smack and she groaned.
"Uuuuggghhhhh," her shoulders slumped and her gaze focused on the cracked floor. "Sorry...,"
"What'd I miss?" Oz asked.
"It seems your friend was so excited to play with the abyssal, she forgot that she didn't have to," Gaia said. Oz tilted his head.
'Huh?" he asked.
"If Astra hadn't engaged the abyssal, it would've despawned without causing trouble," Ruin said. "That about it?" Gaia nodded at him.
"I hope you have some ideas to save my life," Gaia turned back to Astra.
"Your life?" Oz asked. "Your life? What about everyone else on Earth?" Gaia turned and smiled at Oz.
"Everyone else has the ability to leave this Earth like that idiot is ready to do," she pointed at Ozmond.
"You want to evacuate the whole Earth???" Oz asked. "In three days??" Gaia shrugged.
"Sharp Development used to be able to get it done in eight hours. Who knows if they still can. But, even if so; that doesn't help me."
"I'll find a way to help you!" Astra promised. "And everyone else!"
"You'd better," Gaia said.
"The Estrellita seems genuinely remorseful...," Ballisea whispered in Oz's ear. He couldn't help but defend his friend.
"Of course she is," he blurted out. Astra and Gaia both turned to face him.
"Of course she is what?" Gaia asked.
"Sorry," Oz shook his head to try and jostle Ballisea's giggles out of his ears. "I meant, of course she'll find a way." Gaia narrowed her eyes at him for a moment, then shrugged.
"This situation could prove entertaining," Ballisea continued. Oz did his best to pretend nothing was amiss while Gaia and Astra began to discuss ideas. "I have a proposition for you," Ballisea said. This time, Oz decided to be more discreet. Ballisea could hear him from another universe, he didn't have to speak loudly. He covered his mouth as if he were yawning, then whispered into his hand.
"I'm listening," he said.
"The Mundo means nothing to you; but the Estrellita does. How willing are you to help her help another?"
"What do you want?" Oz asked his palm.
"To be amused," Ballisea replied. "Agree to be my plaything and I'll grant you the solution to Mundo's problem."
"Excuse me," Oz mumbled the excuse then walked out of the room. Gaia and Astra were deep in one conversation while Ruin and Ozmond seemed to have something in common. They barely noted his exit, which Oz was thankful for. He traveled down several flights of stairs to be sure, and still kept his voice at a whisper. "What do you mean your plaything?" He asked.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Ballisea replied. Oz froze when he felt a soft, cool hand caress his cheek. He jumped back from the lone hand reaching through a small black portal. The portal opened wide and Ballisea stepped through with her black eyes on Oz.
"Entertain me. Do as I say when I say it and Mundo will live a long happy life. Won't that please your Estrella friend?"
"For how long?" Oz asked. Ballisea smirked.
"Only as long as you wish Mundo to remain alive."
"No thank you," Oz shook his head. Ballisea shrugged.
"You have time to change your mind," she said, then she disintegrated into black dust and disappeared. Oz breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't actually any safer with her gone; she could be anywhere at any time. But, his heart was pounding. He'd stood up to Ballisea on his own. There was something to be said for standing your ground against impossible odds. Ballisea could kill him with a stray thought, but he'd grown attached to his new group of friends. He felt guilty enough just with Ballisea taking an interest in him. He did not want to have to keep even more secrets.
Oz spent another moment catching his breath, then he returned to the lab. He was surprised to see more people than when he left. A young couple stood next to Gaia with all three of them embracing.
"What'd I miss?" Oz asked. Gaia cleared her throat, Oz realized she'd been crying.
"This is my pride and joy. Meet my daughter Cadence and her husband, Spencer." Oz nodded a greeting at them.
"Did we come up with a plan?" he asked.
"Yes," Gaia nodded. "I asked Astra to bring my children here so I could say goodbye."