Chapter 3.10: The Plane In Between

Oanoa snaps his fingers.
“I have prepared your beds”, he says. “I think you can use some sleep. When you feel rested, Oslando and Mero, please come look for me. I am going to help you with your magic abilities.”
Lyssa coughs.
“And what about us?” She points to Dargothoth and herself. “We know magic as well and you haven’t told us anything yet. I feel left out.”
The Beholder looks at her in silence. He stares without blinking.
“You know that those who ask, don't get, right? I understand your disappointment, but I can’t help you with your magic.”
Lyssa pouts.
“This feels unfair. I want to improve my skills as well. I want to learn more about my own life.”
Oanoa slowly points at Cyrzana.
“If you would have let me finish, dear Lyssa, I could have told you someone else can help you with that. She’s more skilled with vocal manifestations of magic than I care to be. She has nothing to do but wait.”
The succubus raises her eyebrows.
“I can think of plenty things to do instead of being trapped here.” She turns her head to Lyssa. “But I am happy to help you. Also, Dargothoth, I think we have some other things to discuss as well, but we’ll talk about that tomorrow.”
(Persuasion 13 versus insight 20)
“So everyone is going to learn about magic but me.” Bruq sighs exaggeratedly and slams his hands on the table. “But I don’t feel left out or anything. Don’t worry about me, guys. I don’t need all this sorcery. I have my trusty old ranger tricks. I’ll do fine.”
Oanoa laughs loudly.
“I’ll find something for you to do. Even a sorcerer sees the use of tricks from time to time. I’ll lay down some ingredients for you to toy around with.”
The satyr nods.
“That would be nice”, he says with a childish tone.
“You could always ring that bell of yours if you want to become a wizard”, Dargothoth teases. “Just don’t sacrifice us if you need to pay the toll.”

They slept well. No nightmares, no sleeping in shifts to keep watch. It was nice to rest in a place where danger was no longer lurking around the corner and no blood was spilt. It was revitalizing and it gave Lyssa enough energy to fully focus on what Cyrzana was planning to teach her.
“So, can you tell me how you normally use your capabilities?”
The succubus’ lesson begins.
“I mostly recite whatever song or rhyme comes to mind and use it to mess with my enemy’s head. I make them run into walls or haunt them with demoralizing or suicidal thoughts.”
Cyrzana widens her eyes and lifts her eyebrows.
“That last part sounds a bit grim, but I like it. It shows you’re not afraid to use your magic to its fullest potential. But how would you fight an enemy without a mind?”
Lyssa looks at her, confused.
“An enemy without mind? What do you mean?”
Cyrzana shakes her head.
“Undead minions have no brains to plant thoughts in. Animated creatures like golems are immune to psychic abilities. And what are you going to do against deaf enemies?”
The smile on her face is teasing.
Lyssa doesn’t know what to say. She just stares at her in silence, which tells her more than the siren could tell her.
“I use my gun?”
Cyrzana bursts into laughter.
“Well, I can’t learn you how to improve your shot, but I can help with your voice. Do you want that?”
She nods firmly. She is eager to learn and, honestly, a little afraid. Although it hasn’t happened very often, her voice failed her from time to time or she couldn’t find the right words to enchant her foes with. She can’t fall back on physical strength, she can’t fall back on her skills with a sword. Take away her gun and seal her lips, and she is useless.
“Very well”, the demon princess says and she places a metal lantern on the ground before them. “I’m going to use my voice to manipulate the iron. If you know how the hold the right tone, you can make it shake so fast it heats up and melts. Let me show you.”
Cyrzana opens her mouth and pouts her lips. She produces a deep sound that quickly rises in pitch. She carries the current tune and the lantern starts to vibrate. Instantly, the dark grey iron turns red hot. The bright orange glow gives off an immense heat and the lantern collapses. She shuts her mouth and the molten pool of metal solidifies.
“Easy as that, Lyssa”, she says with a cheeky grin. “Your turn.”