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Post by Golurkcanfly on Nov 4, 2015 21:27:52 GMT -6
"Well, if burning through is what's needed, then yes, I can be vert precise." Grigori answered. "Breaking through is another story, ans solid rock probably won't melt too easily."
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Post by empireoffire on Nov 4, 2015 21:35:34 GMT -6
Good to know I'm weighing you down.
"Aye aye," followed an unenthusiastic Gareth.
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Post by Neo on Nov 6, 2015 20:07:55 GMT -6
"What if you had time to work undisturbed?" Orion continued. "The mountains become much more dangerous after nightfall, and the icy half is prone to constant blizzards. Crossing the ice fields at night, during a blizzard, is tantamount to suicide. We'll need to camp until morning, and camping out in the open, or in a monster infested cave, isn't an option. So we'll have to create our own cave. Velia's and my magic is far too destructive. We would cause a landslide at best, and an avalanche at worst. But if you and Eden worked together, it might work."
He turned to Eden, smiled, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He didn't speak, but he didn't need to. His eyes conveyed more than enough; that it would be alright, and not too worry, and to trust in him and have faith in Jurian.
Then he turned back to Grigori. "Well? Think you could do it? Drill a hole in a mountain?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Nov 6, 2015 20:11:16 GMT -6
"I think I can." Grigori nodded his head. "I could also crack stone then Eden could create water to flow into the cracks before freezing them. That should clear out enough rock without causing a landslide."
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Post by GX1997 on Nov 6, 2015 22:09:04 GMT -6
"I'll help wherever I can," Eden said.
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Post by AlmosDug on Nov 8, 2015 3:14:10 GMT -6
"I'd heard you've a Dragon Slayer in your guild, and that intrigued me," Verala told the young man who looked an awful lot like the one she'd rode with on the train. "To say nothing of how warm everyone seems!"
Trying to take in as much of the detail as she could while being ushered into the guild itself, the young thief neglected to smile and focus, barely snapping back to attention in time to respond to the guild leader. "You can't mean me? Amaryllis Laudanul, hopeful plant mage, at your service." A smile, and a flick of the wrist, and she was conjuring a rosy plant from a Live-coal container, wrapping the stem around her body before it bloomed next to her head, large, glistening teeth evident at the center of all the petals. "Pretty, yes?"
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Post by SummerCrow on Nov 13, 2015 23:19:04 GMT -6
"Pretty, yes," Sounders echoes. "But looks like it has some bite, eh? Better to look and not touch. So, planning to join our little band, are ya?"
"Jerid and Nalia found her in Ambrosia," Vallory explains. Under her breath, she adds "they think she's suspicious, but not dangerous. She's got some strange interest in Dragon Slayers."
"Ambrosia, huh?" Sounders asks, without acknowledging the rest. "Are you a local, or were you just passing through?" he asks Amaryllis.
Meanwhile, he generates a ghostly voice up in Hecate's room. "How ya feelin' 'bout our new friend, Beat? Let 'er in or run 'er off? You can just talk normal, I'll hear ya just fine."
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Post by AlmosDug on Nov 17, 2015 14:13:44 GMT -6
Verala smiled brighter at the guild master as he praised the flower, a strong contrast to her dull hair and skin, along with the whispers of the guild mates. "I would hope it's more than just pretty, else I'd be easy prey for any dangers we'd come across while working. I... basically grew up in Ambrosia, though I was born elsewhere. Very familiar with every nook and cranny they have lying about there. Not to say I'm fond of them all either, but hopefully that's different around here."
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 4, 2015 20:34:35 GMT -6
"Well, Harborshore's a pretty major port. We get all kinds here, from all over the place. Most are pretty decent folk, yeah? But we get our share of bad eggs. Most captains are smart enough to keep their problems on a short leash, though, if you follow. So, you're thinking about joining Alicorn Wing, eh? Well, we take all kinds, so that should be fine. But are you sure this is the right guild for ya? I'm sure ya coulda found a bigger one in Ambrosia."
Aldous nudges Atticus. "Where'd Hecate go? She did come in, right?"
"She darted up the stairs without saying anything," Atticus tells him. "She's been acting a bit... off since we spoke with Master Grave."
"Oh... Think I should go check on her?" Aldous asks.
Atticus takes a look around. "No, you need to hear all the stuff we found out in the library. I'll go." With that, he quietly walks over to the stairs and heads up. He stops in front of Hecate's door and knocks. "...Hecate?" he calls softly. He knocks a bit louder and repeats the call.
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Post by Neo on Dec 7, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -6
The two goddesses of light and darkness materialized high above the raging Lord below, on the peak of an adjacent mountain. Athena threw off her sister's arm and stormed away. She only made it a few feet, however, before whirling on the other goddess in anger.
"Why did you interfere?! I could have-"
"The master's orders," Artemis replied simply, perfectly calm. "And you would have died. You are to return to base. Any further direct contact with the Lord of Fire is to be avoided at all costs."
Athena roared in rage, and sent a lightning bolt flying off in a random direction. "Who's orders, Deimos?! We can't stop yet, we-"
"No, Nebilim's orders," Artemis said.
Athena blinked, her ire suddenly dispelled, her anger vanished into the wind. "... What?"
"These orders came down directly from Khaos," Artemis repeated. "The Organization is not yet ready to deal with the three Lords. GENESIS has not been completed yet. She is not ready."
That only served to enrage Athena more. But this time, she didn't show it. "... Fine. I will return to the Zenithra. What of you?"
Artemis turned her back and peered out over the vast abyss below. "I shall remain here."
Athena waited for her to elaborate, and when she didn't, the goddess of lightning grit her teeth and forced herself to take a deep breath.
"Very well. But if the Prime Subject dies as a result of this foolishness, I will hold you personally responsible... Sister."
A great bolt of black and green lightning abruptly strikes from the blue, and Athena vanishes with it, leaving the goddess of night alone with only her thoughts and the howling wind.
After a few minutes of silence, a man casually steps out of nothingness and slowly begins to clap. "That was quite the performance, my dear. Very convincing. To fool the fool is no small feat."
Artemis doesn't even turn to look at the newcomer. Her face betrays no sign of surprise or emotion. It is completely devoid of expression.
"Magnus," she greets. "Magnus the Red, Magnus the Bloody, Magnus the Wise, Magnus the Sun, the All-Seeing, Magnus the Chairman... What shall I call you? Fraud? Copy? Clone? Godslayer? Other? It is rare to speak to a man with so many names."
He chuckles. "And it is even rarer, methinks, for you to speak so many words at a single time. I am truly flattered, my dear. But Magnus will do just fine."
"... Magnus. I have done as you commanded. Why are you still here?"
He joins her at the peak's edge, seemingly without moving at all. The hairs on the back of Artemis's neck rise. He looks over the great precipice and smiles.
"Can you see it love? This world is on the precipice of change. It stands on the edge, at the border, just waiting for someone to push it over. But who will that person be? Will she appear in this age, this age of gods and demons? Or will she appear in the next age, that beautiful, glorious unknown age of wizards and man? You see much, my dear... But how far does that vision of yours extend?"
Artemis remains silent and his smile widens. He places a formless, shadowy hand on her shoulder, setting off every instinct and alarm in her body. Still she does not move.
"My offer still stands," he whispers. "Think on it."
Then he fades into the wind, and no trace of his presence remains, save for a single red rose blooming beside her. The flower had not been there before.
Gil... Have you found your answer? Have you found what you're looking for? If so, then... Then I...
---------
The Wizards from Silver Chimera made excellent progress on that first day. After leaving the Imperial Outpost, they followed the caravan trail through the mountains. The Land of Fire quickly lived up to its name. The blazing afternoon Sun was harsh and brutal, and a hot, dry wind whipped across the rusty red landscape. The lone path twisted and turned, between giant pillars and over vast gorges, and it wasn't long before the path became treacherous.
Near the far end of Sword Valley, they stumbled upon a merchant caravan returning from one of the mountain villages. According to him, the Wyvern King hadn't been seen for the past couple days- the same report from the guards at the outpost. It was a good sign. Orion purchased another few canteens of water from the man and restocked their supplies, then after a few minutes rest, they continued onward.
It was another few hours before they reached the border between the land of ice and fire. The Sun was already well into its descent when the foreboding wasteland of snow and ice came into view.
"Eden, Grigori, help me look for a spot in the mountain to drill," Orion says, breaking the silence. "We need to hurry. Velia, I want you to fly ahead and scout the area for any nearby caves. Relay what you find to Cenric."
Velia nods and immediately takes to the skies, sprouting wings of shadow. Meanwhile, Orion turns towards the snow capped mountain in the very near distance, rising high above the ice fields. The outlines of several more mountains could be seen in the far distance, lurking in the gloom.
"Let's get started," Orion urges. "I don't like the look of the sky."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Dec 7, 2015 14:29:52 GMT -6
"Here." Grigori placed his left hand against part of the mountain, sending a flow of black dust into the stone which created a series of cracks as it loosened the stone.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 11, 2015 0:42:00 GMT -6
Atticus drops through the floor, landing next to Aldous as subtlety as possible. His face has a slight blush.
"What's-?" Aldous asks quietly.
"She wouldn't answer her door, so-" Atticus whispers.
"Tell me you didn't-"
"I did, and-"
"Let me guess. She was-"
"Worse. I... think she was crying."
"Crying?"
"Crying," Atticus answers definitively.
"Do we...?"
"I'm not going in there, she'd kill me."
"But-"
"I think we should just give her some time alone."
Saunders hops up and strolls over to a cabinet. He slides a key in and pops the door open, pulling out the guild's stamp. "Well, alright, then. Since there are no objections, it's my honor to welcome Ms. Laudanal to Alicorn Wing. Amaryllis, where do you want your mark?"
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Post by Neo on Dec 15, 2015 18:24:40 GMT -6
Orion started to move to inspect the spot Grigori had chosen, but he had only moved a couple feet when the temperature abruptly plummeted, and a harsh icy wind picked up, sweeping across the frozen mountainside. He shielded his eyes with his arm and cursed, as his cloak billowed wildly in the sudden wind. The sky overhead darkened, like night had fallen, but Orion knew better. They should have still had another half hour of light left.
"Cenric, contact Velia!" Orion shouted above the wind, which was steadily intensifying into a howling gale. "We don't have time to build a cave, we need shelter now!"
"Already ahead of you! She says there's a small cave about a Klick to the north of our current position! She's going to send up a flare!"
Not good... The blizzard will be on us before we can make it.
"Cenric, can you-"
There was a loud whistling sound in the distance, and then a bright red signal flare exploded in the sky with a deafening sound that could be heard even above the wind, leaving a trail of red sparks in the dark sky.
"I know!" Cenric answers quickly, before Orion can finish. "I've already told Velia! Locking on to her signature now!"
A large magic seal suddenly materialized around them, and then they were gone. One moment they were standing in the middle of a blizzard, next they were in a dark cave, lit only by the raging blizzard outside. The cave was shallow, but just deep enough to provide adequate protection from the storm.
Using a small fire lacrima he bought back at the Outpost, Orion quickly started a fire. "We'll have to spend the night here," he said quietly, as the fire roared to life, casting shadows over the cavern's ceiling and walls.
In the flickering light of the fire, with the shadows dancing across his pale features, Orion suddenly seemed much older. His shoulders slightly slumped, hunched over the fire, he seemed like a completely different person than the one who had first walked into Silver Chimera what seemed like a lifetime ago. Gone was the facade of the lighthearted Minstrel. He simply didn't have enough strength to maintain it. He was too exhausted. But even so, he forced a smile as he rose to his feet and turned to the others.
"Don't worry, the blizzard shouldn't last too long. Take this time to get some rest. We'll set out at first light tomorrow morning. I'll take first watch."
No one argued, but then again, they knew there was nothing to be done. They all did. Or, maybe, it was just that, they too, were exhausted. Orion settled down in a spot near the cave entrance, and let himself close his eyes for a few seconds.
... I have to try. This blizzard could last for days. This... This is my fight.
-------
Later that night, when everyone else was asleep, Orion quietly rose to his feet and slipped outside, leaving his staff behind so the bells wouldn't wake anyone. The blizzard pelted him mercilessly, and he could barely see two feet in front of him. But still he walked. He walked, and didn't stop until the cave disappeared behind him. Then, he quietly sank to his knees and closed his eyes, doing his best to shut out the world around him.
My name... My name is Orion Farsong. I was born in a small mountain village, to a brilliant woman and a loving father. I am... Me.
The blizzard suddenly faltered, as if another, unseen wind was pushing back against it.
My name... My name is Gilgamesh. I was created from nothingness, and molded into the ultimate killer. I am... Me.
A fierce purple glow began to emanate from his back, and Orion winced in pain.
I refuse to run anymore. No longer will I hide in the shadows. No longer will I lie to myself. I am who I am.
The purple glow wavered, and the runes on his back began to fade. His eyes opened slowly, and he slowly rose to his feet. Then he raised his hand, and spoke to the blizzard.
"Begone."
At first, the blizzard obeyed. The wind began to lesson. The storm's fury began to subside, and Orion allowed himself a sigh of relief. He turned around to walk back to the cave where his friends were waiting, then suddenly stopped in his tracks. He heard his heartbeat in his ear, loud and pulsing, and gasped, his eyes wide. Clutching desperately at his chest, he collapsed to his hands and knees as absolute agony tore through his body. His eyes bulged and he covered his mouth with his hand, but not before bright red blood stained the clean snow. The runes on his back burst back into existence, and with them, the storm returned with a vengeance.
It- It can't be... I... I miscalculated? That's not... Possible...
His vision blurred and began to dim, but through the fog of pain he heard someone calling for him, someone calling his name. A voice in the storm, close by, and yet, it felt a million miles away. That voice... He recognized it.
E-Eden...?
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Post by AlmosDug on Dec 18, 2015 23:32:36 GMT -6
Hearing Sounders comment on her odd choice of guild, Verala chuckled, as the guild she came from prior had been just as small, if not smaller. It had also been much less personal. "Bigger, sure, but I cannot believe a big guild is as important for my blooming as a kind one is."
As the guild master approached with her stamp, she considered the potential issues that could come from the guild's mark being easily visible on her body. She then considered how odd it might seem for the documents or the Djinni Haze scarf she had stored in her coat to be seen in front of everyone. Finally, "Amaryllis Laudanul" decided on how to avoid both slippery situations. "Ah, um, well, I know where I'd like it, but, well... I don't know how comfortable I am applying it here in front of everyone. I... don't exactly have a shirt on, under my coat, and just leggings on..." Despite her pale complexion and fraudulent embarrassment, she managed to bring a convincing blush to her face.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 21, 2015 23:30:34 GMT -6
"I see. We'll do it somewhere a bit quieter later, then," Sounders promises. "For now, we'll get you moved in, set you up with a room, take you shopping for whatever you need. And we'll also give Beat - Hecate, that is - a chance to cool off. Go over what we've learned, let everyone digest, then talk about our plans over dinner, yeah?"
"Let's begin, then," Vallory says. She notices Rosa staring off into space. "Rosa, wake up, dear."
"Basilisk Wattle's a small, dark mage guild. Their base in Lilyville was destroyed a few years ago, and they went into hiding. Additionally, Basilisk Wattle's a suspected member of the Nebilim Organization," Nalia recites dutifully. Sounders echoes it up to Hecate's room.
"We know of at least three members. One using paralysis magic, one using teleportation and some kind of shock artifact, and one using speed enchancement magic," Vallory continues. "They used a knife which we believe was made in some small town by a mediocre blacksmith."
"And they're probably hiding in a town near Lilyville," Jerid concludes. "Anything else?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Dec 26, 2015 8:11:38 GMT -6
"Where's Eden?" Grigori had woken up a minute before noticing the two absentees. "Orion?"
The other two were asleep, but Grigori strongly considered waking them up.
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Post by GX1997 on Dec 30, 2015 23:25:25 GMT -6
"Orion!" Eden called out, before her voice dropped to a near whisper as the fear she couldn't be heard above the storm set in. "I can see you're in trouble..."
Unable to see very far in those weather conditions, Eden was relying on divination. She was focused on seeing the present, so much so that when she neared Orion she knew she would only know because of the sight granted by the magic, and not her own senses. Her eyes were wide open, staring ahead, unmoving, and within them one could almost see the reflection of the vision granted by the divination. She trudged through the storm, unwilling to give up until she found her friend.
"Orion, can you hear me?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2015 14:56:40 GMT -6
Rosa was drifting off almost hypnotized by the new comers demonstration. "Wow what a pretty flower, I wonder if mom could make something like that," Rosa mused to herself.
"Hey Rosa Vallory is calling for you," Conker told Rosa.
"Hey Conker I wonder who that person is I never saw them before?" Rosa asked Conker.
"Hmm it looks like its a new recruit," Conker responded. "While you were drifting off, I heard Vallory mention how they picked this person up while they were on there way back," Conker said.
"Wait you said new recruit?" Rosa asked with glee. Conker shock his head yes even though he had that look on his face like he knew he would regret it. "Yippee, that means I am no longer the new girl and that means I am no longer the one on the bottom of the totem pole," Rosa said as she unslinged her staff.
Rosa drove her staff into the ground as a tree just sturdy enough to hold Rosa rose from the ground and lifted Rosa into the air. When Rosa noticed the new girl was finishing up the demonstration she leaped off the tree and landed right in front of Vallory and the new girl.
"Hey rookie its soooooooo nice to meet you," Rosa said to the girl with the toothy flower on her head. "My name is Rosalina daughter of the world's greatest shaman, and worlds greatest magitech enchanter," Rosa said introducing herself. Conker was just barely holding onto Rosa and was just getting his barings as he pulled himself onto Rosa's shoulder
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2016 18:22:40 GMT -6
Thana, whom did not hold onto the man, but rather the bike with her legs and thighs, became bored after the long ride.
"Athena, she is your master, correct? How did you meet?" Thana asked, only somewhat interested in the topic. It could however, give her some insight into that hag's past. Information such as that always was handy, especially so in bargaining.
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Post by Neo on Jan 1, 2016 19:43:57 GMT -6
E-Eden...
"I-I'm here," he called out, his voice hoarse. "I'll be... Fine... I'll be fine."
I refuse to allow something so pitiful to be my end...
Barely conscious, he trudged through the storm, following the sound of Eden's voice. But just as he saw her silhouette seemingly materialize through the blinding wind and snow, he heard the sound of cracking ice beneath him. It was a shrill, dreadful sound, like a million cracks spreading across a giant window pane. Realizing what it meant, he instantly froze in his tracks. But he quickly came to an even worse realization. With no magic, and his staff and supplies back in the cave, the frozen labyrinth below would be a death trap... For both of them.
He placed the last of his strength into his voice, causing it to rise above the wind in a desperate cry. "Eden, wait! Don't come any closer! The ice, it's-"
Before he could finish, there was a deafening crack, like splitting thunder, and the world gave way beneath him. The last thing he heard before losing consciousness was Eden's panicked cry, barely audible over the rushing wind.
-----
You're still not ready yet... I was hoping, but... You're still not ready to come home, are you? Gil...
Once again alone on the mountaintop, the goddess of the night turned away from the precipice. She hesitated for a moment, as if sensing something far off in the distance, then faded into the wind.
-----
Senna sighed as she leaned back in a chair in her new "cabin". They had barely made it back to the train at all, and they certainly didn't make the cut off time- largely in thanks to them getting caught up in a tidal wave of traffic from the train behind them, which was apparently full of students on some field trip. She was lucky she had been able to secure a cabin at all, even if it was a much smaller coach room. Some rich bloke from town and his old lady were in possession of her old comfy cabin, though Senna was really too tired to complain. Even if it meant she and Gareth had to share a room. At least there were two bunks.
She pulled her hood down, shaking her hair out, and looked out the window, just as the train started to move again- finally. "I wonder what that fog was," she mumbled to herself aloud. "It was almost... Unnatural."
"Hey, what kind of magic do you use?" Senna asked suddenly, turning to look at Gareth. "I don't suppose you can control the weather, can you?"
-----
"Not much to tell," Knight replied stoically. "She heard about my unique talents and sought me out. She found me in a bar in the middle of nowhere, in between jobs, and hired me. She's more my 'employer' than my 'master'."
It was quite clear there was likely more to the story than that and it was equally clear he had no intention to elaborate on the matter. And thankfully, he didn't have to.
"There-" he pointed. In the rapidly closing distance, a massive expanse of dark green sea stretched on for countless miles, and on its banks one could glimpse a small town. "The very edge of the empire- and the known world. The seas beyond this point are almost entirely uncharted. As such, this cozy little port town has earned quite the nickname. Welcome to the End of the World, milady."
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