Bane of Degradation - Official Roleplay

Meekepeek · 19 February 2024 00:55

Amissa didn’t anticipate Kirara’s fiery response, but she couldn’t entirely refute her either. [Your argument holds merit, though merely seeking financial gain and shunning one’s former life can also be a powerful motivator. The drive I speak of isn’t necessarily one that alters the course of the world,] she explained, her hands fluid in their signing.

Turning to Ivadriel, Amissa expressed her gratitude. [Thank you, but you’d be surprised how many members within our organization have faced hardships. It’s what forges us into resilient beings, each pain holds valuable lessons we carry with us every day,] she elaborated, revealing her inner strength. [Though Dux’s intentions are noble, he didn’t establish the organization himself. It was the king’s decree to unite the kingdom’s mightiest warriors, those proven loyal to the crown, in a manner beyond the reach of conventional guilds,] she clarified, her expression earnest.

Observing Ivadriel’s attempt to console Kirara, Amissa knew it likely wouldn’t suffice, given Kirara’s hardened demeanor. [More likely, Dux recognized the potential in your abilities, deeming them valuable. He has a habit of taking in those who have lost their way, focusing on their potential. Trusting someone solely for the drive to earn money doesn’t necessarily inspire trust, but I am willing to invest my faith in the abilities Dux saw in you. If you possess potential, then I eagerly await what you’ll demonstrate to us and the world,]*she conveyed, hoping to convey encouragement rather than patronization.

Prompted by Ivadriel’s inquiry about her own drive, [To be honest, my drive has shifted since I joined. Initially, I wanted nothing; I had no purpose.] Amissa sighed before continuing. [Over time, I sought something to keep me moving forward, to prevent people like those in my past from causing harm to others. Now, my drive is to ensure no one gets hurt if I can help it; I’ll protect them to the best of my abilities.] Her determination shone through, a hint of desperation underlying her final goal.

As the camaraderie deepened among them, Amissa couldn’t help but feel a pang of urgency as the sun neared its descent, casting a golden hue over the port. With a watchful gaze upon the horizon, she spotted a ship gracefully making its approach. Sensing the impending arrival of Aevus, she knew they must hasten their return to the docks before the light dwindled completely.

Though the conversation had delved into meaningful territory, Amissa sensed the looming specter of disagreement over matters of morality. Deciding to forestall any potential conflict, she gracefully suggested their return to the docks, where they would await the arrival of their awaited guest.

@OhSumana - Kirara
@idiot.exe - Ivadriel

OhSumana · 19 February 2024 14:09

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴛᴏʀᴇ

What was sealed inside? And why ? Rhydal’s questions helped Yuuta compose himself from the initial shock, stabilising his own CE to prevent it from resonating with the sudden disorderly mana flow. Meanwhile, from the hold on his forearm Yuuta could feel Rhydal’s pulse quickening at the tremors and seemingly the howls, while he confirmed the emotions Yuuta felt from the tremors. The movements of his hands were a bit erratic, unlike when he usually “spoke” calmly to him. Right. For someone with ears it must have been unsettling. Yuuta gave his arm a little squeeze. [It’s okay, Fox. The barrier is intact.], He reassured letting go of his arm. [For now, at least.], He added, a little grimly.

Yuuta blinked at the look of disbelief on Rhydal’s face. “Why would you break it? Do you want to face its wrath?” Rhydal had asked him and he began to ponder. He was foolish to think this shadowy creature trapped in the lake could be an innocent kid. Now that his head was clear, the barrier seemed a deliberate attempt of someone to keep something inside. Though, he wondered why the mana flow in the air ran amok all of a sudden. The creature must have detected the presence of the outsiders and cried out for help. Or did they unconsciously trigger anything? Yeah, maybe, it would be best to leave it at that. Yuuta should not put both of them in danger just because of a baseless hunch.

‘𝕳𝖒𝖒…𝕾𝖊𝖊𝖒𝖘 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖊𝖓𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍. 𝕽𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖜𝖆𝖞? 𝖂𝖔𝖓’𝖙 𝖜𝖊 𝖋𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖎𝖙 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖍 𝖍𝖎𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖗𝖈𝖍𝖞?’

‘No. And don’t disturb me when I’m at work.’

Yuuta shook his as a response to Rhydal’s question. [I mistook the emotions I felt as a cry for help. A misjudgment on my part.],he replied. From his days as a guard must have dulled his rationalisation and made him eager to jump at any given opportunity for action. He should control that.

There was a change of mana in the air, a new distinct trail subduing the lingering mana of the lake in the air. Following its probable source Yuuta discerned that it was coming from the woods they were facing . This new mana seemed much more welcoming than the lake. It was kind of calming in a way, in comparison to the lake’s mana. Yuuta pointed at the direction. [There’s a new trail.], he declared, but Rhydal must have felt its conspicuous presence too. [Should we head that way?], he asked, still on guard, keeping his hand on the hilt of Katana.

@idiot.exe -

OhSumana · 19 February 2024 19:37

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴀɴᴅꜰᴏʀᴅ

It had been a while since this conversation was starting to get on her nerves, and Kirara had much less composure to begin with. She could not wrap her head around such lofty and noble goals, these two, especially the kid seemed to have. She failed to grasp the weight of their complicated words, especially at the complicated words. Moreover, their all the same roundabout way of discussing cusses, helping others, doing good and all that was virtually a jab at the lifestyle she had led up until now, mockery towards the simplicity of life itself. Being a cadet of LRO was simply an employment, a job to earn money and sustain life. What good would be their g^ddamn magnanimity when you are all skin and bones from weeks of starvation? What good was living for others and camaraderie when all they do is kick you to the curb?

Kirara gnawed at the filter of her rollie, as they went on. Was her annoyance pointless? She did not care. She would not have cared at all had it been a discussion between those two. But subjecting Kirara to their good-guy-talk was irritating her. Amissa appeased to her previous snarky statement by admitting that monetary gain was a decent enough motivation. Kirara sighed.

“Hmm, I think there must’ve been something Dux saw in you. A potential to do good. You may not have a cause now, but joining this organization is already a step forward."

That hit the nail in her short-tempered brain. Spitting away the burnt out rollie, Kirara stood up on her feet, balling her fists, fixating her one-eyed glare at the pretty faced brat. “'𝐚𝐲, '𝐚𝐥𝐟-𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐭!”, muttered Kirara, approaching Iva with clenched fists, “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟^𝐜𝐤 𝐝’𝐲𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, '𝐮𝐡? 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 '𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡—”

She was cut off by Amissa, her hand hanging mid-air right in front of Iva’s collar. Kirara retracted her hand, running it through her black hair and clicked her tongue in chagrin. She walked back to her spot picking up her jacket from the ground and slapping off the dust. She tried to pay attention to something else to dissipate her frustration. The fall of evening had darkened the sky. The ships were docking at the port. “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭’𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝.”, she said to herself and soon after Amissa suggested that they should get going. Kirara clicked her tongue again and signed. [Whatever. Just lead the way.]

@Meekepeek - Amissa

@idiot.exe - icydriel

idiot.exe · 19 February 2024 22:55

Location: Tore

Rhydal felt a squeeze on his arm, as Yuuta reassured him about the barrier. It was a small gesture, yet enough to ground him in the present. He took a deep breath, trying to clear his head. A moment after, he crouched down next to his partner, focusing on the shadow’s movements. There were many questions left unanswered, such as how long the barrier has existed, what exactly it’s holding and why, and even who sealed it in. More importantly, why did it act just as Rhydal and Yuuta stepped on the ice? Why was there such a strong presence of mana leading them to it?

Yuuta’s answer to his question only gave him more to think about. A cry for help, possibly, or was it taking its rage out on the closest thing? Rhydal nodded, continuing to sign in a calmer manner. [It’s a possibility I hadn’t considered.] He looked back at the shadow for a moment, before turning back. [If you’re correct, then I’d be glad to offer help to this creature. However, we’re just recruits and this isn’t the mission we received. I don’t want to disobey our superiors,] Rhydal explained, before standing back up. The questions didn’t matter. He was given a goal that he had to complete, and nothing could sidetrack him. Especially since they were short on time, with a child on the loose in an unstable condition. [We can’t get distracted, the boy is still missing,] Rhydal added, extending his hand to help Yuuta up.

But as Rhydal was trying to return his focus to the mission at hand, Yuuta seemed to sense something more. He pointed in the distance, speaking of a new trail he’d detected. Rhydal sighed in relief, realizing they hadn’t fully lost the track. He nodded as Yuuta finished speaking, closing his eyes so he could feel the mana as well. It seemed to center at the denser part of the woods, and although fainter it still carried an important clue.

After determining the source, Rhydal opened his eyes again and looked at Yuuta. [It would be for the best to move on, yes,] he responded decisively. [When we move forward, I’ll keep the directions to this icy lake in mind. We could inform our recruiter of what we’ve found and investigate it together. I’m sure he’ll know more about it than us,] he added. That would solve the problem of potentially leaving the creature to suffer.

He prepared to move forward, but one thing lingered in Rhydal’s mind. The barrier could very well have been temporary, and the two were standing on unstable ground. He extended his hand forward again, offering it to Yuuta. [We’re in the center of this lake, and I don’t trust it to hold entirely while we leave,] he explained. [You could take my hand, just as a safety measure.]

@OhSumana Yuuta

idiot.exe · 20 February 2024 01:15

Location: Andford

What Amissa said sounded so peculiar, pointing out how many organization members have faced hardships much like her. “While I am saddened to hear that, I have to disagree with your view. Is pain really that valuable?” he asked, smiling faintly. Nothing good ever came out of suffering. All Ivadriel ended up as was scared and weak, struggling to catch up to the rest of society. Hearing Amissa correct his mistake only furthered that feeling of inferiority. So much information at his disposal, yet it always felt as if he was missing something the others could clearly see. “I… I’m aware of that. I was only admiring Dux.” He gave her a faint smile and a nod, silently showing he’s thankful for the clarification.

However, it seemed his assumption about Kirara was right. His attempt at encouraging her had failed. As she stood up and shot him a fiery glare, Ivadriel’s eyes widened, his body going stiff. While he barely understood her words, her body language told him everything. She made a step forward and Iva felt the adrenaline begin to course through his veins. With a strong grip on his staff, he furrowed his brows and turned towards her. It was as if everything around him blurred, focusing only on Kirara. As her fist made it dangerously close, Ivadriel reacted in instict. He kicked his leg up in front of her torso, keeping her at a distance.

But before he could act and engage in combat, the two were snapped out of it by Amissa. Kirara retreated, yet Ivadriel sat frozen on the ground, unable to take his eyes off her. His breathing was heavy, the excitement wearing off as he slowly made sense of what happened. Amissa continued to speak to Kirara, but Ivadriel found it hard to pay attention to her words. His eyes darted between the two team members, vigilantly watching if something were to happen.

Kirara walked back to the edge, seemingly becoming occupied with her thoughts. Ivadriel sighed in relief, feeling his muscles slowly relax. Keeping his grip tight on the staff, he turned back to Amissa as she answered his question about her driving force. He tried to focus on her hand movements, letting them distract him from the heated moment. What she said sounded so familiar, the need to protect people even from those who’d hurt her — that was part of Ivadriel’s own driving force. His lips parted to speak, but he found it hard to say anything. He only nodded, smiling half-heartedly. [I admire your goal,] he signed with shaky hands.

As the sun nearly dipped below the horizon and the ship made its way to the dock, their conversation was cut short by Amissa’s suggestion to leave. Without a word, Ivadriel stood up and dusted himself off, taking the bags of food he’d bought to hopefully drop off at the tavern. He shot Kirara a glance, but looked away quickly, as to not engage in further conflict. As much as he would’ve loved to taunt her further, to show her just how capable he is in a fight, he’d promised Rhydal to return without a scratch. And he was far scarier than Kirara.

@Meekepeek Amissa
@OhSumana Kirara

OhSumana · 20 February 2024 15:32

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴛᴏʀᴇ

Once snapped out of the trance with the help of Yuuta, Rhydal too crouched down next to him, inspected the barrier and the movements of the shadow himself and seemed to agree with his partner. Be it the suspicious mana making a riot or pure shock, either one or both of them interfered with their equilibrium. Yuuta was glad that it did not seem to leave a longer effect. A sober head was crucial for the mission, after all.

Although, the shadow “crying out for help” part was a tweaked interpretation of the impulsive conclusion Yuuta somehow reached of the possibility of the creature being the boy they were looking for, Rhydal still considered it an option. Yuuta did not know whether to feel guilty of making excuses or be happy that Rhydal did not dismiss his partner’s words right away, even though they were a little dumb sometimes. He even offered to help the creature. [Let’s look into it on our way back, then. Or maybe we can come back to it later after we have returned the kid back into the safe hands of Flayke.], he suggested as Rhydal stood up. Rhydal further reminded that they could not afford to get distracted. Yuuta nodded in agreement, taking the help of the taller man and standing up.

As expected, Rhydal too had sensed the new trail. Once he closed his eyes, Yuuta let him feel the mana in his own way, in silence, while looking around and keeping an eye on the surroundings for danger as well as any other trails, should there be any. Their eyes met again once Rhydal had completed the process and agreed to be on the move again. Yuuta nodded at his proposition of letting Flayke know about the lake’s location. [I’ll leave a trail for when we trace our steps back, so that we don’t get lost in this maze of identical trees.], he informed quickly before drawing his Katana (click on it) out of its scabbard, so that Rhydal was not shocked or threatened by the movement. Rays of the sun gracefully glided from its sharpened tip along the polished reflective edge onto the intricate traditional designs near the the base, as Yuuta pointed the Katana at the trees in front of them, hinting that he would leave slashes on their barks as markings, on their way.

Rhydal did something unexpected, but not unwelcomed. Yuuta tilted his head a little in confusion at the extended hand before Rhydal explained himself. [You could take my hand, just as a safety measure.] Yuuta accepted it. He immediately noticed the change in temperature as Rhydal’s warmth spread over his cold exposed palm. Yuuta had donned clothes only the necessary amount, allowing him to feel a little chilly, to maintain the co-ordination between his senses, and for a swordsman, gloves were an obstruction, which resulted in his cheeks tinting into the faintest shade of red and palms become freezing cold in such a climate they were in. Yuuta gratefully smiled down at the little but steady source of warmth from Rhydal’s hand. He looked up and having both his hands occupied, silently mouthed the word, ‘thanks’.

They crossed the frozen surface of the lake together and followed the new mana trail into the woods.

@idiot.exe -

ORP : When the genre changed from “fantasy” “mystery”, to “Shonen ai”

@Meekepeek

Meekepeek · 20 February 2024 16:11

As they reached the dock, Ferox was already waiting. He gave Amissa a questioned look as he could feel the tension between the group, but Amissa shook her head. "Ah, behold!” [/color]Ferox exclaimed, his tone dripping with mischief and flirtation as he gestured towards the horizon. “See how the sun caresses the waves, painting the sky with hues of crimson and gold?" His eyes sparkled with mischief as he continued, his words carrying a playful cadence. “It’s like nature herself is putting on a show just for us, casting her enchantments upon the world. And that sunset…” he trailed off, his voice softening with genuine admiration, “it’s almost as breathtaking as you, my dear." He added, aimed for Kirara. With a wink and a grin, he turned back towards the mesmerizing sight before them, fully embracing the moment of fleeting beauty.

Amissa observed with quiet amusement as Ferox attempted to charm those twice his age. With a gentle touch on his shoulder, she intervened in her own playful manner, catching his attention. With a playful glint in her eye and light, teasing gestures, Amissa signaled to Ferox, gently coaxing him to rein in his flirtatious antics. Her silent message conveyed a playful reprimand, urging him to put a hold to spreading his charm among those older than himself. Her silent words carried a hint of mischief and a sisterlike warmth.

Soon after, the plank of the ship fell on the dock with a loud noice, and soon a proper young lady walked towards the group, holding a suitcase in both hands before her. Her eyes looked around and joined the group. “I assume this is the group who will escore me to the withering lands, I am Aevus” She said before putting down her suitcase. She then flips her hair and fixed her glasses. “As a young female magical professor of unparalleled expertise, I have been summoned to investigate the peculiar occurrences within the Withering Lands. Small talk is a luxury I cannot afford, as time is of the essence” She spoke before taking her suitcase again and starting to walk off. “w-wait, where are you going?” Ferox asks as he runs after her.
“Our mission demands swift action and precision” She explains with a tone of obvious. “First, we shall journey to the ancient archives, where an old professor of mine resides. He possesses invaluable knowledge of the history and secrets hidden within the Withering Lands. We shall extract the necessary information from him without delay. Once equipped with the requisite knowledge, we shall proceed to our destination with haste. There, we shall unravel the mysteries that shroud the Withering Lands, employing our expertise and resources to uncover the truth behind these strange occurrences. Time is a precious commodity, and we cannot afford to squander it on idle chatter or frivolous distractions.“ she announces, a tone of no emotions and almost like a lifeless doll. Amissa and the others shared a look, taken back by the individual.

“You just finished a long journey by sea, right? That’s no small feat! I bet you’re all stiff and sore from being cooped up on that ship for who knows how long. So why not take a breather, let loose a little? Trust me, the Withering Lands aren’t going anywhere. They’ve been withering for ages; they can wait a bit longer.” Ferox says and Aevus looks at the others. “It appears to me that the cohesion among your group is lacking,” Aevus stated bluntly, her tone devoid of warmth or empathy. “Your conflicting individualities pose a threat to the success of our journey. Resolve this matter immediately.” She spoke as she looked at Ferox waiting for him to show her where to go. “In light of your insistence,” Aevus began, “I begrudgingly concede that departing on the morrow may be the most prudent course of action. I implore you to utilize the given time to dispel any useless tension lingering among you so that we may depart tomorrow without unnecessary emotional baggage.” She finished and with an unsure look towards the others, Ferox leads everyone back to the tavern.

@OhSumana - Kirara
@idiot.exe - Ivadriel

OhSumana · 21 February 2024 20:42

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴀɴᴅꜰᴏʀᴅ

As minutes passed, on their way back to the port in silence with palpable tension in the air, so did dissipate Kirara’s anger from its peak, while two of them were ignoring each other for now. Kirara did not trust her mouth to not rain curses at the kid he probably had never heard of before , so she kept to herself, not that she cared too much about his innocence, anyway. Although she did realise that her response was bit of an overreaction, just a bit, and that they probably meant well. But it was still a jab at her way of life. Apologising was out of the question. That aside, Kirara recalled the kid’s reflexes being almost as quick as hers. That kick he raised would have grazed the side of her face, had she not moved to the side, a millisecond prior to the action. Kirara acknowledged herself for being a hot headed a*se but she too commended strength when she saw it.

The cheeky kid, Ferox, unsurprisingly was ready to receive the client and probably them too, at the port, as words of flattery started to spill from his mouth as soon as he spotted them. Some nonsense about sun and nature and waves. Kirara was pulled out of her indifference, when his honeyed words pointed at her. She gave him a blank stare, with her eyelid drooping in apathy and shut the rest of his chatter out from her attention. Amissa began to scold the kid, like a big sister. Kirara tore her gaze away and focused on the splurge of people in boarding the ships.

Among the was their requester, Aevus. Kirara had inkling from the way she carried herself, and as soon as she opened her mouth, Kirara mentally face-palmed herself. ‘F^ck me, this is goin’ t’ be one ‘ell o’ a long journey.’ She just knew from her gut feeling. Kirara crossed her arms, watching her running her mouth and bossing them around, as soon as she arrived. One of reasons why Kirara was against working under some organisation.

Miss “expert” magic professor here said a lot of things, several big words but all Kirara gathered, regarding the mission, was that their destination was Withering lands, and the purpose of the mission was, for the lack of her vocabulary, snooping around the archives and mess with the old records. Aevus was making haste, and Kirara was about to match her pace, so as to be done with this as soon as possible but the cheeky kid intervened.

Kirara raised her brow at this prig complaining about the air of hositily between her and Icy and how it would potentially have a negative impact on the mission and what not. “𝒀𝒂’ 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒓’ 𝒂 𝒋𝒐𝒃 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒏𝒊𝒄, 𝒆𝒓, 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒓? 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒂’ 𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒆 '𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒇?”, spoke up Kirara finally, not having Aevus’ hoity-toity nit-picking anymore, but keeping her own tone calm for now. “𝒀𝒂’ 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔’ 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒚𝒆’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕. 𝑵𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑰, 𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒚𝒆 ‘𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒎𝒘𝒊𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐’ 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌.”, she defended, walking past Ivadriel in lazy steps. Turning her head to look at Aveus over her shoulder, she said, “𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒇𝒆𝒓’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕.”, before continuing on her path, following Ferox.

‘F^ck, I got ahead o’ m’self and talked all big. Hope pretty brat keeps the other end o’ the deal.’

@Meekepeek - Amissa

@idiot.exe - Icy

Meekepeek · 22 February 2024 12:26

The snowy forest cradles an otherworldly sense of serenity and warmth, a stark contrast to the biting cold that permeates the air. The silence, broken only by the rhythmic crunch of fresh snow underfoot, envelops the two recruits in a comforting embrace. Sparse forest animals dot the landscape – a handful of birds, their melodic chirps harmonizing with the speed of elusive critters, leaving no trace in the pristine snow.

Following the trail of magic, the sounds of the forest gradually hush, leaving the recruits surrounded by the grandeur of an endless expanse. Hesitating at the edge of the denser forest, the snow rising halfway to their shins, the recruits sense the proximity of the magic without discerning its origin. As they ponder whether to venture deeper, reassured that the source is not the lost boy, a piercing call echoes through the silent woods.

In the midst of the frozen tapestry, the recruits turn their gaze toward a majestic creature, a fantastical bird with a mystic mist emanating from its head. The creature’s large form exudes an aura of enchantment as they draw near, yet it abruptly takes flight, leaving behind an air of mystery in the frigid stillness of the snowy forest.

@OhSumana - yuuta
@idiot.exe - Rhydal

idiot.exe · 23 February 2024 21:05

Location: Tore

It seemed Yuuta and Rhydal were on the same page regarding the shadow creature. Rhydal was relieved to hear, because if they were to leave it behind, he’d never be able to get it out of his mind. Not only out of pity for its imprisonment, but because it could pose a threat to whoever encounters it. Especially if it’s the missing kid. [I will try and convince Flayke to let us investigate. Maybe he’ll let us do it on our own, depending on the threat level,] he signed in response.

They’d decided to begin walking to the new trail, and Yuuta suggested he marks the trees as they walk. Rhydal nodded. A smart plan, he thought. That way they’d avoid the problem of getting lost in the seemingly endless forest, surrounding them from all directions. As he drew his katana, Rhydal’s eyes locked on the blade and the way light reflected off it. He observed its form and the design on its hilt, his gaze travelling along its surface. Though he was relatively new to working with metal, and far from making swords himself, he couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship. A few questions went through his mind, such as where he got it, how it was made and when — but those would have to wait, that wasn’t his priority now.

They prepared to leave the surface of the icy barrier and Yuuta accepted his offer to hold hands (strategically). Something Rhydal didn’t account for, however, was that Yuuta wasn’t wearing gloves. He’d left his hands fully exposed to the cold air. As soon as they made contact, the difference in temperature sent chills Rhydal’s spine. He froze up in response, as his skin adjusted to the change. But he quickly regained his composure, tightening his grip slightly.

As they began walking forward, he turned to Yuuta to lecture him for his poor choices. But as soon as he saw him smile and nod a thank you, he went silent. Rhydal nodded, his expression softening before quickly looking away.

Even after they made it safely across, he decided not to let go, letting Yuuta decide.

The trees around them became denser once again, as they entered into the depths of the forest towards the other trail. Rhydal was relatively silent, walking almost in a daze as he focused on the sounds around them. If anything missed his field of vision, he’d rely on Yuuta to let him know. The noise of their footsteps through the snow and the animals around them would’ve been a relaxing backdrop in other situations, but at the moment it was only a distraction. Luckily the main trail was mana, but Rhydal could never be too sure.

It seemed the closer they got, the quieter their surroundings became. It was a bit easier for Rhydal to focus, but it raised alarm too. With the snow rising higher and the forest becoming denser, it provided a disadvantage if they were to be faced with a threat. Rhydal furrowed his brows, his pace slowing down. He turned to Yuuta, raising his hands to sign, but before he could a shriek echoed through the woods.

Rhydal’s eyes widened and his head snapped to the source. But the realization dawned on him that it wasn’t the lost kid, rather some forest creature. It left before he could even inspect it, taking the trail of mana and their clue with it.

Rhydal let out a long sigh, facepalming. He turned to Yuuta again with a puzzled look. [Great. Where to now?]

@OhSumana Yuuta

OhSumana · 24 February 2024 16:18

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴛᴏʀᴇ

Going across the superficial, thin yet magically reinforced sheet of ice above the lake water with wary steps, they succeeded in setting their feet upon solid ground, hand in hand, without managing to crack it under their weight. Rhydal had offered his hand for the sake of safety and synchronising their movements, to avoid the worst case scenario. Now, even with the reason left behind, Yuuta found the soothing heat still enveloping his hand. He watched Rhydal’s back as they ventured deeper into the woods, and he showed no signs of letting go. In a dilemma, Yuuta pondered over whether to ask him about it or to quietly slide his hand out of his grip. ‘Is he scared?’ - was the first question that came to mind, before realising both of them were trained for this. Finally, Yuuta settled on - ‘He must have his reasons.’ And let it be. After all, he might be the one befitting more from it, than Rhydal.

As previously agreed upon, Yuuta kept leaving a slash on the barks of every other tree on their path, for them to trace their steps back, when needed. Nonverbally deciding separate directions to keep an an eye out at for danger and taking in the details, they entrusted their flanks to each other. Minor changes were becoming more and more prominent, the deeper they continued on their mana trail into the forest. Signs of local animals were becoming more noticeable, and so was the nature’s mana from the local ecosystem. Yuuta discerned that they were close to the core area, or at the very least were in travelling across the buffer area. Concentration of the specific mana trail they were following surged in the air, with the snow raising up by inches along their legs.

At a certain point, on their hike along the trail, Rhydal came to a halt, and snapped his gaze towards a direction, in a bewildered gaze. Following his lead, Yuuta too turned his head and saw the unfamiliar bird flying away, taking their trail along with it. As the warmth disappeared from his hand, Yuuta faced Rhydal to see him face-palming. He had gotten the idea of what just transpired before their eyes. Yuuta breathed out as though he had been holding it in until now. He had been holding onto the optimissm for both of them, but now cracks had began to form on it. Time was running out, and results were nowhere to be seen. With a kid out in the wild, it was a race against the clock. Yuuta looked up the sky above them. The daylight was present, and Flayke’s instructions were to return before nightfall.

[We still have some time until sunset.], Yuuta met Rhydal’s eyes, a serious gaze having replaced the cheerful and endearing mood he usually exuded. [If it’s okay with you, l would like to look around a little more. Wouldn’t wanna go back empty handed, if I can help it.], he proposed and gave Rhydal a choice to refuse, knowing the risks of the freezing cold climate of the land. Yuuta was ready to take responsibility of bringing up the idea, in case Flayke reprimanded them for it.

@idiot.exe -

idiot.exe · 24 February 2024 18:18

Location: Andford

Making their way to the dock, Ivadriel followed silently behind the group. His lively energy had turned to indifference, his attention lost to the colorful sky above them.

But once they reached their destination, welcomed by Ferox’s enthusiasm, Ivadriel felt the tension in the air dissipate. His lips split into a grin as he quickened his pace, catching up to the rest of the group. “Ferox, great to see you again!” He waved.

Ivadriel listened to the way he described the sky as if they were in a fairytale, his eyes following the direction of his gesture. Ferox truly had a way with words, an ability to lace magic into something so ordinary. Ivadriel turned around with his eyes shining in awe, ready to speak — but his jaw dropped in silence as those charming words twisted into admiration for Kirara. He stared in disbelief, looking back and forth between Ferox and his target. Ivadriel’s brows furrowed in confusion and judgement, taking a step closer towards the boy. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but sometimes people struggle with their vision,” he spoke softly, his tone going quieter. “Have you considered a health checkup? I’m becoming worried for your eyesight…” After him, Amissa intervened as well, playfully reprimanding him. Ivadriel couldn’t hold back a chuckle as he watched them.

The plank hit the dock with a loud thud, making Ivadriel flinch. His eyes went wide and his head snapped towards the source. Relief washed over his stiff body at the realization that it was just the ship. He sighed quietly, his eyes focusing on the girl walking towards them. She introduced herself and Ivadriel responded with a smile. “It’s great to finally meet you, Aevus! I look forward to working with you,” he greeted. But his friendliness was met with a cold, factual tone, seemingly focused on the mission rather than connections. She began explaining her position and goal as soon as she’d arrived, not even allowing space for conversation. Ivadriel followed along her words with a look of confusion, nodding slowly as he struggled to keep up. In truth he was still taken aback by her demeanor, he wasn’t sure what to focus on first. He shared a glance with the others, assuring himself he’s not the only one who’s lost.

Even Ferox’s friendly attempt at conversation was dismissed, initially at least. As Aevus pointed out the tension between Ivadriel and Kirara, it became clear to him that they were doing quite a horrible job at hiding it. He shot an uncertain glance towards Kirara, pondering how to approach the issue. He was about to deny it to Aevus, claiming it was just a minor disagreement, but Kirara beat him to speaking. Ivadriel sighed, deciding to play along with what she’d said. “You don’t need to worry about us getting in the way of the mission, I wouldn’t ever let myself be controlled by my emotions,” he added, his lips twisting into a smirk as he couldn’t hold back the urge to taunt Kirara. “Someone may have poor control, yes, but it certainly isn’t me. I don’t see a reason why this conflict would escalate. I’m not even aware why she’s angry at me.” He glanced at Kirara, watching for her reaction.

With the bags from earlier weighing on his hands, Ivadriel eagerly followed the group to the tavern. As excited as he was to begin their mission that same day, a little rest wouldn’t hurt.

@Meekepeek Amissa
@OhSumana Kirara

idiot.exe · 25 February 2024 19:31

Location: Tore

As their only remaining trail was lost, Rhydal had turned to his teammate so they could discuss their next steps. Yuuta suggested they continue their search, pointing out there’s enough time until the sun sets and leaves them disadvantaged in the dark. Rhydal furrowed his brows as he thought of how to proceed. He looked up at the sky, which was barely visible through the dense trees. Though there was sunlight, he could tell it wouldn’t last long. Their time was running short and he couldn’t help but worry about returning without making progress, as Yuuta pointed out.

[You have a point] Rhydal replied. [We may not be able to go far, but I’m willing to search a little longer. We have the mountains left, if I recall correctly, and whatever’s hiding in the lake,] he continued, practically thinking out loud. [However, I do fear the risks of disobeying orders and getting lost in this region. I’m not familiar with the terrain nor the weather, it’s dangerous as much as reckless. And I doubt you know more than I do.]

Rhydal sighed, looking back at the trail of cuts along the trees. He wanted to keep searching. Since the start he was set on proving his worth and let his hard work pay off. He even promised Yuuta they would do well, in a poor attempt to comfort him. But here they were now, in the middle of a dense forest with a dillema holding them in place. Obeying orders always came first to Rhydal, he worked under an organization and naturally had to follow it’s rules. But then there was the threat of the missing child, running loose without supervision. Rhydal’s thoughts were racing, torn between risking their reputation with their bosses, or leaving the child out alone in a frozen field. Which risk was greater, potentially facing punishment, or the boy hurting someone, worse himself?

Rhydal took a deep breath, turning back to Yuuta. [Let’s keep going. I don’t want the boy to be out on his own for any longer. If we delay this until tomorrow, I fear what would happen.] He then pointed towards the direction of the mountains, his eyes turned towards Yuuta. [To our third destination?]

@OhSumana Yuuta

Bluecookies · 25 February 2024 22:21

As Destin listened to the girl a small smile briefly flashed across his face, he was grateful of course for the girl’s words but still felt as though she or Glacius could change their mind at any point, “Thank you, Aurelia, for your kind words. They aren’t ones I am used to hearing.” She then said that she was a seraphim causing his eyes to grow wide with excitement, “A seraphim! I’ve heard about your kind, an all female race, am I right? Absolutely amazing!” As the Aurelia continued, he pondered what her internal anatomy was like, how would he be able to help her otherwise if he didn’t know what the basic arrangement of organs were, he’d have to find a way to professionally ask her that wouldn’t creep her out. As he pondered this, Glacius spoke in his direction, “𝐁𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲." After his brief lapse zoning out, Destin heard Aurelia say that she had a plan and turned his attention to her.

@OhSumana
@eunoia

eunoia · 26 February 2024 03:58

~ • • ~

”A seraphim! I’ve heard about your kind, an all female race, am I right? Absolutely amazing!” Aurelia smiled softly at Dustin’s words, a touch of pride shining in her luminous eyes. “Yes, I am a Seraphim,” she confirmed, her voice echoing with a melodic tone. “We are indeed an all-female race, connected to the elements and everything." She spread her feathered wings slightly, the iridescent plumage catching the light and casting a shimmering glow around her.

“I could offer myself as a trade to get into the camp.” She breezily suggested. “My ability to alter my size slightly could be useful in getting close to the bandits unnoticed. And my wings, though a tiny bit large for my body, could fetch a high price in the black market. It could pique their interest enough to let us in.” She looked between the two, brows raised. Aurelia could see the wheels turning in their minds, weighing the potential benefits against the risks.

“Or I guess I could also…offer Zephyr’s Embrace,” Aurelia mumbled, not at all excited about this plan. “He’s a valuable weapon, and they might be willing to trade for it. The most harm they could do with it is make someone pass out in the most calming nap they’ve ever had. But we would need a solid plan to get him back.”

@OhSumana • Glacius
@Bluecookies • Dustin

OhSumana · 26 February 2024 06:19

Glacia Aquaticus

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ɴᴏᴅᴀʟᴇ

Aurelia’s words of affirmation seemed to have reached the medic and did the magic. With Destin’s insecurities about his role and introductions out of the way, the team concentrated on working out a foolproof plan to make this mission a success. In that regard, Aurelia grab their attention with an idea, Glacia focused on listening to her attentively but his eyes never left Zephyr’s Embrace, that magnificent blade, positively captivated by it.

Glacia’s ears perked up at Aurelia’s proposition of offering herself as a merchandise as she proceeded to evaluate her value as a rare product. He glanced at her spread out iridiscent wings and the light rays shimmering upon the plumage. Now, Glacia was not a fan of seraphim-trafficking, but Aurelia was making a good point. “𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭?”, Glacia asked, wondering if portraying the seraphim as a pitiful caged beauty would be more appealing to the bandits.

He placed his hand on the table, sneakily extending it slightly near to the blade’s hilt, but halting at a safe distance from it, when Aurelia reluctantly offered Zephyr’s Embrace up for trade as well. “𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥.”, Glacia intercepted firmly. No way he would be agreeing with terms of risking a good sword. On the other hand, the threat of a dark magic artefact was still out there, or else Captain Dux would not have mentioned that. Keeping the mission simple and precise would be the best approach for now. “𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥. 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐩 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬.”, mused Glacia.

@Bluecookies - Destina

@eunoia - ZE’s Owner

Meekepeek · 28 February 2024 15:02

As the group left the dock and made their way back to the tavern, Ferox sent a playful wink in Ivadriel’s direction in response to his greeting, while Aevus trailed behind silently. Upon their arrival, Aevus addressed the others, “I’ll retire to my chamber for the night. Please refrain from disturbing me unless absolutely necessary. And let’s resolve any tensions among us before tomorrow. I find unresolved personal conflicts quite bothersome.” Aevus continued, “I already can’t comprehend that person’s crude manner of speech,” gesturing towards Kirara, “nor do I wish to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak. So, young man, I’ll rely on you to translate when necessary.” With that, she turned away, allowing one of the tavern staff to guide her upstairs, leaving the rest of the group to themselves.

“Well, isn’t she a bundle of joy? I suppose that means you all have the evening off. Enjoy a drink for cheap on the house, courtesy of the organization,” Ferox remarked before turning to assist his parents with the tavern.

Deciding to lighten the mood, Amissa motioned to treat them to local drinks for her team, opting for a strong one for Kirara and a soft one for Ivadriel. Placing the drinks in front of them, she grinned at Kirara, signing, [I think this is a well-deserved way to wrap up the day], accompanied by a wink. [And a promise that I’ll prevent you from throttling Aevus before we reach our destination], she joked. [Also, if I ever seem too uptight, I apologize. When I’m on duty, I tend to be more serious to maintain a positive image for the organization. Please remind me if I start resembling Aevus too much.].

@OhSumana - Kirara
@idiot.exe - Ivadriel

OhSumana · 28 February 2024 20:15

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴀɴᴅꜰᴏʀᴅ

Conveniently enough, that brat (Ivadriel) spoke right on cue, playing along the defence Kirara created for both of them, begrudgingly, against Aevus. That was one good—…somewhat favourable thing since the ordeal on the cliff, even though it was paired with Iva’s snarky remarks as well.

"Someone may have poor control, yes, but it certainly isn’t me. I don’t see a reason why this conflict would escalate. I’m not even aware why she’s angry at me.”

Kirara halted in her path and crossed her arms to her chest, her nails digging into her biceps, as the taunts he made visibly worked on her, more so because she knew deep down that the brat was not
wrong in his claims. They were no less infuriating, though. Kirara’s fury is a storms that dissipates just as fast as it arises, and in the aftermath it allows introspection. Kirara’s anger was directed more at herself than others. In any case, she bit her words back, not to give the brat the satisfaction of Kirara lashing out and proving him right even more.

“𝑯𝒆𝒉”, snickered Kirara, at the professor’s remark on her unrefined and vulgar way of speech, curving her lips under the shadow that the mop of dark hair casted on her face. The Ferox kid, once again, made an effort to lighten the atmosphere. It must be a honed skill at this point, because he knew right away what to say at that very moment to lift her spirits. But rather than some expensive wine, some cheap grog would hit the spot right now.

As Kirara was about to commence her “drink-like-ya-gave-up-on-yer-liver” marathon just like earlier today, Amissa put down a pint on the table in front of her. Kirara looked up at her quizzically before she began to explain. “Well-deserved way to wrap up the da”, indeed. It truly had been a long day, a blend of good and annoying one. But it also made some concepts clearer than before in her head. [You’re fine.], Kirara cracked a half-smile, and took couple of swigs. [I know I’m not very reliable. But I won’t…I’ll try not to do that. Unless she gives me a reason to.], she added correcting herself, mid-sentnce, before chugging down the rest of the drink, one of more to come.

‘tis it, Dux. I’ll hand in my resignation aft this one.’

@Meekepeek - Amissa

@idiot.exe - Icy brat

Meekepeek · 28 February 2024 22:16

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow upon the rugged landscape, the group found themselves at a crossroads both in their journey and in their hearts. The towering mountains stood sentinel-like, their peaks crowned with glistening snow that seemed to shimmer under the fading light. It was a sight that commanded both awe and trepidation, as if the very mountains held secrets too profound for mortal understanding.

With a sense of wonder, they gazed upon the horizon, where the sky stretched out like a vast canvas painted with hues of pink and purple in a icy blue sky. It was a rare moment of clarity amidst the rugged terrain, a fleeting glimpse of beauty in an unforgiving world. They made the decision to press on, knowing that the path ahead would possibly lead them to the missing boy

The mountains, grand and majestic, rose before them like ancient guardians of the land. Their peaks reached towards the heavens, cloaked in a mantle of pristine snow that sparkled like diamonds in the dying light. Amidst the craggy cliffs, hidden caves beckoned like mysterious portals into the depths of the earth, their yawning mouths promising both refuge and peril to those who dared to enter.

As they ventured further into the frozen realm, a profound tranquility surrounded them. The only sounds were the gentle crunch of snow beneath their boots and the whisper of the wind dancing through the valleys. The crisp mountain air filled their lungs, rejuvenating their tired bodies and stoking the fires of determination for the journey ahead.

But their serenity was short-lived, as dark clouds gathered on the horizon like harbingers of doom. Before they could react, the sky unleashed its fury upon them, engulfing the mountains in a swirling tempest of snow and wind. The air grew colder with each passing moment, sending shivers down their spines and frost forming on their skin like delicate lace.

Seeking shelter from the storm, they stumbled upon a cave nestled within the rocky embrace of the mountains. It was a haven of safety amidst the chaos, a sanctuary from the relentless onslaught of nature’s wrath. But as they ventured deeper into its depths, they felt a strange magic energy coursing through the very stones, a coldness that chilled them to the bone and sent shivers down their spines.

As they pressed on, the temperature dropped even further, and they could see their breath hanging in the air like ghostly apparitions. It was a cold unlike any they had ever experienced, that amde frost crawl on their skin, to which they were saved from any dangers only by the protection of their gems.

And then, amidst the icy gloom, they heard it—the desperate cry for help echoing through the cavernous depths.
It was a sound that pierced through the silence like a dagger, stirring something primal within them and igniting a sense of urgency that propelled them forward. As they rounded a bend in the cave, they came upon a sight that would haunt them for years to come. A young boy, barely more than a child, stood before them, his body partly covered in a sheen of frost and ice. Tears streamed down his cheeks, mingling with the frostbite that marred his delicate skin.

"Please help me!" he cried out, his voice trembling with fear and desperation. "I... I don’t know what’s happening to me. My hands—they’re so cold, and everything around me is freezing! I can’t control it, I swear I can’t!"

His words were a plea for salvation, a cry from the depths of his soul for someone, anyone, to come to his aid. And as they looked into his terrified eyes, they could see the torment and anguish that lay within, a storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

"I thought having ice powers would be amazing," he continued, his voice choked with emotion, "like they say in our folktales. But it’s not! It’s terrifying! Every time I get angry or scared, the ice just bursts out of me, like a storm I can’t stop. I never wanted this, I never asked for this!"

His confession hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the burden he bore and the struggles he faced each day. And as he spoke of the bullies who tormented him, of the pain and suffering he endured at their hands, they could feel the weight of his words like a punch to the gut.

"I’m scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of hurting someone, of becoming a monster. But at the same time, I’m so angry! I want them to feel what I feel, to know what it’s like to be afraid, to be powerless." His voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, his eyes reflecting colors like the twilight sky they saw before.

His words hung heavy in the air, the weight of his anguish pressing down upon them like a leaden cloak. As they looked upon the young boy before them, they knew that they could not turn away, could not ignore his plea for help not even to get more people.

"Please," he begged, Tears welling in his eyes as he bared his soul to the two recruits, his voice trembling with uncertainty "I need help. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I don’t know how to stop this."

In that moment, they knew that their journey was far from over. They made a wordless agreement to stand by the boy’s side, to guide him through the fear that threatened to consume him. And so, with steely determination, they braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.

@OhSumana - scary boy
@idiot.exe - fire boy

OhSumana · 29 February 2024 20:40

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴛᴏʀᴇ

Yuuta exhaled a breath he had been holding in anticipation, as the fire mage concurred with his proposition with resuming their search, despite the impending threat of unfavourable conditions becoming more severe with sunset. There was only one location for the them to look into - the mountain, and in no way they could make it before nightfall. Yuuta , now having second thoughts about his own suggestion, pushed forward anyway, because the boy’s life could more likely be on the cusp of death. He reminded Rhydal once more, despite his protests. [You can blame it on me later, if you want.]

Their path, through hazardous from unknown risks, exhibited a snowscape so serene and sublime, that disrupting the tranquility by making any noise seemed morally wrong of an activity. Although the vista of conifers casting shadows on the white blanket, in the slanted iridescent rays, marvelled the Sukumé, the biting cold, however, was perpetual, and was making itself more conspicuous every minute. As they faced many crossroads, Yuuta was still slashing the barks until it was too dark to see them. Yuuta sheathed his katana, and rubbed his palms together, in an attempt to recover some warmth, then put them inside his pockets, even though it sacrificed his defence . ‘山丹卞丹己廾工卞丹亡廾工几回己ヨ几丹片丹回冊丹冊冊回卞卞ヨ，と凵凵亡廾丹几’. Yuuta asked and He agreed.

They should not have underestimated Flayke’s warning. From gray clouds, came down wintry feathers of snow-fall, that soon gave-way to a blizzard, as if a sky-dam had burst. All he could see in front was a swirl of white and shadowy shapes, in the howling wind, that painfully registered to the auditory senses, taking away the clarity to think. Warm heavy layers of clothing, cold-resistances crystals - donned with all these things, cold seeping through even the tiniest of crevices chilled the bones. As breaths were starting to become laboured, Yuuta could not lie to himself that he did not miss Rhydal’s warm hand, even a little bit. But he would rather not make more problems for him when they were in such predicament. With arduous steps, fortunately, they found shelter inside a cave. Yuuta had barely sat down onto the cold hard ground, to catch his breath, when he again saw Rhydal’s reaction followed by a turbulent mana that flooded his senses. Putting their guards up instantly, they vigilantly made their way inside. And there they found the boy, finally.

Even without trying to read his lips, Yuuta understood the words what the boy desperately cried out to them. Above everything else, his poor child carried such a burden of distress. Yuuta felt his chest getting a little heavier… But first and foremost, Flurris needed medical attention immediately. Yuuta was so glad he teamed up with Rhydal. He exhaled, asking Yuuta to suppress his presence for now, then knelt down on the ground at a safe distance from the child, appearing smaller, not to intimidate him. “𝓦–”, He tried to speak but due to long periods of unuse, his voice did not cooperate , making him choke up his own words. Coughing up a few times, he looked at Flurris, and then at Rhydal. [Sorry, I was trying to tell him that there’s no need to be afraid and that we’re here to help him.], he explained and then pointed at the hand he was holding earlier, [Maybe we should tell him that you’re a fire mage and you can help him. He seems to have several frost bites, he needs first aid.].

@idiot.exe

@Meekepeek - poor litol boy

Sorry, this is too long. I got carried away.