Just as Bishop passed the bridge to the other side of the river, a big mass of water rose up from the river streaming towards Morgan, which in turn got swept off the bridge and into the river, his heavy armor hindering his movements.

With one victim claimed, another arc of water shot up, heading straight for Cronus. But then a wall of fire erupted from the ground, evaporating the water mid-flight. Steam billowed out on impact. More and more water shot up, but the fire only grew to meet it. Soon enough, the scalding steam filled the air, all but blinding the two men, and forcing them away from the battle of elements.

Bishop tried to get close to the river, not wanting to leave Morgan behind, drowning. Going out that way, no honor in that. That was not what he would've wanted. But...nothing to do about it, "seeing" as the steam couldn't let Bishop and Cronus see anything, add to that 2 elements clashing with each-other and the result is "technical retreating". They would come back later for Morgan...but for now they needed some food and rest. Getting information still was his main goal.

Now stuck alone with Cronus, Bishop's luck was declining by the second. Cronus being unpredictable and all, add trigger happy and a little dose of insanity to that and your chances at surviving in this world decrease substantially. At the same time, Cronus had peaked his interests. From where did that man come from? When* did that man come from and what happened to him to make him like this, or maybe he was all along like this.
Still weary of how Cronus might react upon Bishop questioned him, Bishop was reminded that they hadn't shared names yet, let alone details about their past.
"You never told me your name, did you? I'm Bishop, although a little late for a presentation but considering all that happened..."-waiting for a response Bishop also added:"Oh, and would you mind not causing any casualties while we are at the town? That would increase YOUR and MY chances of survival but at least 100%".
@billsomething

@c3p-0h

"Shit! Luce shouted as the roots of trees began to wrap around her feet and make their way up her legs. She clawed at the ground with her hands desperately trying to get a grip on something, anything. When she discovered that there was no way she was getting a grip on anything, she figured that she should use the one foot she had while she could. She pried the middle of the branch up off her left foot just enough to free it but scratching her hand in the process. Her foot free, she used it to kick at the branch gripping her other foot until it finally cracked enough for her to break it. All the while, screaming to the other body on the ground, who was already wrapped completely in the branches, to wake up and that they were in danger.
Knowing that he was not going to wake up, she made her run into the woods while she still could hoping that the branches would not chase her. As she ran towards the old woman, her confusion grew stronger and stronger. Where was she?? Who was this woman? Why did she want Luce to come with her so badly?
As she finally caught up to woman panting severely, she raised her voice and yelled, "What the HELL was that?"

Clifford winced as he lurched forward, slowly lowering himself off of the horse, stumbling some once he hit the ground. He knelt for a bit, his foot still very much afflicted by an intrusive throwing knife. Riding the horse away from that incident back at the bandits' camp had left him unable to focus on his injury. Once the stinging subsided, he reached down and pulled out the throwing knife with his hand.

More stinging. He paused for a bit, then dug out the fragment of the knife that had broken off by Diana's doing. Times like this he was conflicted about having a full set of teeth to bite down on something with. He got the fragment out, tossed it aside, and then grabbed a cloth rag from one of the satchels attached to the horse's saddle.

The wrap-up was crude, and the horse hadn't been packed with any medical supplies to speak of. Clifford stood up to the best that his condition would allow, and began slowly approaching the occupied campfire ahead.

There was no denying that he needed help now. He just hoped whoever this man was, he was willing to lend a hand.

Or else this'd be all over right here, right now.

@c3p-0h

Lurker. That's what he calls me? Was another thought in Caleb's head. Well, you are lurking in vegetation, I guess. Then the vegetation was set on fire, nearly singing Caleb. Well, there goes the vegetation, then. Along with the fire guy. He thought, then stood up. "Just to be clear, my name is not Lurker, it's Caleb. And, uh, sorry about earlier, with the whole, pointing a rifle at you and all..." He said, a bit awkward about the events that had happened earlier. "No grudge?" He asked, looking at Valencia.

@LizLegend@ariplotter

Valencia Tempest
The Quick-witted Pirate with a Gentle Heart

*****

Cináed’s answers hadn’t eased Valencia’s mind at all. In fact, they left her with more questions than before; as well as the intense need to give that man a piece of her mind (and maybe a punch or two to his infuriatingly well-chiseled jawbone).

She glanced over at Caleb, who had emerged from his now-incinerated hiding spot and introduced himself, asking whether Valencia was going to hold a grudge against him or not. Without his gun in her face, Valencia was much less intimidated by Caleb, and she shrugged.

“Fine. No grudge,” she told him. “For now, at least.” Valencia turned back towards the village she and Robyn had decided to check out. “Don’t know about you two, but I’m not sticking around here just because that cape-wearing pretty-boy told us to.”

She started walking towards the village, not waiting to see if the other two were following or not.

@jordy0403 @LizLegend

Welp. Those answers did not help at all. Were they even answers? Well they kind of were sort of? Robyn could only release a slow but harsh exhale to keep herself collected, and she let her hand hang loose after pulling it away from near her shotgun as Cináed left elsewhere. Wasn't exactly the best, but it had to be worth asking. She didn't get a good idea, but if Robyn's group were in this 'realm' too then they were bound to bump into each other eventually.

Unless...what if they were left behind?

Apparently, the Lurker, or rather Caleb, came out of his burned out hiding spot before introducing himself and making peace with Valencia for now. Robyn watched Valencia turn towards the village and head off there, with Robyn straightening herself up.

"Yea. I'm tired of standing around the same place." Robyn put a hand on the back of her neck and stretched it as she went on and followed Valencia with the same designated destination, also not waiting to see if Caleb would come along or not. It felt like it was time to move on a long time ago.

@ariplotter @jordy0403

Cronus watched on silently as Bishop attempted to help Sir Morgan. He wished he could help truly he did but he just didn't know what he should do, his head was spinning he just didn't know what to do. how could go about helping his friend from drowning. but as his mind was focused on how to help his friend that he didn't take notice of the large stream of water that was headed towards him.

only for it to be stopped by a large wall of fire that erupted from the earth and from the clash of the elements bellowed out steam that blinded Cronus by covering his mask's lenses. He grabbed his hood and quickly lowering it so he could have access to his masks straps *Click* and wet air hit his beard covered face like a dump truck

...The Air....It Was....Almost Intoxicating To A Man Like Cronus..To..Someone Whose Own World's Atmosphere Could Potentially Kill You If You Where Inhale To Much Of It But before Cronus could let his mind get lost in the euphoria he was dragged out of it by the hissing of steam and with that he placed his masked into its bag then he ran after Bishop

when they finally slowed down they could see the village not too far ahead.

"You never told me your name, did you? I'm Bishop, although a little late for a presentation but considering all that happened..."-waiting for a response Bishop also added:"Oh, and would you mind not causing any casualties while we are at the town? That would increase YOUR and MY chances of survival but at least 100%".

Where did that man get the idea that he was some psychopath who thrived on the blood of others, Survival was his goal just like he would assume it to be Bishop's "I am Cronus Hades and I will not kill anyone unless they attack first, But can i trust you not run away if we were to be attacked?" @Bishop

"I..I couldn't do anything to help Morgan, I know YOU know that, and I would never leave a survival companion behind"-Bishop said, while further adding:"And about the fighting thing...I don't have any "REAL" weapons to use in the first place, but still, I won't run away."
While Bishop was chatting with Cronus, they finally reached the entrance to the town, when a hooded man was standing at the gates. When we came before him, we were greeted with an all too familiar phrase,"Welcome travellers.Y'all lookin' for a safe home? This town is protected day and night by brave and selfless man who give it their all for our safety, YOUR(while pointing a finger at us) soon-to-be safety if you choose to pay the entrance fee of course. 35 hoops for a haven of safety".-a hobo passes by spitting on the ground at the scammers feet-"It ain't got to be pretty, just safe..."-we then see 3 man beating another to a pulp outside a tavern just close to the entrance-"from outsiders.Haha..ha."
The dejavu is strong with this one. The unbelievable sheer stupidity of this scammer. If it wouldn't make such a ruckus, being at the entrance and all, I would drag him in the river and let him join Morgan as a repent for his actions that ultimately lead us to lose a very key factor of better survivability. "Cronus, do you believe this guy?"-bishop said turning to Cronus.
@Billsomething@c3p-0h

@Bishop Satisfied with Bishop's answer but then thought about his predicament "When we reach the village ill look in my bags to see if i have anything that you could use" he told him in the hopes of gaining his trust Bishop nodded and the duo proceeded towards the village.

The walk with Bishop was surprisingly pleasant perhaps it was just the fresh air or maybe he was gaining a new friend, And unlike Sir Morgan he will do everything in his power to help Bishop. When they reached the gates a man attempted to Scam them unlike the last one this one may have backup if he wished to attack them. "Cronus, do you believe this guy?" Cronus looked down at Bishop "Not in the slightest"

@LizLegend@ariplotter

Ah, dangit, back to the running water? Maybe they'll have moved on? Caleb stayed where he was for a moment, before running after the two. Why am I doing this? Because if you stayed back there you would be alone. But, the water things, they're in the running water. So? They've probably moved on by now. So, he was following the two woman, albeit reluctantly, back to what he called 'the running water'. "So, I don't suppose we can find a way around the running water, could we?" He asked, nervous about the creatures.

Caleb, Robyn, and Valencia

Caleb's fear turned out to be unnecessary. When the trio arrived at the river, the sight that greeted them was quite… un-river-like. The air was heavy and humid, droplets of water gathered on the various leaves and shrubs along the bank like dew. The river itself, though, was completely gone. In its place was a soggy trench, two yards deep and a dozen wide. Algae and plants laid limp at the bottom, clinging to the weathered stones there. Every now and then, small dots of pearlescent light glinted in the sun.

Resting between the rocks and silt were small, shining beads.

@jordy0403@LizLegend@ariplotter

---

Clifford

The man immediately froze at Clifford's approach. The crow screeched a greeting (or a warning) and his hand shot to the hilt of the sword leaning against his side. It was already halfway drawn by the time the man actually looked Clifford over.

He sat there, frozen and observing. His grip never wavered. Then the man seemed to form some sort of conclusion. He stared Clifford in the eye for a moment and then with his free hand reached into a pack at his side. He lobbed a small tin at him, holding a dull red salve.

@SepticGentleman

---

Charles and Luce

As the roots tightened their hold on Charles, Luce found the woman standing at the base of an ancient, twisted tree. Resting on its branches was a shambling house, just as old and overgrown as the tree was. The woman stared at Luce impassively before turning and climbing up the makeshift ladder nailed to the bark.

"The world's hungry for all sortsa life," her voice cracked through the fog. "A want that strong tends to rub off on ya." She paused in her climbing to look back over her shoulder at Luce.

"Best start climbing, sprout. Before they sniff ya out again."

@user@alina13

---

Bishop, Cronus, and Morgan

A woman's scream suddenly cut through the air. The scammer jumped a bit at the sound, but otherwise didn't seem too concerned.

"She's just so relieved to be free from her troubles here… it was a scream for joy! Like we say here, when trouble comes a-knockin', head down to Nocklin! So… those hoops?" He smiled a filthy, gap toothed smile and held his open hand out. The woman screamed again.

@Bishop@Billsomething

Bishop approached the scammer, with one swift motion he punched him in the stomach and then caught him by the throat throwing him backwards away from the gate. Fuckers like him were the main reason people like Morgan perished. One more punch in the back of the head left him unconscious. picking him up by the hair, Bishop dragged him into a sitting position against the wall to avoid anyone getting too curious or "worried" although by the looks of this town that was nigh impossible. Checking all his pockets, Bishop found 7 gold rings*, all of the coins were like , 19 silver ones which only had 2 rings intertwined around eachother and 38 bronze ones which only had 1 ring. He also had a weird ancient-looking puzzle ball the size of Bishop's fist, and every time Bishop rotated it, it made a clicking noise as to tell that the parts were aligned. The puzzle ball could also expand when Bishop pulled on it from both sides, making the rotation seemingly easier. Randomly rotating the puzzle, Bishop then pressured the ball to lock it in it's original, as nothing was aligned, it did nothing. The scammer also had a letter in the same hidden pocket he held the puzzle, in the letter it was pictured . Bishop would worry later about this puzzle. Putting all the loot in his pockets, he turned to Cronus saying:"Well then, shall we help ourselves to some good meal and a well deserved rest? I'm paying ;)." Now they had to find some good place, with good food, preferably no spit or rotten things on it. They finally officially entered the town, now in full view for them to grasp.
@c3p-0h@Billsomething

Cronus grinned at the idea of eating a proper meal for the first time. the closest he ever had to one were thousands of years old military rations (which were more dust then food). so he just nodded his and followed Bishop. but then stopped as he remembered the pests that he had bagged, so he grabbed Bishop's shoulders "While it would be wonderful to have a proper meal, I have to get rid of the pests that I bagged lets try to find a trader before we forget them" @Bishop

"Our best choice is to go to the local taverna and get some info there, for what are this things, how much they cost(if they cost anything at all) and most importantly, if it is legal to hunt them? Plus we can get food in our bellies and some rest."-Bishop said while heading for the nearest tavern, a sign hanging above the door that read:"The Dragons Kneecap"
It was already dark outside and Bishop was tired, hungry and injured from the cut earlier, guessing that Cronus was tired and hungry too. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't checked his wound yet. Lifting his sleeve when Cronus wasn't paying attention, he noticed stains of dry blood trailing from his elbow to his wrist and also in his clothes but there was no wound, it was like it never happened. Although he could feel a void in his elbow part, like something was missing but he couldn't really point a finger at. He then proceeded in entering the tavern.

@Billsomething@c3p-0h

Valencia Tempest
The Quick-witted Pirate with a Gentle Heart

*****

Valencia paused at the edge of the trench, eyeing it with suspicion. She noticed Robyn and Caleb catch up to her, but her attention was not fully focused on them.

“Looks like we can’t trust anything we see,” she mused to herself. Valencia immediately caught sight of the twinkling little dots strewn amid the rocks at the bottom of the trench. Curious, but still wary, she knelt to try and get a closer look at the objects—which looked like beads of some sort—and at the trench itself. It appeared to be about two yards deep; taller than her own height by a few inches. There was no sign of the river that had previously been in this area, except for some algae and water plants that littered the bottom of the wide pit.

Still wondering about the shiny beads, she gazed across to the other side, wondering how they could get to the village of Nocklin with no water to swim through and no bridge in sight.

@c3p-0h @LizLegend @jordy0403

@c3p-0h
Luce this time, didn't question the old woman. Last time she did that it didn't work out in her favor so she began climbing the tree as fast as she could. After she was a good seven feet up the tree, she looked down over her shoulder to see the roots of other trees coming to life and attempting to sniff out other life forms. Thank God she got out of there. She kept climbing and realized the old woman was way ahead of her. She should probably concentrate and climb faster.
As she continued to climb she got lost in her thoughts. She wondered what world she was in, she wondered who that other figure was that was lying next to her on the ground, she wondered how she got here. But most of all, she wondered how she was going to get back. .

So, somebody had the good sense to stop the water flowing... such a waste. But, what's down there? Beads? It's probably too tall at the edges for single person to climb up. So, to answer one of his questions, Caleb chucked a rock down. They didn't do anything. "Ok, how strong are you too, because if one of us gets a lift up there, then pulls the other two up, we should be fine. Any idea who's going up and who's pushing them up?" Caleb asked.

Luce

When Luce reached the top of the ladder, she found herself on an old, weathered balcony, high above the reaching roots. The balcony led to a misshapen door that was tilted open. Inside the old woman dropped herself into a wooden chair and sat among various bottles and books, plants and papers. She leaned back and closed her eyes, not bothering to look at Luce as she spoke.

"Alright, I know you got questions. Now, I can't answer all of them, and frankly I don't got time to, neither. So you're in a new world. Ain't no way back. There's more creatures out here like those trees, but not all bad either. It'll be safe for you to leave come morning."

@alina13

---

Bishop and Cronus

The Dragon's Kneecap was… really, the epitome of Nocklin life. Brigands and bandits looked to be on the cusp of starting a brawl, the waitstaff was being harassed, and through it all a woman stood on stage, singing a song that may or may not have been on key. Somewhere in the chaos, someone shouted in Bishop and Cronus' direction.

"Ha, new meat! Good luck lastin'!" There was a chorus of gruff laughter.

The creatures in Cronus' bag started to glow through the soaked fabric.

@Bishop@Billsomething

@c3p-0h
"Do you have time to tell me what this world is called?" Luce asked, a little annoyed that this woman was being so short with her. Being the one who was ripped from her world and dropped into another like a discarded animal, she figured she deserved to know whatever information she wanted to know! But apparently this woman was "too busy" to answer her questions. However, she couldn't really think straight enough to even voice the questions she HAD so she chose not to say anything to the rather rude woman.
Instead, she decided to be polite and said, "Thank you for leading me here and saving me from those things. Where exactly should I sleep at?"
Luce silently wondered what would happen to that other person the roots got a hold of. . . That didn't exactly look like a very comfortable position to be in at the moment, any moment really. She wondered what her guardians were thinking right now. What time was it back home? Did they notice she was gone? Were they looking for her? Did they feed her cat? She decided that these were not the most important of questions she should be asking right now. She needed sleep and she knew it. Maybe after a long night's rest she could think a little clearer about her situation.
Maybe not. . . She thought

Bishop just kept walking straight to the bartender, ignoring the other's words and laughters. One group saying to Cronus:"Too ugly to show your face? Or just too shy...HAHAHAHA"-making taunting moves and laughing out loud joined by the rest of them. They then noticed Cronus's gun, a rather different design from what they possessed, much more advanced. The group who had been throwing jokes till now suddenly went quiet gathering around their table occasionally gesturing towards Bishop and Cronus. Bishop could feel their gaze reaching Cronus's gun and bag, that was..starting to glow? Although the glow was faint enough to mistake it for an illusion of the eye, the fact that Bishop could see it meant that inevitably someone else except him would too. "Don't give in to their taunts, friend."-Bishop whispered at Cronus while also elbowing him and gesturing him towards the now-faintly-glowing-bag.@billsomething

The tavern was filled with laughter, air heavy, drinks spilling everywhere, many on edge ready for a fight while many others were testing their strength through hand wrestling and so on. Reaching the bartender behind the counter, he seemed to be counting his gold* hoops, as soon as Bishop and Cronus approached he abruptly stopped what he was doing and with a grin on his face said:"Always good to have new blood, hehe he."-while he was talking to them, 7 bronze coins flew past the tavern right into his face, an angry look on the bartender's face, one that quickly turned to fear once the buffed up guy gestured his eye with his index finger then yelled:"MORE". As simple a word as that was, the bartender got to work filling him another cup and having one of the waiters deliver it to him. Now he was crawling on the ground searching for his payment of the drink, still one bronze hoop less and nowhere to be seen:"That fucking cunt that can't even count".-he fumed. The coin had magically wondered in Bishop's pocket. The bartender being a fat fuck who, by the looks of it, spend more time eating than drinking or even attending the bar. He also had an eyepatch over his right eye socket. He turned to Bishop and Cronus, very annoyed, saying:"Any orders? or do you like to play the wooden log role? tchk, I meant the silent and still type.".

"Make me 2 of what that earlier fellah ordered"-not knowing how much worth things had, or even how the currency bronze-silver or silver-gold work Bishop opted on ordering something that he new the price off. He threw 14 bronze hoops in the counter.With another "tchk" the bartender picked up the payment and served the drinks, clearly annoyed that he couldn't rip off the new comers. Bishop took a seat in the counter, which was completely empty as everyone else stayed in groups in their own tables, and started drinking. Beer? More like a failed attempt at recreating it although it must've been the closest thing to it as he owned bottles upon bottles of this stuff, while the other drinks had literal spider webs on them.

"So do you have any idea what those things in the river were? They looked like big blue fish with scales, wonder if they were edible."-Bishop said to Cronus in a low voice but that could be clearly heard from the bartender in an attempt to get him interested.