{ROUND}

@Thinslayer

"I still remember the wish you gave to me before you left High Council Hill. House Stormwall will rise again."

Ivan could hardly believe it. "E-Erudessa?! But... But you're supposed to be... H-how are you even... Alive?" Could it be true? Was this really Erudessa? And if so, how was she alive, did she truly possess this kind of power? "If you're... Who I think you are... Then you will remove that mask... I'm not one for secrecy..." It was a simple request, though if she would rather not reveal herself then it was all the same to him.

Ivan's eyes widened as he pieced together who she was. "E-Erudessa!? But...but you're supposed to be...how are you even...alive?"
The elf looked away and shrugged. "It was a ruse to fool Sadron. An orc saved my life."
As Ivan processed everything he had just heard, he realized that there was an important piece of information he needed to verify her account - her face. Nearly every human in Aetherion had seen Erudessa's face somewhere, whether in person, in portraits, or in drawings.

"If you're who I think you are, then you will remove that mask. I'm not one for secrecy," Ivan demanded.

Ever since her downfall, no human alive had seen her behind the mask. It was for a good reason, she told herself - the black mark bridging her left eye marked her as a Sleeper, a former mage who could no longer use magic. Such people were often shunned because of the mark's association with demonic pacts. It wasn't her fault, but people rarely understood that, which was why no human alive had seen it on her.

But Ivan was different. Though his mighty house had crumbled to naught, and though his own group shunned him as a child and second-rate warrior, he didn't let negative thoughts tear him down. He still picked up his sword and stood tall, a true knight worthy of name from which he called. His life was turned upside down, yet he came through all on his own. She, on the other hand, couldn't handle the loss of her magic and needed emotional support from her orc friends to recover. Who was she, that she should deny him the right to judge for himself? If she was to serve the Champions from this moment on, the mask was a barrier to entry.

So she placed her hand on the mask and pressed the release.

*click*

There was no one else she could be. Rumor had it that Erudessa always expressed awe at meeting a new person, and the woman herself spoke often of the "magic of meeting another soul." If he'd never seen her face anywhere else, he'd have recognized the wonderment in her gaze, for it could be said of no one else on earth. The rumors didn't lie - her eyes widened to an unblinking stare, and her lips parted slightly to let a silent oath grace the night.

Erudessa reached up and touched one finger to his chestplate. He's real! A real, live knight of Stormwall! She pulled her finger away and curled it at her mouth, then yanked it to her side as she remembered her manners. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Stormwall!"
_________

@Thinslayer
Laina wiped away her tears as she watched the orc juggle grass and she gave a weak giggle.
"It's not that." She said mentioning what Gorman had said earlier about everything being okay. "It's just a flashback, my sister..." She trailed off scared that she would look be weak again.
"But thank you. Thank you so much." Laina had never seen anyone so considerate before. She was lonely a lot of the time and had never ever had someone been so empathetic to her before. She was an isolated creature, one who hid deep in the shadows and only came out to the light when she was needed. She laid a gentle hand on the orc's lap and put her head on his shoulder.
She could feel some tinges of hurt through him, something that rung in her mind. She could feel the isolated soul in him that was just so similar to hers and that felt familiar. As she looked up at the sky and the tears dried on her cheeks she felt safe. For once.

Gorman, meantime, found himself frozen in place as Laina laid her head on his shoulder. It wasn't like he'd never experienced it before - after all, he and the Captain had shared a few tender moments together before she became the Captain, but it was still very new (and a bit awkward) for an orc used to killing and plundering elven settlements. So here he was, letting a former enemy use him as a pillow, and trying his best not to ruin the moment by shifting position. If only the orc generals could see him now!

"You- you're welcome," Gorman eventually stammered out. He watched Vert's explosion with disinterest, mainly just to give his eyes something to do besides stare at the pretty elf.
__________

Tiberius's scolding proved unexpectedly gracious.

"Words are a funny thing aren't they? You can never know if someone is telling the truth or simply lying if their good at talking. For your sake my dear, I accept your apology but please no more talk of death or putting others down. You wouldn't believe the night that we've gone through and everyone is on edge after the warlock cam-"

A scream cut him off. For Fin, it was a welcome distraction, and as Tiberius rushed to investigate, she slinked away to a remote corner of the campsite. Fools. They have no idea what's coming to them.

Someone's slow clapping gave everyone pause. An elderly, hunched-over creature strode into camp, his features foreign to all except the woman he came for. “Well look at this now," he began, his voice cold despite its attempt at feigned levity, "a group of travelers who’ve run into not one but two ghosts, and if my nose doesn’t lie me, soon to be three.”

Fin rolled her eyes. There he goes again with that creepy talk.

“Well, it would be rude of me to just barge in like the others have without a name. Name's Edward. Here for My Lady, as well as the other one who seems to be strutting around. Seems she hasn’t quite caught wind I am here yet.”

Edward bared his teeth at Tiberius. “Put that tooth pick away, an’t none of ya in any danger, my Master is home and my Lady is now safe, but a warning: None of ya are to hurt her.”

He grinned.
Fin frowned.

“So what's for dinner?” Edward called out. Unexpectedly, the red-headed elf, who'd previously been sitting by herself reading the Master's books, spoke up. "Deer, apparently," she stated. "Might I ask why you're here?" Her stern tone shocked Fin, enough that she reached for a tree branch in case a fight broke out.

Kaite wasn't making it any better. After slinging a few choice words at Tiberius and Vert, she proceeded to tell off the Warlock's deadliest general. Fin decided right then and there that Kaite was drunk. There was no other explanation. She'd have said Zenovia was drunk too if it weren't for the elf's deliberate verbiage. If she wasn't drunk, then she was an idiot. Vert, at least, had the sense to say "please" before asking Edward to leave. Fin decided it was high time to put an end to this charade.

"He's here for me."

@Thinslayer

A ruse? So she faked her death... But why? There were so many questions Ivan wanted to ask but he still didn't have a clue if this was really Erudessa. But it seemed that she was willing to show her face, at the sound of the release, Ivan watched as she removed the metal mask, his eyes widened. It was her... Besides the black scar on her left eye, it was her, it was Erudessa. He recognized the face, the expression, even tough this was the second or third time he's seen her, this was the real Erudessa.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Stormwall!" Ivan could only look in awe, it wasn't an illusion or anything, it was really her. After a moment of silence, Ivan finally spoke up. "Why... Why with this secrecy? Why did you fake your death I don't understand... Out of everyone else... Why do you show yourself to me?"

Laying down, arms behind his head, Edward yawned as he gazed up at the stars turning and blazing in their own right. For him time moved differently, not second by second, not even minute by minute, rather more like year to month. Well over three-hundred years old he was still on this planet. Still moving and being active, even if most of his time in this body was spent sleeping in a Burrow under the old battlefields.

“To be front, I ain't leavin yet. Not till she leaves, and from what I can tell none of ya are in any spot to fight someone who is well rested. I will give ya credit, at least ya can bluff, we should play a game of dice.”

Still holding that calm tone of voice, trying to sound the least threatening considering none of them where in any shape to fight let alone handle a Transendant in this state. Still he pressed on.

“You have my word as a Knight of old, I an’t going to fight ya, any of ya. Even if my Master an’t going to be pleased with the idea. So let's kick back and get some food, this old war dog is hungry!”

As he said that last word he sprung up to his feet from laying down, displaying, even in his older age, he was more than flexible thanks to his current form. Walking around for a moment he looked at Vert who at least had the common sense to ask nicely for him to leave.

Leaning in slightly he took a deep sniff of her aroma, a thoroughly chuckle escaped him as he stepped back a few feet then turned around.

“I remember you, been a while H-127. Or as you kept yelling, Vert. Tell me, when was the last time you were emptied of all that stored Humanity in your system? Must of been a while since you escaped. Might explain why you’re always hungry, never seeming to really have enough.”

Walking back over to the fire he said back down now closer with his hands to the flames trying to keep warm. Of course as he got closer to the group they could of felt a rather could aura of frost around him, like he was producing it if but slightly.

“Wish the Warlord was awake, she would know what to say...but no she is still asleep in that Burrow under the Elf’s damned ‘capital city’. At least now I know why they built it there, keep her locked up.” He grumped a little at the end.

Looking around he shrugged, his more laid back attitude starting to show again. “At least we are alive, and that's what counts.”

Vert took a step back with her arms around her stomach. She knew none of them would be able to take him on. And the fact that he recognized her was even more terrifying to her. Vert was defenseless now she couldn't use her maw. "Not having a human side is the down fall of most Devourers. They make a mistake because of that." Vert said trying to argue her way out of the situation.

"I don't want to go back and have it flushed." Vert said as she looked at the others. Hoping that there they didn't think she would take the chance to go back with him. Vert was hungry, this was true. She had been hiding it but since the fight she had grown quite hungry. It hurt sure, but not as much as the golden wires right now.

Thankfully she was distracted by these wires as of late so she wasn't feeling hungry. In truth it was a miracle that before now she hadn't eaten the Storyteller. He was the one that got closest to her, and honestly, he smelled really good.

Tiberius' solemn gaze looked at Vert's stomach to see the golden threads had pierced her maw shut. When Kaite finally spoke something comprehensible, he realized that it was indeed Eru's fault. Or was it a fault at all? He wasn't sure, all he knew is that Vert was now somewhat normal again, if not in mind, at least body. Yet it seemed, Vert had no choice in the matter and would have preferred keeping her maw, to which Tiberius did not know how he felt. Choice is what defined all people bathed in freedom but was Vert free with, or without her maw?

His line of thought broke when Kaite addressed him. He looked at her and saw the fiery glare upon her face. What she said and the tone she used, only made Tiberius angry. He wasn't going to court that disrespectful girl, that had never been his intentions whatsoever, but he obviously made Kaite upset, which in turn was making him upset. Was it wrong of him to actually be nice to other people instead of turning them to cold shoulder? He had said his peace to Fin, and had defended those that were wronged yet here he was, being judged. Just wonderful. Her look made him question himself, what did she want from him? Then she looked away and Tiberius took it as insult, that he wasn't even worth being talked to or able to give a reply.

He looked straight at Kaite and fired back at her with a look of anger, "She's not my damsel you bi-" but once again Tiberius was cut short by ANOTHER person entering into their camp uninvited. And when he was addressed, his rage was at a boiling point. His sword was not a toothpick!

When Fin piped up that Edward was there for her, Tiberius realized that her connection with the warlock was proved truthful but that quickly went to the back of his mind as the newcomer said he wouldn't leave without her. Then why not just take her and by done with it? It wasn't like he truly cared, not anymore. Fin had proved to be charismatic for all the wrong reasons, and he was sure she had tried to use him to further her own goals within their group. So let her be taken, one less thing to worry about.

But by this point in that long night, Tiberius was incredibly tired, angry and no longer cared to be in that clearing. It seemed his temper was getting to the best of him and he was no longer really able to control the situation. With the newcomer bashing his integrity, Kaite demeaning his every action, and Fin trying to use him- Tiberius was done.

With nothing to say but insults and curses, Tiberius sheathed his sword and walked into the forest. He no longer cared that it was dark out, or of what dwelled within. It didn't seem to matter anyways, because everyone and everything was finding them regardless. HE knew staying in that clearing was a bad idea, but no one listened to him. HE knew that their 'leader' was nothing more then an old man that cared for himself and didn't know how to lead. And HE definitely knew that Kaite had rubbed him the wrong way for the last time.

He punched a tree randomly with his left hand, hearing his metal gauntlet strike the wood with a dull clang. It sent a shock wave of pain up his arm but he didn't care, Tiberius needed to get away. Those people didn't know how to listen to reason, or even act rationally. His fitful journey led him deeper into the forest, into the darkness of the night. Slowly he began to regain some composure.

A sudden thought struck him, wasn't he supposed to protect them? Had he not been tasked with such a noble purpose? And now...

He stopped dead in his tracks, chills ran up his spine as the air around him grew silent. He looked around and saw nothing familiar, no light to guide his way back. How long had he even been walking? He was very much alone.

Alone.

Hadn't he always been alone ever since she was murdered? Tiberius fell to his knees, looking down at his hands. The pain from his he felt from his left hand meant that something was broken. Tears began to cloud his vision. It felt like a lifetime since he had just sat down and he was so tired. Not just physically, but mentally and definitely emotionally. Fin's little dance with his temptations reawakened feelings he had tried to bury but how much he yearned for his dead lover's touch.

His tears began to fall as his voice broke, "Oh Collette, why did you have to leave me? Why wasn't I strong enough to save you...Or anyone? All I needed was a bit more, and I've trained ever since to get to that point. But fate is cruel and uncaring and so I am left alone and powerless to protect anyone."

His anger was replaced with a deep sadness that struck at him from his very core. He had thought it left behind in his home, but it had followed him. It hadn't even been two full days of being on this quest and he was already in this sad state of mind. The innocents dying, the fight with the warlock and then everything that happened next was just to much for Tiberius to handle in a day. Some knight he was.

Then a dark thought touched his mind. He removed Eru's ring from his hand and placed it on a rock beside him. He was not worthy of his titles, or his rank but most importantly, of being a Knight. His party would be better off without him and there was only one way to get rid of his pain.

He unsheathed a dagger upon his belt with his right hand and looked at it for a moment. It was just a dagger, nothing out of the ordinary yet it held the power to end lives. Something so small and insignificant, just like himself. Powerless to do anything unless guided by a strong hand, and he was anything but that.

He sighed, "If I was only able to have..." He shook his head, it was pointless to want and it seemed nothing ever happened when you tried to better yourself.

F-Forgive me.." he said before taking the knife up to his throat.

Genuinely relieved to have seen an end to at least one person's suffering today, the glorified bandit would be lying if they said the response from the monster hadn't been contagious. Kaite chuckled, half listening to the storyteller explain everything be under control.
Aethereal golden threads bound their beast's jaws shut. Vile as the abominable animal was, it was theirs through extension of its services which had resulted in the preservation of Tiberius. While mindless goons could be 'sicced' , it took a mind and soul to look past design and place in the world in order to take initiative. It was admirable enough for Kaite to upgrade the demon-in-woman's-skin with her retort.

"Moind y'hopes, Miss Hein..." Kaite sighed with a wink, an elvish term referring to them simply as 'they' with an addressal that, in Common, could have almost been seen as formal and respectful. For anyone versed in elvish etiquette, the past-tense nickname instilled an apathy for their existence and refusal of calling them by their name; A step up, but 'someone I knew' was hardly an improvement from 'they who I know'.

For a degenerate like Kaite, remembering someone is about as high of praise as she was capable, regardless if she knew your name. It wasn't to say she didn't know Vert, but that names were cheap.

Ice blue eyes looked up at the Storyteller at first before she made to stand, the hiss of Tiberius who was adamant in insisting his lack of social connection to Finn.
Kaite paused, eyes fixed on the knight and in the process of being about to take another sip if she hadn't found more delight in how he cut himself off from speaking how he truly felt about her. Regardless of the next person who spoke, Kaite was knowingly fascinated in the idea of what nearly escaped the true knight's lips. Many could define such notions as sociopathic, the Black Knight being flattered to the mildest of blushes that an individual like Tiberius would break character to insult her with such bold language.

A toothy grin rose to her expression, lips parting to reveal the evidence of how being swatted away by the sorcerer had caved a few teeth in.
Regrown as silvery ink-black fangs, especially with her right-side canines which suffered the brunt of the edge of her shield caving in her helmet. At this point, the fragments of armor had repaired themselves along with mending the woman who, with the blackened scar of a once sliced-open lip betrayed their expression.
The cruelty of her statement aside, Kaite was elated that Tiberius was one of the few she could allow to stand up to her...and so his words silenced the beast.

However, it was unfortunate how he let small things like other's opinions get to him, and her expression quickly faded to genuine shock as he picked himself up and simply left.

"S-Sir Tiberius!" Kaite called after him with a tone that was actually pleading, noting his lack of response and lifting herself to stand. While she hadn't been too invested in Ivan's disappearance, anticipating his reasoning being his own or someone else's, events had lead to her suspecting herself as being a cause for his leave...although...
__________________________________

Kaite stood, watching Tiberius storm off. It wasn't unlike the other times where she would argue with compatriots to stay after their personal morals tested their resolve.

It was different, this time...
There were reasons...
And reasons need be addressed.

Kaite slowly looked over her shoulder at the home-wrecker, Finn, and then to the goons that had manifested. Their garb and demeanor meant nothing to the woman who had only tonight seen the face of the sorcerer and been properly engaged in such politics.
Slow clapping, pathetic arrogance and some nobody named 'Edward' spoke of how nobody was in danger. It was all the excuse Kaite needed to noisily snort and hock a bloody lugie into the fire as she walked past the scene and tossed her wineskin into the pile of the rest of her crap. With a small stumble, she planted herself onto a log by the fire and took a deep breath as she inspected the clutter of her armor which laid clean as though expecting her.

"Nothing!" Kaite barked at Edward once more to snuff out Lilly without turning her head. "Y'came for ya mistress. Now take the sow b'fore she accuses an'one else a' theft!" her words continued with a bitter edge, implying she had swiftly ran out of patience and had better things to do...an accurate assessment of her current disposition as her hands trembled before grabbing one of her boots and slapping the dirt from her feet before beginning to don the abyssal mantle once more.

Standing to affix her chest and backplate along with greaves which the belting greedily lashed itself into place by itself as to make record time of the process, the Black Knight grit her fangs, looking into the beaked helmet. Swaying at first, the northerner snapped back to her senses and caught herself enough to make the motion look like she was turning with authority back to the new group. Helmet in one hand, she stared holes through 'Edward' before lifting an eyebrow.

"Take...'er? The c***? Y'not gett'n a boit, 'ere" Kaite growled, lifting her arms to the sides in an exasperated shrug as if her intended audience was daft, wobbling a few steps through the clearing to wrench her gear from the mud and brush. Regardless of appearance of intoxication, she performed with purpose...like a barbarian rather than a knight...a drunk barbarian at that...a drunk barbarian with a limp.
Stabbing their shortsword into the shield-sheath with a grinding 'clink' of locks before fixing the set to her arm, Kaite threw the even more tattered cloak back around herself before turning.
A bit of wavering and grunting from blood loss and the wine making the endeavor a bit more than it needed to be, Kaite looked down at her free left clawed gauntlet.

As badly as she would have sword never to give in, it was like second nature to need the nameless metal. Like how the body needs skin, she felt raw and naked without it. It gave her power...and some disgusting perversion of focus that was accented when she threw the mesh of plate and mail over her head. The visor possessively snapped into place and Kaite jerked from her wavering slump into an upright and imposing arbiter of malice the once was, even with most of her attire stained in her own blood.

Slowly, she turned back to the group, looking over to the newcomers for a few seconds and then back to the rest.
"I am going...to get...Sir Tiberius..." She calmly announced, pulling the ragged hood over her helmet. Stillness met her feet after the rigidity forced her back into its powerful stance. As little of a woman as she morally presented herself to be, something about the armor made her seem tall...oppressively so.
"an' Sir Stonewaller..." Kaite added, probably stalling at this point as she was personally terrified of the next step which she took after everything was considered. Regardless, the armor was more than willing to aid her will as it flourished an amber haze for a moment before coming out clean, drawing in the bloodstains from her attire and rippling across its surface.

Kaite strode across the clearing, making it clear that she was done talking or caring about the rest of the drama in the camp.
She had hunted down deserters in the past. The only difference, this time, was that the group relied on the quarries being brought back alive and [/i]unharmed[/i] for security to be ensured.

Saron was utterly speechless, it has come to pass that good fortune was on his side for once. He was ecstatic in body and spirit as he watched, the glimmering indication of favor was present for him. He truly was proud to have followed his trail onward into time, despite the many times he was tempted to turn back.

Now was his time! Things had changed and the glory of his realization was marvelous! For now he could proceed whole-heartedly! This would be the turning point for Saron in the beginning of history, but only fate and time would know of the great reality that awaited him at his current destination.

The tall elf was currently perched up on the stump of a fallen tree and was sitting on his heels while looking off to the south of his current location. The density of the forest made it rough for him to see too terribly far ahead, but he could make out simple enough trails for game and the like and he was certain a road would be present eventually through it all. His right hand rested on the hilt of a sheathed blade, his Rapier to be exact, and his left hand was extended out with a compass in it. This compass was unique and rather than sport he traditional compass face it was an exquisite piece of crystal finely polished into a flat surface and above the surface was a magical projection of the surrounding land in a one-mile radius. It was this singular object that had brought Saron so much joy to this moment for the compass had a series of bright white dots located at just the edge of the compass' projection dead ahead. A mere mile south and Saron would be even more over-joyed than he was in this moment. He felt that there couldn't be a moment to lose and he was ready to make his way to the blips with break-neck speed. However to his own demise he had nothing that could suffice "break-neck" speed, he did although have the next best thing.

Saron stretched his long and toned body to the sky, his arms stretching upward as if to grab the clouds. All the while his body subtle sounds and settled back into place, and yet this wasn't all that happened with hi body. His muscles tightened more than a stretch would permit, his skin crawled with a sensation of vigor and power, his pores relaxed and felt cleansed, and his hands seemed to gleam with a marvelous blue hue as his finger-tips begin to radiate, his hand slowly became enveloped in a deep blue aura and then.. the Elf sprung his heels and leveraged his body off the tree trunk with just his toes and his body curled tight and then landed with the opposite position of it's origin. Now the Elf was standing on his hands and his glowing palms pulsed a wave of magic through the dead wooden trunk. Several pulses followed the first with a quickening pace after each one before the last one made it's mark across the top of the spiky and snapped platform. There was a gently glittering pattern of ivy-like markings across the snapped surface of the trunk, showing it's now present nature. But nothing would reveal his act more than what was to follow, for the actions he had done, created wondrous reactions.

The tree trunk sounded as if it was being torn from the ground by an Ogre, the brutal snapping of wood and crushing of roots erupted from the tree piece and Saron only smiled as he carefully balanced his weight on his hands, all the while the roots of the trunk were uprooting themselves! The tree trunk was slow and loud, it was an old tree and it had many roots, and as each new root was tore from the ground it bound itself into one of four bundles until the entire trunk was finally sitting up-heaved and revealed to the world around it. It's four "legs" made of bound roots begin to set course in a southerly direction as Saron slowly lowered his body to place his feet behind his hands and then curl himself to sit on his heels once again. He was now.. on his way to intercept the Party.

@Thinslayer
Laina rises from her position on Gorman and sighs.
"I'm...I'm sorry. That was completely unexpected...I'll - I'll go get this cleaned for you." She gives an uneasy smile, rising up so that she crouches on the grass. Her hands fumble to the dirty rag that she's forgotten to clean. She swings it back and forth before giving a shy nod to Gorman and disappearing into the green foliage of the forest. She walks for a bit, following the sounds of a gushing stream before she comes across the river. Laina takes off her shoes and sits down on the bank, careful to mind some of the slippery rocks under her bare feet. She leans over slightly and starts rubbing at the rag. She watches as the muck washes away downstream and gives a tiny sigh. What she did back there...it was totally uncalled for. She had missed so much warmth in the years ever since her sister had gone that she was resorting to a minute old crush? She squeezed the water out of the rag and got up, slipping on her shoes and walking back to camp.
"I really should've gotten dinner ready." She shakes her head at herself as she mutters.
She reaches the place where she has left Gorman and quickly drops the clean rag into his hands.
"Here. I've washed it in the nearby stream..." Laina trails off when she spots Vert, clearly in agony.
Why didn't she feel the waves of hurt radiating off of Vert sooner? She was usually used to feeling all sorts of tingles through her body at someone else's pain and yet...pain this bad should've struck her hard. What was up with this place?
She gives a quick smile to Gorman, gesturing over to Vert before crossing the expanse of grass between them.

@Cuccoruler
"Hey are you alright?" Laina eyes Vert slowly, the glowing power already warming up her hands. Even now, being so close to Vert she couldn't feel anything at all.

---

Upon hearing the beast's response to her question, she snuffed out the spell that she was preparing. In the back of her mind she knew she couldn't really fight anyone. Even a single spell would reduce her to the state that she was in earlier in the night. When the other woman piped up, her question was effectively answered. The Shaman felt relief flow through her, glad that the monster didn't know of her. Zenovia couldn't help but fall silent afterwards; the newcomer wasn't here to fight, but the camp was filled with drama. Involving Vert, as usual. Something the Spirit Walker wasn't keen on staying around for. Almost everyone was losing their composure and Ivan wasn't there to help either. The wood elf wandered where the warrior could be since he had left some time ago.. Although she didn't know how far his 'patrol' would go. It was a warrior's 'thing' after all.

Zenovia hadn't expected Tiberius to storm off into the forest the way he did, but it seemed that he couldn't take the pressure. His spirit was quivering with uncertainty and despair. If Kaite hadn't followed after him, she would've gone instead. The elf wasn't sure what to do now, other than take a more submissive stance as she took a few small steps away from the verbal tussle.

From the forest, Zenovia heard the faint sound of wood being broken apart. The forest spirits shook with excitement as the noise echoed. Someone had used magic on something in the forest, perhaps a tree. Without thinking, she moved towards the source of the spirit's excitement. It was far off, but it was coming towards the camp. The small, pale lights of the spirits lit the dark forest, their excitement causing them to pulse and shiver. Thump. Thump. Thump. is all she heard as she slowly made her way towards the noise. The Shaman sensed a strong spirit in the distance. Although it's brilliance was somewhat overshadowed by the dark presence of the beastman in the camp, it remained noticeable. Boisterous, proud, and bright.

It was at this point that the fact that a living legend had just walked into camp no longer had the initial impact necessary to stun The Storyteller. And with this return of clarity came a realization. There was an integral part of this story unfolding in front of him and he wasn't writing it down. With a snap of his fingers, his storybook was in his hands. Another snap, and a quill sprang into existence with which The Storyteller began to write furiously.

@Thinslayer

A ruse? So she faked her death... But why? There were so many questions Ivan wanted to ask but he still didn't have a clue if this was really Erudessa. But it seemed that she was willing to show her face, at the sound of the release, Ivan watched as she removed the metal mask, his eyes widened. It was her... Besides the black scar on her left eye, it was her, it was Erudessa. He recognized the face, the expression, even tough this was the second or third time he's seen her, this was the real Erudessa.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Stormwall!" Ivan could only look in awe, it wasn't an illusion or anything, it was really her. After a moment of silence, Ivan finally spoke up. "Why... Why with this secrecy? Why did you fake your death I don't understand... Out of everyone else... Why do you show yourself to me?"

Erudessa bounced on her heels as she considered her answer. "Well...I came to you because you were here, obviously. And...because you're nice. Could we swap stories on the way back to camp?" She asked as she looped her arm around his.

"U-uh... Sure..." Ivan couldn't tell if there was more to that answer than she let on, but he simply let that thought hang in the back of his mind for a bit. Besides, he had another question he needed answered. "What was that... Thing... That attacked us earlier? I could just feel the malice coming from it and it was like it enjoyed the pain we dealt to it..."

Erudessa nodded. "That thing was the Warlock, the current Despot of Fellmore. His true name is Druth Vanarys. He was the first wizard to discover magic as we know it, and he remains the most powerful in the world. Once, he even defeated a Guardian. How on earth did you survive him?"

"I'm not quite sure how we survived... It was partly due to the rings that you gifted to all of use... You gave us the strength we needed to continue on... Though, the Warlock was obviously toying with us... He vanished shortly after we got our second wind..." Ivan tried to explain the encounter as best he could, though it was hard to explain much of what happened. "It was dark for most of the fight... I felt as if my magic was getting sucked right out of me. Everyone else felt the effect too, except for Zenovia oddly enough... I guess those spirits of hers are good for other things... I honestly think we wouldn't be alive right now without your aid... Though it pains me to know that we lost someone in the midst of everything..."

Erudessa let out a small gasp. "Oh no. That's awful! You must have felt so scared, being drained against such a powerful a foe. Who did you lose? Don't tell me it was Diana. I haven't heard from her in a long time."

"Yes... Unfortunately... We must've lost her before we ever made it into this forest... How the Warlock grabbed her without us noticing is beyond me... But I won't let that happen to anyone else here!" Losing Diana was hard, but they had to press on, the longer that Warlock was out there, the more innocents that would die by his hand. Ivan had to stay strong, no matter what.

At Ivan's words Erudessa pumped her fist. "Right! We will not allow anyone else to suffer the same fate. Diana was a brave elf, and we can honor her memory by staying strong. More importantly, we should stay vigilant and well-rested. I can keep watch every night if it'll help. Honestly, you look like you haven't slept in days, or washed, for that matter. Tell you what, when we get back, I'll make us supper and prepare some leaf beds. How does that sound?"

Ivan couldn't help but chuckle. "Heh... That's really kind of you... Its true what people say about you... You're kind, charismatic... Everyone's best interests at heart... I'm sure many people were heartbroken to hear of your death..."
Erudessa was thankful it was dark, because her face flushed at the compliment. "That's kind of you to say…” she mumbled.
Walking along, Ivan remembered the note that was attached to the arrow Erudessa shot near him. "So... About that dance..."
The corners of her mouth turned up into a smirk. "Our brief game of cat and mouse was the dance. It's an old elvish habit that I haven't broken yet. Were you expecting something more...traditional?" She pressed her lips to hold back a chuckle. "Maybe if we had more light and space. I don't want to step on your toes."
"Oh... I see." Ivan couldn't help but chuckle. That was a dance? "Let's get back to the camp, I'm sure the others will be surprised to see you."

They arrived at camp to find Vert, the Storyteller, and Laina holding down the fort, with everyone else gone or missing. When she spotted Edward, she yanked Ivan with her behind a tree to hide. “Not good, not good! We have to get him out of here. I have an idea. How do I look?”

Erudessa undid her hair to let it hang free and combed it out with her fingers. “Time to turn up the charm. Watch my back.” With that, she marched into the clearing and put on her brightest smile.

“Edward!” she exclaimed. “Welcome to our humble camp! What brings you all the way out here? Let us make you dinner. Quick, Laina, could you get some salt? I’ll chop up the deer.” She picked up the deer carcass and sat next to Edward. Erudessa sidled up close to him and put a conspiratorial tone in her voice. “So. How’s the old man in the tower?” she cooed as she cut out a prime piece of venison. “Is he still up to his old tricks? Reviving the dead, maybe?”

Silently, she issued a telepathic message through the rings to Laina and the Storyteller. Don’t worry, it’s only me, Eru. Stay calm and act normal while I try to get him out of here.
_________

@Thinslayer
Laina rises from her position on Gorman and sighs.
"I'm...I'm sorry. That was completely unexpected...I'll - I'll go get this cleaned for you." She gives an uneasy smile, rising up so that she crouches on the grass. Her hands fumble to the dirty rag that she's forgotten to clean. She swings it back and forth before giving a shy nod to Gorman and disappearing into the green foliage of the forest. She walks for a bit, following the sounds of a gushing stream before she comes across the river. Laina takes off her shoes and sits down on the bank, careful to mind some of the slippery rocks under her bare feet. She leans over slightly and starts rubbing at the rag. She watches as the muck washes away downstream and gives a tiny sigh. What she did back there...it was totally uncalled for. She had missed so much warmth in the years ever since her sister had gone that she was resorting to a minute old crush? She squeezed the water out of the rag and got up, slipping on her shoes and walking back to camp.
"I really should've gotten dinner ready." She shakes her head at herself as she mutters.
She reaches the place where she has left Gorman and quickly drops the clean rag into his hands.
"Here. I've washed it in the nearby stream..." Laina trails off when she spots Vert, clearly in agony.
Why didn't she feel the waves of hurt radiating off of Vert sooner? She was usually used to feeling all sorts of tingles through her body at someone else's pain and yet...pain this bad should've struck her hard. What was up with this place?
She gives a quick smile to Gorman, gesturing over to Vert before crossing the expanse of grass between them.

@Cuccoruler
"Hey are you alright?" Laina eyes Vert slowly, the glowing power already warming up her hands. Even now, being so close to Vert she couldn't feel anything at all.

Gorman felt a little bit colder when her head left his lap. "N-no! It's okay! Unexpected is- is fine! Expect the unexpected, you know? Wh-where are you going?"
Laina simply gave Gorman a shy nod and disappeared into the forest.
Alone again, he brushed back his hair and thought about what just happened. Dang, she is cute. Don't tell me you've fallen for her, Gorman. You have to marry a nice orc girl and have little orc babies. You can't be messing around with elves. But...she's so small and weak that she's going to need someone to protect her. I can do that at least, right? You know, make sure nobody hurts her while she's off washing the rag. Yeah, go with her.

He'd almost made up his mind to follow her when he realized that the Transcendant was still here. Dammit! Speaking of protection, I gotta get rid of this joker. Axe won't do much good. He could annihilate me in a blink. Where's the Captain when you need her? Almost as if he'd summoned her, she appeared from the forest's edge, mask off for the first time in years, and her heavenly silver hair set loose and free. He could still remember how soft those tresses felt in his fingers as he held her...

Gorman blinked. Wait. SHE'S HERE!? He shot up and gripped his axe, ready to defend her at a moment's notice.

Erudessa glanced at him. Though she could not yet afford to properly greet him, she shot him a knowing wink as if to say, I know I can count on you. Gorman forgot all about Laina as thoughts of his Captain filled his mind once more.

@Lord Zee
@Thinslayer

Looking down at Erudessa, eyes still closed yet knowing right where she was. It was obvious what she was doing but he didn’t mind. Instead he looked back at his Lady giving her a small nod to assure her safety before noticing the Brute who stood. He was cute, or at least Edward though as he watched the Orc get all huffy all of a sudden. A laugh erupted from him that was both cheerful and at the same time snide.

“I know what you’re doing,” he said with a light tone, before leaning in and whispering dimly, “And I like it.”

With that said he leaned back to the flames for warmth. Is attention taken by the off beaten sound of the forest being trampled. Odd but he could feel the vibrations coming at them and yet he didn’t worry, anything could happen out here, and it normally does.

“To answer your questions, he is fine. Still angry at the whole burying us alive thing. No he has moved on but still trying to build what you broke, thanks for that I still owe you for that. As far as the dead go, yes and no. The dead are dead, instead we look to the living to bring back a noble sect. Also Dinner would be lovely right now, I am famished!”

- - -

As the light faded from Tiberius eyes, still clutching the dagger he found his consciousness being wised away, and upon his eyes light returning his soundings were changed. No longer was he in the dark woods from which his physical body now lay in slumber. Instead he found himself at a lake's edge in a clearing, off in the distance a city filled with light on the other side of the Lake. The City he might of recognized as the Capital City of the Elves Rule. Yet it felt different, like a ghost town besides the light coming from it. Just a stone's throw away he could see a Bonfire burning, blue in hue with a lone woman resting by its gaze.

Beside her rested a skull, but not human like her, instead it was that of a Transendant’s. Her armor matching the same color pattern all the way down to the hands and feet, but she was Human in Ornamental Armor. Lifting a Hand she waved to him, the sound of scaled armor clanking slightly as she waved.

“I have been here a while, Tiberius. Seems you're at the end of your rope dear. Would you like to have a rest? I have food and drink.”

Nothing felt hostel, nothing at all, in fact everything felt calm and collected. As he stood there he could see more people like him, only the difference between him and the spirits around being they had visible wounds and lacerations one could tell where self inflicted. The Spirit’s didn’t acknowledge or even make any kind notion that the two were even there. Instead they just marched further north along some kind path leading to beyond where those who committed suicide were taken by the Reaper’s will.

His fluttered open as they became adjusted to the light. Taken slightly aback by what he saw, Tiberius clutched his throat but felt nothing out of the ordinary. There was no laceration, no blood and he could still breath. Had he actually killed himself? Or was this something else entirely? It felt surreal, and he was extremely calm about the situation he now found himself in.

The lonesome knight was in a clearing at the waters edge of a lake, across it stood what he thought was the capital city of the elves, but he wasn't sure. The light coming from it was almost eerie, but in a beautiful sort of way. There was something else off about it however, it didn't look alive, just there. It was hard to describe, but as his gaze turned away from the city, he finally was able to see that he was not alone in that clearing after all.

All around him were beings he could only discern as spirits, except they all look wounded in some sort of way. As he looked upon these poor souls, he felt himself stroking his own throat and had a strange feeling that those wounds he saw were self inflicted. They payed no attention to him, and meandered towards a path that went on as far as he could see, to where he knew not, but he didn't really want to find out. Tiberius only felt pity for them and for himself, it was ironic.

Soon he felt a presence not unlike his own calling out to him, and he turned to see a figure next to a bonfire burning blue. She was a female, that much he could tell, decked out in the most elaborate armor he had ever seen. It too, was beautiful and he actually felt a little jealous when he looked at his own mundane set.

She called out to him, her voice normal and he nodded as he walked over towards her, taking a seat to her right. Food and rest did sound inviting, nice even. There was a skull that set to her left, it was large and definitely not human but to its origin, Tiberius did not know. He spoke next, "Thank you for your hospitality. Do you know where we are? I have a strange feeling this isn't entirely real, or I'm just dead." He paused before asking, "Umm, mi'lady I'm afraid you know my name but I am at a loss for yours?"

@Darkwatck01