"They're whisperin' again." Marik said as he casually vaulted over the rotted log blocking their path.

Astrid was following behind lost in thought. Her distant expression slowly dissolved into one of bewilderment. "What?" She looked around, confused. "What whispers?"

Marik stopped, turned, and spoke slowly for her benefit. "On my honor, I swear I'm a patient man." There was a tired, amused grin on his face. "I'll wait."

Long sibilant whispers and echoing growls filled the air. Admittedly, she hadn't noticed them until now. Yet, the more she focused on the eerie cacophony the more distant the sounds became. Oh. "It's me..." She mumbled quietly, dumbfounded.
"I'm sorry. I must be more tired than I thought." Blood rushed to her cheeks as she struggled to keep her expression neutral. Her magic, which until now had been enjoying its time outside the cage, collapsed into her with a sad whine.

The two had known each other for two years now, but their relationship was a strange one. Most mercenaries would burn their contract and run after spending a few days with her. Some people snored noisily when they slept. Astrid let out predatory growls fierce enough to soil a season warrior's pants. This gave some of her acquaintances the distinct impression she was werewolf, or worse, a demon. But it was when they heard strange, incoherent whispers and persistent ringing that they began to suspect her to be some kind of abomination in disguise. They also didn't like how easily see could see through their lies, even the little white ones that didn't cause trouble. It drove most people mad.

Marik wasn't most people. This was mixed blessing for Astrid. He claimed to have signed on for the glory and the coin, which they both knew was a lie. She didn't question it at the time because she was desperate for money, and her mission needed at least two people. Yet, after all the adventures they had been on together, that was the one lie she couldn't never figure out.
He didn't hate her. He didn't secretly love her, or even lust after her. The fact only confused her more because she knew he had two wives and eight children between them, but he spent months in the wilderness with her and never even gave her a look. It baffled her.
She had learned very quickly not to ask about his family because he always answered with a soft, wistful look in his eyes. It twisted her up inside every time. He looked after her more than her more than he did his own family, which made her both angry for their sake and incredibly guilty. She didn't force him to tag along. She knew it wasn't her fault either, but it didn't stop her from feeling awful about it.

"Are you done daydreaming? We still have work to do." He barked, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Lie to me." Astrid said in a breathy voice. She was exhausted.

Marik's brows crept up with a hint of concern, then relaxed. He cleared his throat with some effort and adopted a serious tone. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll kill you myself and leave you for the wolves." He tried sounding angry, but his words didn't have any bite.

Even without her abilities, she knew he was lying. His eyes weren't hostile at all. Yet, the dull chime of her Truth Seeker magic hummed in the back of her mind all the same.
"Touchy." She teased.

Marik smoothly unsheathed one of his daggers and ran the blade across his hand. A fine red mist emerged from the wound in long, sinuous streams. The blood aimlessly groped its way through the air towards Astrid before turning into lifeless, gray motes of dust. His flexed his hand instinctively and the wound began to heal.

Astrid's pale complexion brightened a little and the thin, dark circles beneath her eyes receded. Now sated, the spectre of her magic slept peacefully. "Thank you."

Marik nodded blithely. Astrid was fairly sure this motion translated to 'You're Welcome'.

An avalanche rumbled in the distance. They both turned towards it and watched a wave of snow break against the slopes. Then the world turned upside down. Astrid felt the world bend around her as a shrill chorus of torturous noise drilled into her head. Pain exploded in the back of her head and her vision went white.

The uncomfortable, rhythmic thumping of her head against hard leather eventually jostled her awake. She wasn't sure how much time had past, or why she was staring at a strap of leather, but dull ache pulsed through her skull and she could feel a knot bulging on the crown of her head. A robust arm held her so firmly in place, she thought she had been chained up at first. She soon realized, however, that Marik had draped her over his shoulder and was plodding along casually as if he were carrying a basket of laundry. She squirmed under his grip.

“I’m awake..." She croaked. "I’m awake! Can you put me down, please?”

He hoisted her up and gently set her down on a flat patch of dirt.

Astrid wobbled on unsteady legs. Her muscled screamed in protest just to keep her upright, and her limbs felt like wet noodles. It was then she realized something was terribly wrong.
“Marik. Where are my clothes?” A hint of rage made her tremble. “What even is this? A blanket and some rope?” She waved at at herself frantically. A ream of burlap had been wrapped around her and served as a makeshift dress. Well-worn strands of rope knotted the fabric in a few places to keep it from falling open. It was shoddy job by any measure.

“Mhmm.” He grumbled testily. His expression was that of granite. “It’s all I had.”

“What happened?” Her face flushed red with anger. When she pointed an accusing finger at him, the translucent tendrils of her magic crept into her surroundings, looking for something to strangle.

Marik glowered at her, eyes bulging. The stark silver-white visage of a grave spirit flashed across his face and he inhaled sharply through flaring nostrils.
“QUIET. DOWN.”
He boomed with all the terrible authority of an enraged father. Each word escaped through bars of gritted teeth.

Astrid withered.

“Don’t you start that with me, girl!” He unsheathed his accusing finger from a tightly balled fist, and jabbed it her sternly. “You were turning into a mess of fur and spines. The ground was boiling, Astrid! Boiling” He shouted.
“I won’t sit by and watch whatever abomination you keep locked in there throw a tantrum like some spoiled child. I knocked you out for your own good, and mine. Gods only know what would have happened, if I let you stomp off into the Devil’s Spine as some crazed fiend...”

As she was bombarded with words of scorn, her face paled further and further. She wanted to crawl under a rock and die. She had seen Marik angry before, but this time was different. Behind his furious exterior, there was a note of fear. He was terrified of something, of her.

The verbal thrashing continue for awhile longer. Astrid endured it bitterly and pieced together the events from Marik’s shouting. After the weird sound struck her, she lost control of her magic and began to transform. Most of her equipment had been destroyed in the process. Only her sword and a few trinkets survived. There was a storm brewing, some explosions, and more landslides. He didn't stay to find out more, and carried her down the mountain and through foothills to put as much distance between her and the weird lights as possible. He was clearly worried about her, so she didn’t even try defending herself, but she did tune out the parts where he began repeating himself.

“...We’ll find you some new clothes soon enough.” He sighed. His voice was softer now that his fierce tirade was over. “I know the Jarl hired us to find that damned tomb, but there’s no sense in going back to look for it now. There’s a village nearby. Vescarim, I think. We’ll rest there for a few hours and figure things out when we both have cooler heads, ah?”

She nodded cautiously.

“Good” He smiled, and, for the first time in weeks, there was warmth in his eyes. It was the same look he had when he spoke of his children. “We’ve still got a ways to go, so let's keep moving. If we’re lucky, we’ll be there in time for breakfast.”

For some reason, and despite all evidence to the contrary, Astrid sensed she was being doted on. A cloud of mirth rose in her chest, lifting her spirits out of a pool of bitter resignation. When he turned to lead the way, Astrid permitted herself a small, knowing grin and followed. She wondered how many times he had lectured his other children like that.



Calm waters gently rocked the fishing schooner back and forth. The lugsails were drawn into neat, tidy bundles, and the anchor had been dropped since they started. Five sturdy women crewed the ship. Two were tending to fish traps, while the others were efficiently sorting the fish into separate barrels.
Being on the the border of the frost giants' lands, where the Godsfall disappeared under the sea, was a nice boon to the small coastal village of Sundnig. Seasonal upwellings made the stock of fish in their waters plentiful throughout most of the year. However, they were at the edge of Herrvael, a warmongering province loyal to a the “great fat man on the hill”, King Sevenfinger, and the people of the heartlands bore a tense hatred for giants. The village often found itself swept into some terrible conflict between its closest neighbors and stubbornly refused to take sides.
Many of Sundnig’s men were often busy patrolling and fighting raiders, big and small. It was a full-time inconvenience. As such, several jobs within the village, had long been the task of women. Most chores therefore were mindless, backbreaking, and highly social, including fishing.
A thin, white haze blurred the deep red of the rising sun and appeared as one enormous, eye which watched the girls work. The shaman said it was the Lord Beyond the Horizon keeping an eye on the faithful. This unsettled a few, but Myrra found this vaguely comforting.
She was a middle-aged woman with striking features: bright, blue eyes, a fair face with high cheeks, and small tusks protruding from the soft curve of her jaw that hinted at an orcish heritage. She heaved slick, wooden cages from the water and spilled their contents onto the deck, so the others could sort them into barrels or throw them back into the water. It was a tedious affair, so her muscles did all the necessary thinking while her mind wandered to more interesting places. The other women jovially gabbed amongst themselves.
They had been working for a few hours when the haze began to clear, revealing a shaft of swarming lights stretching into the sky. It was far to the southeast, Myrra could tell, but the base of it was occluded by the nearby cliffs. She wouldn’t have noticed it at all, if her absent-minded gaze wasn’t already looking in that direction.

Concern twisted her expression. The others, noticing the change in her demeanor, looked at Myrra warily. What’s wrong? The youngest girl ventured.
”Nothing to worry about. Myrra shook her head. ”Mind the fish. There’s still work to do.”
The others briefly exchanges puzzled glances and carried on.

On their return trip, she was tending to the battened sails, when a silver-breasted gull alighted on one of the lines. In truth, she had summoned it. The bird’s small, beady eyes gleamed with hidden intelligence. Many witches had familiars, but Myrra had kept hers very discreet. Old superstitions, not gods, were the centerpiece of Sundnig spirituality. Unfortunately for Myrra, the villagers had a dim view of blood magic, and by extension witches, regardless of how the magic was used.

”I need you to deliver a message to Our Silent Lady.”
The ivory-feathered bird tilted its head curiously.
Myrra whispered a few instructions to the gull and, with a graceful push of its wings, it left.
I can feel the Dragon Veins shifting. If they keep changing course, the fish will move and this village will die. I must find out what’s happening.


On the other side of Norden...

Beneath vine-choked archways of stone, two cowled figures stared thoughtfully at the sharp peaks in the distance. The Devil’s Spine had always been home to countless horrors and the Carnivorous Mist, but the column of lights was new. They had been silently observing the changes in the land and the sparks of magic at the edge of their domain.

“I have a wonder, Néffení, if you will indulge me.” One of them started. He spoke with a long, condescending drawl.
“Honestly, Nihil, do I have a choice?” Néffení retorted. Her voice was strangely immaculate, despite her annoyed tone. It possessed a quality of stylized perfection one might expect from a talented musician or singer.
“Of the two Sirens that remain, are you not the senior authority here? I find it curious that you allow another to lead, while you follow.” Nihil continued, ignoring her quip. He spoke as if he already knew the answer.
“You find that curious, do you?” An eyebrow twitched angrily beneath her cowl.
“In fact, you defer to a newborn, barely a few decades old. Is this a cultural policy among Sirens? Or simply a personal one?”
“What would you like to hear? That I prefer to follow?” A sigh of resignation followed.
“Given that you are, I must assume that you do.” A row of perfect teeth gleamed sharply.
“Could you crawl into a bush somewhere and die? I would be forever in your debt.” Her words dripped with venom.
“You sound so very defensive, Néffení.” A sly grin smeared across his beshadowed face. “You’ve been at my side for… what? Two? Three decades now? You should know better than anyone I’m much too stubborn to give into to death.”
He stepped forward and eyed the mountains critically. His nose slowly wrinkled with derision as his gaze fell upon the unnatural aurora. “Besides, I find death’s quality of work lacking. The dead don’t stay dead, which either reflects incompetence or negligence. Needless to say, I will correct His mistakes.”
"There's still many preparations to make." She tried changing the subject.

"Must you make everything boorish?" Nihil sneered. He abruptly turned on his heel and walked into a nearby tree, melding into the gnarled whorls of its bark. “We’re leaving.”
Néffení quietly followed the disembodied voice and vanished into the woods.

@Mag Lev@BurningDaisies

---

Leaving behind the unnaturally still forest, Iva followed Nara towards their destination. The dense forest soon turned into hills, which then turned into a rugged mountain side. Then it was across a ravine, where the muted noise of a river flowed. Getting down was fortunately easier than getting up. The rocky plateaus offered relatively easy passage down, their terraces eventually even turning into smaller steps that had been cut into the formations, the walkway having been made for them. Overall, it was easy for Iva. Ah, she was glad she could levitate. She didn't even have to walk the entire time - and after following that old cart trail, they found their destination.

She was simultaneously glad, and disappointed with it.

Ancient, rotting buildings spread over a loose woodland greeted them. The old, molding structures were absolutely pitiful looking. The field they sat next too was large, but half of it was barren and dry. A structure that looked to be a storehouse - maybe...what were they called? Granary? It was toppled and overgrown with grass. The entire place looked abandoned, with the only source of life seemingly being two people who were tending the only fertile looking soil in the place. They looked so malnourished she wondered if they were zombies briefly.

A man with bandages approached, studying them with obvious wariness as they arrived. The guy looked absolutely tired. Like he always had to prepare and expect the worst, without a moments reprieve. Iva could sympathize with that feeling. Iva returned his critical gaze with a neutral expression of her own as he introduced himself as Kessig.

"...Nara...you do it. They seem friendly." Iva replied in her usual, somewhat slow neutral tone and expressionless features. She'd be terrible at negotiations anyways. Instead, she contended herself with watching idly. Maybe she could use this decrepit village somehow? With only two people living here, it would be...difficult to find many uses for it.

As Masrith ventured forth in the cavern, he found himself slightly shuddering away from the blue skies that coated the walls. As they flinched away from the light, Masriths worry eased lightly. He'd hate to think of what these things would try to do if he had not carried a light with him. The slime that reached out however freaked him out slightly. Blue slimes. I'm sure we had those in YGGDRASIL somewhere...sapphire slimes maybe. I don't remember them being like this though. I never really encountered them much though. Better keep moving before these things decided the light doesn't scare them anymore. With that said, Masrith moved deeper into the cavern until he reached the large chamber.

He glanced around to get a look and to make sure his angel still followed him. He took a step forward until he heard a crunch which made his heart sink a bit. He glanced down to see the bones all across the chamber floor. Angel, on guard. The angel lifted its sword ready for combat. Masrith kneeled down to examine the bones. It's possible these were left by the slimes. It could be a dumping ground for whatever they couldn't digest. I wonder what it was. I think my character knew a resurrection spell but I'm not even sure what I'll be ressurecting. Masrith paused for a moment thinking of his options. It could be a human that got trapped by the storm like he did but ended up with worse luck. The shape and texture of the bones could possibly be from the acid of the slime. I should summon another monster before I try ressurection. I have no idea what I'll be bringing back. Summon Angel 4th tier: Principality Observation. As the chamber was larger, this Angel would have room to move. The light shined as the Angel rose from it.

With two Angels by his side, Masrith felt more comfortable. Even if they were weak compared to him, they were something that could get in the way of whatever tried to kill him. On top of that, summoning them didn't cost any noticeable depletion in mana. Not sure how resurrection will work. I'll try to focus on just bringing one creature back. Masrith took some deep breaths before committing to his words. This new world was something he would have to get use to. Ok. Here we go...7th tier spell:Ressurection! Masrith wasn't even sure if it would work but he would ready himself and his Angels just in case he happened to ressurect something hostile.

@Rune_Alchemist@BurningDaisies

---

The forest was silent all throughout the pair’s trek towards Jhorm, no sound of birds nor sighting of fleeting animal life. It was as if the forest itself had been totally drained of life and all that remained was its frozen remains. Even as Nara reached out with her senses to feel Nature, she found nothing more than the trees and a few distant pulses of birds flying overhead. Before the shriek had pierced her mind Nara had never thought as to use her druidic powers to feel the world around. She had been unguarded and mentally shaken afterwards but with it came the realization that she is no longer in a game, her powers are that of a Druid and she must act like it.

Though, even as she tested her abilities she noted that her connection to this natural world was minor compared to what it could be; perhaps a side effect of being so new to it. Nara’s mind was not sharp enough in this world to completely sense everything around her it came in pulses. However, her attempts to understand this feature had to be put on hold as the advanced down the mountains. Her focus was put towards their movement into the boundaries of Jhorm, the forest thinning as the few buildings stood in the clearing. There seemed to be few people in this town, only two people in the near barren fields and a bandaged man who approached them.

It took Nara a minute to take in the sight of the ‘village’ if it could even be called that and answer the man’s question. ”I am Nara and this is my friend Iva,” Nara said with a motion and minor bow to the man, ”We come from the forest above and were motioned here by a troll after we mistakenly wandered into its territory. We came here hoping you could tell us about this region or, by chance, point us in the direction of someone who could.” Though Nara’s voice conveyed an inherent friendliness, even being so kind as to bow the man during her statement, her face betrayed that it was all merely formality. It was quite possible that the man would view a couple of strangers wondering into the town in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. While they could no doubt get information from him another way, Nara rather wished to not force it out.

However, Nara’s brief pause in thought was interrupted as she realized that, perhaps, they too had felt the shriek from the mountains or at least seen the fleeing wildlife. ”Also, did you by chance hear a monster’s shriek? If so, do you know what creature would make such a noise that could cause even a troll to run in terror? I wish to know what being could make a forest totally barren with such little effort.” Nara’s voice was less friendly than before and her expression more serious as she looked up at the man. Hopefully he knew what creature could perform such a strong mental attack that not even Iva was able to fully withstand it.

Asuka raised her arm to the sky in a victory pose at the mist monsters dissipating in the rain of slashes she created. Miyuki just remained the same as she activated her next spell. Celestial Punishment, another very specific 8th tier spell, this time targeting beings that were that were bound, dealing heavy holy damage to each of them.

A bright yellow light would come down from the heavens over the bound Shataks, as if to mock them about their situation, being unable to follow their brethren into the sky as magic circles would form over them and from each of them radiant winged spears of pale blue light would emerge before falling down and dooming them to death by impalement.

Miyuki turned from the black winged shadows and to her still celebrating sibling. ”So, what was the whole, ‘Ahaha!’ About? Miyuki crossed her arms slightly concerned about her little sister’s outburst. Asuka scratched her head at the question before tapping her fingers together. ”Ahaha... That must have been someone else. the world champion tried to explain. ”Oh, you mean like that rock over there?” The Paladin have a wry simile. ”Well come on, I can have fun can’t I! Asuka shouted, to which Miyuki facepalmed. ’Oh god, my little sister is an adrenaline junkie...’

”Come on let’s get out of here.” Miyuki decided to change the subject and Asuka who was slightly pouting agreed. The duo walked again with the pendulum guiding them. Though after a while they didn’t seem to be making much progress... ”How deep in the forest are we!?” Asuka asked, appalled at the never ending scene of countless trees. ”Patience, Aki. We’ll get out soon.” The older sibling replied. Though it was the younger siblings turn to throw a comeback. ”That’s what you said last time! Couldn’t you summon your mount to get us there faster? There was moment of silence ”Wait did you forget about it?” The World Champion held back a laugh as her sister facepalmed at her own mistake.

After that little mishap, Miyuki managed to summon her mount, Ziz. A Griffin like entity, though one look from it and one could obviously see that this was no Griffin and was above even the so called king of beasts. It was twice the size of a regular Griffin, possessing crimson feathers, and the hindquarters of a Phoenix, it was a very high level creature. Using the mount the Duo managed to get most of the way there, only stopping to hide the mount, as not to frighten the locals.

The sibling were finally getting to civilization. Asuka was very much excited to see what this world had to offer, but Miyuki was more cautious, making sure she had every magic item that might come in handy on standby. The pair entered the town of Jhorm, which now had four player within.

---

Arcane power pulsed through the menagerie of smoothed bones. They vibrated loudly with a strange rattle as complex spell formulae covered the ground. One of the ivory pieces began emitting a powerful white glow and drifted into the air. It writhed with uncontrolled growth. Bulging, popping, stretching, bending, and crunching. In only a few moments, the silhouette of light took the form of a gangling creature with long arms and sharp, angular features. It vaguely resembled the shape of a man, but much of its body was sheathed in dark gray fur. Four gleaming, yellow eyes wrenched themselves open and stared mindlessly at the ceiling for a long moment. Its fanged muzzle hung open and moved constantly as if trying to silently mouth words.

"No..." It finally said with telepathic force. It's thoughts rippled through the air, carrying with it a cascade of terror, reverence, and longing. NO! NO! NO! repeated over and over in frenzied bursts of psychic power, echoing with raw emotion and increasing anxiety.

A hysterical, ear-piercing cry of anguish suddenly erupted from its throat. The creature stampeded itself further into the cavern, galloping on all fours. It threw itself into a boulder-sized glob of glistening blue slime. More than a dozen pseudopods burst from the fleshy mass, wrapped around the creature and submerged it completely. A psychic wave of ecstasy shuddered out from the creature. It closed its eyes and surrender itself to be digested.

Masrith could sense the vast space even in the darkest areas untouched by his angel's light. Slanted columns of natural stone ran from floor to ceiling at odd angles. As if responding to their presence, dozens of green lights began to blossom around him and his angels, illuminating the cold, musty cavern. Bioluminescent streams of light throbbed through a vast gelatinous body.
The slime was everywhere. Every inch of every wall, floor, and ceiling was coated in a blanket of translucent blue sludge, and the carpet of ivory fragments only became thicker deeper into the caves. The angelfire drew attention to vague shapes of other animals, some of them human-like, within denser patches of slime. Upon closer inspection, they all seemed to be in various stages of digestion. Nearby, what remained of a human male was suspended in another large, bulbous mass. His skin had been eroded and his eyes dissolved, leaving a discolored cloud in the slime. Yet, somehow his grotesque face had been permanently twisted into an expression of pure bliss.

Did these caves cross under the entire mountain range? Even at a glance, it was obvious this cavern only contained a portion of the protean slime's vast body. Slimes and ooze creatures had existed in Yggdrasil, but nothing like this.

A humanoid figure rises from the fleshy, glowing mass. Taking on the vague but voluptuous shape of a woman, it glides across the floor towards Masrith. It mimicked walking, but its feet never left the string of slime that connected to its larger body. Pulses of blue-green light streamed through its body like branching veins.

"Welcome," it said sweetly, but without moving its lips. It slid smoothly towards Masrith. "There is nothing to fear little one. I intend you no harm."

---

@Rune_Alchemist@Mag Lev@Shiyonichi

---

Kessig remained silent for a long moment as he seemed to mull over Nara's words. His face was a stony mask, but his one eye was lit with a calm, calculating gleam. Time seemed to stretch on as the silence between them slowly thickened with tension. The thin man was on edge, but did a fair job keeping his expression neutral.
"I don't know what foul spirit has you vexed, but I'll be frank with you, missy. Both of you should leave immediately." He was firm in his declaration, and his tone made it clear he didn't trust either of them. After sparing a sharp glance at the mountains, he breathed out a long, tired sigh. He awkwardly shifted his weight, favoring his right leg, and stifled a wince.

"Only devils come down from the mountains. It's not called the Devil's Spine for show. So you're either daft in the head, or trying to trick me into some dark bargain." He eyed Nara skeptically. "Seeing as you have an honest face, it's probably the first one, so let me give you some friendly advice: Forget. This. Village." He leaned forward and squinted meaningfully, sinking emphasis into every word.
"Leave and forget you ever met us. It's better that way."

"We will do as you wish, though I must say that any dark bargain might benefit all here," Nara said as she looked over the mostly barren fields, "However, if you truly wish us to leave then I at least ask you give us some form of guidance to the next village. We haven't traveled these parts often and I'd rather not be wandering around the area for long." Though Nara's face hadn't changed at all, her sincerity and tone had, shifting to treating Kessig more as an equal than anything else.

A few more of the villagers began ambling out of their homes. Curious stares emanated from their dirty, withered faces. Each of them were in a wretched state. A woman with a long ragged, dress held herself up with a wooden crutch. A short, stocky man bore scars which covered his exposed shoulder; his left arm was missing, and so were his ears. There were no children anywhere in sight. And every villager appeared to have lost at least one limb.

"If you don't already know what awful things are in these woods, then you shouldn't be here." He said matter-of-factly, and opened his mouth to continue, but hesitated. He was patiently waiting for his own internal struggle to resolve itself. Superstitions were the only thing that had kept him alive in the wilds, and it was bad luck to spurn travellers. It could always be an spirit in disguise, or worse, an immortal. Luck was fickle thing. It didn't like it when someone snubbed a powerful denizen of the world, and it struck back with tenfold vengeance. He had a taste of this as a young man, and has experienced more tragedies and misfortunes than most encountered their entire life. He wasn't eager to suffer through more.

Oh, what the hell. "Listen here lass, you don't want to find yourself in any village from here to the Black Fens. There's nothing for you. Make your way north into the Heartlands. At least, you only have bandits, wolves and the occasional grendel to worry about." He sniffed contritely.

"Wait here a moment."
He gave a cold glare to the curious villagers before disappearing into his thatch hut. The villagers withdrew into their homes as rummaging noises drifted from within the hut. He exited, carrying a withered root under one arm, and a pewter chime under the other.
"You'll need the root, if you want to get through Brionac in one piece. It's not as dangerous as the Devil's Spine, but you better be careful all the same. The chime should keep the grave spirits away."
He didn't seem happy to be offering charity, but he felt guilty sending people off into the wilds unprepared. They would probably die anyway, but it made him feel better.

Nara accepted the items from Kessig, giving a slight bow after she did so. "Thank you, we are grateful for you assistance. I hope that you and your kind find a bountiful harvest in better months."

Kessig seemed unsettled by her goodwill and grimaced as if he had just tasted something awful. "Yeah... We'll pray for a good harvest, alright." He said half-heartedly, and quickly changed the subject. "Keep your wits then, and stay close to the river. It should get you halfway there at least."
He shook his head, suddenly feeling more tired than before, and limped off towards the fields.

Kessig was halfway down the trail, when two more travellers arrived at the edge of Jhorm @Shiyonichi. A few sunken faces peered out at them through closed shutters.

@Mag Lev@BurningDaisies@Shiyonichi

---

As Nara and Kessig spoke, Iva simply watched idly, in her usual bored manner. Well, she could at least understand the mans wariness. Two strangers coming and waltzing down a mountain that just had some sort of odd event on it, asking for directions? That was the definition of suspicious. If she was on his end, she'd have just ignored the person and told them to get lost. Even more so, was the fact he was certainly right. Only devils seemed to come down from that mountain, heh.

As Nara attempted negotiating further, Iva looked around at the villagers, wandering a few steps away from Kessing and her friend. The looked absolutely pitiful. Scars, missing limbs, withered and disheveled faces...no children. Well, better that way. Kids were annoying. More importantly...she was beginning to feel a little...curious. A little peckish. Like she hadn't eaten in awhile. Understandable, considering that she had no idea how long they traveled. Bringing a hand up to her mouth, she lightly bit the flesh of her knuckle unconsciously.

The woman with the wooden crutch...looked mildly intelligent. A little lean and dry. Lame leg, probably tough. Short, but well built man was probably better, even if she got less. Kessig, though...he looked the juiciest. Not physically speaking, but rather mentally. Older, perfectly aged like wine and ripe with life experience and knowledge. The people of the village wouldn't be able to see it, but a single, invisible hand began extending towards Kessing, hovering just above his head. Just a little closer and -

"Wait here a moment."

The hand reaching for his head stopped, instantly retreating back to her...what had she been doing?

She blinked, having momentarily blanked on her own actions. She cast a glance over to Nara as Kessig went inside of his hut. Ah...did she almost just really do that? In front of everyone? Hoo, she didn't think any of them would be a problem, but it was still...a little frightening. She moved closer back to Nara as Kessig exited the house two items in hand, making sure to put some distance between herself and the villagers. Once Nara and the human finished exchanging good byes and items, the Brain Eater watched him leave before casting a sideways glance towards the edge of town.

"Hmm...others." Iva quietly spoke. She could feel them, but she couldn't get a good read on them. Perhaps...were they the same, then? Ah, she didn't care now. She had Nara and a direction to travel in, and that was enough. "Nara...we should find food while we're out."

Hopefully Nara would know what that meant.

@Rune_Alchemist@BurningDaisies@Shiyonichi

---

Nara stood silently as Kessig left, only approving of his actions due to the help he had given them. If she were a nicer person, she may have been willing to grant them a bountiful harvest or even share a small bit of her knowledge with them so that they may never suffer from a poor harvest. Perhaps such knowledge was too much for those so low as the people in the village, barely able to eek out a niche in the forest yet seemingly unwilling to leave. It would be unfit to show such lowly humans the ways of Nature. However, Nara’s train of thought was interrupted as two figures appeared down from where she and Iva had come from.

Little time was spent looking over the pair descending the mountain as Iva spoke to her, Nara nodding in response and leading her in the direction Kessig had mentioned. ”Do you think they are like us,” Nara said as they walked away, ”We might not be alone in this world if the two of us got here.” Nara glanced back towards the pair and then at Iva. If they weren’t alone then that posed an issue. On one hand that meant that they would have plenty of people to bounce ideas off of as to what to do in this world. However, if they were hostile then it would be quite possible to die, not like in a game but actually be killed.

”We’ll have to find something for you to eat later. I don’t think we should try anything with those two nearby. As far as they are concerned, we are just regular creatures of this world. Hell, you are more human than I am in that form.” She nudged Iva slightly and chuckled at her. It would be quite an issue if they didn’t reveal themselves on their own terms, even more so if that pair had an issue with Iva’s eating.

Nara took a moment to breathe at the edge of the village and focus, her minding bending outwards to feel the forest. Unlike on the mountain, the forest around Jhorm felt more alive, the creatures here hadn’t been as affected by the psychic screech. This skill was odd to her, not something she had ever read about being able to do in Yggdrasil. Perhaps it was something new that came with their new reality. Other way, it was comforting and, at the same time, unsettling. ”I think I’m going to like it here, missing finals and graduation aside.”

@Foxsoxs@BurningDaisies

---

“Nothing?”
The child wraith stared absently at the living statue. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted as hellish mongrel erupted from the grounds and snarled wildly. Two more creatures, wrapped in thin robes rose behind them. The girl wasn’t frightened. Her pinched face merely had a look of puzzled innocence.

She wordlessly followed Vaettir. Her gait was awkward at first, as if bound by a leash which tugged at her and forced her to keep moving. But quickly she matched his pace. She didn’t talk much, but she watched everything.
Her eyes, still dull and grave, held the slightest spark of curiosity.

~

The hounds and liches made short work of their task, but it was gruesomely obvious none of her family had survived. The father was strewn across a grassy hillock in two pieces. His lower half had been trampled. The savaged earth and deep hoof prints hinted it was intentional.
A broken sword had impaled one of the brigands through the throat and was still pinned to the ground under the weight of the father’s headless torso. A deathly rigor kept his fingers tightly wound around the hilt of the blade.

The brigands weren’t far, and from the bittercries, seemed to be enjoying the spoils of their raid. When the first lich arrived, the hell hounds were set loose, savaging each bandit into a bloody submission. They ripped tendons and snapped bone, but true to their master’s orders, they left them alive. The lich had little to do, except stare impassively at two dead girls. There bodies were in a wretched state, but their souls had already moved on.

Screams of pain blocked out the hellish barks of the hounds. Circling the brigands, they awaited orders from the lich. After a few minutes, they finally stopped their squealing, replacing their screams with angry curses. The lich slowly turned his skull to them. His red eyes piercing through each of their souls. Each hound howled in unison and began to slowly drag the men to their master. The wails began again. The pain of their wounds scraping against the ground renewed their terror. The lich overseer taking another moment to look at the dead children before following, offering of sigh. Not of mercy or pity, but of annoyance.



Vescarim seemed much larger than it was. Most homes were burrows carved out of the rolling hills, and they were spread out over wide pastures. Tall orange stalks of some pervasive weeds blanketed the area for miles around. A trail of gravel and broken cobbles winded through the hills and branched endlessly to meet each residence.

Vaettir followed a dirt path that lead to a guard tower that stood at the north. Now he was flanked by two Skeletons. The undead were clad in silver plate armor. Each carried a sword as big as a man. Resting their blade on their shoulder guards. Their true identity was completely hidden from the human eye. They weren't there for anything else, but for looks. Vaettir wanted to try and appear less of a terror than most would initially assume. Two knightly figures flanking him could make the common folk think twice. At least think long enough before preparing the torch and pitchforks. The wraith followed close behind him. Quietly observing the new lands. It wasn't long after approaching the town that he met their leader.

Heleva was an older woman, bent forward by age, but still young at heart. The lines in her face were countless, but her eyes were bright, energetic, and gleamed mischievously. She seemed like the kind of person that treated everything as a game, probably knew all the rules, when to bluff, and played for infinite stakes. The silver rivulets of her hair fell across her shoulder in a long, intricate braid. She stood politely at the edge of town. The woman greeted Vaettir and his undead entourage with a warm smile. It was as if she knew the precise time of his arrival.
Two other townsfolk flanked her on either side. Both were tall men, chiseled by years of hard labor, and wore permanent scowls.
"Welcome, Herald! Don't mind these two. They're just here to look handsome and keep me company."
They obviously weren't. They leered at Vaettir as if he was some ruffian that needed to be dealt with, but curiously neither of them carried weapons nor did they take any aggressive action.
"If you and your adorable little friend will follow me, we have a nice feast prepared for you. I know the two of you don't eat like the rest of us, but I expect you to indulge me. These bones don't move like they used to, but I'm still the best cook in Norden. You can be sure of that!"

She hooked her arm around Vaettir's, and offered a hand to the innocent-looking shade hiding behind the demon. "Come along, dear. I have something I wish to discuss with both of you."
The air behind Vaettir shimmered with a rush of magic.
"The rest of your pets can stay outside." She said cheerily, but the words seemed to echo from distant, unknowable places. They thrummed with power. She had erected a barrier along the borders of her town, a potent one at that, which acted as a wall to repel undead. Even if she didn't say anything about it, she expected Vaettir knew what it meant.

Vaettir felt a shiver from the power she possessed. It didn't frighten him, but it did warn him. It had been a long while since he had felt another Immortals power. Honestly, it was refreshing to him. To know not everything in this world was weak. To know not everything feared him. The demon statue shook his head in compliance. A sinkhole opened beneath his two Skeletons and the earth absorbed them, before quickly filling back up and disappearing as fast as it appeared. He began to follow her, keeping his eyes open for any other tricks the Sorceress had up her sleeve.



The only thatched longhouse in all of Vescarim belonged to Heleva. It was little more than a glorified feasthall with an adjoining library, but this is where she made her home. The table had been set, but instead of wooden plates and cutlery, crystal dust traced the outline of arcane symbols. Down the length of the table, floating in the air, were pools of raw mana. Ethereal sparks arced around them, and each possessed a difference essence of the land. Some gave off a spicy, earthy scents, another exuded drifts of dank cold air. Heleva had distilled mana especially for them. The undead didn't subsist on normal food. She understood this, but that didn't mean she couldn't feed them.
She sat the child across from her and left the end of the table for Vaettir. "Come, come! Sit!"
"So what brings you this far into the outlands, Herald?" She regard them both with blatant curiosity, and began sipping mead from a small cup with the characteristic pomp of an old noblewoman.
The wraith child stared at her blankly, obviously starstruck and unaccustomed to this kind of hospitality.

The room was impressive, or maybe Vaettir had grown tired of the cave walls he normally inhabited. While the pools of mana were a nice touch, he ignored them. When asked to sit he simply stayed standing, making it clear he wasn't here for the pleasantries. "My name is Vaettir, not Herald, and I only came for her." He gestured at the small ghost child, sitting at the table. Vaettir's voice more hostile than he normally took to talking to Humans, but then again this woman wasn't just any human. "She is still here. Most of your kind passes to... Wherever they think they go. She is an enigma. I brought her to you to figure out why she is still walks the land and if you cannot answer that I want her gone. Let her enjoy whatever she can have with her deceased family." Vaettir paused to look at the little girl. He didn't notice till now, but her essence began to bother him. Making him second guess coming here at all. His fixed smile concealed his thoughts.

Heleva spared a glance at the girl, but kept her attention on Vaettir. "It's not so simple, my dear Herald. The limelight of the afterlife isn't what most think it is. Humans who die are inevitably reclaimed by the earth, both in body and spirit. Sometimes the body goes first, and at other times, the spirit. She'll fade on her own in due time."
She smiled lovingly at the girl, but there was a strange hardness in her eyes. "If you want her gone, you need only to destroy her spirit. The will of the land does the rest."
The little girl's eyes snapped wide as if she hadn't been paying attention until that moment. "No, I don't want that!" She cried, still not fully understanding what was being said.
"Then what do you want, child?" She cooed.
The girl stared back, her mouth opening and closing as if to say something, but the words didn't come.
Heleva turned to Vaettir. "There's more to this than you're telling me. It's a simple task to have her pass on, but there will be no warm reunion with her family. That's just what people want to believe. The truth is a much colder and darker thing."

A hiss of annoyance ringed from Vaettir. His open hand clenched. "What do you know? I have walked this land before your kind even existed and I know nothing, witch." Vaettir's tone changed from a calm presence into a angry beast. His voice boomed like thunder.

"Yes, you've walked it, but did you ever pay attention to the people around you? The way their presence causes tiny ripples in the magic of Norden? You've walked far, Herald, but seen nothing." Her thunderous tone matched Vaettir's. The voice clashed in the air with a resounding thud.

Vaettir began to calm himself back down. The corruption in his soul starting to take control. Although it was no use. "I bring the girl due to my pity for your race and nothing more. Why didn't I consume her soul? Why didn't I raze your town to the ground and consume all the souls of your people? I brought her to figure out what she is. You have seen it. The pillar in the sky. I doubt this is just a coincidence." As each word left his terrifying mouth the room shook. The timbers of the home beginning to creak.

"Oh, I'm certain it's not." She countered testily, not appreciating his casual threats.
She breathed an irritated sigh and nursed her drinking cup. "The course of the Dragon Veins have changed around the Devil's Spine, criss-crossing one another like a web. Or perhaps, more like a wall. The land is protecting itself like a tortoise withdrawing into its shell. The light is dangerous, Herald. It's not of this world. I can feel it."
Her expression softened as her gaze fell back upon the girl. She changed subjects easily. "You can leave her with me, if you like. I will look after her, but I know she won't survive for much longer as she is now."

Vaettir's voice was now calm again. Her words no longer angering him. "Now? What else could she be if not a wraith?" Vaettir asked with curiosity. Ignoring her claims about the light.

"You mean you can't tell?" Her look was one of genuine surprise. "Never has a wraith with the power of an Ódauðlegur existed, yet one sits at my table all the same. Her body is destroyed, but her spirit still holds a measure of power. If she doesn't become stronger, the land will reclaim her, Ódauðlegur or not. It's a miracle she has lasted this long."

If the girl's ethereal face was swollen and pale; tears pricked at her eyes. She still hadn't fully grasped what she was, but she knew one thing: she was going to disappear. Heleva's sharp truths stabbed at her. The roil of emotion began to swell. The deep red glow of supernatural sorrow hummed behind her tightly shut eyes. A few candles, plates, and utensils began to float shakily into the air.

Heleva gave the tiny wraith a sympathetic look. She silently mouthed a few words of power which cascaded through her. Thin blue creases of light traced along her skin and peeled away. The murky streams of light wound and twisted into the outline of a young woman. Each strand of her hair was a lash of ethereal white flames, a smile radiated from her upturned eyes. The ghost floated over and embraced the girl tightly, stroking her hair.
"Velja" The ghost whispered tenderly.
The candles and plates dropped abruptly. The wraith's eyes snapped open at the sound of her name. Jagged cracked had formed at the edges of her eyes, which still glowed with necromantic power.
"It will be alright, my little one." The ghost cooed. "Cry until you can't cry anymore. I promise I won't leave you."
Velja nuzzled into her arms, hugging the ghost tightly. Her quiet sobs slowly turned into a wailing cry.
A circle of runic symbols erupted along the floor, centering on the two. Then another. Two intertwined wards soothed the restless spirit and enclosed her in a protective shell of raw magic. The tense aura around the little girl began to dissipate, and the sound of her crying became distant.

"Her spirit is weakening." Heleva sighed. "A wonder she survived this long, but it will not last. After the Godsfall, the divinity of the old gods was inherited by the land itself. The power of all Ódauðlegur comes from the earth. And to the earth it will return. You know this."
She massaged the bridge of her nose wearily.
"A mystery how that accursed light corrupted her spirit into a wraith. But it matters not. Velja's fate is sealed. I fear no feast of souls will save her. She only remains by the providence of her immortal spark. With no body and a withered soul, the land will claim more and more of her essence each day, until nothing is left."

"It's time to choose, Herald." Heleva eyed the demon intently. "Consume her or let her fade. She is doomed either way."

Vaettir eyes were locked on to the Witch. A deep-seated hatred bled into his aura. No other normal mortal would see any change in his form, but it was there. The wild magic that coursed through his veins were twisting and thrashing in hate. He wasn't angry at the Sorceress, but at the fact that he couldn't do anything else. His pity wasted. It felt like hours before he decided on his next course of action. He could only see one way and it was the only one that was actually possible. The hate inside him scratched at his mind. Begging to be released. Begging for him to make the move. It had been decades since he allowed his inner demon to show, but as it neared he felt an overwhelming rush of bliss.

The Demonic statue simply opened his jaw. His jagged stone like teeth releasing their hold on one another. As his mouth opened wider and wider a dark flame became apparent. The flame had its own separate aura to it. One completely different from the one that emanated from Vaettir. When his mouth finally stopped moving the purple flame unleashed a single whip directed toward Velja, the wraith child. With ease it shattered the protective wards surrounding her. The whip first wrapped it's flame around the Sorceress's summon. Within half a second it bursted into black flame and with a cry of pain it had vanished. It's tendrils then wrapped around the girl and with a brief second of hesitation it dragged her into the maw of Vaettir.

Once her wraith body had been swallowed whole, Vaettir's jaw snapped shut and he returned to his usual self. The sudden aura of hate left the room. With a sigh he began to speak. His tone was abnormal. It had a hint of sadness. No. It was disgust.

"It is done. Another Ódauðlegur lost to the gods. Another one gone due to petty human squabbles. Not even the innocent are safe from your kind and not even an Immortal can be helped by another. Now... What do you want in return for my visit?"

Few humans would bemoan such a loss. Casualties of war were not just common, but part of daily life. That was what made this brooding demon such an amusing sight, she thought. Better still, he knew that entering the village wasn't free. Not for the Ódauðlegur at least.
She smiled cheerfully, a stark contrast to his somber moment. "A favor from the great and powerful Vaettir will suffice. But I have no need of your assistance at the moment, so you are free to do as you please, until I call for you."

As Heleva stood up to leave, the pools of mana lining the table dissolved into an ineffable haze. A candle along the wall lit her path as she headed into her library.

"I trust you know the way out," she said politely. And then the world blinked. One moment Vaettir was in the long house, the next he was standing at the edge of town. No doubt one of Heleva's tricks.

The events that transpired would only leave Masrith in complete confusion. Before Masrith could even try to speak to the creature that he had resurrected, it had committed a horrible deed. Masrith covered his ears as it panicked yet it did nothing to shield him from its psionic screeches of agony. As he watched it willingly surrender itself to death in such a horrid fashion, it gave Masrith a chill down his spine. Though his biggest concern was wasting his mana on something that wanted to kill itself. Masrith recoiled a bit when he watched as the slime began to glow. He was surrounded and he immediately glanced toward the exit he had marked. He quickly looked to ensure he was not standing on loose ground. Being in a trap would only make things worse. He looked around trying to keep his composure. He was ready to order his Angels to attack when he saw the slime take form.

The creature that approached Masrith spoke but it did nothing that would actually ease his mind of the predicament. When the woman shaped slime approached, Masrith raised his staff in a cautious manner. He was not demonstrating aggressiveness but he made sure that he was not comfortable and would fight should he need to. The creatures voice was sweet which did in fact through Masrith off but it only made his suspicions worse. What you are saying does not make what I'm seeing any less disturbing but if you truly have no intention of harming me, then what you will here me say may sound offensive but it is not meant to be hostile, just cautious. Masrith did not take his eyes off of the woman that stood before him but he did direct his voice toward his Angels. Archangel, take to the air, if any slime is to try to drop down on us, use your superior maneuverability to kill it. Principality, back to back with me, should anything move closer to me in any direction without my being notified first, eliminate it with extreme prejudice. My Angels, for now, consider myself and you two the only friendlies here, do not engage in combat unless the situation as described happens or unless I order to do so by speech or by my endangerment. Masrith gathered his thoughts, he was ready, he didn't want to fight but he was more than willing to to save his own life. He wasn't sure how his Angels would do against these slimes but he had no choice. Though with all the bodies here, he was sure necromancy would help if needed.

He full focus was no toward the slime woman though he never took his eyes off of it. Mind of Undeath. Masrith castes this spell to help protect him against mind altering magic. He didn't know what caused that beast to want death but he didn't want the same thoughts or fate. Before you say another word, I'm going to ask several questions. If you stray from answering them then we are done. First question, where am I? Second question, why did that creature dive into the slime like it was going for gold in the Olympics? Third question, when I revived that creature, the moment its senses came back, it made no hesitation in its suicide. Why is that? He immediately knew he was no longer in a situation where he wasn't inside this things. That dead man up there has rotting face that seems to be smiling. It would seem it is like an addiction. My last question, what are you?

To say Masrith was on edge was an understatement but he was already thinking if a way out. He had no intention of sharing the same fate as so many other creatures. He would turn everything in this cavern to ash if he had to. Masrith held his staff up, he was ready to attack should it be needed, he was focused and determined. His heart practically beating out of his chest, he would not let his guard down no matter what. He was unsure of how the creature would respond. This whole situation was unnerving but Masrith knew had to stay calm and plan a way to escape if needed.

---

@BKburke

---

Content to wait patiently for Masrith to prepare himself, a small, happy grin grew across the slime woman's face, and the streams of dim lights pulsing through it quickened their pace. Instead of a steady flow, they calmly throbbed like a beating heart. It's features slowly gained more and more definition as Masrith listed his demands, adopting a more voluptuous and regal form. Rivulets of slime folded into the resemblance of fine robes, even mimicking intricate patterns in the stitching and flower accents. Masrith was reflected along the surface of its body, and in the strangely metallic crown which sprouted from its head.

When at last he asked "What are you?", the slime giggled joyfully, mirroring natural laughter with eerie precision.
"Such a curious child," it said with a clear vibrado. "I understand."
The thin coat of blue scum along the floor receded like a the tide flowing back out to sea. It cleared a space for Masrith, scorching the stone floor and leaving it immaculately clean.

"You are inside me, little one," it said with giggle. "I am the mountain. Its roots. The earth would swallow you up without me."

Two more androgynous figures sprouted from the larger mass and flanked the queen-like slime on either side. Then another. And another.

"But I must spread. I must spread across the world and into its heart. So to I must feed to thrive. Others stay to keep me company. So some for fun..." It nodded towards Masrith with smile, and then turned its attention to the shaggy creature which had dove into one of the larger globs. "...and some for food."

Another woman's figure formed inside the slime, a caricature of opaque lines within the jiggling mound, and gently wrapped its arms around the slowly dissolving beast. Sweet lulling sounds thrummed through the ooze and soothed the near dead creature.
"The last scholar to visit showed me how to ensure their death was pleasant and painless. My venom guarantees there is no pain, only bliss. As I grew, the poison only became more potent. Many creatures seek me out to have a taste and I taste some of them as well," it said matter-of-factly. It's voice was slowly becoming more distinct, and fluid. Each word flowed seamlessly into the next with an even legato.

"So little one... Are you here food or fun?" It hummed lyrically. It's smiling face was unreadable.

---

@Foxsoxs

---

Long before they ever reached Vescarim, Astrid felt it. It was the slightest resistance, like trying to wade through water, but it was there nonetheless.

Borders didn't really exist. People drew lines on maps, but you never saw them on the ground. There's no line clearly stating 'this patch of dirt is owned by so and so'. For Ódauðlegur, the line certainly existed. The grass didn't look any different. The plants and animals were busy and chattering. Nothing seemed out of place. But after one step, she knew where the line was. Unfettered magic had congealed in the air so thickly she could probably chew it; it had even seeped into the ground, which tugged at her with each step. She had never been to Vescarim, but she realized that an immortal lived there. Given how potent the magic was in these hills, they were probably very old, very powerful, or both. And, in all likelihood, probably ran the place too.

The magic in the area pushed against her gently, trying to nudge her away and back across the border. The land had been claimed by an immortal and it didn't want anyone else trampling through it. No more difficult than tear a sheet of parchment, she pressed onward with little effort. Her own magic recoiled against it, extending from her soul. She could feel the friction as it scraped against the invisible mass of raw magical energy pervading the air.

Marik seemed no worse for wear. He wasn't an immortal, but he carried himself like one. There was an easy confidence in the way he moved. One look and anyone knew that he was quite sure of himself.

Astrid had always been baffled at how quickly he healed, how he had survived fatal wounds, and how he didn't breathe when he slept. Grave spirits clung to him like flies on rubbish. Not even zombies garnered that kind of attention. It was spooky, even for her. Her talent for making friends was abysmal, however, so she stowed her curiosity and asked very few questions. Both had vital secrets and neither wanted to share. Astrid didn't know what she was or who her parents were. But she knew, intrinsically, that in some deep, dark corner of her soul, a spectre of the Blight made its home. It was a part of her and she felt she was a part of It, albeit a very small part of a much grander and more terrifying It. Thankfully, monster inside her couldn't come out. Not until she left this immortal's demesne.

The hills had flattened some, yielding to gentle steppes. The path was an easy one. Two parallel ruts in the ground marked the caravan highway. Small stone markers marked the edge of the road at a regular intervals. After traveling at length, they arrived at Vescarim. Black curls of Smoke billowed from the chimney of a few homes.
There weren't any guards per se, but there were quite a few people ambling around. As she was taking in the scenery, she felt a surge of power rush past her. Her stomach lurched and gasped for air, feeling as though she'd been sucker punched. A phantom sensation of falling sideways towards the town followed and left her feeling both dizzy and weirdly euphoric.

She struggled to focus her vision as the line of the horizon bulged then buckled in on itself, the ground rippled without shaking a single building. In the blink of an eye, a smudge of color in the distance rapidly increased in size and clarity as the world moved around it, like convey something from the background to the foreground of painting. Presently, a very large, exquisitely chiseled statue stood before her. She was awestruck for a moment, still trying to unravel what just happened.

Marik quirked an eyebrow at it, but only slightly. He seemed disappointed.

It took her a moment to recover her composure, but she quickly recognized the demonic statue. "Oh! It's... Vaettir!" She said smiling, although still a bit bewildered.
"What brings you to this village? You weren't terrorizing them with folk tales again, were you?" She teased jokingly. "I don't see anyone running and screaming, so it must be a good town." She beamed.
Vaettir fascinated her. Apart from being a creature of living stone, he was one of the few other immortals who deigned to speak with her and didn't try to impale her on a sword at every possible opportunity.
"Aah... Umm... What exactly just happened by the way? Was that some kind of spell you cast? I know a few speed charms, but nothing to let you move like that." Her mind was all too eager to get lost in thought and explore the magical phenomenon she'd witnessed.

Marik looked at Astrid, at the demon, and then at the longhouse down the road. He had already roughly guessed what happened. He glanced at Vaettir and gave a conciliatory shrug as if to say 'You got kicked out too, eh?'.

---

_{Collaboration by @Shiyonichi and @BurningDaisies}

---

The siblings walked into town, the snow under their shoes made squeaking sounds as the snow was crushed underfoot. There was quite a few villagers peeking out from their homes, that reminded Miyuki of a old western and Asuka could feel some aggression from a few of the villagers, but due to being tightly packed together, she couldn’t pick out which of the villagers the hostilities came from. Both of them would have liked to rest and Miyuki would have liked to plan out their next course of action. The sibling came to the village square, they spotted a pair of travelers that were here before them, but they left rather quickly, so they paid them no mind. They still needed a place to stay. Miyuki walked up to the biggest house and knocked on it’s door.

There was a nervous rustle, then a muffled thud. The door creaked open a hair, but it quickly pressed into its frame with a metallic knock, securing it firmly it place. Locked.

Asuka raised an eyebrow at just how fast the door was locked. Where just were extremely Xenophobic? Miyuki turned and motioned for her sister to follow, they should try another home.

A tall, thin man with dark circles under his eyes stepped into the path. Even his sunken cheeks and sickly pallor couldn't disguise his youth. Whereas the other villagers seemed older by a decade or more, he looked to be in his twenties, perhaps even younger. His skin, pale and yellowing, was stretched tightly over his emaciated frame. There were no hints of anything. Cords of wiry muscle clearly shifted beneath his skin as he trudged towards the sisters. He might have had an imposing stature in another life, but with the shoddy, pitted sickle leaning against his shoulder and an armful of dried herbs, he seemed little more than a half-starved scarecrow. His dull brown eyes drifted to Asuka. His gaze was intense but somehow distant as if focused on some faraway place behind her.

"Ena won't come out. Her husband..." he trailed off. There was no excitement in his raspy voice. Instead it was laden with a sense of mortal resignation one would normally expect from a man waiting to be hanged.
His world refocused slowly and he stared blearily, albeit more purposefully, at Asuka. His expression softened, as much as his tense face would allow. He appeared to have just recognized she existed. His eyes flicked to Miyuki.
"Ah," he breathed, realizing he had thought aloud near some strangers.
"Welcome to Jhorm," he said lethargically. "What brings you here?"
He made a deliberate effort to seem friendly, but he clearly had no energy. His flat expression cast a stark contrast to the hollow cheeriness in his voice.

”We’re just passing by, we wanted a place to stay for today and set off tomorrow.” Miyuki asked, slightly intimidated by the villager, they could obviously tell that the village was in some sort of trouble. Perhaps it would be best to leave quickly than waiting for the night, though Asuka spoke up. ”Excuse me, is there some sort of problem around town?”

“Problem?” he seemed genuinely confused. “No. The Witches of Ondwald safeguard this village.” From the way he spoke, it was obvious a ‘Witch’ was something to be revered, no different than the guardian spirit of a temple or forest. He slowly cast a glance between the two sisters, and raised an eyebrow. He opened his mouth to speak, but shut it again with a pensive look.
“Kessig may not like it,” he began. “But, you can stay in my home for the evening. It’s bad luck to turn away travellers.” he said matter-of-factly.
“Although, we don’t really use gold crowns or shells. Not much trade here. If you could spare some food, I could lend you a couple bunks.”

”Alright I think we can take that deal.” Miyuki reached into her bag at the left side of her belt. though it wasn’t actually to pull something out of she was actually opening her inventory. While magic didn’t seem like it would cause them to be burned at the stake, the sight of opening the item box was quite sinister as such she shouldn’t let anyone else see it or they might get mistaken for an evil Overlord. Of course Miyuki and Asuka were both humans and warriors, so they both carried around food, but as high level players, they carried around quite luxurious foods. Fancy meats glistening in the sun, pristine fruits and vegetables, that would have to be imported from elsewhere and even some oddities like ginseng and various cheeses. Miyuki asked ”This enough?” as she pulled out a well smoked ham, a couple of vegetables, and wheel of cheese all with quality that you would see at a royal banquet, not some town in the middle of nowhere.

His expression grew increasingly distraught as Miyuki produced exquisite foods one after another. His hurried voice lowered to a whisper “Please! Put them back!”
Frantic, he moved closer to obstruct the view of the items in her hands from anyone else. At first he seemed drunk on exhaustion and whatever sickness had stricken him, but now he was quite sober and his eyes were wide with terror.
“Just…” He struggled to find the words. “Just follow me. I’ll show you to my lodge.”

The sibling a little surprised at his suddenly declarations and after doing as he said followed him quietly. Needless to say they were quite on edge.

He lead them down the loamy path to a well-aged barn whose timbers were swollen with years of water damage and covered in streaks of green. Yet somehow the various supporting members seemed petrified in their old age and managed to support the vaulted roof. Much of the barn had interior additions, creating makeshift rooms and storage areas. There were no farm animals inside, but there were various farming tools and hunting supplies along the walls further in. He guided them to one of the unoccupied lofts which gave a view of the entrance through a slit in the wall of old boards.

He deposited his sickle and herbs in storage closet before approaching the sister in a hushed tone. “You cannot offer me something so valuable. The witches protect us, but also watch us. We give them offerings too, we must. But…” He swallowed nervously as if to gulp down a bad idea. “...You don’t want to attract their attention. That’s a dangerous trail to follow.”
“Ah! I’m Rolf,” he suddenly remembered. “My apologies. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to introduce myself as such.”

”We’re Asuka and Miyuki, Katsuragi. Nice to meet you.” They introduced themselves. Though, Asuka asked having absolutely no tact. ”So, is these witches the reason why the village is so… gloomy?” Of course gloomy was a bit of a understatement. Though Miyuki looked at Asuka and immediately knew why she was asking that. She rolled her eyes and silently casted an anti divination spell. She didn’t think anyone was spying on them right now, but better safe than sorry.

Rolf hadn’t reacted to the spellcasting, but he also hadn’t understand its purpose. No one in the village could begin to guess its function.
“It’s not gloomy. Not really. That’s just how things are. We’ve lived like this since I can ever remember” He spoke with surprising conviction, apparently content with his perceptions and way of life. “The village is much to look at sure, but it’s worse outside. I mean…” he hesitated. A question weighed on the edge of his tongue. “There are all sorts of monsters near the mountains. You must have seen them, haven’t you?”

“I have seen them, but is it better than to slowly waste away trapped here?” Asuka asked, with fire in her words.

“We’re not trapped,” he said almost as a question. Rolfs thin eyebrows wrenched upward in confusion. “We are free to leave, but it is safer to stay here. The witches protect us.”

”Look at yourself for a moment, You are grossly underweight. Chances are you’re not living to see your 30s. Is that really safe? Will your witches protect you from that?” Miyuki coldly added. This wasn’t a lie Miyuki had enough medical knowledge to diagnosis that at least.

“Don’t travellers just stuff themselves fat to survive long journeys?” he asked shaking his head. “You don’t understand. This is normal. My father was the same way. Besides... if the witches weren’t here, Jhorm wouldn’t be here either. It’s been that way for generations. We’re all raised by them until we’re old enough to work the fields or hunt. If we leave, we have to come back to raise children. If the witches leave, who will look after us? We’ll all die. That’s the truth of it,” he said firmly. An undercurrent of fear had crept into his words. He sighed and collected himself.

Asuka hooked her pinky finger and put it under his collar and then lifted him off the ground.

”I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” Miyuki began. ”You are a farmhand correct? However, you should be far more muscular and heavier as such my baby sister here should have more trouble lifting you up. The only way you can gain this kind of build is if you are not eating. Tell me where is your father? If he also worked as a farmhand he should have gotten enough exercise early on to have survived looking at your age.” Miyuki then lists the common symptoms of malnutrition and starvation. “Do they sound familiar? They should, any doctor should be able to tell you that you are starving, do you understand that most villages would be broken up and move somewhere else? You said that you were surrounded by monsters, yet you could have just moved the town further away. Heck you could probably grow more crops where it’s warmer. Do get what I’m saying? If you really weren’t trapped then why would you be staying in a place like this? The witches? If they were really out to protect you would allow you to stay here? They could have easily guided your people somewhere else, away from the monsters, now couldn’t they? Rather than leaving you here to starve and constantly fearing monsters. If you’re so sure that the witches are on your side, then why do you seem so terrified of them?“

Does she have any idea how hostile the frontier is? Scouts of the Fennlords kill have killed more than a dozen villagers in the past. North is bandit territory. And what even is a doctor? Some kind of healer or sage? Countless questions and ideas collided in his head, creating a wreckage of disparate trains of thought. He could even form any coherent words to defend himself.
Rolf didn't struggle. He kept calm, but a silent fury seethed inside him as Miyuki kept spouting nonsense. He knew now what Kessig meant when he said outsiders were dangerous. Not enjoying her repeated criticisms, his tense, red face barely concealed his acrimony.

“On second thought, you can keep the food,” he said defiantly, still hanging from Asuka's finger. The threads of his shirt were already weak and frayed. They tore apart under the constant strain with an audible rip. Rolf collapsed to the ground. He glowered at the two sisters in silence for a moment.
“Consider it a charity from a stupid farmhand who doesn’t know anything. Stay the night for free, or go as you please. Either way, just be gone by morning,” he said, obviously frustrated with the two of them.

He staggered onto his feet and left.

Miyuki called out to Asuka. ”Asuka, I know what you’re thinking and I know it’s crazy.” Asuka grinned. Jhorm was already rotting from the inside. As they said it would honestly be better to move at this point. Asuka whispered to Miyuki in a low voice to make sure nobody heard them.

”Let’s go destroy this town.”

@Mag Lev@BurningDaisies

---

Iva didn't react to being nudged, simply eyed the other travelers from a distance. They didn't seem to give them much thought. Understandable she supposed and not that she could spare the brain power to care. Nara had a point, too. Best not to get involved. Tiring, probably and they probably wouldn't take kindly to her...ah, eating which she was becoming increasingly aware that said eating was going to be a problem.

"Hmm..." Iva simply cast a neutral gaze towards Nara as she felt the world. She briefly wondered what it was like, feeling the forest so. Was it similar to feeling people, she wondered? Feeling their minds and how weak and fragile most seemed to be. Timid, a little fearful but otherwise content. The ones in Jhorm anyways. She cast a glance back towards the village as the other two travelers made their way into it. But as quickly as these thoughts surface, they once again, vanished. "Finals and Graduation?" Iva replied after a moment, deciding her feet had too much standing as she lifted herself off the ground, lounging idly in the air. "I miss my bed. I paid good money for the best one...such fluffy blankets..." She supposed she should head inland now, huh? She really didn't want to walk any further. She had already did more walking than she had in the past year just getting down the mountain and to Jhorm.

"Feel any tasty animals?" Iva yawned, seeming to almost fall asleep where she was floating. She'd follow Nara for now, wherever she was heading. She didn't have many plans herself as of now.

As other slime figures surrounded Masrith he found himslrf getting increasingly more nervous. His fingers tapped on his staff repeatedly as he thought of what to do next. Alright, just think this through. The creature is not like other slimes though it is similar. As far as I know, it ails to fire though this is only an assumption at best. It said the last time a scholar visited, this means she acknowledges me as a scholar. It's possible then that I could offer to teach something in exchange for my life. It doesn't know i could teleport so there isn't a need to freak out just yet. If i could convince it to let me summon one more friend or perhaps obtain the notes of this other scholar. Masriths eyes glanced to the dead human body.

I'm certain that is the scholar. Perhaps if I could summon an undead, his body could be used. If I could get a hand on his notes then I might feel more comfortable. As far as combat goes, if I could summon an elder lich, I would feel better. It secretes a poison that acts like a drug. I won't allow myself to fall prey to that. So long as I remind myself of the fate that awaits then I feel I could resist. An undead may also be able to resist since they are just bone and rotten flesh. I'm not sure how my Angels will handle this though. My armor has pretty good stats but this world is different.

Masrith looked around to ensure no slimes had moved closer to him. Well now, you didn't have to show me that you had more friends than I did but thanks for bragging. Masrith did his best to remain calm though his panicking thoughts ran rampant to degree. I would to say I wouldn't consider myself food. I have a feeling I know what happened to that scholar that taught you that ability. If you wouldn't mind though if you were to show me his notes, I'm sure I could make sense of it all. Masrith was hesitant on how to progress. His Angels were still on guard and as long as they followed orders then he would have a moment to cast a teleport spell. He would glance at his Angels for a moment to make sure they were fine. He waited nervously for the slime figure to respond.

---

@BKburke

---

Ever patient, the regal slime didn't move an inch. If it was calculating a response it didn't show. Green motes of light strobed through its body in a steady rhythm. Little branches of dim light forked endlessly inside it. All the while it's quite distinct features became more and more refined. It even started breathing. Pale colors flushed through the slime like paint carried by a current. Plumes of colors settled along precise lines and curves. Each second the slime more and more resembled a paragon of demi-humans. The sapphire of her eyes radiated from a thin reptilian slit and shimmered with alien intelligence. A warm blush brightened her perfect mimicry of skin. A ridge of tiny horns accentuated her crown as her nails sharpened to exquisite points. Twin geysers of pale starlight erupted from her back and congealed into feather-like streamers. They unfurled to either side of her like an angelic cape and fluttered like banners caught in the wind.

"Don't consider yourself food, you say?" It wasn't a question. Her lips curled with a hint of mischief.

The eerie transformation was little more than a parlor trick for the slime. It had been etching shallow runes into the floor around Masrith, completing an intricate magical circuit. It would have been difficult to see with a torch, but the brackish blue muck obscured it even further. They were defensive wards meant to erect a powerful barrier and suppress any magic within. Despite its docile facade, it was wary of the power is sensed from Masrith. It would activate the circle if he posed a threat, and it was already starting on a third layer when he inquired about the scholar's notes.

"His notes?" She giggled. "You misunderstand, little one. I have no need for scrolls and ink."
Her fingers uncurled to reveal a shimmering blue bead swelling from the skin of her palm. It slowly grew to the size of a tangerine. The gelatinous fruit was cloudy and veins of pale white light pulsed through it. "All of my guests have tasted this. The scholar called it the 'Fruit of the Gods'. You can feast upon history and insight of countless lives. Fragments of those who have offered themselves to me." She caressed it with a slender finger, thin streaks of light trailing behind her touch.

"A gift and a gamble. A challenge to see what you are, little one. Are you food or fun?" She smiled like the Sun. Power began emanating from her so strongly the surrounding slime rippled from its force. There was a shift in her demeanor as the queen strode toward the edge of the circle. She possessed an easy confidence one would expect from royalty--that the world was hers and no one could to refute her claim. It was a stark contrast to the endearing tone and amiable persona she maintained.
"Memories and magic distilled into a delightful morsel. If you endure its power, you can taste my past, and I yours. It is unlike anything this world can offer you." Her voice was gentle and hauntingly beautiful, but each word hummed with frightening power. A pact borne of magic crystalized into the slimy morsel.
"Have a taste, little one."

@BurningDaisies

---

Vaettir growled in annoyance when he noticed he had been played. No harm was done, but he didn't like when magic was used on him. Regardless of how insignificant it was. His growl only strained longer when he saw yet another Immortal. One he didn't have any ill will against, but not one that brightened his day. He shook his head at Astrid before replying to the woman. "I was making a deal with the witch that owns these lands. We concluded our business so she saw me out... Without my permission..."

The towering Demon Statue turned back, staring at the town in anger. The town folk didn't really mind him. Probably unafraid after seeing the power the witch had over him. If only they knew the power hidden inside him. After a few moments, he turned his gaze to the pair. While he didn't truly care, he never dropped an opportunity to talk to another. He really didn't have anything going for him right now anyway. "What brings you two here? Deals with the witch as well or simply seeking shelter. You both look, worse to wear."

Vaettir took a seat, crossing his legs. Leaning over to properly hear them.

@Rune_Alchemist@BurningDaisies

---

”Well, that would depend on your definition of ‘tasty’,” Nara said as she looked over at Iva, ”I doubt there are much more than animals for you to eat around here but that should be enough. Better than heading back to that village for a night time snack.” Nara fell silent quickly, closing her eyes and focusing on feeling the forest around them. This ability had barely gotten use in Yggdrasil, more useful for detecting ambushes and stealth than anything else but its function wasn’t quite how she remembered it to be. Truly Nature Sense allowed her to feel the forest and almost become one with it. The wind through the trees, the light step of animals in the forest; she could feel it all.

The tendrils of her mind spread through the forest and Nara quickly realized that it wasn’t quite what she had imagined. As she went further away, the senses dulled and came slower to her, the details muddled over the distance. She didn’t have much range to Nature Sense, at least not without honing it more and developing her control over it. However, she had neither the time nor the patience to do such training, Iva was hungry after all and it was better not to wait.

There were surprisingly many creatures in the area, though most of them were small and barely worth their time. A few deer were certainly a decent meal, for Iva at least. ”There are a few deer nearby, that should be a decent meal at least,” Nara pointed a bit off into the forest before continuing, ”At least a mile away in that direction. We should make their deaths quick. And consume all that you can, Nature doesn’t like waste.”

---

It was time to begin their plans to destroy Jhorm. There was nothing else to do this was the only option they had. Asuka activated an item, a face sized golden war-fan known as the <<Call of the Third Unification>> four Humanoid like creatures would come out from the shadows and bow before her, leaving after images in their wake. These were the four ninja type monsters Hanzō, Fuuma, Tobi Kato, and Kashin Koji. Like true ninja they remained bowing before their master, waiting for their orders. ”Kashin, please make it look like we’re sleeping.”

The Kashin would bow before putting it’s arms up simulating an ninja’s hands signs. Mist would form covering the room before collecting into two masses which would shape themselves into the sleeping forms of the sisters. ”Aki, have Kashin hide in the room and incapacitate anyone that tries anything to the illusions.” Miyuki told her sibling. Clearly not trusting of the villagers, especially since they managed to piss one off. Asuka told the Kashin which nodded and hid in the shadows. ”Fuma, go scout around the village. Fuman nodded it’s head and disappeared.

”Follow us.” Miyuki opened a gate to a snowy forest clearing somewhat far away from Jhorm. Asuka pulled out several scrolls and Miyuki prepared several spells of her own, casting enough spells to make them unable to be detected by physical or arcane means. They waited half an hour for the Fuma to report back, most of it was something they knew, but one detailed worried them. The part were the path from Jhorm and the nearest town worried them, as it would put a wrench in their plans, though they had a solution. Miyuki activated a spell, but not just any spell, a super tier spell, Valhalla. A dome of magic bluish white magic circles surrounded Miyuki, the icy wind howling as they waited in silence.

The magic array shattered as six figures descended from the heavens. They appeared to be black winged women with long platinum blonde hair and they were equipped with bluish silver plate armor with runes of a forgotten culture enscribed on them, which covered most of their features and was worn over a white gown. In one hand they held long golden spear which was as tall as they were, that held a leaf blade half the size of the shaft and held a diamond shaped ruby in it’s core. These women were the Sigrún, level 80 monsters with quite a few special abilities. The first ability were to summon 10 Warrior spirits each around level 10-20. Even if the summons were basically fodder to a Yggdrasil players, Miyuki and Asuka just needed a large quantity over quality. They had the Sigrún active it three times, giving them an company of 180 ethereal soldiers. Miyuki had the army on stand by and sent out three out of six of the Sigrún along with 50 Warriors to clear a path between Jhorm and the nearest city.

They ordered the Fuma to stay in hidden near the farmlands and food storage, then gave a message scroll to Tobi and told him to go look for what they wanted. The Tobi gave a wordless bow and disappeared. Finally they took the Hanzō and 30 Warriors with them. Both Miyuki and Asuka put on the Masks of Envy and alternative equipment to hide their identity. Using the information the Fuma gathered they casted a few more anti detection magics and marched towards the Witches of Ondwald.