[IC] [Mizos]The Tides of The Past[SanaChan][Take Two]

[SanaChan]

Mera was a little bit surprised when he suddenly pulled her close again, blushing this time as well. She had her hands on his chest this time since her hands had been t her face when he pulled her close but she gave a bit of a laugh before wiping at her eyes again, "It might look a little silly, but I suppose I don't have any problem with that," she muttered, "Honestly, though, I feel like such a child being ruled by my emotions this way," she sighed in slight annoyance and slight exhaustion, "I don't think I could be this way all the time. I wouldn't hardly be able to survive the day if I just let my emotions be so.. exposed all the time," she looked at him, "But I suppose it does provide a goal to work towards...." She didn't understand what she was truly feeling at that moment, but it was similar to how she felt before they went walking through the fair. But reality dawned on her as she thought about it. She looked down at his chest since that was what was eye level for her, "I suppose we should head back before Larel comes out here, as you said," she mumbled, "As oddly comfortable in this... position... that I am, I'm afraid if Larel caught us this way with me having just been crying like some infant over a broken toy, he would most certainly decide to misinterpret it because either of us had a chance to explain and I've had enough of fighting for sometime," She sighed heavily at that note. She looked back up at him, "Thank you for this, Alari," she murmured as she tried to dry her cheeks again, knowing even if there was five feet between them when they arrived, Larel might take a swing at Alari if she came back having obviously just been crying. She sniffed a bit, frowning at the fact her nose was running because of her crying, "How annoying..." she mumbled, not stepping back just yet. She wasn't going to tell him just how much she was finding she liked this sort of thing because undoubtedly she'd never hear the end of it. She saw a glimpse of color out of the corner of her eye and she rolled her eyes a bit seeing a rose coming out of the side of the tree, "And I'm going to have to work on not doing that," she sighed, shaking her head.

Hotaru had to admit she didn't totally understand all of what Rin said as she talked about why Larel didn't really understand his own feelings, but she sighed a bit. She was surprised at herself, but she didn't misinterpret the feelings she was having. She wouldn't state them as she realized she was being a child about such frivolous things, and now her mind was all a mess from having bit Eryn. Last thing she needed to do was open her mouth about not really liking that as an answer since for whatever reason at that moment she had been hoping for something a bit different, especially after Larel's initial comments. It had been rather exciting to hear that and then a punch to the gut to realize he had no idea what he had actually said. There was a bit of commentary in her head that had her pressing her fingers to her temples, sighing heavily as she just tried to think of something- anything else.
Eryn sighed a bit realizing the ideal to have there being two romantic couples fighting side by side against the evils of the world were going to go unrealized, "How sad," he murmured before looking towards the woods, hoping things were going alright, but quickly looked back so Larel's attention didn't go that way, not wanting him to go disturb whatever was happening, "Anyways, the fish is ready," He moved them off of the fire, holding one towards Rin since she was sitting closest to him, "Would you like one?" He asked.
Raina got up and went over towards him, snatching one before going back to her spot since she apparently made Larel so uncomfortable, though she was being a bit spiteful about it since he had been kind of rude overall about that point. Hotaru was twiddling her thumbs at that point, literally, before getting up and going over to Mary. She knew she couldn't really do anything in the healing department, but she wanted to see if there were any new signs of life coming around with her. She lifted her lid, but the color of her eyes hadn't changed, her face hadn't so much as twitched, yet she was breathing just fine.
"Careful," Raina warned her
"Why?"
"Mother accidentally pushed herself once while just trying to hone her skills more and, though she wasn't this bad, Nero ended up with a few broken bones when he went to check on her," Hotaru flinched a little at the mention of Nero and looked back to Mary. It was because of Sybil that Nero was gone, a fact Sybil was gloating over in her head. She grit her teeth a bit, standing up and pinching the bridge of her nose.
"She's even more obnoxious than before, how is that even possible?" she sighed aloud. Raina and Eryn both looked confused, having missed the previous chapter of Sybil's trip in Hotaru's head, "Is there any possible way to shut it up?" Hotaru looked at Larel, "Before I stab myself in the temple, preferably."
"Who?" Raina looked at Eryn but he just shrugged and it was obvious Hotaru was just a little two flustered to be bothered with an answer to them at that moment, "Whatever," Raina waved her hand with a sigh, to which Hotaru's eye twitched, "What is taking so long to get Mera back? I mean honestly," She stood up and started that way after the two of them, eating her fish as she walked.

[Mizos]

Alari smiled hearing Mera's response, he was sure there would come a time when it would happen and it brought him comfort to know there was someone he could lean on when that time came. He nodded in agreement about open emotions as keeping them exposed all the time was almost as exhausting as keeping them hidden. When she looked at him he found it was difficult to speak all of a sudden. With Mera's face being so close he found his heart was starting to beat even faster, but he didn't want to let go of her though he found he was losing track of the world around them. Mera was overshadowing his senses and he wasn't completely against it happening, However she reminded him of Larel which quickly brought him back, he let out a nervous chuckle at the remainder knowing she was absolutely right about it. This moment of absolute bliss had to end but he found it was difficult to actually move away from Mera. Hearing Mera's thank you only made it harder and caused his eyes to widen as his heart warmed at her words causing him to hold her even tighter. Alari was seriously considering taking the anger from Larel just for a few more moments like this, but he knew that wasn't right and with an extreme amount of regret he lowered his arms and took a few steps back.
"Why don't you head back first Mera, I'll gain more of Larel's wrath if I'm within a certain range of you," Alari said. "I'll be right behind you."
He pushed his glasses up as he closed his eyes, he could still feel Mera's warmth and he found himself blushing at the realization, he put his hand against a tree to keep himself up as everything started hitting him at once.
"I'm...gonna need a few minutes anyway," Alari said smiling a little.

Larel returned to his focus on the food which made Kaori grateful as he thanked Rin for the help, she only offered a nod in return keeping her attention ahead and on the forest. Kaori was glad to at least be learning new things, Alari only shared so much with him thus most of this was new to him. He was glad to learn more about Larel and the others but he was positive Larel didn't feel the same way so he chose not to voice it. When Eryn mentioned the fish Larel immediately grabbed the largest one with a thank you before digging into it immediately.
Rin glanced over at Eryn when he held the fish out to her, her eyes moving to the fish in his hands for a moment. She didn't really need to eat so there was no reason for her not to decline, but she reached over and took the fish from his hands.
"Thank you," she said before taking a bite of it.
Kaori grabbed a piece and smiled seeing Rin eating in silence, she really was like Alari minus the attitude he had that same expression whenever he offered him food, he ate it more out of politeness than hunger which showed his consideration.
Larel glanced over at Mary as Hotaru moved towards her, he listened to Raina's warning glad he chose to keep some distance from her but he was a little worried about Hotaru being that close and was a bit relieved when she moved away.
He noticed Hotaru flinch and his eyebrows drew down a little seeing it but when Hotaru spoke his normal expression returned to his face. He tilted his head a little at Hotaru as she asked him a question.
With a sigh Larel just shook his head ashamed he didn't have a ready solution to that inconvenience.
"Sorry Hotaru still looking for a way to fix that myself," Larel said. "All they can do is really talk for the most part, annoying as it is you just can't let it get to you. Zenmaru's told me to kill you guys about twenty-seven times for example."
"I was off by one," Rin said finishing her fish.
"I'm afraid Sybil's just going to keep talking, only reason Zenmaru is quiet is either because of Alari or our agreement. Aside from that she's constantly going on about something. Oh if there was a way to wear her out or satiate something in her she'd probably go dormant but I don't like the idea of...satiating Sybil."
"It's a good thing I was listening then."
Larel glanced behind him as Zenmaru rose out of his shadow in her human form, though it was just a female version of Larel in the end. Larel arched a brow as her face was pale, her black hair was disheveled and her clothing was a tad torn.
"What happened to you?" Larel asked.
Zenmaru looked at her clothing and snapped her fingers causing it to fix itself, Larel seriously started to wonder how the two of them could do that but left it alone knowing Zenmaru of all people wouldn't answer it.
"Anata was pretty rough if you must know," Zenmaru said. "You wouldn't tell from the way he looks how violent he can be," Zenmaru said putting a hand to her cheek and blushing.
"......Seriously what did you do in my shadow?"
"Nothing all that interesting, I tried to eat him he was rude and didn't want to be eaten so we got into a bit of a tiff, I got my arm, leg and head blown off he got cut by me multiple times and beaten near to death. If he had just minded his manners and died in an excruciatingly painful way like a gentleman there wouldn't have been a need for that."
"....I suppose just be glad she can't do this," Larel said pointing at Zenmaru. "Then you get to hear her inside and out."
"That's rude I actually came out just to help Hotaru."
".....really," Larel said his eyes narrowing a bit at her words.
"Of course now listen Hotaru the easiest way to shut Sybil up is just to let her take over, then you won't have to hear her anymore problem solved."
Larel just started at her along with Kaori their faces completely blank, Rin sipped her tea ignoring her which caused Zenmaru to tap her chin a puzzled expression crossing her face.
"You know I was just joking right?" she said smiling.
Kaori felt that no part of that was a joke but he didn't want to be used as a seat again so he didn't say anything.
"Anyway Hotaru by now you should know that Youkai love doing one thing in particular, aside from maiming, devouring and the such and that's manipulation. I mean you haven't lived until you've made an entire village kill themselves by spreading ill rumors. It sounds boring but watching them tear each other apart is surprisingly entertaining. Even more so when they find out it was all a lie, it's so much fun."
"Your sense of humor is sick," Rin said.
"I'll take that as a compliment, anyway if you don't succumb immediately Sybil she'll just try other things, she'll pick at your deepest darkest secrets and regrets to make you doubt yourself. I of course am telling you this because there is no way to stop it...without negotiation or force. Sybil is intelligent and crafty but I doubt she'd deny negotiation, I mean she can't do anything in you as you are and she must want something, do take note that she's crafty so if that doesn't work force her down. I've lived in Larel for over ten years so I've grown fond of him thus I'm willing to sacrifice for his sake and our agreement is minor."
"Yeah and all it took was multiple traumas you make me relive in my nightmares every night," Larel said taking a bite out of his fish.
"Well yeah if you went and forgot we wouldn't have all our memories together," Zenmaru said kneeling down and wrapping her arms around Larel's neck from behind. "You'd miss them and you know it."
Larel sighed and made motion with his hand causing Zenmaru to look behind her, she shrugged and sunk back into his shadow causing it to expand a little.
"I'm sorry about that but I'm afraid I don't know how to make her stop, much as I don't like admitting it Zenmaru does have a point as that's how i handled it. Granted the first few years we were together I dealt with some...pretty messed up stuff..."
Larel seemed to trail off at that but he quickly came back and looked at Hotaru.
"I was a kid then so you have that advantage over me, just don't let her get to you. We can do some research to find a way to make her stop or destroy her, maybe I'll find something too."
Larel glanced to his right and sighed before turning his attention forward.
"Zenmaru says you look very nice today by the way, she could just devour you...I'm afraid she means that literally so feel free to ignore that."

[SanaChan]

"I swear, with the amount of dramatic actions between you, Larel, and Kaori, you must be related by blood," Mera sniffed a bit, smirking at him as she made one last attempt at wiping off her cheeks, "I'll head back then, but do be careful. We don't know what could be lurking out here," she mumbled before walking forward, going back towards the camp. She ran in to Raina as she stepped out of the woods and the two exchanged a look that wasn't very pleasant, "Trying to spy on things that are none of your concern?"
"Just wondering what was taking so long. I couldn't imagine you had enough emotional capacity to take that long to get your act together," Raina said to which Mera rolled her eyes, "Where's your boyfriend?"
"What exactly is it that I've done that has made spiting me your life's goal?"
"Acting like you're better than me. You didn't deny he was your boyfriend?"
"I am better than you though, so it's not an act. You've never bested me in a fight."
"That's because you've always used that damned magic of yours."
"I treated you as I would any other foe, why should I do anything less?"
"If you didn't use it, I could definitely beat you," Mera's eyes glinted at what she said.
"Some other time I'll let you test that out," She walked around Raina and went over towards Mary, crouching next to her. A small vine wrapped around Mary's wrist as Mera looked at the clear frustrated Hotaru, who hadn't found any of that conversation helpful in the slightest, "What's happened here?" she asked, looking over to Larel.
"I made the mistake of thinking Zenmaru would be helpful," Hotaru growled a bit, "That damned demon's voice hasn't stopped for the past twenty minutes and I'm not in the slightest bit thirsty so that's not the problem. She's much more vocal than last time, much more rooted in my head, and is getting in places I would prefer her not to be," She put her hands to her head, shaking it, "She's been making snide comments this whole conversation, including about Zenmaru having the creativity of a child if the village bit was her idea of amusement," She waved her hand towards Larel's shadow, "She's not sitting here telling me to do anything, but she won't stop talking and it's so damned annoying," She growled again, closing her eyes, wishing she could shut it up.
Mera took a deep breath, "If it's not one thing, it's another," she mumbled before a vine wrapped around Hotaru's arm and pulled her so she was sitting down, "Getting agitated only fuels her more, I'm sure, and probably is allowing her to increase in volume and making her more tangible in your mind," she crossed her arms, "Focus on calming yourself down and stay more.... positive, and maybe she'll be about as annoying as a fly buzzing in your ear," she suggested, "This is merely an idea that seems like a decent one to try since we need to make you a new cloak before we can go traveling in the day time."
Hotaru huffed a bit, yanking her arm away from the vine and crossed her arms as she glared at the ground, sitting cross legged. As stupid as the idea sounded, or as stupid as Sybil said it sounded, she was willing to give it a shot. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she just tried to shut her out.
"While that's happening," Mera looked over at Larel, "I see you've gotten a substantial amount of food this morning, if you're still hungry, I'm sure I can help with that to avoid more unnecessary dramatic performances today," she said.
Raina was glaring at her from where she was standing, hating how Mera just seemed to command the space without actually commanding anything. She would have left by now if she wasn't concerned about Mary, but as soon as the runt was awake, she was out of there. And after she kicked Mera's ass. Since the challenge had been made, she couldn't let her just walk away from it. Then something else dawned on her and she decided to point out, "You avoided the question again by instigating me in to that fight, didn't you?" She put her hands on her hips.
"I haven't got the slight clue what you're talking about," Mera said innocently

[Mizos]

Alari nodded to Mera before he watched her walk away, once she was a fair distance away he fall his knees as he leaned more against the tree. That was almost too much for him, he needed to take his time in regaining himself before he walked back there. Once he felt alright he started on his way back before he noticed the rose, a small smile formed on his face remembering Nero's words as he picked up his pace a bit.
Larel looked over seeing Mera was back, he scanned her looking for any signs of a struggle or harm and thankfully he didn't see anything out of place, her clothing seemed a tad ruffled but not enough to be concerned as it could have ended up that way from her walk. When Hotaru spoke of Zenmaru Larel let out a weak chuckle as that was how it normally was, seeing Mera take charge of the situation and help Hotaru calmed him down a little. Though Larel was glad she was back he admitted he was worried for her as Eryn had mentioned that little tidbit earlier, his attention snapped to Kaori however who was in utter bliss now that his 'angel' was back.
"Rin are you still not going to tell me anything about Alari," Larel said looking at her.
"What do you want to know?" she responded looking at him.
"Oh...well if you're in a talking mood again what's his relationship with me?"
"He's your father."
Larel believed his sense of humor was a bit off from normal people on occasion but staring at the blank faced Rin he seriously wondered if there was a joke he wasn't getting.
He started to respond to her but he ended up glancing to his right as Zenmaru spoke to him.
"I'm not going to ask Hotaru to deliver your message to Sybil," Larel said before he finished off his fish. "I don't care what you want to say no."
Larel turned his attention forward and let out a long sigh especially since Rin had turned back towards the fire again. When Mera spoke to him his attention immediately focused on her thus he didn't noticed Alari drawing closer.
"I wish I could say I'm okay for now but I'm positive I'll just get hungry again later so I won't turn it down." Larel said. "I would appreciate it Mera-sama."
He had caught what Raina had said earlier but he just decided to keep the information to himself and just keep an eye on her.
"At least your honest with your hunger," Alari said with a smile as he fully returned.
"Welcome back Oji-san, I forgot to say that earlier."
Alari gave a gentle smile before speaking.
"I'm back," he responded.
"Not you again couldn't you have stayed in the forest," Larel said a sense of dread overtaking his hunger.
Larel's shadows twitched and started to rise but Alari made a quick motion with his finger causing Larel's seal to light up, the seals immediately restored themselves and the shadows return to normal.
"I think Zenmaru's been active long enough," Alari said lowering his hand. "Anyway Rin I think it's time for you to go, come on."
Rin nodded and finished her tea before standing up, Larel stood up seeing her body start to glow before he held his hand out.
"Hold on a second Alari, that girl said something earlier I want an answer too."
Alari looked at Rin who just shrugged at him, Alari made a motion with his hand to go ahead causing Larel to clear his throat.
"Are you my father?"
Alari believed that his sense of humor wasn't completely on par with those a generation before him and looking at Larel's face as he asked this question made him wonder how bad it really was.
"Yes," Alari said causing Kaori to gasp. "Is what Kaori wants me to say."
"Aw," Kaori said hanging his head a little.
"However the answer is no," Alari said before looking at Rin. "What have you been telling him?"
"I'm not that good at changing the subject," she responded.
"Well yeah but that's a bit much right?"
"It was father or mother," Rin said. "That or an ex lover."
"Mother in this case is actually more believable than father," Alari said shrugging his shoulders. "I'm going to ignore that last part."
"Hello our conversation isn't over," Larel said pointing at Alari. "We have a moment of rest before we have to move again and I know you won't talk then. At the very least tell me one thing I don't know you know about me...I mean you came out of my shadow that's...that's new and an invasion of my privacy, at the very least I want something."
Alari sighed and adjusted his glasses before motioning for Rin to sit back down which she did before going to make more tea.
"Anyone want chamomile tea," Rin asked looking around.
"Me," Kaori said holding his up.
"Alright listen closely Larel I'll tell you something I know about you."
Larel leaned in a little as Alari tilted his head causing the glare to cover his glasses as he searched for the right words, he turned his gaze fully to Larel causing the sun to glint off his glasses as he responded to him.
"I know your three sizes," he said before calmly sitting back down on his knees.
".....huh? you what?!" Larel exclaimed reaching over and grabbing the front of his kimono. "How do you know that?"
"You seem to forget I'm a doctor, how do doctors normally figure that out."
"...you...you inspected me."
"Top to bottom," Alari said adjusting his glasses before removing Larel's hand. "You're a growing young boy it's good to get checked every now and then especially with Zenmaru in you. You are human so a demon presence can have an adverse effect on your body, well more than your dark black hair, yellow eyes and fangs."
"I don't have any memory of it....when did you do it?"
"This fish looks delicious," Alari said turning and grabbing a piece. "Thanks to whoever obtained it."
"Good one Alari," Rin said having Jin heat up another cup not wanting to bother Hotaru. "I'll try that next time."
"Don't casually change the subject when did you do it. Do you realize how private that is you're beyond forgiveness at this point Wisdom."
"Larel's so sensitive," Kaori said smiling causing Larel to glare at him.
"You put a naked painting of me up in a tavern," Alari said taking a cup from Rin. "I'm the one beyond forgiveness after you did that."
"Ah..." Larel said averting his eyes remembering that. "Well it's not like that was the real you right, I mean it was just Kaori's painting."
"It was surprisingly close," Alari said his eye twitching a little. "Do you know how embarrassing it was to take that down with all those people watching. Even more so that Kaori got that close barely knowing me."
"Larel and Oji-san are always so lively when they're together," Kaori said smiling.
"You have fault in this Kaori," Alari said glancing over at him. "Don't pretend you're not involved in this."
"Yeah don't act all innocent," Larel said staring at him. "You got one of me too don't you?"
"Ahaha...haaaa," Kaori let out with a bit of nervousness. "Ah this fish looks delicious."

[SanaChan]

Mera nodded when Larel consented that he needed more to eat before looking out towards the woods, concentrating. It felt much better to be able to connect to the earth again and her lift was definitely easier not having to try so hard to do something this simple. She found a catch, looking over at Hotaru and Eryn, "Prepare to preserve some meat, whatever he doesn't end up eating this time," She said with a slight yawn before the ground near the fire opened up, a thick vine pulling out a boar and dropping it.
"Oh that won't take anytime at all," Eryn sighed though Hotaru seemed a bit eager to stab something and started carving it up. Eryn was grateful not to be getting his hands dirty but he was keeping an eye to make sure she stayed calm since that was what Mera had said would probably be the way to keep Sybil away and he really didn't want to deal with Sybil if she was bad enough to get under Hotaru's skin the way she did.
However, all three of their attention went to the conversation when Alari mentioned Larel putting up the painting and Hotaru blinked as Kaori clearly had one of Larel.
"I'll pay you to give it to Hotaru," Raina said and Hotaru turned beat red before growling at Raina.
"Shut up or I'll make you shut up," Mera narrowed her eyes at her sister, "I just said she needed to stay calm and getting her riled up does not help with that."
"Oh shut up. I'm not one of your little worshippers, so you barking orders at me doesn't-" Raina gasped as a vine shot up, grabbing her leg from behind and yanking her leg out, causing her to hit the ground face first.
"Stay," Mera said curtly before looking back over as Eryn started putting pieces of meat on sticks to cook while everyone was working on the fish, "Well, as great as this conversation is, we should devise a plan for when the sun goes down. We can't stay in the woods for long since I'm sure it's making Larel uncomfortable, but we can't go back the way we came. Should we try and find another village?"
"I hate to ask it since I'm sure there's not a... exact answer but where is our end destination?" Eryn asked
"I don't necessarily have one," Mera said honestly and Hotaru looked at the flames, not really sure if she had one either, "I would prefer a place where I can go back to relaxing and minding my own business as I had been before to be honest," she sighed, remembering the lovely years of solitude. She turned her attention to Mary, the vine on her wrist going up a little more as she was trying to get a feel for anything going on with her sister. Everything vital seemed to be working correctly She sighed a bit, putting her hand to her chin as she tried to think of a way to see what was going on in her sisters mind, "Are you lost, little one?" she murmured, lightly touching her sisters hair.
Hotaru sat back a bit as she finished with the boar, "Guess I should go wash my hands," she mumbled, realizing she had the pigs blood all over her, "Be back in a minute," she stood up and started in to the woods towards where she heard the water.
"Any suggestions for directions, lady and gents?" Eryn looked over at the others, smiling lightly as he was trying to change the odd conversation they were having since it just seemed Larel was asking the same question and getting weirder answers every time. It was amusing at first, but he was guessing that eventually he was going to start getting rather annoyed about that fact.

[Mizos]

Kaori shook his head at the very thought of passing his artwork along, there was no point giving his artwork to the person unless they paid for it themselves, he firmly believed that. Seeing Raina fall down face first he decided to hold that comment in. He looked over at Larel who was staring at the boar with wide eyes while Alari put his hand on Rin's shoulder. The moment he did Rin's body dissipated and the energy that remained flowed back into Alari's body, his eyes twitched for a moment but he let out a relieved sigh before a talisman appeared where she once stood. Alari grabbed it and dropped it in the fire before watching the flames destroy the paper, he didn't intend on using that method again so it'd be for the best to just get rid of the talisman. Larel tried not to smile seeing Raina taken down by Mera but at the mention of the woods he reached up and gripped his head with both hands, he had completely forgotten he was in them with everything going on. His shoulders drooped and he hung his head as the reminder stuck at the front of his mind.
Larel and Alari looked over at Mera when she went over to Mary as they discussed their direction, when Hotaru got up to go wash her hands Larel raised one of his own before speaking.
"Be careful it wouldn't be surprising if Youkai were still around," Larel said.
"You could go with her if you're worried," Alari said.
"Yeah and leave you alone with Mera-sama you'd want that wouldn't you? Hotaru can handle herself while I keep my eye on you."
"We wouldn't be alone," Alari said shaking his head.
"No...but they don't understand the extent of evil oozing from you, those honeyed words of yours won't work on me."
Alari sighed before looking at Eryn hearing him speak, he smiled glad he was willing to change the conversation before he stood up and pulled out his book, Alari brought his hand to his chin his eyes narrowing a little. Larel noticed the sudden shift in Alari's aura as he focused his attention on the book flipping the pages with one hand.
Kaori looked at Jin who just hopped on his lap and got comfortable, Kaori shrugged his shoulders before speaking.
"I don't know my way around here sadly, I'm just drifting along with Oji-san," Kaori said.
"I know of a few villages but I don't recognize the area so I don't know if they're around here," Larel said. "Zenmaru's the same."
"If this is the right area on the map which I think it is I see a few villages around here," Alari said turning another page."There's a fishing village to the north that's pretty close, its serves as a port as well."
"You mean the places near water where ships are right?" Kaori said. "I've been to one of those before."
"Yeah and judging by the stream there's probably a river nearby which they use towards their livelihood. They normally have other shops there and places to sleep for travelers so that's good. There seem to be villages around it as well, only bad side is unless we wanted to take the long way around going further north would mean going on boat. It looks like the closest place by only about an hour or so less if we don't walk. With a bit of effort we could even make it seem like we headed towards the village to the east since it's about a day's walk. It seems like-"
Alari stopped talking and for a moment his expression darkened as he stared at the book, Larel arched a brow before Alari turned the page again.
"Actually never mind the fishing village there's a village to the west though it looks like it's about half a day's walk, oh there's one that's northeast that's just a little further than the northern village. I'd recommend that one. There could be others but I don't have them written down."
"...why not just the northern one?" Larel asked.
"The villages around it are a long distance away from each other, and there's no need to ride a boat further north," Alari said turning another page.
"Oji-san..." Kaori said. "Um...that's not a very good reason."
Alari closed the book and put it back in his sleeve, what happy mood he had seemed to fade at the possibility but he closed his eyes and smiled again regaining his composure with a quickness that made Larel slightly uncomfortable.
"Well those are the villages I know about," Alari said sitting back down. "I'll accompany whichever direction we go."
"Well I'm following Mera-sama so whichever direction she chooses works for me," Larel said.
"I'm following you," Alari said adjusting his glasses.
"I'm following Oji-san," Kaori said.
"Stalkers," Larel mumbled turning his attention back to the boar.

[SanaChan]

"Well even so, we'll have to wait. But once we get to the village we'll be able to move at normal pace again because we can purchase either a new cloak or I can make a new one so that Hotaru can move during daylight hours," Mera said as she rubbed her forehead, feeling kind of exhausted again. She knew of two particular little cretins that could help with Mary but after they put the cuffs on her, she wasn't particularly sure she wanted to trust them with that. However, she made the mistake of thinking of their names before having come to the final decision on that matter. In their realm, it was the same as calling on them. She opened up her eyes with a sigh as the twins appeared in front of her, their staves jingling due the rings that hung off of them.
"You called?"
"Not necessarily," Mera sighed, "I was deciding on whether or not I wanted to try and put up with you two or not."
"We're the only ones-"
"-You can take you-"
"-to where she is."
She rubbed her forehead again as they chimed in turn to finish the thought, "What do you mean where she is and one of you speak at a time, none of the finishing each other's thoughts mess, I'm really not in the mood for it," she said shortly.
The twins sighed dramatically before Rapide decided to answer, "People like your sister have access to other planes of being," she explained, "There are very few that can traverse as they please, which is not something she has achieved yet. However, because of the load she put on her mind, her consciousness was sent to one of those other planes so that she wouldn't get in the way of her own recovery," she said shaking her head
"That waking earlier was her attempt to return," Hayate said, "The only problem is her attempt failed. Her mind has recovered enough that she can exist in it, but you would have to go retrieve her consciousness so that she can wake."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Mera raised a brow at them, clearly willing to do whatever that was.
"We would put your consciousness in to the realm in which she is and you would have to find her and bring her to the exit."
"What do you mean find her, though. You're making it sound as if it's a maze of some sort."
"Different planes have different appearances," Rapide said
"Her's could very well be a maze."
"You won't know until you go there what she's experiencing."
"Might be some scary woods," The twins grinned at Larel as they said that.
"Of course, he might be too scared of her to actually go help her even if she was in a field of daisies," Rapide laughed as Hayate made a dramatic hand gesture, putting the back of his hand to his forehead.
"He could always be their watchdog whilst they go in to her head."
"True, if we send him or mean old Taru their extra passengers might show up as well."
"And by the way," they turned to Mera, "You cheated."
"I didn't want to play in the first place. Now what is the exit."
"Gods, if we tell you everything, we might as well do it for you," They sighed in disdain and her eye twitched, like she was restraining herself from murdering them, "So who's all aboard the ship to go sail in to the other realm and save Mary's mind?" they asked, looking around the circle.
Eryn swallowed and stood up, "She would come looking for any of us in a heartbeat, so I will and I know Mera will."
"Are you saying you don't think I will?" Raina growled, having sat up, her face red as she held her nose.
"You prefer your targets be tangible," Mera said simply, "We don't even know what we'll find in there."
"Exactly," the twins grinned, "It's a mystery!"
"I won't ask anyone else to come along," Mera shook her head, "It's my duty to protect my siblings and I've failed thus far-"
"Mera, my dearest sister," Eryn walked over and lightly hit her over the head, causing her to have quite a look of shock on her face, "Please stop with the martyrdom," he sighed, "I already said I'm coming. I didn't exactly aid in protecting dear Mary and so it's time I chipped in on something other than your dreadful fashion sense," She narrowed her eyes a bit, "I'm sure Larel would love to come protect his master, but we've also made it clear Zenmaru might come out... differently in the realm, since it's our consciouses that are going along, not our physical selves," he looked over at Larel, "So how bout you just make sure no one kills us while we're gone, hm?"
"Like anyone would truly waste the strength to come after you," Hotaru muttered as she returned
"Such a brute," Eryn sighed to which the fire responded by increasing in intensity and size, "I don't understand why you get so upset over that, you're the one going around using your strength as your means of getting what you want. And you have zero eloquence when you talk," he said to which the fire started to change colors as it was getting hotter.
"Eryn stop speaking if you're wanting to survive this," Mera sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose

[Mizos]

Alari nodded at Mera's words and returned to looking through his book, Larel didn't mind waiting knowing Hotaru had trouble moving in sunlight but he was going to need a distraction for the time being. It seemed that opportunity came when the twins popped up, Kaori blinked a few times remembering the twins from the hill and Alari smiled seeing the two again, Larel on the other hand just stared in silence, he glanced to his right as Zenmaru explained one of their previous encounters, he nodded a few times before looking back at them as they explained what was going on with Mary.
Alari seemed to write in his book as they spoke taking in the information, he seemed to stop writing when they mentioned different planes of being but started up immediately after. Larel wasn't paying much attention to the conversation of the two however the moment he heard the mention of woods his attention shot to them, he glared at the two and though he wanted to respond sadly they weren't exactly wrong. Physical or consciousness he didn't want to be near Mary though he didn't mind her coming back. Larel started to get up flexing his hands but Alari held his arm out which caused him to stop.
"They're helping us Larel and they're not wrong, last thing we need is Zenmaru or Sybil getting out," Alari said. "I know you want Mary back too since she is Mera's sister."
Larel grit his teeth but sat back down, Alari listened to the twins closing his eyes for a moment as they asked who would be coming along.
Hearing Eryn's words towards him Larel sighed but he had a point and since it wasn't Alari saying it he could put up with it, protecting Mera's body was still protecting Mera after all.
"Fine I'll stay here," Larel said. "Make sure to bring Mary back...take your time though."
Alari stood up and removed his glasses before putting them in the small container he kept in his sleeve, after putting them fully away he looked at the twins.
"I'll be coming along as well," he said before looking over at Mary. "I share responsibility in why she's like this so I want to help bring her back, it wouldn't do to stand back while my friend is like this...she's tried hard and I appreciate her help more than words can express so I'd like my actions to do so."
"Yeah that's not happening," Larel said standing up. "I don't want your consciousness anywhere near Mera-sama's Alari."
".....you understand how silly that sounds right," Alari said ruffling his hair.
"I don't care how silly it sounds, I'm not going to sit here and let you do that, Mera-sama and Eryn should be enough to bring Mary back, you don't need to-"
"Larel," Alari said before reaching over and putting his hand on his shoulder. "Be quiet."
"Wha don't tell me to-"
"Larel I'm going to help my friend, please don't interfere."
Alari smiled and Larel's body physically flinched his eyes widening in fear as his face suddenly paled as he looked into his eyes, he shook his head and knocked his hand away taking a step back.
"I...uh...you..."
"How about I answer one of your questions," Alari said. "I'll choose which one to answer but I'll give you an answer to one, an honest straightforward answer."
Larel looked at the ground before crossing his arms, he let out a small 'tch' before nodding.
"Good," Alari said before turning towards Mera. "I'd still like to come if you'll permit me."
"I wanna come too," Kaori said standing up. "Mary-chan's my friend, I mean if there's something violent in there I can't help but it'll be easier with more people right. Let me come along. Please."
"Kaori..."Alari said looking back at him.
"Mary-chan always smiles whenever she sees me and she's fun to talk too, I wanna say thanks to her so I want to help bring her back."
"That is true," Larel said. "I mean I've never seen anyone smile at you, besides Alari and his are probably fake."
"Thank you for that Larel..." Kaori said. "I wanna go though, I...I can be strong and help find her."
Alari brought his hand to his chin before his eyes widened for a moment, he clapped his hands together before turning to the others.
"Please let him come, now that I think about it I'd rather not have Kaori near our unconscious bodies...especially if his...uh artistic side awakens."
"OJi-san I wouldn't..." Kaori said trailing off as he tapped his cheek with his finger. "Actually I didn't even think about that, I mean Larel will stop me from Mera-dono...but Oji-san will be open...no Mary-chan's more important...I can always get it later."
"Yet you wonder why no one smiles at you," Larel said shaking his head. "I'm more than willing to keep you all safe, having Hotaru nearby will keep it from being boring too, go on then."

[SanaChan]

The twins grinned, pleased with the results, "Alright, this shall be quite interesting," They laughed to themselves before moving the four in to a group and stood on either side of them. They held up their staves, the ground beneath the group starting to glow.
"Huh," Hotaru put her hands on her hips as she watched them before looking at Larel, "I imagine sitting here for forever and a day is going to still be boring, cause from their level of amusement it's going to be hard," she motioned between the twins.
They were focused on what they were doing and didn't respond to Hotaru's comment. Within a few seconds the light died around the group and the twins gave a thumbs up, "They're in." Their bodies were suspended in the air by some force so that they didn't all collapse when their consciousness left.
"So how will the find the exit?" Hotaru asked
"It's kind obvious."
"We just wanted to make it sound like it wouldn't be."
"You two are obnoxious," She sighed.

Mary looked around as they came out on the other side, gritting her teeth a bit as she realized they were in exactly what the twins had predicted. All around them were dead and decaying trees, their branches like hands waiting to snatch them up. It was cold, the air stale, and the world in a never ending darkness, "Mary!" She called out before Eryn grabbed her arm
"We're not alone in here and you know it," he hissed, "Let's try and not draw the attention of whatever else is here while we're trying to find her," he chided before they both looked up hearing crying echoing in the air.
"Let it come," Mera said firmly, looking at her brother, "If it's coming after us, we can deal with it. Less to haunt Mary," she swatted his arm off before hurrying down the only visible path, looking around for any signs of her sister, the crying continuing to echo.
"Scarlet Amera," Eryn groaned, "That could be a trap, a trick to lure you right in," He said as he hurried after, seeming quite put off by his sister's abrupt attitude, "We've got Alari and Kaori here to help, there's no need to be so stubborn."
"Eryn," Mera looked at him, holding up her hands like she was trying not to strangle him, "Mary has been in this wretched place who knows how long. If this place is capable of figuring out what to use to lure us, it probably is just as capable of using our fears against us, and that means she's been facing her nightmares since last night," She said before motioning down the path, "This is the only real way forward and there's no way she would run out in to those trees-"
"Not if she had a choice, but as you said she could have been facing her nightmares and we both know she'll run like hell in any direction rather than face that," Eryn said shortly, the siblings patience growing short with each other.
"We sure as hell can't split up in this place," Mera said firmly, "If we get lost and none of us find her, then we're all stuck here," She turned and started more firmly down the path, towards the source of the echo,
Eryn threw his hands up, before looking at the other two, "Don't tell me the two of you agree with her? I need someone to talk some sense in to her before she goes charging off in her not so unusual fashion," he pointed after her.
"You're the one needing some sense knocked in to you," Mera called back, further down the path. He turned and hurried after her again when he realized she was getting to a darker area before he skidded to a stop seeing her, "Mera?" he blinked, not sure if he was seeing her right. She turned around, except it wasn't the Mera that had just been there but a younger version of her, one missing a few of the obvious signs of wear, "Okaaay, so there's why we don't want to get separated," he took hold of Mera's arm, "And that explains why that crying is such a familiar pitch," he said, looking around, hoping the other two didn't get too far behind.
"Let go of me," Mera tried to get her arm away from his hand. but he held fast, not wanting to see Mera go too far back in to her past. Her hair at this stage was only half way down her back, which meant the point in time when it had gotten all cut off wasn't too far back and that Mera was much less cordial and much more likely to act rashly.

[Mizos]

Larel watched the scene his eyebrows arching as they were put into Mary's consciousness, he still wasn't comfortable with Alari going in there and Zenmaru informed him that there was a good chance if he tried to search Alari's body while he was unconscious that he'd probably be cursed. He just hoped they would be able to find her and get back, he could care less about Alari and Kaori but he was worried about Mera. He was only concerned for Eryn because he was Mera's family...well that and the festival but that was a whole other matter so he decided not to count it.
"I guess that means they're going to be a bit," Larel said sighing. "Hey Jin why don't you show some memories to pass the time."
Jin yipped at Larel and he glanced to his right as Zenmaru translated for him, basically it was a very solid and absolute no. Larel shrugged his shoulders before taking his sword off and sitting on his knees, he set his sword in front of him horizontally and rested his hands on his knees as he got comfortable.
"Alright you don't have to show it, don't expect any boar though," Larel said to Jin. "May as well get comfortable Hotaru."

Alari looked around at the forest his eyes narrowing a little at the idea of Mary being in a place like this, Kaori was visibly shaking but he was keeping his attention forward keeping an eye out for Mary. Alari knew it was out of fear and the cold, since he could only resolve one he did as such and put the top of his kimono over Kaori. The two followed after Eryn and Mera deciding not to intrude on the conversation, though they did note the crying didn't help the already dark atmosphere. Kaori clung to Alari's arm but kept up with him as they walked, Alari didn't like the idea of traps being put out for them he expected resistance but in this dark trying to anticipating movement was going to be difficult, Alari started to wonder if this place truly could use their own fears against them, if so he wanted to resolve this quickly.
"Oji-san...you don't think our fears will really be used against us...right?" Kaori asked. "Well you're not afraid of anything so it doesn't matter but I'm worried on my end."
"I'm not sure how this place really works Kaori so I don't know," Alari said. "Regretfully even I have fears too Kaori, just don't forget who you are while you're in here and it'll be fine."
"Why?"
"....just a hunch," Alari mumbled.
The two stopped when Eryn spoke to them about agreeing with Mera before looking at each other, when they turned back they noticed Eryn chasing after Mera, they picked up the pace to keep up with him slowing down when they encountered the younger Mera, the two tilted their heads and Alari squinted his eyes a little for conformation but that was definitely Mera.
"Adorable."
The word slipped out of Alari's mouth before he could think causing him to wave his hand as an apology as Kaori just stared, his fear had sadly taken over what happiness came from this.
"Uh...why does Mera-dono look...younger?" Kaori asked. "Wait does that mean if you run ahead you'll get younger Oji-san, you should do so I want to see you when you're younger."
"I don't think any of us need to see that," Alari said curtly. "Much as I enjoy an even more adorable Mera why don't we proceed carefully at a brisk pace. We don't know what's ahead of us and if something happens to us...well that would leave Mary in a predicament as no one else can come in here."
"Larel and Taru-chan can't come in because of their inner people," Kaori said remembering.
"Which basically means unless we want to try Raina's hand at this we're pretty much the only people that can do anything, we should be careful moving forward I'm not sure how vulnerable we are with our consciousness exposed. I mean...Mera just lost years. If she becomes a baby that would be an awkward situation. Not that I wouldn't hold a baby Mera but you understand we're pretty much the front and rear lines, there's no reinforcements as far as I know."
"Do you think the years stay off when we go back?" Kaori asked.
Alari decided not to respond to that question and just watched the two.
"If Mary's at the end of this path then I'm worried," Alari said crossing his arms. "Seems too easy, if it really was that easy Mary could have just returned herself..."

[SanaChan]

Hotaru sighed a bit as she sat next to Larel, leaning back on her wrists as she stared at the four of them, "That boar is probably pretty thoroughly cooked by now," she told him as Raina walked over, picking one of the pieces up, "Hey, that's not for you," she said
"Everyone else ate all the fish, you can survive if I take one damned piece," Raina spat as she moved to sit on top of the boulder that hid the view back to the village from the night before, watching back that way.
Hotaru rolled her eyes, "Seeing as she's eating it I guess that means it's done," she muttered to Larel before looking over at Jin, "Why are you even hanging around?" she raised a brow at Jin wondering why he was still hanging around since she was assuming he had joined up with Alari sometime in the short duration of their stay in the previous village, "Have you nothing better to do with your time?"
"I'm sure we all have something better we could be doing with our time."
"Mera cheated," Rapide realized and pouted as she saw the cuffs were gone.
"How do you know she cheated?" Hotaru looked back at them
"Because," Hayate pointed to Alari, "He still has the key, meaning she never told him how she feels about him," he said
"Probably because you little shits trying to play cupid are part of the reason we're in this mess."
"Oh," they looked at each other, "We didn't even think about that."

Eryn sighed a bit hearing Alari call her adorable, "If it happens again, that's not the world you'll be using. I think this space is targeting Mera and Mary for whatever reason, so even keeping her right with me might not prevent the change from happening," he looked at them, "Just keep close anyways. We don't know what else it'll do and even I don't know all the different states of mind she went through in the phases she'll most likely hit," he motioned to Mera who put her hand on her hip.
"I am right here," she said in annoyance before starting forwards, pulling him along, "Mary!" she called out, stopping as she heard a crunching sound nearby.
"I told you to stop yelling," Eryn whispered, looking around as a hissing sound followed.
It took a second before it dawned on Mera what it might be, "We need to move, now. If this place is reflecting Mary's fears, that thing might be a monster from one of the books she read when she was little and it will not be fun to deal with in the slightest," she said, grabbing Eryn's shirt and dragging him along.
The path seemed never ending, ever winding, and the crying seemed to get louder and louder the further down the path they went. As they encroached on a cave, Mera stopped looking up at it before a sudden bout of darkness completely blocked out the little light they hand for a brief moment. When the light returned, Eryn swallowed hard at the Mera next to him before looking at the other two.
"I think I know what's going on," he murmured, "Mary, in her mind, has returned to the night that Mera saved her from Father and so the closer we're getting to Mary, the closer to that point in time Mera's getting," he looked over as she looked at him.
Her heart was short, like Raina's was now, and she was a bit smaller in stature. The cloak was gone and she was wearing some sort of travelers garb. Her tattoos weren't on her shoulders and upper arms yet, and the scars that were hidden by the tattoos were visible now and she was wearing her artifact, "We're wasting time," She said shortly before turning and running in to the cave, Eryn having to scramble a bit to keep up since she had a bit more stamina.
"I'm just worried," Eryn looked over his shoulder at the other two, that thing keeping Mary here is the thing that's been haunting us all for years.
"That bastard has her," Mera growled, "I'll kill him."
He went to suggest maybe they slow down before the hissing filled the area behind them, "Well, that really limits our options," he swallowed a bit, trying to grab Mera and make her slow down, "Her powers will be more raw and uncontrolled if she really does reach that point in her mind as well, her rage fresh towards him, but I have no idea how that battle would have actually gone if she had faced him head on," He said to Alari and Kaori, "I doubt this will go down the same way as it did then, but Mary's hoping her sister will save her as she did before, that's why the realm is changing the two of them this way, or that's my guess," he said to them, trying to keep up with Mera

[Mizos]

Larel shrugged seeing Raina take a piece he reached forward and got one himself before taking a big bite out of it, he smiled a little at the food though he wasn't exactly happy about sharing it with Raina, but he wasn't heartless enough to tell someone they couldn't eat, he knew the feeling all too well. Larel's attention went to Jin who started yipping at Hotaru's words, he glanced to his right as Zenmaru translated the little fox's words to him, he nodded a few times before looking back at Jin.
"Seems he lost his home to Youkai and encountered Alari afterwards. I think you should find a new home Jin," Larel said. "I figure Alari would have use for a fox you both being tricksters but don't expect him to keep you around forever, the moment your use is up he'll abandon just as fast as he picked you up," Larel said.
Larel's attention immediately shot to the two twins as the topic of Mera's feelings came up, his eyes narrowed as he listened to their conversation alarm bells going off in his mind, he finished the boar in his hand before his attention went to Alari.
Questions started forming in his mind and he knew of a simple way to get answers for them as he stared at the twins..
"What exactly is this key you're talking about?" Larel said. "Also what exactly do you mean she-"
Larel cut himself off as Jin started yipping at him, he blinked a few times before grabbing another piece of boar and pulling a piece off.
"If you're hungry you could just change into a human form and get it yourself," Larel said before holding the piece out to him. "Here."
Jin walked over and ate the piece out of Larel's hand, watching Jin he forgot the question he was going to ask the two, he shrugged his shoulders figuring it wasn't anything important.

Alari brought a hand to his chin at Eryn's words, it would be less confusing without it effecting all of them he admitted but he was worried about the effect it would have on Mera and Mary. He nodded at Eryn's warning making sure to keep his guard up, Kaori seemed to understand as well, however as Mera started moving forward the hissing sound returned and it took all his willpower not to scream. Alari didn't want to look behind them at this point, especially hearing the creature came from a book, Kaori looked at Alari before the two chased after the two as they went ahead.
"So the creature following us isn't real?" Kaori asked.
"From the way Mera spoke of it I'm pretty sure it's real in here," Alari responded.
He didn't want to test the theory of whether it was real or not, he wasn't sure what it was but if Mera said it wouldn't be easy to deal with he didn't have a reason not to believe her. Hearing the crying get louder he wondered how close they were to Mary, with all the dark around it was hard to determine distance, being in a cave didn't help either.
Alari continued forward with Kaori attached to him only to stop when the light vanished, when it returned his eyes widened seeing Mera was even younger than before. Eryn was right adorable wasn't the word he wanted to use, not that she wasn't but now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Seeing the scars his eyes twitched a little but he looked at Eryn as he provided an explanation of the changes to Mera and what this world probably was.
Seeing Mera run ahead Alari knelt down letting Kaori climb on his back before he sprinted forward after her running alongside Eryn., Alari and Kaori looked over at Eryn as he spoke to him not wanting to leave him behind especially with that hissing behind them.
"You're not the only one Eryn...you're not the only one," Alari said turning his attention forward. "We'll just have to adapt if things do change, though I'll need your help on information."
"Will Mary-chan be alright? I mean even if things play out I don't think she'd want to watch Mera-dono get hurt again. She seemed bothered by that but she was saved before."
"We're going to talk about why you know that later but for now I can't deny I'm worried about that. Mary's influence on this place I wonder if it's...never mind let's just get to her. Goodness knows what else is in here we can't lose Mera."
Mary was protected by her siblings from their father, even when she got older she was kept safe from them. If that happened again in this place would Mary really be alright with that? He wasn't sure but this place could simple or complex for all he knew, the scene could just be replaying in her head or it could be something different just as Eryn said.
He wasn't sure of many things in this place but what he was sure of was they needed to get Mary out of here.

[SanaChan]

The twins started to tell Larel about the key but Hotaru growled at them, causing them to back up a step, "Geez," Hayate sighed
"You're even more of a brute with fangs," Rapide said and Hotaru scowled.
"I am not."
"Maybe brute's a little harsh."
"Just completely incapable of acting feminine."
"Well she is wearing that kimono."
"Yes and she sits cross legged while wearing it."
"That's a good point-" Both of them yelped as she stood up, running and hiding behind the group.
"C'mere you little pests, I'll show you a brute," Hotaru growled, rolling up the sleeves so they would be out of her way, "As far as I'm concerned I haven't been nearly rough enough with you if you think you can insult me to my face so casually," she muttered.
"We surrender!" They held out their staves, a piece of white cloth tied to them as they waved them like a white flag.
"Chickens."

The further in to the cave they got, the warmer it started to get. When they reached the base, Mera shot forwards, her cloak hiding her newest change, but she had run right in to a blazing field of flowers, scooping up a young, barely teenaged Mary.
"Where do you think you're going?" She whirled around and her face paled considerably. Mary's interpretation of that night was severally weighing in on the depiction of their father, who loomed over Mera now.
"Mera!" Eryn called out as the shadow form of the man raised his arm. She snapped out of it, and darted out of the way before his hand hit the ground causing it to rumble. Her hair, which was in a long braid at this time in her past, came falling out of the cloak as she whirled around to keep an eye on him. However, focusing on him, divided her attention from the hissing beast, whose tail came flying out, hitting Mera across the back and knocking her to the ground, though she landed in a way to keep Mary from getting any damage.
Mary seemed to snap out of the hold at that moment when she felt Mera's grasp tighten on her. She looked up as Mera sat back up, "It'll be alright," Mera told her and Mary's eyes snapped all around the room to try and reassess her situation.
Eryn grabbed a rock off the ground nearby and flung it at the shadow of his father which was encroaching on the girls, "Over here, you ugly ass bastard," He snapped, throwing another one. The shadow turned around as Mera shot out of the way with Mary still in her grasp, the tail crashing down where they had been. More shadows appeared, leaping down from the trees and Mera grit her teeth.
"Mary, you could do not to remember this night so well," She muttered before all of the shadows jumped at them, having them surrounded. The ground moved, vaulting Mera and Mary out from the center of them and she landed at the edge of the field closest to the guys turning and flinging her hand back towards them, the bracelet on her wrist glistening as the flames from the field were sent back towards the shadows in waves, catching the trees on fire.
The hissing sound turned in to an angry snarl and a large creature sat up in the trees, looking a little like the dragons from the old lore, but this one had no wings and had markings carved all over it's fur covered body.
"Oh of course it's that."
"Sorry," Mary mumbled, "I told Raina to stop, but then Sola egged her on. I was afraid for years that thing was going to come after me," she said as it moved forward out of the burning trees, the shadows encroaching on them too.
A shadow arrow launched from the edge of the field, nailing Mera in the shoulder. She grit her teeth, backing up and Eryn pulled her over towards them, "I'm guessing our exit... is on the other side of all of them," she said as Eryn took Mary from her, putting Mary on his back. Mera held her shoulder, looking around desperate for a solution, that night flashing back in her memory as well. The shadow of their father lifted his hand again and Mera looked towards him. As she remembered exactly what had happened that night, the shadows took a tangible form and her father had on multiple artifacts, one on his hand that glistened as he slammed his hand against the ground, causing a crack in the ground to head their way. Mera jumped to the side of the crack and Eryn went the other way before she went forwards, using a vine to hold his arm in place. One of the gypsies at his side went at her with a lance, but a thorn the side of a tree shot up going through his head.
"She's trying to wear them down. We need to deal with the beast... Mary, do you remember what the thing's weakness was?" Eryn looked at his sister who put her hand to her head.
"It doesn't have any plating, so any mortal blow would do, but it's fast," She said after a minute as Mera took down another one of the gypsies accompanying her father. She had to dive out of the way as the creature's tail crashed down near where she had been, but it drug its tail across, the other gypsies jumping over it, knocking Mera back in to a tree, as if it was there to make sure the score came out the same way as it did before. Her father, the artifacts on his feet giving a glint, shot across the field as Mera brought her focus back, her head ringing. The creature turned to Alari and the others, taking a deep breath like it was about to unleash something

[Mizos]

Larel glanced over at the twins as they spoke of Hotaru while he continued feeding Jin, he felt he didn't need to interfere as Hotaru generally took care of it herself, he watched Kaori do it often enough to know that he just needed to wait a few minutes. When Hotaru got up he smiled a little as he reached over and pet Jin's head, when they put up the white flag he chuckled a little before sitting back down. He looked over at everyone's floating bodies before ruffling his hair, he hoped they were doing okay in there. He would have to ask them what they saw once they left the other world.
Larel reached forward and grabbed Jin before lifting him up, Jin yipped as Larel stared into his eyes.
"....I wonder how you'd taste," he mumbled.
Jin started yipping and struggling in his grasp but Larel didn't release him staring at him with a blank expression.
"I'm kidding it was a joke, I'm not going to eat you now calm down..."
Jin growled and bit his hand causing Larel to release him, he backed away from him clearly on guard now.
Larel shook his hand off and scoffed, he glad he didn't bite that deep at least, it really was a kid it's fangs barely had grown in. He looked over at the others before putting his hands back on his knees, returning to his guard duty.

Alari caught up with Eryn only to come to a stop at the blazing field of flowers, he stared wide eyed at the scene before his eyes narrowed as the flames danced in front of him. He was glad Larel hadn't accompanied them, the last thing he needed to see was this. Alari wanted to look away but the scene was burning in his own mind, he could hear a voice calling to him but his memories kept calling out to him trying to pull him out of reality.
"Oji-san!" Kaori screamed leaning towards his ear.
Kaori's voice woke Alari up as Eryn threw rocks at the shadows of their father, he shook his head looking around as the shadows jumped from the tree before he noticed the flames spreading, he closed his eyes for a moment forcing something in his mind down before he turned towards the hissing sound. Alari's eyes widened as he got a good look at the creature. He could feel Kaori shivering on his back before he pointed at it, no words coming out of his mouth.
"I see it Kaori," Alari said setting him down.
"I don't think I want Raina-san's happiness anymore," Kaori said hiding behind Alari.
Alari turned toward Mera to see the shadow arrow hit her, he grit his teeth and started to move towards her but ended up jumping to the side with Eryn when the earth split, he didn't like leaving Mera to take them on but that beast was just going to make things worse if it wasn't taken down.
Seeing its tail sweep again Alari glared and looked back at the creature as its attention turned toward them.
"Kaori reach in your sleeve make sure to remember the talismans," Alari said cracking his knuckles. "Put a barrier up, I'm going to try and deliver a mortal blow to the thing. It'll be one less thing for Mera to worry about."
Kaori did as requested and pulled the talisman from his sleeve but the words 'mortal' resonated in his head, he started to say something but Alari spoke first.
"That thing hurt Mera, scared Mary and is a mythological creature from a book. It's not a living thing so I'm making an exception."
Kaori nodded and stood next to Eryn and Mary before raising the talisman a red circle shaped pentagram formed in front of them, it only covered one side but Alari believed the power would be enough to at least block it...granted its power probably matched what Mary assumed it was...which made him worry a little.
Alari rushed forward crossing his arms in front of him as he ran not sure what the thing was going to spit out, Alari quickly jumped off the ground flying high into the air, he turned and pushed off what looked like a yellow wall before falling towards the dragon. He brought his fist back as he picked up speed aiming to slam his fist into the creature's skull breaking it open with one solid hit.

[SanaChan]

The creature let out fire as Alari leapt in to the air and Eryn grabbed Kaori's arm, pulling him out of the way with him, not trusting the thing Kaori was holding to efficiently block the pillar of flame moving in their direction, "This is ridiculous!" he balked, looking around at the field, "You really expected Mera to be able to handle all of this on her own?" He looked at Mary.
"Well maybe not the creature, but it was kind of... added on to what I remembered because I remember thinking I would rather face one of those than Father..." Mary whispered. There was a loud crunch and they looked over to see Mera on her hands and knees, gasping for air, the tree behind her split. Her father grabbed her by her ponytail , which she quickly cut off to get away from him, coughing as she held her stomach. She gasped when a spear hit the ground in front of her, and she backed up to have one with a sword behind her. He slashed at her, getting her leg as she got out of the way, and another arrow nailed her not far up her leg from the cut. She cried out, grabbing her leg before leaves came up, forming a hard shell around her as they came at her again.
"Mary, try and think of something that could help us here, something to fight off your nightmares and help Mera and Alari," Eryn told her, afraid of what taking damage as just a piece of consciousness would do to them in the long run. Mary put her hand to her chin, trying to think. Eryn's attention snapped to the field as he heard the men cry out when they were cut down. Landing near Mera's protection was a younger looking Nero and a woman with black hair that had a blue hue to it, "Ferran?" he blinked, "You called on Ferran? I didn't even know she fought.."
Nero shot forwards towards their father, attacking him, using his air to push him faster than his father could move, the two clashing as Ferran shot towards the dragon. Seeing what Alari's goal was she raised her arms up, water bursting forth from the ground, encasing the body of the beast and freezing it solid, leaving just the head exposed to Alari's hit would be dead on and end the beast.
"Ferran wasn't one to willingly fight, but she wasn't one to stand by and do nothing- no one was more skilled with water than she was, one of the reasons Nero liked her," Mary smiled, found of the two that were no longer with them.
Mera came out of the shell, having healed herself a bit before moving quickly to help Nero, pinning down their father, She looked at Nero, who just smirked, giving a short salute before fading as their father did, a hurdle of the past overcome that hadn't reigned true before. She took a deep breath, trying not to cry about it right now, not needing to deal with that at the moment, looking over at Ferran as the creature was dealt with with by Alari.
"You know I always told you couldn't hide from those crazy things called your emotions," Ferran said as she looked at her, "And yet, you silly girl, you still tried," she put her hands on her hips, "There's nothing wrong with caring deeply about someone. It's what's driven you to some of the most important things in your lifetime," she reminded her before she and the beast started to fade as well.
Mera looked down, taking a deep breath,putting her hand to her side from the twinge of pain before she remembered where they were, "My flowers,"She whispered, "I'd forgotten all about him doing this," she mumbled, kneeling in the dirt, running her fingers through the ashes that were the remaining flowers.
"I feel like as ridiculous as that was it was still a little easy," Eryn said hesitantly, looking around the space, "No one else think of things that frightened you or I will personally hurt you and I don't do the whole violence thing," he sniffed

[Mizos]

Kaori stared up at the creature after having been moved out of the way, he wasn't sure how it was fair that thing was huge and able to breathe fire. Kaori quickly turned to see Mera at a disadvantage causing his heart to sink as she got hit by the sword. He wasn't sure what was going to happen with Mary's involvement but whatever it was he hoped it happened soon. When his eyes landed on Nero he arched a brow but was still happy to see someone helping Mera, he turned his attention to Ferran hearing the name before seeing her freeze the creature. Alari wasn't entirely sure who was helping him but he was thankful for the help, knowing the creature wasn't moving he brought his fist forward slamming it into the creatures skull with immense force. The familiar cracking sound of the bone breaking echoed in his ears causing his eyes to twitch before he hit the ground rolling to lessen the impact.
Alari immediately looked over at Mera ready to move but seeing Nero he blinked a few times as he faded away, a small smile formed on his face seeing he had helped before he looked over at Ferran hearing her speak to Mera. Alari watched her until she faded away before Kaori called to him, rubbing the back of his head he walked over to him.
"Who helped me?" he asked.
"Her name was Ferran," Kaori responded.
"...huh...fair enough then."
Alari remembered who Ferran was from their previous conversations having a face to name was nice and he said a mental 'thank you' for the assistance. Alari looked over at Mera as she touched the remnants of the flowers, he crossed his arms under his chest not sure what he should say at this moment, a young Mera was observing what he believed were her own flowers burned away. Just the smell of the burnt flowers were pulling at memories in Alari's mind, he wasn't sure if he should take the risk of approaching them, he almost lost himself just from looking at them.
Alari and Kaori looked over at Eryn hearing his words and Kaori clenched both his fist before pumping one.
"It's because of teamwork," Kaori said. "Everything's easier when you work with others."
Kaori turned and pointed at Alari causing him to lean back a little to avoid his finger.
"Don't think of anything scary Oji-san, we got Mary-chan back let's get out of here in one piece."
"Kaori weren't you afraid of your own shadow at some point," Alari said crossing his arms.
"Well yeah but it was pretty big then and besides you die and fight youkai on a daily basis...I wouldn't want to see what your afraid of."
Alari shrugged though he didn't disagree with him and looked in the direction the fight has taken place before moving his hands into his sleeve as a small sigh escaped from him.
He didn't realize it until everything had settled but he had been pretty tense through most of it, his shoulders dropped a little as he calmed down.
"Do we go now?" Kaori asked. "We got Mary-chan and being here...is...well terrifying.
"It's not so bad, it could grow on you with time,"
"....I worry about you Oji-san," Kaori said averting his eyes.

[SanaChan]

Mary made a flower appear in her hand, one of the rainbow flowers she had shown them a few times, "These grew here. They looked a little different before this, but they came back after he burned them all," she told them as she watched Mera for a moment.
Mera stood snapping out of her reverie, "We need to keep going," she said before turning and starting towards the woods.
"Wait, how do you know that's the way we need to go?" Eryn raised a brow at her
"I don't. But going back would be useless and there's clearly nothing here. Mary was headed in this direction for a reason I'm sure," Mera said simply
"Um.... I'm fairly certain there's not a whole lot of other options other than forwards," Mary whispered lowly, "I just don't know what's beyond this. Last time I used too much energy this was as far as I got," she murmured, "I couldn't face them on my own," she admitted, sounding rather ashamed of that fact
"Well you shouldn't have to. Now you know all you have to do is think of those who can help you and they can rescue you," Eryn smiled at her and Mary smiled lightly, nodding in agreement.
"Forward," Mera said shortly as she turned and walked forwards
"Ah, yes, I remember how much more social she was now," he said sarcastically making Mary giggle before he started to follow after her, "Maybe if this goes further back you can see when we were actually a happy family," he said to the others, "Can you try and think of that Mary?" he looked at her.
"I don't really remember it," Mary said, "But maybe if you think about it, it can happen," she suggested
"That would be a much calmer walk towards the end. You two wanna test it?" he looked at Kaori and Alari, "I say test it because I have no idea what would happen if we tried to manipulate this landscape to something a lot less terrifying."
"I don't think its so scary anymore," Mary smiled as she rested her chin on Eryn's shoulder, "Now that I know my friends will come to my rescue."
Eryn smiled softly hearing her before looking ahead at Mera, who was waiting for them on the edge of the woods, her face completely blank of emotion, just seeming bored as she waited on them, "At the very least, I would like to see her remember how to truly smile," he murmured and Mary looked at him as he sighed.
"Let's try it. Everyone just hold on," Mary clapped her hands together, so sold on the idea that there was no way to talk her out of it.
However, it wouldn't be until the end was in sight that anything would happen. There was a straight away on the other side of the woods, open fields of dead sunflowers on either side of the road. Slowly as the group walked out in to the straightaway, the flowers started to come to life again, swaying in a breeze as they just seemed to bring a life to the dread of the rest of the landscape. Eryn set Mary down as Mera stepped off the path in to the flowers, going after her, but Mary took hold of Kaori and Alari's hands, "Let's keep walking. They'll come back in a minute," she smiled at them, starting fowards down the path, slowly returning to her actual age as they walked. At the end of the straightaway was a large door in the side of a rock face, "Hopefully we'll just exit the planes rather than end up on another one," she said, looking back at them on that note, "Oh I haven't said it yet, but thank you," she smiled brightly and nodded, "If it weren't for you guys I'd still be stuck here. And I'm very glad to see you're alright, Alari. I wish I could've helped prevent that happening earlier...." her smile faltered just a hair as she said it

[Mizos]

Kaori was happy to see the rainbow flower again and while Alari did stare at the flower his attention went right back to Mera hearing her talk. He didn't mind moving but he wasn't sure where to go and after listening to Mary it seemed forward truly was the only direction. The two were glad that at the very least Mary wouldn't be alone, both in and outside her mind, Kaori couldn't help but smile though Alari kept a straight face bringing his hand to his chin. Looking around Alari knew he'd be lying to himself if he didn't think this world was fascinating, Kaori seemed focused on one thing at the moment but this world may respond to his consciousness, Alari wasn't sure about it but he kept a firm lock on his own memories, as much as he wanted to be honest with the others there were certain things in there even he was ashamed of and he felt it wasn't quite time to share them quite yet.
At the mention of seeing them when they were a happily family the two nodded simultaneously, Mera seemed to care very much for her family, and Alari wanted to see the familial bond up close, Kaori on the other hand was already planning his other project but he kept that opinion to himself.
When Mary mentioned her friends Kaori chuckled a little while Alari turned his attention towards the forest, he decided to think she was referring to someone else, he couldn't help but be a bit shy about the idea when it was said like that.
Alari looked ahead seeing Mera glad at the very least that she was waiting for them, he caught Eryn's words and wasn't against seeing something like that himself. Just hearing her laugh made him happy seeing Mera smile was a constant goal.
They followed Eryn into the sunflower fields Kaori's eyes lighting up as the flowers regained life, he reached out to touch one but stopped as he found himself falling behind a bit.
Alari stared at the sunflowers unable to keep from smiling a little, he enjoyed sunflowers and rarely got to see them during his travels so he was happy to encounter them, even in a separate plane.
Alari was going to follow Mera when she walked into the flowers but when Mary took his hand he turned his attention to her, Kaori seemed more than happy to accompany and Alari followed confused why they were going ahead. At the end of it though he decided to tag along to keep an eye on Mary, when they reached the door he looked up at it seeing the size before looking down at Mary glad to see she returned to her normal self.
When she thanked them the two of them blinked a few times surprised by her words, Alari really wasn't used to getting thanked and Kaori was the same, hearing Mary's words afterwards caused Alari's eyes to droop a little as he remembered the other reason he was in here. He noticed her smile and looking at Kaori he couldn't turn a blind eye to it either, Alari sighed and reached forward before placing his hand on Mary's head.
"I partially came in here to apologize for that, it seems I caused more grief than intended by my actions. I should have considered all my options, I have to remember I can't just up and do things like that anymore. It wasn't your and anyone's fault it was mine so don't worry about it." Alari said before removing his hand. "I don't think we did too much Mary, we were just worried about you. Mera's the one that did the most."
"Agreed there but the other reason we came in was to help rescue and stuff," Kaori said. "I also wanted to thank you for being my friend too, I'm sure Oji-san wants to say it but he's all shy and trying to act mysterious."
"I don't act mysterious," Alari said looking at him. "Besides actions speak louder than words."
"You always act that way and you should just be honest and tell Mary-chan you're happy your friends too. You were all 'I have to protect my friend no matter what because they're dear to me' when she was unconscious."
"That's exactly why," Alari said blushing a little. "Now stop talking about that Mary's right here it's rude."
"I'm going to keep Mary-chan to myself if you aren't honest Oji-san."
"I am being honest Kaori and don't cause Mary any inconvenience."
"So you do care if I hog her then," Kaori said.
"I care about as much as any normal person does, and it's not me you have to worry about it's her siblings," Alari said closing his eyes clearly ashamed of being caught like that.

[SanaChan]

Mary giggled a bit at the two of them, seeming rather pleased that they were both considering themselves her friend. She turned around to face the way they came as she heard laughing from the sunflowers, "I was too young to remember any of this," she murmured, "So it's likely I was off with mother somewhere and didn't have the chance to play with the others this way."
A young Raina, looking almost like a child ran across the road, barefoot, laughing as Thanos, much younger and not nearly as big of a behemoth came out of the flowers, making the sounds of a monster as he chased her. A young Nero came out next, stopping in the middle of the road, "Dear little Scarlet's just too slow~" he laughed, a childlike Eryn coming out, tripping in the middle of the road, "Geez, kid," he held Eryn back up, dusting him off, "You alright?" Eryn nodded and Nero ruffled his hair and stepped back right before an early teenaged Mera launched from the flowers, tackling Nero.
Eryn, clearly a co-conspirator in the plot, giggled a bit as he ran on, the two rolling in the dirt, one trying to be the one on top. It ended with Nero face first in the dirt, Mera pinning him down. She laughed as she patted his head before standing and offering him a hand up, "Oh so sorry, big brother," she taunted, "Looks like I'm the victor this time."
"Who said the battle was over?" Nero looked up at her, and went to grab her but she turned and started running from him, but, as he pointed out, he was a little faster than she was and pulled her to the ground, starting to tickle her. She let out a cry, trying to push him away as she couldn't stop laughing.
"S-S-Sola!" She called out, laughing at the same time, "Help!"
Sola came out from the flowers, motioning to where Raina had gone and she popped back out as well. Nero was totally focused on making Mera cry from laughing so hard he didn't see them coming up behind him. They caught his arms and pulled him back, giving Mera the chance to take off again. Nero kicked out his foot, a blast of wind knocking Mera's dress up, causing her to squeal and cover herself. Nero laughed as he pulled his sisters down, putting them in headlocks, "All of you are conspiring against me! My heart is broken!" he said dramatically before Thanos came out, carrying Mera and Eryn over his shoulders, "Ah, now we have them all under out thumbs, they shall never escape!" he grinned though Mera seemed a little less than amused at being held upside down.
"Well, I wasn't cheating at this game, but since the two of you are, I shall as well," she declared, vines coming up and pulling the guys arms back, the four younger siblings taking off, Mera picking up Eryn so they could go without him legitimately tripping.
"Not fair, Scarlet!" Nero called after, unable to free his arms, and Thanos just laughed his boisterous laugh.
"This was when she still went by Scarlet then," Mary murmured as she watched, "I wonder if any of our other relatives were a part of this.... But I suppose we shouldn't linger here long, should we?" she sighed a bit, looking back up at Kaori and Alari

[Mizos]

Alari and Kaori turned towards the field hearing Mary putting their conversation on hold, the two of them looked at each other seeing a young Raina running out before turning forward again seeing a young Thanos. Alari admitted he was surprised at seeing a smaller Thanos, it made him wonder how he reached the size he did but he remembered Mera had already explained that. One by one they all came out until he noticed Mera run out, his eyes widened a little and even Kaori leaned forward a little shocked it was the same person. Hearing Mera laugh and seeing her smile Alari put his hand over his mouth watched the siblings play in the flower field.
"A beautiful smile," Alari said.
"They all look so happy," Kaori said.
"...yeah they do."
Alari couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene in front of him, they all looked so happy...so innocent it seemed like these days would go on forever from where he was standing. He did however turn his gaze when Mera's gaze went up glancing over once it was back down before he fully looked back at them.
He wasn't sure how long ago this was but something in him told him that the others wouldn't forget a memory like this, and he was sure Mera remembered it as well.
Alari felt he understood the bond they shared a little more, perhaps the distance between them was smaller than he originally thought...though Mera had to see her siblings face so much pain, even Thanos had been taken over and Nero was gone now.
Alari could never place the bond between siblings so he didn't understand to a full extent the pain that Mera felt, looking at this now he felt he understood it just a little bit more and how much they cared for one another.
"Oji-san...I'm not sure what to feel about this...I'm happy but I'm a little bit jealous at the same time," Kaori said folding his hands together.
"Well this scene is a bit foreign to us so that may actually be a good thing," Alari said before turning to Mary. "It was good to see this...I feel like I might understand a bit more now. Let's go ahead and head back, the last thing we need is Larel getting upset and making assumptions on why Mera's taking so long to return."
"A part of me wants to keep looking, when we head back..." Kaori trailed off though Alari knew what he was going to say.
When they headed back this happy scene was going to be there, Raina probably wouldn't have a smile on her face when they returned he knew that, Alari just put a hand on his head.
"We can't stay, come on," Alari said. "Mera and Eryn are coming with us right? I'm not sure how this world works."