Payldue

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

---Axel----

Cold and exhaustion began to set in. They had been searching the area for quite some time and had uncovered nothing. A storm was coming in, and Axel knew it. The snow was increasing an the winds ferocity was growing worse.

"Let's pick up the pace guys!" shouted Axel

They were working from the center, out. Making sure to not miss anything hidden in the snow.

He would teleport them away before anything got really bad, but he refused to give up this search so easily.

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

Axel Near Relin

After about 20 minutes, Axel arrived to the location the journal had pointed. It was a barren wasteland of snow and ice.

"Alright, Yosoko, Chu, let's search around here a bit." announced Axel, yelling slightly to be heard over the wind, although all Yosoku needed was a thought.

"I've came this far, might as well search a bit. I can try the inscription if my search proves futile. After all, I can always Teleport back to town if it takes to long." Thought Axel, as he began to dig the surrounding area.

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

---Axel's Great Adventure---

The frigid wind mercilessly battered against Axel as he and his natrelmon trekked through the Tundra. The cold and snow did their best to halt his advance, yet to no avail. Shrugging off snow that built up on the hood and shoulders of his cloak every so often, Axel continued towards his destination.

Bovent was in the rear, carrying all of his supplies. Yosoku was on point, easily creating a trail, it's massive form not even slowed by the layers of ice and snow. Chu stayed beside Axel as he trudged on, both keeping their cloaks wrapped tightly. As he walked, Axel couldn't help but think on how he ended up here. It all began with a book.

Ever since Axel had began his journey to complete his Rites, he made sure to keep up in his studies, both of the body and the mind. After a day of intense physical training, he would settle in the library of whatever town he was in and browse through stock. He just happened to be in Relin's library, after meeting a contact to procure the rest of the money he had saved up from his mercenary days. A single leather bound journal caught his eye. It appeared to be a notebook of a researcher, and according to the dates, was not that old. It mapped many areas, most North of Lifan. The most interesting part of it was an inscription that was mentioned and drawn out several times throughout the book. The last and largest sketch also included some sort of code.

W5mR->N1m

After seeing that most of the maps were North of Lifan, it was simple to conclude that the code meant "5 Miles West of Relin, 1 mile North." The years of studying with the archmage had molded his mind to be able to solve simple puzzles with ease. A quick word to the librarian informed him that he was the first seen reading the book. With a surge of energy, Axel decided it would be an adventure to find whatever was mentioned in this book. After all, it could prove valuable or useful.

They were about a mile north and 4.5 miles west of Relin at this point and coming up on their destination. To keep himself entertained and less focused on the cold, Axel practices rudimentary electromancy by simply passing small bolts of electricity between his fingertips. One of the first magics he had been allowed to do. It involved very little concentration, and simply forcing electrical energy to escape from one finger, and willing the other to conduct it.

"Not far now till we see where that clue leads us.." He thought, tightening his cloak.

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

The mist created an eerie aura around Rebena, almost like terror had manifested itself. They had been traveling for almost an hour, aimlessly moving through the mist. This place emanated an evil so powerful that it even affected Rook to his very core. It was as if shadows were slowly smothering him. Only the soft glow from his Albion and Samuel's natrelmon allowed Rook to maintain a sense of composure in these horrid ruins. He doubted he could rely on his Blood magic to protect him here, since he doubted that anything here was still actually living.

Suddenly, Samuel stopped. Rook quickly stopped as well, scanning the area as well as he could and telepathically asking Kujaku what it sensed. Samuel must have seen or heard something. Without warning Samuel fell.

"Are you alright? Asked Rook, not necessarily worried, but curious as to what was going on.

Samuel opened his eyes and sat up. Out in the fog, something cawed. With a few deep breaths, Samuel stood up and replied, "I'm alright. Best we carry along quickly."

Nodding in agreement, Rook continued to follow him. Whatever had happened, it had made someone as hardy as Samuel turn pale, although only momentarily. Rook began to wonder how they would escape this dreadful place once they had found what Night was looking for.

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

Following Samuel's lead, Rook released his own Albion, and Kujaku. (which he totally didn't take off of Luzy's corpse). Being unsure of the surrounding area, he didn't feel comfortable having Ifrit out. It would be better to have fliers that could handle any situation.

Without missing a step, Rook fell in a few feet behind Samuel, allowing him to lead the way into the fog with Albion overhead of him and Kujaku slightly to his right.

"This should be interesting." He thought to himself.

"Do you know where we are going Samuel?" He asked while following.

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

Noobs.

Natrelmon: From the Ashes

Frigid gusts of wind cut through Rook like a knife as he exited the portal which had mysteriously appeared after a brief flash of light. The weather here was a lot less forgiving than Toran's. Thankfully, He had the common sense to dress appropriately after being informed of their venture by Eien. In place of his usual cut off, Rook wore a thick, red, long sleeved shirt with a black jean-vest over top. The vest also had a hood which he immediately pulled up to combat the biting wind.

There was new additions to the saviors of Toran, four to be exact. Kimlee and Kal, whom Rook had met before, and two others that differed drastically. One was a tiny male, almost half Rook's size. The other was a strange looking female, as tall and slender as the blade she carried. She had an intimidating aura around her, like she was someone you wouldn't want against you.

Eien began giving orders to split up into two groups in order to search the area more efficiently. He was to be paired with Kal, Night, Samuel, and the strange female, Chyou. Nodding his approval, he momentarily reacquainted himself with his friend Night, before walking over to Chyou to introduce himself.

"Hello. My name is Rook." he announced, offering his hand.