Rai

Ascension: Monster Farm

@Mogget

Eye color?

That's about it. It's accepted ^_^

Ascension: Monster Farm

@unicorgi
You can make your own monster and play as them along with the tamer. But this is meant to mimic a monster tamer rpg. Not a monster rpg. Sorry.

Name: Jones Rose
Appearance: She wears leather a tough leather jerkin, as well as a holster for her bow and arrow.
Age: 19
Inventory: A bow and arrow filled with a quiver of arrows, mostly used for hunting. Tough chewy meat for long treks, a knife used to cut up meat, and a water bottle.
Monster Team:

Acquizari

Bug Fairies

Good?

@Mogget

You will acquire one monster at the start of your characters journey. You are welcome to make your own as long as its not too strong.

Her appearance needs more to it. What is lacking in it? Could you imagine what she looked like from what you wrote?

What kind of bow and arrows does she have? Wooden? Iron arrows? Steel? What about survival supplies? She will get a few essentials before traveling in the story though.

Once you fix these few issues it'll be good.

Ascension: Monster Farm

Yes indeed! ^_^

@Mogget

Make a CS and you can begin.

Ascension: Monster Farm

Bump, any creative minds?

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Relationship Sheet Feel the Ship..

Loves: Good friends: Friends: Likes: Neutral:
Dislikes: Hates: Unsure: Respects: Lust: Annoyed: Amused:

Sophia The Guardian of Knowledge:
Mason Drake:
Dremmick Valswei:
Lynn Meditrina:
Garrett "The (Blight)ed" Everard:
Nailah:
Aeden:
Talise:
Shye:
Aste:
Algimar:
Allard:
Itzel
Journal: Write your journal entry here if you want. A brief summary of your thoughts and actions.

Ascension card game test

Therosi Boss Deck

Boss Battle

Therosi Boss hand

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Nero Capital City

As Nero’s mightiest warriors began their assault on the massive beast, they would find that their attacks prompted no response from the monster, at least until Sleeth made his attack. The moment he made his swing, a massive torrent of searing flame and light ravaged the inside of the barrier, it’s sound so incredible, the breaking of the sound barrier was barely audible. Nobu; stealthiest of the elites, had made a grave error that compromised his stealth, foolishly drawing the essence of the beast. Now, a large, draconic hand shot toward the assassin’s back with incredible speed, reaching to claim Nobu’s soul.

"Oi oi.." Muttered the invisible warrior. "I've been caught so easy.." He said with disappointment in his tone. With a narrow avoidance he slipped by the strike coming from behind him. Pieces of his armor breaking and flying as invisible debris. Before they could even land he was already sliding into a ditch formed from all the chaos. Escaping into its shadows like a well of water. His voice echoing as it faded away. "Until next time!" Right before the Dragon lord could pursue and providing a bare distraction as the cocky black dragon knight soared in, his fists cackling with dark energy only known to the chaotic beings that conjure it from the infinite essence of cosmic magic. A warping of a simple theory, the absence of light, now a weapon of chaos. He plunged his two fists at the Dragon lord. "FIGHT ME!!!" He roared.

With a sigh, the Dragon Lord ducked under the knight's strike, plunging his fist into the fool's abdomen as he dodged to the side. The hand itself seemed to phase through the knight's very being, tearing out a piece of his very life essence as it retracted from his body, the black armor now sporting a sizable dent. With a grunt of agony the knight was knocked back several meters. But as he was fading out a new shadow approached. The King himself. His scythe was as clear as the air it parted.

A twisted smile formed on the Dragon's face as a blinding explosion of fire and light concealed him from view. In a flash, chaotic energy ripped and tore through the barrier beneath the feet of the Twilight Mage, creating a hole just large enough for a certain hand to fit through. In an instant, a vice grip crushed the Mage's ankle, as he was violently yanked through his own barrier, the poor seraphs life being drained with each passing moment of contact.

The mage was taken by surprise. Their feet being wiped from under. The barrier keeping all matters contained was now shattering like glass. However. Vanishing within a concealment of his own cloak Sleeth reemerged before the great arm that held his valuable ally. "Unhand." His scythe swung at the arm. ”Of course little ant, in fact, I was just finished with him.” the Dragon responded as he released the man; who had already begun to look like a husk. Shooting back, the scythe sliced off about half of the Dragon's hand , but the ancient lord wasn't done yet. "How disgraceful, I seem to have gotten slower over the years..... I'm going to grab a quick snack...” he coldly muttered as he looked at his hand in disappointment.

With a burst of flame, the Dragon raced for the upper district.

"Oh not so fast." A cut in reality. A warped gash of darkness formed by one of the knights. His master of the blade clearly being deep in dimensional darkness. The Dragon would be headed towards it. Around the dragon formed a barrier of burning light, taking the shape of a spearhead. Within the construct a pale, blue energy; seething with chaos, built within as the dragon's approach quickened. He flew into the dimension the gash closing fast behind him. He was now in a dimension of darkness. No longer in the city it would seem. The knight held his sheathe triumphantly as the darkness would attempt to rip the dragon apart.

Yet, as the dark dug away at the radiant barrier, the pale glow within only seemed to build as the construct jerked to a stop. With the sound of shattering glass, the barrier gave way; from it burst an explosion of a pale blue flame long forgotten by this world, driving back the darkness. In it's center the dragon chuckled, would his foe come to face him? Eagerly, he scanned the void with his myraid of senses-- souls such as these could do little to hide from the likes of him. The sound of footsteps echoed in the Dragons ears. It sounded far and close. Though he floated aimlessly here the king who stepped before him stood firm. "Who are you?" He asked. Grasping his helmet and lifting it off. Revealing his face. He then dropped it into The void. It began to float. Gravity having no effect here.

With a twisted grin the dragon spoke, ”Your strength is impressive little king..... Very well, you have earned the honor of knowing my identity..... I̶͇̻ ͖͖̠ĄM̲̝̝ ̖̗̫Z̵E͇͇̳T̙͎̞H̲̤̘EL̘̱͔O͕̮͟S̴̻̩,̰ ̯̜͘D̺͞E̴̫̻V͈̮̫O̡̜̟Ṷ̸̟R̺͎̳E̵̖̖R̳̲̝ ̼̫͘O̮̪̼F̵̞̲ ͕̣͖L҉̩͔̘E̘̟̣G̷I̦̬͔O̤̱͞NS̪͓͡,̳̖͍ ͉̭G̞O̭͓͓D͔̩͡ ̵̼̱O͔̲̦F̪̲̦ ͔̼̝S̝̩̤Ơ̖͇U̖̫͠L̶͈̜S͇̪̫,͍̪͟ ͓̫͉F҉O͚͙ͅU̸̟̖R͉̗T̩̺͙H̝̲͉ ͖͈̯BORN OF THE GOD-KING HIMSELF!” his words; steeped in chaos, seemed to twist the very fabric of reality.

King Sleeth "Kaine" Mythue

Sleeths eyes were emitting a brilliance kin to the fire in ones soul. Though he resigned himself to the dark. He did not seem to be waned by his foes mass of aura. "The God King? You mean that old Dragon defeated by the so called first seraphim?" He chuckled. "Are you not a lapdog for Nuxta? One of the seraphim own children?"

"Watch your tongue mortal." Zethelos spat as his eyes glowed with rage, ”Had I not been imprisoned by legions of Seraphim, that battle would have gone VERY differently...... Nuxta is still alive you say? And you think me to be his servant!?!?! How....... LAUGHABLE." the ancient dragon sighed as he began to calm down, even so much as to chuckle at the idea he would submit to anyone.

Within the ominously dead silent infinite void of dark. Where no being or material resides. Zethelos and Sleeth Kaine Mythue, the Monarch of darkness and blood. Having failed an attempt to bring the head of the leader of the Therosi left a sour taste in his mind. That is to say he was itching for a release. Stirred from his crimson bath by his foe he was prepared to destroy a few arrogant followers of Nuxta. But finding his foe to be a unique. Not aligned to any current powers. Within the embrace of the dark, where no others could witness them, he felt open enough to laugh at his fate. To him his foe was a beast, when compared to how the descended civilizations handles themselves today. A relic perfect for the taking. He believed it to be a dragon whose knowledge of who descended of today are and what they can do would be limited. Limited enough even to be... He let out a more recognizable laugh. "Foolish enough to face me. The Pinnacle of my kind." He sighed with relief. Fully confident now he released his aura. A show for the beast to sense. His soul, a ripe juicy meal if it could have it. One that sang with a rivaled capacity of the seraphim of old. The ones responsible for this dragons current endangered status.

For a moment the ancient god froze, almost as if unsure of how to respond to such a brash display...... He could tell that the king was powerful from the first moment they met...... But this..... THIS caught his attention. A deep bellow of a laugh welled up from inside him; not in arrogance, but as if met with a pleasant surprise. "Pinnicle you say? Your aura is strong child, but I have faced many far stronger than you." Zethelos declared as his laugh died down; his attitude becoming much more serious as he went on, "However, that was centuries ago-- and I am far from what I once was.... Nonetheless, I cannot imagine a greater bout to debut my return to this world! COME THEN! IMPRESS ME, AND I MAY JUST LET YOU LIVE!!!" Zethelos roared with zeal; a grand smile across his face.

At this moment; heavily contrast to the aura of Sleeth, the dragon's oppressive energies began to recede, coalescing around the old god's body. Very little of the dragon's might could now be felt by the king of Nero, yet the void surrounding him seemed to begin to warp and shift, as if reality itself was beginning to distort.

"Kings Domain!" He shouted in reply. His spell being released and his aura being felt wash over the infinite void. The distortion of their realm began to hasten. A swirl of shadow spinning around them until it formed into thousands of giant spears, twenty feet long each. Sleeth's eyes glared at Zethelos. A feint glow came from them, a strange focused aura was summoned from them.

Sleeth could make out the vibrations of Zethelos's draconic heartbeat. With his left hand he clasped his fist. Forming through the vibrations was an illusion spell from deep within the dragon. The world around them would be moving in to crush him, which in this darkness would be plausible. But it was a lie. Instead Sleeth prepared his scythe in his right hand while the spears began to be released in a constant barrage towards Zethelos whose blood is under the eyes of the king. His Mythue bloodline was known for their ability to freeze their foes blood in place by merely looking at them. It proved to be the highest of the eye traits for combat in the Nayu bloodlines. One that proved effective when this young king was forced to combat other trained royals and prospects for the title of king of Nero. Sleeth vanished while the barrage was unleashed. He covered himself in darkness, erased his sound, and began to assault Zethelos's hearing with sounds of laughter from all over. It would only be a second until he was on Zethelos to strike.

Though unaware that it was an illusion, the walls of darkness closing in upon him concerned the dragon lord little, the fact that his opponent could freeze his blood however, was quite interesting indeed. However was quite troublesome when paired with the incoming onslaught of dark spears. Slowly, the primal chaos that tightly wrapped Zethelos began to expand, forming a sphere of primal chaos around the ancient dragon. Upon contact, spears would be torn apart by the chaotic energies, leaving the dragon unscathed. Though his blood was frozen, Zethelos began to move, albeit very slowly, not giving away that he was tracking Sleeth's every move. Despite being the 'pinnicle' of his kind, the king of Nero had made a crucial error; he had neglected to conceal both his smell, and the aura of his soul. The ancient god of souls was ready to strike the moment Sleeth came in to strike, it was merely a matter of time.

With sheer essence of power Zethelos fought back as a statue. With his immense chaotic power being thrown everywhere the descendant fighting him could only part it with his blade and with divine darkness. Continuous bombardments of light and destructive concoctions were dashed to pieces and cast aside by the King of shadow. It was the best the Dragon foe could do to escape his blade. Even returning the devoured souls to life to fight in his stead was hardly enough. Only by burning away the realm with a chaotic spell did the dragon realize how wicked the King's essence was. His darkness from within was blacker than what was outside and shielded him from the destruction. But futile was the King's efforts, the dragon's power was immense and attaining a clean blow was actively thwarted. This was a high stakes battle unlike any other. Surely Nuxta was not stronger than this?

Their battle continued until one moment. Blood was sent flying as the tail of the dragon was sent flying into the rendered dimensional void of darkness with ripples of chaotic realms opened and scattered around. Some with fire, some with lighting, all chaotic and created by the dragon. The death of the dragon's attempts to avoid the blade and soon the death of the dragon itself was marked by this success of the king. If not for his efforts in improving his speed as he gradually made more and more attempts he would never had caught the beast's most vulnerable body part. The tail was no more and the curse of the blade began to settle into the Dragon. The soul began to leave the body and in that moment the King relaxed his eyes. In a final desperate move the Dragon was freed and able to deliver a bite to the King's left arm. Ripping it off in one solid crunch.

The King fell back into the darkness. His eyes merely widened at the result of this battle. But he kept his eyes on the Dragon up until it was completely dead. Observing as the soul of the beast began to leave its body, despite having feasted on some of the King's soul from that last bite. However the soul of the beast was full of chaotic aura and engulfed its body in an eternal flame keeping Sleeth from getting closer. He wrapped his wound with a solid shadow, though droplets of blood still floated around him from both him and the Dragon. Sleeth still gripped his scythe, prepared to cut even the dragons soul in two. But before he could two giant black wings covered the dragon's burning body.

Your place is not to die here. You've yet to see what beauty I will bring to this world.

The form of Nuxta lifted up from over the Dragon. Long black hair flowing infinitely in the void. He stood as a giant before Sleeth and the Dragon. But non threatening. As if he were only observing.
"Here I thought this had nothing to do with you. No matter." The King, though injured, prepared to cut down both Nuxta and the Dragon.

Your place is to serve the ones you descend from.

With a lifted hand Sleeth was blown back. He was hurtled back to his Kingdom falling from first the abyss and then plummeting from the air above.

---

Anui & Lila

The shouting and screaming could be heard throughout Nero's capital center. It was loud enough to be heard throughout the city. Even close to the cities entrances and outer tunnels that led to the cryptic castle where high atop it highest peak stood two figures. Anui had beckoned Lila to fully clad herself in armor. He himself was fully clad in fitted light armor. His coat still hanging from his shoulders and swaying in the high breeze. With Lila by his side he peered into the chaos below and made out the center of it all. "There." He said simply. The plan he detailed before they climbed this high was to position themselves someplace to be seen. "In that way we can be recognized together, saving lives, risking our lives, and our love, for the people." He held her hand. "Lets go, our people are waiting for us to save them."

The battle that waged between the king of Nero and the terrible dragon did not concern him more than solidifying Lila as a rightful member of the Nero royalty, of the elite upper class that was only given such a privilege through birth and blood. With her blood taken from her she was left no choice but to earn her position next to Anui. A challenge he felt she was destined to do. Their shadows leaping from the castle tops and soaring into the chaos.

The shouting, screaming and the tremors, Lila could feel them all. But unlike before, she wasn't fighting merely because she was ordered. She was fighting because she wanted to. She was fighting not only for Nero and other Nayus just like her, she was fighting for Anui, her beloved. As he appeared in front of her, fully clad in light armor, Lila couldn't help but to look at him for a few seconds. Even though she couldn't see his face under his helmet, she couldn't help but to admire his figure. Standing next to him as he pointed towards where they would go while wearing a beautiful armor with a crowned helmet, she felt that she could maybe be more than just Anui's lover. Seeing herself standing besides her beloved, whom himself was clad in a mighty armor, hearing him saying that not his people needed him, but their people needed them, made Lila feel not like an outcast. They were Nayus, just like her. Those were her people as well.

Blushing a bit, Lila shook her head, sending those thoughts away. Was she really worth of being a... queen? Could she, a person who knew only how to kill, be able to protect not only her beloved, but his kingdom as well? As she heard the cries coming from down below, Lila couldn't help but to think that if she simply let that continue, how many lovers would be separated, how many families destroyed, how many Nayu children would end up alone in the world... Just like Lila herself was before she met Anui...

"I... Is it ok for me to see them as my people? Am I really fit to be a good queen not just for you, but for them as well?" Lila asked, looking to herself as she stood next to Anui. She still wasn't accustomed in seeing herself wearing such a... majestic and regal looking armor.

But the second she looked at Anui after making those questions, hearing such determination in his voice made Lila stop doubting herself. She couldn't doubt herself. After all, Anui didn't. She could feel in his voice, on his eyes that he trusted her with all his heart, he really believed that she could do it.

"You believe in me with all your heart. I promise I won't disappoint you." she said, looking to him, almost as if she was looking directly to his eyes through the helmet. For the first time, Lila didn't try to hide herself and pass by unannounced. For the first time in her life, Lila was proud of being herself, of being together with Anui. As she jumped from the castle tops, soaring into the chaos below together with her beloved, Lila didn't try to hide herself in the shadows, instead holding her head high to face others as she was. For the first time in her life, Lila didn't look like a monster, an assassin or a rejected outcast... Instead.... she was looking like a Queen.

A woman collapsing with her child was unaware of the hurtling debris that headed her way. The large debris from the obliterated lower city block hailed over the capitals lower center. Where the masses were heaviest. The crash of these large pieces sprang up clouds of dust. Once it cleared Anui was visible holding the woman and her child. It was when they came into the fray he declared his plan of action to Lila. For them to split up and save whoever they could. All this while the massive dragon soared above. Fighting the army of Nero and absorbing their souls. It was a terrifying sight to see so many bodies dropping for simply getting near the creature. Anui let the woman down after conjuring with his own spell a armored knight made of a dark aura. It held the woman and her child tight and darted off to safety. Anui took the time to conjure two more of these knights and ran through the streets. Seeing buildings close to crumbling from being bombarded by stones and other materials. To stains of blood from the injured or the dead.

Anui came to a stop when his foot stepped on the blood of an injured Nayu man. A shard of glass in his arm and a head injury. With his knights he began to help clear these people, and as quickly as possible. He ran up the buildings wall and leaped to a pole, vaulting to the window and climbing to the rooftop. He scanned the streets from above to see where Lila was. Debris still falling around them from the battle above.

The second Anui and Lila reached the town they ran to do what they had planned: save everyone they could. One might complain that they would be more helpful fighting against the threat, but what they were doing should be the real priority. When weighting between killing an intruder and saving their people, the answer should be obvious. As Anui went to help a mother and it's child, Lila continued running, scanning for anyone who needed her help. After a brief second though, her eyes stopped in two small children, a boy and a girl, who were crying while trying to run away from the danger by themselves. The boy, even though was afraid and crying, refused to let go of the small girl's hand as they continued to run.

Getting near them, Lila knelt down near the two children.
"It is too dangerous here. Follow me, I will protect you." she said, with a kind and calm voice, trying to calm down both of them.

"Th-The others..." The boy said, trying the best he could to stop crying.
"The Ophanage!" The girl said, still crying as she pointed towards a building about to collapse.

Alone Lila couldn't protect those two and save the rest of the children at the same time. Without much time to think, Lila quickly looked around to see where Anui was. She immediately saw him, on top of a pole looking to more people to help. The second she looked to him, their eyes met. It was already enough for Lila, she knew he would understand what she wanted.

"You two don't stop running. Go towards that man over there, he will keep you safe." Lila said, pointing to Anui, standing up and looking to Anui once more before she ran towards the crumbling building.

Dashing as fast as she could, Lila finally got inside the building. There she found five other kids, crying and paralyzed with fear. In front of them, there was an adult Nayu woman, probably someone who worked in the orphanage. Much to Lila's dismay, she was already dead. Crushed by a huge stone that came from a hole in the ceiling.

Two by Two, Lila took the children outside as delicately as she could without losing much time. When there was only one child left though, Lila heard a rumbling noise. The building was finally giving in. In just the blink of an eye, Lila dashed inside, grabbing the remaining child in her arms and dashing outside again. The second she stepped out of the building, everything came down after them. Kneeling down and embracing all of them, she used her own body and armor, albeit small, to protect them from the debris from the falling building behind them.

Anui was watching with an anxious heart. Watching his Lila dart inside the building kept him on edge. If it weren't for those standing around, uncaring or unable to move as she did, Anui wouldn't have risked this harm on her. But she needed to prove herself in front of their people. To them she would be a heroine. It was only when she ran out safely with two children did he leap into action. Lila unfortunately had to take a few strikes to the back from handful sized stones. But after she endured those a larger piece, an entire floor, threatened to fall on her. That was when he came. His blade swinging swiftly upward and back within his neutral stance, as if knowing their safety was assured. It split like an invisible barrier were around them. Debris blowing around them a ten foot high cloud of dust. Once it cleared Anui stood behind Lila as she held the two children. Onlookers sighed with audible relief. Anui turned to Lila, with the dust clearing he removed his helmet. He motioned for her to do the same. "Run, they will take you to safety." Anui told the children. But he let Lila have her moment with them before they would be off. He then turned to look up at the battle in the sky.

"It looks like hell is taking over this place. Lila. Steel you soul or you may lose it."
The Dragon above flying and taking souls changed form and clashed with more of those chosen to be under the King's command in battle. Anui looked to Lila with worry in his eyes. He was wary of his power, and her power, being far too weak to take part in such a grand scale battle. But he tightened his fist. "I do not believe our kingdom will fall here. Instead. This may be a wake up call we all needed. Feeding on Seraphim fed to us by the Therosi. A vile organization." He sighed. "I see now the power we may need to move this world..."

The impact from the debris had a heavy impact on Lila's back, but she was able to endure them thanks to the armor given to her by Anui. When she thought the kids were safe though, an entire floor threatened to fall right on top of Lila. She didn't have enough time to react, especially since she was hugging the kids and her scythe was on her back. Closing her eyes, she could only hope to endure it, both for her and her own child's sake and for the kids she was protecting. Luckily, she wasn't alone. Not anymore. She had Anui by her side to protect her. Leaping forward, he slashed upwards and back with a neutral stance, creating something almost like an invisible barrier around Lila, protecting her and the kids.

The children were crying, hugging Lila. Even though Lila's own body was so delicate and small compared to someone like Anui, the kids still felt safe around her. It certainly wasn't something Lila was used to. Normally, no one would ever feel safe around her. It wasn't only the two children as well, but even the onlookers were holding her breath during all that and got visibly happy and relieved after it happened. Those new sensations felt... different to her. To be relied upon, to have other people feel safe around her and be happy with her presence. It was different, but good.

"Are you two unharmed? You should run, it's getting more and more dangerous." Lila said, with a very discreet smile to the two kids.

Looking to her, still with tears on their eyes, they silently nodded, while looking to her still in silence, almost as if asking if she was going to go with them.

"Go to safety... I need to stay..." she said, as she gently pushed the two children.

---

After it was done, Anui spoke, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict. When Lila looked up, she realized that it was on a completely different scale. The dragon above them, just like Anui mentioned, seemed to be something that came straight out from tales. Fighting against the king and his chosen warriors, the beast still continue to consume souls and leave a path of destruction where it passed. Not only the dragon's power, but the king's power was almost as frightening as the dragon himself.

"Many things need to change if we want a better place for us and our people." Lila said, after she heard Anui.

"But change has a price, just like everything in this world. We might need to spill blood and take cruel and ruthless actions." she continued, with a dark tone. As she looked to Anui though, it was clear on her eyes that she was more than prepared for that.

"As long as you're by my side, I'll be your queen, your blade and your loved one." she said, with a smile towards Anui as she stood up, looking to his eyes.

"I'm not opposed to shedding blood for what is right for me and my people. But I want to steer this black half of the world into greater directions." He stared at the sky through the giant hole that let in what little outer world light came in from above. The sky was darkening and the stars were faintly visible. A shadow summon approached them while holding Anui's helmet. "I desire to make you a Queen. But for now what you say may come to pass. But I wish to avoid bloodshed among our own.." He sighed. Things were rather complicated and he knew it. Yet the simplest thing was Lila and her love for him. He smiled and grabbed her hand, watching her reaction as he leaned down to place a kiss to her lips. Their embrace surrounded by clearing rubble and corpses of fallen soldiers scattered about. "I understand what we need to do. We mus-" A loud boom could be heard in the sky.

Hurtling out of a bright dimension ripple that vanished as fast as it came was the King of Nero. Yet he was clearly injured and not entirely in control of his trajectory. Blood trailed behind him as he flew. Soon being surrounded by shadow soldiers who safely grabbed him and took him down. Anui looked with wide eyes at the shocking moment. The almighty King was injured. "Come. We need to see this.. The King seems injured." He did not let go of her hand and stepped with her to go see the King. Many others were crowded around the King who landed in the higher up districts near the main castle. There Soldiers made a protective circle. Yet the blood on the ground he laid in was clearly his. "What do you make of this.. Lila?" Anui asked as they stood on the top of a building watching from below with a perfect view. The king had lost his left arm and was stopping the bleeding. Also his mask was damaged, none knew his face except for close family.

She could see in his eyes and hear on his tone of voice that things from now on would just get more complicated. While her objective was the same as Anui's, she wasn't as naïve to think that she could attain them without some drastic measures. If it was necessary, she would use her scythe to cut away the rotting part of Nero...

"I... I've already killed many people... Including other Nayus..." Lila remembered, looking down.

"I don't want to see more innocent blood on my hands bu-" Lila began to say, but was interrupted as Anui leaned towards her, gently taking her hands and kissing her, immediately making her stop speaking. After all, how could she discuss with such a good argument? No matter how complicated things could get, there was one simple thing that would never change no matter what. Their love for each other.

The same wasn't true for the current situation though... When Lila thought things couldn't get worse and more chaotic, a loud boom interrupted their kiss. Out of a strange dimension ripple, the king of Nero came out, obviously wounded as he plummeted to the ground. What made things even worse was that it wasn't just any soldier... That one was the king. One of the most powerful beings in all Nero and he had lost against something. Anui's expression was enough to make Lila understand how grave that was.

Immediately going to the top of another building to better see what was happening, it finally became clear how bad the king was wounded. Laying in a pool of his own blood, struggling to stop the bleeding, amongst all the other wounds, maybe the most striking one was that he had lost his entire arm.

"I can only hope that whatever it was that he was fighting against is in a worse state than he is rignt now..." Lila muttered, looking to Anui.

"If not... Nero might be in serious danger..." Lila said, with a dark tone on her voice as she she unconsciously tightened her grip around Anui's hand. She knew exactly how bad things could get and she didn't want to lose Anui again or the only place she could call home.

"I believe you are right about that." Anui said to Lila as they continued to watch what was happening. Soon the King and the other royals were back within the halls of the King's castle. It was late at night but there was still ongoing discussion on Lila's circumstance. Earlier Anui had declared his protection of Lila. Though he could have been subdued with enough effort with the current damage to the city and the loss of many soldiers there was no effort put to separating and conspiring against Lila. Anui's mother bit her nails in anger but knew she could only bide her time now to get back at Lila. For now Lila and Anui shared a room, they were declared married in the eyes of some of the other royals who were closer to Anui. This was enough for now for Lila to be near Anui and treated as a royal.

Lounge room

Within the room Anui stood in a cool breeze blew in. The higher districts were closer to the hole that gave the city it's moonlight. Being closer to said hole high above the city gave more wind. Anui enjoyed the cool air by the window he had open. He could look out and see the outside courtyards that led to different wings of the castle where many other royals lived. Candles were lit above and a fireplace was set. But Anui merely watched the moonlit courtyard thinking quietly. His armor long removed and put away. His coat hung on the wall and his sleek all black silk hugged his skin. Long sleeves and black leggings that covered his feet. He had a bottle of blood elixir on the table and tea cups. The bedroom was only a few steps away.

Bedroom

"Lila. Can I show you something." Anui turned to her. She was dressed in her own change of attire provided by the servants He walked opposite of their bedroom to another room. He opened the door. Inside was a bed, a toy chest and a few other things a child would enjoy. "I think the future of this kingdom is best left in the hands of the next generation. We will strive to give this future a better kingdom." He placed a hand on Lila's flat belly. Caressing it slowly as he hugged her.

child room

\

After such a chaotic event, things regarding Lila and Anui didn't seem to be a priority right now. Their efforts were focused on the damage the city had suffered and the wounded king. It looked like that Lila and Anui would have a brief moment to rest regarding that matter. Deep down inside though, Lila knew it wouldn't last long as Anui's mother didn't even try to hide her anger and dissatisfaction regarding the royal council's decision to postpone Lila's judgement. At least for now, Lila and Anui could be together and for the first time, Lila was being treated like a royal.

The lounge they encountered themselves was nothing short of spectacular. Indeed fitting of royalty, something which Lila still wasn't used. Just a few steps away there was their bedroom, which didn't fall short regarding luxury and decoration to the lounge itself. The atmosphere both on the lounge and the bedroom were cozy and comfortable... Not only due to the fireplace, the candles or anything, but mostly because Anui was there with her.

Standing beside Anui in silence, Lila simply enjoyed the cold breeze together with her beloved. After such a chaotic day, they deserved some time for themselves. She knew that such tranquil and calm times like that would be even rarer from now on. She had to enjoy it as much as she could.

The armor they wore previously was not on their body anymore, giving place to comfortable and light clothes. Anui was wearing simple, yet beautiful clothes made of silk and black pants. The light fabric gently hugged his skin, revealing a beautiful body. Lila in the other hand, was wearing a beautiful midnight blue nightdress with long sleeves. Albeit it was a simple dress, being nowhere close to the dress she wore back when she first met Anui, it still had a certain charm to it. The silk gently hugged Lila's skin, coupled with a cut that was made to show her womanly figure and curves. It was certainly a thing that Lila wasn't used to wear. She couldn't say it was uncomfortable, on the contraire, it was indeed really comfortable, it just wasn't something she had used before. Still, if she was going to be Anui's wife and his queen, she would want to look pretty for him. It was just a small thing she could do for him.

After a few minutes of silence, Anui turned to Lila, saying he wanted to show something to her and asking her to follow him. As he headed towards a closed door, Lila quietly followed him with a curious expression, but she wasn't prepared for what she was going to see next. The moment he opened his door, showing a bed, a toy chest and other things a child would enjoy, Lila's only reaction was slowly covering her mouth with her hands as tears started to come out from her eyes.

Anui's voice was gentle as he caressed Lila's still flat belly, gently hugging her. Not knowing what to say, Lila could simply hug him back, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks as she heard Anui talking about the future and their child.

After so many chaotic events, after passing through so many things she finally realized that she was going to be a mother. She had completely forgotten that given the situation both herself and Anui encountered themselves but upon seeing that room, neatly and carefully prepared for their child, she finally realized that she was indeed going to be a mother. A torrent of feelings were passing through Lila's mind right now. She was afraid and uncertain as she didn't know if she was going to be a good mother but she was also happy beyond words, knowing that it was both hers and Anui's child. A living proof of their love. The mix of emotions on Lila's face, especially the happiness she was feeling was clear as she tightly hugged Anui, still crying.

"Thank you, Anui... For everything." Lila said, still with teary eyes and a shaky voice as she looked up to Anui, with a warm and kind smile towards him.

Anui smiled back to her, a rare sight to see for him and Lila. The breeze made the blinds dance and the fires on the candles go out. It was time for bed. They would figure out the fate of Nero in the morning.

Ascension card game test

Ascension Card Game - Boss Battle

Rules

Phases

Resource rolls - Each player rolls 3 1d10s and chooses two from the highest as their resources.

Turn rolls - Each player rolls 1d6 and determine order of turns.

Map Roll - Each player will Roll 1d5 and the number it chooses is the location on the map is where the player will begin.

Turn start - Each player will start with five cards of their choice in their hand. Then roll a six sided dice.

Main Phase - This is where the player can choose to summon characters, use items, equip items, enter defense and use abilities.

Combat phase - This is when characters target each other for attacks or spells. Each character can only attack once per turn or cast a spell. Characters can only attack characters

Resource rolls - If a character chooses to roll for resources they must skip all interactions on their turn.

End phase - Turn ends and passes to next player.

Rotation end - After all players have had a turn each player can begin choosing one of five cards from what territory they are in. Each player can only choose one card per turn.

1. Each players has a starting hand and must use it to play with. At the start of each players turn they can draw a random card from the deck from the land they are in.

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Nailah & Melo

Nailah simply shrugged when she heard Tali rejecting her offer. She couldn't say that she was expecting that reaction, as Nailah was pretty sure she would love to trick that merchant a bit, but when she got closer to Nailah whispering in her ear everything became clearer. She really wasn't Nailah simply shrugged when she heard Tali rejecting her offer. She couldn't say that she was expecting that reaction, as Nailah was pretty sure she would love to trick that merchant a bit, but when she got closer to Nailah whispering in her ear everything became clearer. She really wasn't interested on men, not even in letting they watch her. Her mentioning to keep Lynn safe made Nailah chuckle and look at her with an raised eyebrow.

"I should say that to you... Poor girl is still in shock after your kiss. She is really innocent and shy, you know? I'll probably need to have a talk with her later to calm her down and explain some things..." Nailah finished, rolling her eyes.

Just as she had whispered to Tali, it wasn't hard to see that Lynn was completely out of herself for now. The poor girl was almost in shock after being kissed like that. Nailah could clearly see the mixed emotions on the girl's face.

"Lynn my dear, if you don't want you don't need to come with me, ok? I know you probably have a lot to think about right now... If you want to, we could talk about it after we finish shopping." Nailah said, with a kind and calming voice to Lynn.

"By the way, you're not going to lose anything. I'm just going to play a small trick on this greedy merchant." She whispered, winking mischievously to Lynn before she followed Melo.
The lounge was honestly much more cozy than what Nailah was expecting. The walls lined with hundreds of white cushions and the floor with a vibrant red carpet, along with a few large tables on the middle, where some hookah pipes were gave the entire lounge a really cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Approaching the hookah container, Melo was quick to put some fresh herbs inside, before trying to light it with a flint without much success before asking for help.

"Oh, am I now?" Nailah asked, with a mischievous smirk on her face as she heard Melo saying that she was the hottest thing that he had seen in a while.

Leaning towards the hookah container, she gently took the flint from his hands, lighting the flame with her breath, letting out a small line of fire.

"I do not mind the smoke, but I doubt you'll will have time to pay attention in anything other than me..." She said, pushing Melo, making him sit on the white cushions with his back on the wall as she slowly walked towards him, sitting on top of him.

"You know... Being alone in such a place with a completely unknown woman could be dangerous..." Nailah said, looking towards Melo and carefully observing each one of his expressions and reactions as she carefully manipulated her charm ability, alternating between it becoming stronger and weaker.
"Or maybe... Danger excites you?" She asked, smiling to him and showing her sharp teeth. Melo could clearly feel her strong tighs touching his legs. Her smooth, silky skin, her firm muscles underneath it and her unusually hot skin temperature. Her plump breasts touching his chest as she got closer to him, her sweet, hot breath caressing his face when he approached her face to his.

Nailah was having fun watching Melo's reactions. She was genuinely curious to see what he would do, how would he react with her approaching him so suddenly like that.

Before using her charm to the max and make the man basically her puppet, she wanted to have a little bit of fun with him. Teasing, provoking, testing to see where exactly where that man's limits.
interested on men, not even in letting they watch her. Her mentioning to keep Lynn safe made Nailah chuckle and look at her with an raised eyebrow.

"I should say that to you... Poor girl is still in shock after your kiss. She is really innocent and shy, you know? I'll probably need to have a talk with her later to calm her down and explain some things..." Nailah finished, rolling her eyes.

Just as she had whispered to Tali, it wasn't hard to see that Lynn was completely out of herself for now. The poor girl was almost in shock after being kissed like that. Nailah could clearly see the mixed emotions on the girl's face.

"Lynn my dear, if you don't want you don't need to come with me, ok? I know you probably have a lot to think about right now... If you want to, we could talk about it after we finish shopping." Nailah said, with a kind and calming voice to Lynn.

"By the way, you're not going to lose anything. I'm just going to play a small trick on this greedy merchant." She whispered, winking mischievously to Lynn before she followed Melo.
The lounge was honestly much more cozy than what Nailah was expecting. The walls lined with hundreds of white cushions and the floor with a vibrant red carpet, along with a few large tables on the middle, where some hookah pipes were gave the entire lounge a really cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Approaching the hookah container, Melo was quick to put some fresh herbs inside, before trying to light it with a flint without much success before asking for help.

"Oh, am I now?" Nailah asked, with a mischievous smirk on her face as she heard Melo saying that she was the hottest thing that he had seen in a while.

Leaning towards the hookah container, she gently took the flint from his hands, lighting the flame with her breath, letting out a small line of fire.

"I do not mind the smoke, but I doubt you'll will have time to pay attention in anything other than me..." She said, pushing Melo, making him sit on the white cushions with his back on the wall as she slowly walked towards him, sitting on top of him.

"You know... Being alone in such a place with a completely unknown woman could be dangerous..." Nailah said, looking towards Melo and carefully observing each one of his expressions and reactions as she carefully manipulated her charm ability, alternating between it becoming stronger and weaker.
"Or maybe... Danger excites you?" She asked, smiling to him and showing her sharp teeth. Melo could clearly feel her strong tighs touching his legs. Her smooth, silky skin, her firm muscles underneath it and her unusually hot skin temperature. Her plump breasts touching his chest as she got closer to him, her sweet, hot breath caressing his face when he approached her face to his.

Nailah was having fun watching Melo's reactions. She was genuinely curious to see what he would do, how would he react with her approaching him so suddenly like that.

Before using her charm to the max and make the man basically her puppet, she wanted to have a little bit of fun with him. Teasing, provoking, testing to see where exactly where that man's limits.
The merchant steeled himself underneath such a large woman. In comparison to his Sol heritage she was quite large indeed. Yet he simply smirked with a slight raised brow. As if he was acutely aware of how much he wanted this. However, as the heat of the room and the herbal smokes filled the air, he began to become visibly delirious. His hands did not move though, as if he were pinned beneath her. "I sense no danger. In fact I think you're in danger..Heheheh." He uncontrollably laughed with joy as he broke his steeled visage and stared directly into Nailah's eyes. Losing control under her stronger charm and impaling his head into her bosom.
"You are indeed an interesting man, Melo..." Nailah said, gently caressing the man's hair as she watched his attempts to keep his cool. Unfortunately, Nailah was the type of girl that was hard to ignore... And even harder to resist.

As Nailah watched Melo's cheeks going red due to the herbs and her charm. It was honestly amusing to see his steeled visage slowly falling apart. Due to her metabolism and dragon blood, she was indeed more resistant to the herbs effect, but the smoke was getting thicker and she knew that even her would start getting affected by it if she wasn't careful. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but she wasn't there to have fun. She was trying to teach a greedy merchant a lesson.

Nailah's own thoughts were interrupted when Melo opened his mouth again, saying that she was the one in danger before he buried his face on her ample breasts, making her giggle with a mischievous smile as he did so.
"So eager! You are a greedy man, Mr. Melo~" She said, with a giggle as she caressed his hair and gently raising his face to meet hers before giving him a lengthy and deep kiss, using her charm to the maximum.

"But you do underestimate me greatly..." Nailah said, with a mischievous smirk as her eyes met Melo's for a second before she got up, standing right in front of Melo.

With Melo's eyes fixed on her, Nailah started to slowly strip herself in front of the merchant, but when she was about to uncover her breasts, she stopped, looking at Melo with a smirk as she covered herself again, teasing him.
"I wonder how those necklaces I was interested in would look on my naked body..." Nailah said, with a mischievous smirk to Melo, fomenting his imagination.

"Maybe... You would like to see them as well? You are indeed experienced in handling such delicate jewels... Maybe you could help me to take them off after the rest of my clothes are gone..." She said, teasing Melo even more as she silently suggested him to accompany her outside to get the necklaces and them go back to the lounge.

The idea was simple, he would go down with Nailah on his arms, but he would go back to the Lounge with a clone, wearing the necklaces as Nailah walked away with the real articles.

"Interested...? Maybe if you can handle such delicate necklaces you would be able to handle me as well..." She finished, waiting for Melo's reaction.

Melo was indeed smitten by Nailah's charming aura. The heat was intoxicating and his mind wandered little on why he was feeling this way. Removing his cheeks from her glaring warm chest he managed to move his arms, his body dulled by the daze. He found himself staring at the necklaces for a moment. The mind had ways of recurring past memories and despite his stupor he was able to recollect what he wanted. "You can have these my dear sweet fire starter. Now what was your name again?" He asked with a whisper. Easing closer to her with each breath and rising to meet her demands. Placing the necklaces in her possession.

---

The Baths
Lynn & Talise

Lynn blushed a bit, though she tried to cover it with her sleeved hand, "I-I wouldn't say disappointed, well, rather....shocked? It was so sudden and unexpected it took me by surprise. Especially since we had only just met." She didn't mention how she used to fantasize the moment since she was little, her first kiss shared with the man that she would fall in love with, whoever that may be. The thought of her first kiss being with another girl was not predicted in the slightest. It was something that she had never really even considered.

This time however it seemed it was Tali who changed the subject back to food and the bath, which she was grateful for. "Oh that should be fine," she mentioned about the baths being too small to swim in, "I would mostly need to soak anyway, I get so dry outside of Tearia, and though the mist in the carriage helps, its just not the same as being in the water," she said happily. "We can eat something before we leave, but the baths sound wonderful right now!"

Tali couldn't help but let out a short chuckle at Lynn's excitement to get into water. Despite being half Lassa, Tali did not get dried out like many others. In fact, she basically didn't feel any discomfort under normal circumstances given her immunities. Despite that, she could use a bit of water, or lava. Either way, she felt a desire to get out of the dryness that was non-coastal areas and into a more homelike area.

She gently ushered Lynn into the inn, drawing her into the bath area. They arrived in time to see a very pissed off Aste casting magic in the baths. Letting Lynn go for a second, Tali approached Aste from behind and let out a loud but melodic hum. "Calm yourself, dear. We don't need another visit from those money obsessed pigs, do we?" As she spoke to Aste, Tali prepared for her bath. Her clothing was basically effortless to take off, so she just let it drop to the floor, intending to pick it up and take it with her into the baths. Now, she stood quite naked behind Aste and in front of Lynn, seemingly unabashed to be so.

Shye & Aste

Shye was trying to relax in the baths, but unfortunately, she couldn't concentrate. Until Aeden returned, she was still worried, and even then, what if the plan failed. What would happen then? And here she was not doing anything. In a bath of all places at a time like this! She sighed as she opened her eyes, looking to the sky above as there was no roof, which to her seemed odd in a town where most could fly...

She was being unfair to herself, and she knew it. What would she be able to do on her own. This collar kept her from rebelling, she wasn't strong enough to defeat one of her targets, much less a group of them. What was worse is that she couldn't even imagine what would happen if she tried to reach her son instead of her target. Bidzil wasn't safe around her. Not until that damned collar was taken care of. She reached up to her neck, touching the bandages that wrapped it.

Just then, Nix chirped at the sight of another person walking into the bath house. Shye glanced from the corner of her eye to see who it was before closing her eyes again. She didn't know Aste, as she was leaving when the girl had just arrived to the inn. She stayed silent for now, continuing to try to find some sort of comfort in the warm waters.

A foul magic, fouler than the black plague. That was the first thing that Aste felt at the first step into the inn. Time and time again, even the Magoi guild had to deal with such arcane magic. No doubt it is one of those slave collars.

"Don't move," Aste let out a large flow of magic, letting the morning light that shone into the baths dance under her illusions spell. A unicorn appeared by the mists of the baths. It was an illusion nonetheless, but that spell is just used as a dummy, to see if the curse was a very volatile one.

A unicorn was the most gentlest creature that Aste thought out. And she hoped that the type of beast will keep the one of the slave collar from going unsettled. "I'm going to get that damned thing off your neck." Unelegantly, she let out an unrestrained cursings off her mouth, from her short temper that has yet to go away.

She was just testing the waters, before she were to delve into the evil work of the artefact. For one, she wasn't sure on the design of that one collar, some are unique, and she don't mean it in a good way.

Shye looked quite uncertain at the whole display Aste created as she moved towards her. When she was told not to move by this stranger, she was naturally suspicious and was actually prepared to do just that and try to leave. However, what she had mentioned next surprised her. She said she wanted to remoeve her collar from her neck. How in the world did she know about that too? Was she like Aeden? "W-wait, just who are you?" She asked, looking between her and a unicorn that had silently appeared in the bath. [color=DC143C]"It's not really something that can easily be tampered with, it can't-" Before she could continue however, Aste's magic had made contact with the cursed collar before she could warn her to stop. Even though it was just a slight test, the effects were immediate and punishing, bringing a sharp searing pain around her neck, similar to what she felt when Mason was burning away the first layer, making her choke on her words orf warning and exchanging it for an outcry of pain. Nix didn't take kindly to Shye's treatment. Her fur started to stand on end as she hissed at Aste, her tail 'fluffing' out into many small needles, her wings and tail both shaking and making a rattling like noise. As the 'test' stopped the bandages that were around Shye's neck started to faintly turn red and he breathing was heavy.
"I don't know who you are," she said between breaths, "If you think that is helping me, you don't know a lot about these collars. Only the creator can remove one without causing a tremendous amount of pain. You shouldn't just brazenly jump into trying to dispell a curse...you could get yourself killed that way depending on what curse it is," she said, her eyes glaring up at her before she looked back down and started working on uncovering the bandages. When they were unraveled, it revealed the cursed collar's marks around her neck, now bleeding a bit from Aste tampering with it just slightly. There were also the still healing burn on her neck where the first layer used to be, though it was about a quarter of the way rebuilt, going from red scared flesh back to black. "I'll ask again...Who are you..." she asked, though now a bit on the irritated side, and a bit on edge. It was then that two girls from the alliance showed up and started talking to her. Shye relaxed a bit, knowing she was with the alliance eased her worried heart a litle bit, though she was still a little irritated.

Shye, Aste, Lynn, & Talise

As Lynn and Tali arrived nothing looked to be too serious at first. Though despite Tali's disrobment, Lynn immediately had her attention on something else. "Tali! She's bleeding!" Lynn immediately went over to Shye, hopping into the water clothes and all. "My ame is Lynn. I'm with the Alliance, are you alright? I remember seeing you here yesterday. I can heal you if its okay with you."

Shye shook her head slowly trying not to move her now irritated neck too much."I'm Shye, and I'll be fine, thank you though," she said. She wasn't wanting to try anything else around her neck, so she wanted to leave it as is for now.

Lynn nodded, "O-okay, I understand," and swam back over to Tali, who she just now realized was naked. "Oh, w-wait, should I have not jumped in with my clothes?" she wondered aloud to Tali. She did blush a bit at seeing her nude form, as even with what little they wore in Tearia because they were in the water, they still covered up for the most part. She tried not to stare at her and make herself busy pulling the water from her clothing to dry off after climbing out. Did this mean she would have to follow suit as well to get in the bath? Was there some sort of rule? It wasn't so bad though, they were all girls here anyway, right? She looked around and noticed there were no men in the public bath, so maybe it was...okay?

"You can call me Aste," Aste couldn't hide her surprised look, that would be leaning more towards amusement had it be the current situation. "That owner must have really wanted you alive,"

It doesn't seem like a run-out-of-mill collar. That one girl seemed to be too important for the owner. An elaborate work had it not be dark artefact.

"Worry not, she is fine," Aste remained unfazed by the sight of blood, or appeared to have as her eyes stopped for a moment at the sight of Tali and Lynn. But she continued, "Otherwise, the collar would have killed her by the first scuffle of magic. The source doesn't like to see her on any battles..."

Too important to be a mere miner, yet made to avoid battles, despite her seemingly knowledge. And her fact that she can speak well under the arcane object proves that one thing. Sigh... she had hoped that she could work with that cursed artefact without that owner's notice, but that don't seem meant to be.

"I don't know which Kingdom you're scouring for, but that collar seemed to be one that is made for espionage ~"

Aste uncasted her illusions, as the unicorn faded back into the mists. That binding of the collar doesn't seem to favour risky battles. This wasn't an easy job on her part. The owner should have known about this encounter, as carefully crafted that thing was. Still an unattended artefact is always more vulnerable than one that is worn.

To make the magic appear unthreatening. And to cast it at only one moment to spare, while working through the wards torched into the foul chain...(edited)
"Four wardings," Aste walked along the edge of the pool. It was just a wild, uneducated guess, as much as she doubted on the number. The Number Four was, in some places she visited, quite an inauspicious number. "I'll need to get closer to the cursed ring, young lady."

She closens her distance in her calm, glideful steps, her pair of eyes had the focus on Shye. "A rather bothersome one by how it seems to be, but my luck can be pushed. And I prefer that luck not to be pushed further away."

The seriousness of that situation had long forced her temper away awkwardly. One touch of the collar is all she need, if the one of the collar could allow her to try, and she had forgotten when she had regained her composure, perhaps its due to Tari’s advice earlier?
Tali watched Aste carefully, especially after Shye's pain. Lynn tended to Shye, so Tali took charge overseeing Aste. When the rather naive girl approached Shye, Tali was right behind her. Once a touch was mentioned, the bard placed a hand gently on Aste's shoulder. "Careful, we don't want more pain on her. If you cannot guarantee no more activation by touch, I cannot allow you to touch it. Please do not force me to take protective measures."

She looked to Lynn and motioned for her to come closer. She also looked at Shye. "My suggestion is to allow healing. An open wound is quite inviting to further suffering. You have suffered enough for one day. Let us soothe it. I can soothe the mind. It seems Lynn here can soothe the body."

Shye seemed to relax a bit once everything settled and the other two come up to help as well. This was a lot of attention towards her than she was used to. She wasn't quite sure what to think about it it, it was just....odd really. She reached out to console Nix, who even though her tail had smoothed back out and her hair laid back down, she was still watching the three, especially Aste.

Shye touched her neck and held out her hand, she was indeed bleeding. It wasn't a lot of blood, but enough that she pulled herself out of the bath and sat on the side with her legs still in the water, her towel still in place around her body, just barely long enough to keep her somewhat modest. When Aste mentioned the collar and its probably use, Shye somewhat explained. "I wasn't made for either, actually. It was simply made for silence and obedience." she mentioned with a downcast look. She looked up at Tali as she interjected on Shye's behalf. "It's okay... If you are able to weaken it's abilities, even temporarily, I would be grateful, but I don't think anyone but the person who made it can remove it completely. Your ally, Mason, burned away the first layer, which is what allows me to speak now. Though, I can feel my voice is weaker than it was when it was removed, meaning its repairing itself slowly." Tali had suggested that she let Lynn heal her and that she could help soothe the mind, Shye thought about it for a moment and gave in, "I would appreciate that," she said with a weak smile, "My name is Shye."(edited)
Lynn surprisingly had a whole different look to her now. It was serious with sharper looking eyes as she studied Shye. She watched her movements, reactions, how she talked, everything about her seemed as if she was quite tired and worn down. When tali called for Lynn, she looked a bit happier that she was now allowed to help, and approached her once more. Though they were in a bath of water, Lynn still summoned some clean water from her jar and wrapped it gently around her neck, "Don't worry, this will only take a sec..." the water seemed to be absorbing the light, and instead of just reflecting it, it caught the light inside of it and started to glow with a healing aura. Lynn noticed a vibration in the water she controlled. Though Shye was trying to be relaxed, there was a very noticeable heightened heart rate. Soon, the light faded as Lynn removed the water, the bleeding was gone and it seemed her neck was better. Now they could get a good look at the curse itself.it was tribal in design with a black color. It was like a tattoo with three noticeable layers, the top most layer had about three quarters of it faded out, continuing to black at the back of her neck. Lynn looked up, "There, all better," she looked up at Aste, "if whatever you have planned doesn't work though, I don't think we should continue any further for now. She needs to relax and rest." She looked to Shye once more. "You are suffering from anxiety. Your body seems to be weak and not well rested, and is under a lot of stress. Your heart rate is also beating too fast as a reaction to the stress. Tila, I remember your music being a lot of help this morning," she said with a smile, "Maybe some music would help?" Lynn honestly didn't know that Tila was weaving magic into her music, but she did know it helped calm her headache when she woke up with her hangover.

"Tsk..." Aste let out an audible click at the approach from the bard. "I won't hurt her, you have my word for that, consider this as a favour from your music of this morning."

Aste bit back to restrain her another breath of cursings. It’s a relief that healing don't do anything to that collar. She had wanted to study about this artefact, but now is not the time for that.

Aste bended down and touched the collar of Shye. Dozens of flows of magic, each neatly and intricately controlled by Aste. Aste strained her cast, and like a surging river, the flows of her magic sped up and spiralled the constructs of the collar, to seize the one crucial moment before that same torture curse starts acting up.

Those flows of magic impatiently converged into a shield of illusion, around the layers of the curses.

Reluctantly, Aste let go her hold of magic. All this effort just to churn out a weakly crafted shield. But she had done what she needed.

"There, I shielded the curse, but the barrier isn't a good one. If you would excuse me,"

She eased herself to the side of the pool, she did not deplete too much of her spirit, but it still added up to her fatigue from the sleepless night. As immediate as her cast of magic on that collar, she dozed off with her loud audible snores against the wooden walls of the bath.

Seeing Aste take her warning into account and being careful was enough for Tali. Lynn asked for her spell, so she walked over to Shye and sat by her. She began to sing a lullaby, weaving her magic into it to enhance its relaxing abilities. She kept a close eye on Shye since falling asleep in water was quite dangerous for non-Lassa.

She kept her voice low enough for the whole room and not to bleed over outside of it. She wanted as few surprises as possible for the women. Despite just wanting a soak and some relaxation, this situation demanded her attention far more urgently.

Despite her giving the go ahead for Aste, Shye couldn't help but flinch a little as she reached for her neck. Whether it was from the pain caused earlier or old habits she wasn't sure. As the magic flowed through the collar, it started to respond to Aste's magic, a slight burning arose, more of a discomfort than a pain, though it quickly faded. When the magic reached to the curses core, it began to the black markings of the curse started to glow a golden color, and once the light had faded out, the tattoo had a new gold trim that ran along the outside of the collar's black marking's, a visual representation of the barrier that helped reduce the curse's potency. Before Shye could thank Aste though, the girl had fallen asleep, leaning against the wall. She turned to Tali and Lynn, "Thank you, all of you. I'm sorry I interrupted your relaxation time, I'm sure this isn't what you came here for." she said with a slight smile. Her eye looked tired, and it was possibly due to the woman singing, or maybe it was just her fatigue catching up to her. Nix seemed to be fine too, she was a lot calmer than she was before.
Shye slowly started to nodd off, the lullaby taking its affect before she could continue talking. The whole feeling was strange to her, all these people suddenly wanting to help her, and out of the blue as well. It was something shen never experianced before. It caused a quiver in her heart she hadn't felt. Of coarse she questioned it, if it was really the right thing to be doing, and wondered why they wanted to help her so much without really even knowing her. In her mind, it all sounded like an elaborate trap, yet so far there wasn't one. It's just what they seemed to do. And even if it was a trap, at least she thought she was making the only decisions she could to finally be free, because any other alternative seemed to lead to her's, and more importantly her son's, deaths. She could never think of a proper way to repay them for what they had done, but for now, she was glad that she had met them.
It was shortly after these thoughts though that the singing seemed to be taking its other affect. Shye's mind seemed to be swept of all thoughts good or bad. Her mind drew blank as she seemed to finally be taken in by the song and finally fell asleep, and without any thoughts to disturb her any longer, she could finally rest easy. Lynn had moved to catch her, but it seemed Tali had it covered. Seeing Shye finally sleeping and at peace, Nix snuggling up beside her, but keeping an eye out, Lynn could only stare in wonder at the woman. "I wonder what had her so worked up. She was seemed to be quite close to having her anxiety overwhelm her," she mentioned as she started removing some of her extra clothing, leaving only her top and the inner loincloth to her bottom, folding the rest up neatly at the water's edge before she climbed into the water and floated there, looking up to Shye and Tila, still worried for the woman.

As Shye fell asleep, Tali carefully guided her so her head ended up comfortably on Tali's thigh qas she sat down cross-legged. The poor woman was practically running off of stress, so it was no surprise she went out as soon as she relaxed.

The bard absently stroked through Shye's hair as she slept, looking at Lynn mostly disrobing and Aste out cold as well. "Well, Lynn, it seems it is down to us. How have things been going today? Hangover still there?"

Lynn had completely submerged into the water by the time Tali had asked the question, though she could still easily hear her. She surfaced, floating on her back as her tail slowly paddled her around, drifting easily in the water. "Today was wonderful!" she said cheerifly, her hands clasped together at her chest. "The hangover was gone shortly before we left for the market. I've never seen so many interesting things though! The world outside of Tearia is so beautiful! I mean, the ocean is too, but everything out here is just so...different! I couldn't have even thought of this in a dream!" Lynn submerged once more, flipping around in the water and swimming up closer to where Tali and Shye were. She came out of the water a bit, resting her crossed arms on the edge on the bath, resting her head on them, and her head turned to Tali. "But I take it you have been outside of Tearia plenty of times?" she asked tali, wondering what her experiences have been.

Tali nodded and unconsciously moved her hand down to cup Shye's cheek, her thumb stroking the sleeping woman's cheek tenderly. She seemed to think a bit back to some of her jobs. "Mmmmm, occasionally. I would say enough to not be surprised by this area any more. I live by the ocean, so I still love it more than other places. the spear fishing is relaxing. The cooking is so fresh. The lava flow nearby is so nice to just sit in and enjoy. Perhaps after this, you would want to come visit my little piece of beach. You could have some of my ocean cooking."

@Jollan@Noodles

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Nailah, Lynn and Talise

Tali noticed the woman that requested her music leave, so she decided to give it a rest and give the instrument back to her servitor. The others likely went out to the market. Many seemed quite keen on burning money. She got up, walked over to the bar, paid for her meal from the night before, and left. As she started toward the market, she got bored with the rather bland scenery and began to sing freely, relaying stories of heroes to any passerby. She was in a surprisingly light mood given her previous annoyance, but she was generally easy going. Her feet settled into the timing of her singing, so she appeared to nearly have a dancing gait as she walked briskly.

She reached the market after it had opened. She planned not to buy anything, but as a member of the Alliance, she expected she was to be at least within earshot for her companions. They would hear her coming long before they saw her walk into the area. Tali found a nice place to sit and sat, crossing her legs. She tapped her finger on her thigh to keep the beat, changing the song to a slower, almost hypnotic aria.

With the influx of new patrons the merchants who held each stand within this grand cathedral of wares began eagerly awaiting their interest. But like any good merchant they let the mystery encapsulate their gaze first. Foreigners were sometimes tricky, but an easy sell if they know little of the market. Judging by Lynn and Nailah's appearance they are both from very different places, the cost of travel would be fair. So the merchant assumed their money was good and approached with a smile. It was a man with small wings and a tail. His hat was with a feather on it and his silk attire was white and orange in hue. "How are you two fine young women doing today? I couldn't help but notice you've taken to these items here." He pointed to the two necklaces. "This one is a special import from the mountains. You see there is snow on Gaia's mountains that is considered the purist source on this world. Even Tearians envy it. Fotians thirst for it. It truly is diamond water." He Carefully threaded together the words. His short brown hair, green polished horns and emerald green eyes gave him a dashing appearance of intellect and a poets allure. Yet he dangled the necklace before them. "It normally goes for much more but I'll sell it to you my dear for only 6 gold pieces." He hummed. Winking at Lynn

Lynn smiled to the man who approached and gave a cute little half bow in greeting. "I haven't seen water this pure before, though, I can't say I have even seen snow before either," she said with a little smile. "You said six gold? That sounds like It's fair, I think." She said as she brushed some hair behind her ear and looked down to the pouch on her hip to start looking for her money.

The merchant was clearly agreeing with Nailah. Though he was agreeing for his own sake. "Those necklaces are the best we have in stock too. They have special enchantments you see. Also vastly sought after." He couldn't help but see part of Nailah's chest. But cleared his throat. "These others are also just as rare, but may cost a bit more." He said with a grin. He was taken back a bit as Nailah moved in closer. Certainly she was not making an advance on him? He was not into scantily clad Fotian women who were not nobles or higher. Who knows where she came about.

Though she was sizable woman and he a man on the low end of six feet. What would normally make him cautious was surprising calming. Relaxing even as he lost sight of his goal of acquiring wealth. Instead as Nailah spoke he could only nod in agreement. Not noticing the gentle touch on his neck, he was more nervous about the heat she was giving off and how she was leaning in. Though he could tell she was not aiming for his face. After her whispered words his eyes firmly placed on her warm chest he could feel getting closer, given the height difference it was near his face. His cheeks turning red and eye lids drooping he nearly drooled at the thought of having Nailah and Lynn for himself. A fantasy spun by his own greed.

"Why certainly... Worthy jewels such as yourselves deserve the best a man can offer. So I'll price it at getting to know you two better." He was nearly drooling as he said it.

Tali got rather tired of just waiting to see her companions, so she moved into the market proper, humming quietly and skipping in beat. The first she saw was the rather obviously soiled Garrett trying his best to pick up a bath companion. "Boring. Anyone else? Ohhhhh, that looks tasty."

Seeing Lynn and Nailah doing their best to haggle with a merchant and him practically drooling over the two rather revealed women, Tali couldn't help but get an impish thought. She decided to add in a touch more pressure to see how badly they could get him to practically melt. She skipped up surprisingly quietly behind Nailah and Lynn, squeezing herself up beside Lynn, wrapping arm around her shoulders, and doing a very seductive pose, showing off her already precariously covered bosom. "And what have we here? Are the dealings going well, my dears?"

Lynn watched as Nailah approached the merchant, and approach she did. She continued to get closer and closer to the man to the point she was on top of him. Lynn was not sure what the point of all this was and wasn't sure what the man meant by the 'price of getting to know you two better'. And why was he drooling? And what was with the blank stare? Was he alright? What happened to-.....and then look of realization swept over her face as she put two and two together. Nailah was using herself to influence the man! And his eyes were locked onto... her chest! And from the sound of it Nailah's antics would drag her along for whatever that man was fantasizing about. Lynn's tail coiled around tighter as she drew closer to her with her left arm and covered the lower half of her blushing face with her right hand, covering her face with her sleeve. "I-I can pay, really, its not that bad-" but just then Tali had shown up, squeezing in and putting her arm around her. Not knowing she was there, it surprised Lynn with a quiet little yelp of surprise. "Oh, its just you Tali. You surprised me," she giggled, "But, as far as dealings go, they are going, uh... well..." she looked over to the man who seemed to be solely focused on Nailah's chest, "uncomfortably," she quietly admitted as her ears and the tip of her tail drooped a bit.

Tali's smile widened as she saw Lynn get uncomfortable. It added a new layer of fun she could have. The teaching a lesson to the man was not lost on her, so she decided to up the ante. She was also prepared to publicly embarass the man if he tried to get hands on or tried to get too lecherous. Before anyone could stop her, Tali spun Lynn a bit and snuck in a kiss, giving it just about all she had to make it be real and enjoyable for the young girl while still being enticing to their audience. The poor innocent girl made a mistake showing Tali an opening, but it might yet result in a good price and no strings attached.

While she kissed Lynn, her eye watched the merchant somewhat. It was hard given her position, but she wanted to know how much pressure it was applying. Her arms both looped around the Lassa girl to give her a secure hug. She was trying to make her uncomfortable, but she also wanted her to know there was no ill intent. Whether she conveyed that or not was a different story.

Lynn had a look of hurt and disappointment when she heard that the man was trying to butter her up for more money. Her ears lowered even more after what Nailah said, "what? I...I didn't know," she said quietly as she looked down to the floor, a little crestfallen. How could she be so blind? It was awfully simple looking at it now, wasn't it?

Her train of thought was broken however as she was suddenly spun around by Tali, and before she could even exclaim some sort of surprise, it was muffled into a squeak as she was pulled in for a kiss. An honest to goodness, full fledged kiss right on her soft delicate lips. Lynn tensed up quite a bit, and even started to try to move out of it but was then embraced fully by Tali and was drawn in closer, their bodies now pressing together. Her tail was now nearly standing straight out in surprise, though as Tali's warmth and embrace continued, Lynn slowly started to relax, even seeming to melt in her arms a bit as time went on and the heat traveled through her, her tail slowly starting to curl back down. Lynn was still a bit stunned, but there was really nothing should could do about it now, save for wait for her to let go.

Tali broke the kiss just as Nailah gave her ear a nip. Her arms loosened from Lynn as she let go of the other woman. She gave a smile to the innocent girl. "That was fun. Maybe you should consider doing it more often. With lips like those, I bet any girl would want to kiss you." She looked to Nailah to see her say yes to the merchant's price. Tali, however, shook her head. "I will pass. I think we should just get a good price."

She then stepped up beside Nailah, pressing in close to give her a private whisper. "I am not into men watching me. I'm not interested in men in general. So, if you want to give him a show, go ahead. I'll make sure Lynn stays safe and sound."

Lynn was completely tuned out from what was going on around her. For the moment, she wasn't even quite sure how the deal was going. Tali's radiating warmth had spread through her, seeming to lure her in and calm her down. While she was put off by the whole situation, she couldn't say she sensed and hostility, it actually felt oddly safe in her embrace. Just as she was starting to be used to it though, and a fleeting thought of returning the gesture, she was released. It wasn't until that moment that she realized how much she had ended up leaning into Tali's embrace until it wasn't there. She slightly stumbled, but nothing serious as her staff was close enough to reach her in time. She had moved it , the staff bobbing a bit to cushion her fall as she landed on it in a seated position.

Lynn still had a half surprised, half curious expression. She was blushing deeply as she reached up, her fingertips lightly touching her lips as she sat there taking in what just happened. She had never been kissed before, well, not like that, maybe a peck on the cheek or forehead from her parents growing up, but definitely not that. And as for what Tali said, about doing it more often and that other girls. It only seemed to make her more uncomfortable, but at the same time, she kinda... appreciated the compliment. She slowly got back up, her staff going back to where it was beside her. Her tail was wrapped a little tighter around her than before, and she was to embarrassed and shocked still to know what to say, on finger playing with her hair as she stared at the floorboards lost in thought. In truth, she just wanted to finish shopping now and soak in a nice body of water to relax.

The merchant attempted to usher them into the lounge. He led the way and those who followed, followed. Once there it was a decently sized area. With fresh red carpet, the walls were lined with hundreds of white cushions. A few large tables sat in the middle, within reach were hookah pipes that stretched far enough to be used whilst laying back. Melo opened his arms up, his long silk sleeves flowing like fins in water as he approached the hookah container. Placing fresh dark colored herbs inside from his pouch. "I hope you don't mind the smoke." He chuckled. "After all you are the hottest thing I've seen in a while." He began to try and light the flame with a flint. "Hmm... Perhaps you could aid me with this." He motioned for her to help.

Tali did not follow and lightly nudged Lynn away from following as well. Despite being a trickster, she did not want to actually scar the poor girl. "Come on darling, let's finish your errands and then get you a nice lunch, maybe a bath." Her hand slipped into Lynn's, giving it a light squeeze and pull to try and draw her forward.

The Tyro/Lassa woman did give a light kiss on Lynn's cheek as she passed by. "Thanks for being a good sport about the kiss. I like fun, but that merchant wants far more than that. I'd rather you not get stuck in that situation, exposing yourself for his enjoyment."

Tali blinked a bit in surprise when Lynn mentioned never kissing anyone before. "Well, I hope you weren't disappointed by it. I did give you a real and proper one, so hopefully it was a good first kiss." As they did her errands, Tali did her part to be good company by singing quietly and walking nice adn close to the other girl, keeping her warm and entertained as best as the magical bard knew how.

After the errands, Lynn's thoughts turned to food and a bath. "Well, their food is good. I personally feel I cook better than they do as far as what I had, but their meals are very much worth it. The baths are unlikely to be enough for you and I to have a good swim." She was giving a very thinly veiled invitation for Lynn to join her in the baths. She could use some time to soak and spend time chatting with someone else in private. The town seemed to be full of one type of craziness after another.

Aste

A young merchant. Almost a boy but clearly wise for his age witnessed Aste take out her purse. Seeing the gold on said item his red eyes lit up. His hair was soft and white and his horns were like small antlers. His yellow and black silk attire and white feather was firmly fit on his thin body. He carried himself like a royal and smiled to Aste. "This will be 3 Gold pieces. May I interest you in some of our tailored attire. Destined to make you a gem in the eyes of all those who come across you." He placed a finger to his chin. Observing her further, up and down. "Are you a Healer for the Taxis?" Her white attire looked similar to what the healers wore in the Taxis HQ. Who too were mostly Sol in blood. But few ever were trained under the Magoi.

3 gold, about 30 bronze, counting money was second nature to her. That merchant was younger than she had expect from one of the merchant guild, especially form the scuffle previously. Probably a one that is fresh out of apprenticeship. But his ways of weaving words have impressed her for one, she was glad that the man wasn't one of her suitors, those letters from her family about when she was going to find a husband was starting to irk her, she’s not interested in settling down yet, for she still have ten years to find one. She hasn't even started on her research on ancient magic studies.

And that boy asked on whether she was in the guild of the taxi.

"Healing wasn't of my speciality, dispelling curses are more of my forte," Aste replied without hesitation, "I'm a mage of the Magoi guild, those guild politics are sure frustrating to begin with."

She doubted that it will do anything if she were to tell the truth, its best not to get on that vrondi bad side by faking as a part of the taxi. Also that merchant guild wasn't an everyday sight, and she is sure that they have rats for any corner of their line of work, not saying that her guild doesn't still.

It’s not like she is the only mage in town. She recalled on the bard of the tavern, and she still found it hard to think that she is part of the magoi. That tune sounded familiar, Aste thought.

"Curses?" He spoke softly. "I apologize for bringing it up." He bowed gently with his left hand over his chest. "May I interest you in anything else? Perhaps I can interest you in this." He motioned for her to take a look at a glass box elevated by a wooden stand. Inside the box was a sparkling diamond looking ring. It was very beautiful as the sunlight from outside. It twinkled with multicolored lights. "This.." He approached the box and lifted it up. Bringing it off the stand and before Aste. "Is the Divine Element Ring. It's 15 Gold pieces. I can throw this in with two divine potions for 20 Gold. It will certainly be useful in both aesthetic and in your spell casting." He held the box up for her to have a closer look. "What do you say?"

The divine ring looks beautiful to her. It’s just another 15 gold, as much as her gold she brought this time. Sounds like a good value to her, but she wanted to go on a longer shopping trip, it would be better for her to buy a bit more. Little did she know that she is getting the bad end of the deal, but that diamond is still pretty nonetheless?

Right... and that is enough shopping for the day. That was just supposed to be a short trip. She swore to herself not to spend too much on stuffs like that ever again.

She placed the 33 gold on the table nonchalantly.

As much money as she had, she wouldn't forget that she only brought travel expenses, and her access to her house or even her guild funds are a couple hundred miles away. Those merchants sure had a honeyed tongue, she thought, grabbing any of the items following the losing of her spare changes. "Thank you ~"

The diamond ring, as usual, she made sure that she had enough distance from the stall. She wouldn't want those magic to be rebound by those stray artefacts from those merchants. Aste held her ring by the back of her wrist.

Letting loose a flow of magic, Aste let her magic flicker a bit before checking for the curses inside any items. Letting her Illusions dance around the constructs of Divine Ring was what she could do without thinking. No foul curses or anything. Once she is sure of that, she put on the diamond ring that she wanted to wear so much. It was only for a few moments, but she wasn't even trying to hide that use of magic, most mages will think that it’s just one of those strange shop artefacts.

That was when she had the grasp of the current situation. A young man had gotten her to wear a ring... Her cheeks flushed red at that realisation. That’s it, she is so going to feed that guy to the pigs. To dare ask for a lady's hand like this without her realising. Aste turned back towards the inn with heavier steps, she had enough of those merchants' guild.

As Aste made were way back into the inn the people of the town were all outside exploring the damages from the day earlier and searching for any more to fix. Many were flying up and down the rooftops. With freshly healed wings many simply flew for the joy of it. It was not like in Vrondi where all walked on land or rode a steed. It was similar to the Magoi who sometimes rode on levitating magical artifacts.

The scene of the morning was rather uplifting, winged descendants that weren't much of a sight on her hometown. She had seen worse the last time she saw those winged beings. Those chains and collars are of an annoyance to dispel with. A serious situation back from her time as an apprentice.

She had wanted to send those pigs to the headsman, but a pity that she had lost her claim for the noble family head. She slammed the door of the tavern, "Ah, sorry about that," Aste apologised to the tavern keeper once she realised that she lost her cool just for that mere moment.

She took her belongings that she left in the table, not before realising that that tavern was quite empty now. Her temper was still one thing that she had failed to outgrow with...

Easing herself from the table, she looked around to see if there's anything before she were to move away to the baths.

Aeden

"Hm? Shalright shunny." A elder merchant spoke to Aeden. His magical items made up the most simple of items, yet their use was nothing to scoff at. He opened a wrinkled eye to gander at the boy before ringing him up by taking a look at his price book. "Ah this. Might be cheaper to just walk. Haha. But this will getcha where ya need to go. I get the sense you're an important fella. Not often we get Seraphim around these parts." The old man stroked his beard. He was shorter than most and wore comfortable silk attire mostly brown in color. His feather was black and red and his horns curled back like a representation of his age. "Ah I know. Old man talks too much." He took the scrolls from their shelves after rolling out a ladder and went back to the counter. "Alrighty there. This will equate to 30 Gold pieces."

Aeden smiled at the old merchant’s comment about it being cheaper to walk, but said nothing. He knew very well the cost of being loose tongued around a merchant. He pursed his lips thoughtfully as he heard the price for all three. That certainly sounded about right for these valuable tools. There were a few more items he felt he’d need, so he scanned the shop a bit further.

”Thirty gold,” Aeden clicked his tongue as his eyes settled on an used spellbook. ”Well, that’s a start. There’s a few more things I will need today, so let’s get that out of the way first before I purchase everything. What’s that spellbook there?”

Honestly, he hated spending large amounts of money, but anything that could be a solid investment to his future would be worth it. Also, if he could swing a bulk purchase deal all the better. Nyph waited next to Aeden with silent excitement at the prospect of what he thought was Aeden’s brilliant plan.

The old man looked at the spell book. A bit puzzled himself before putting on a small pair of glasses. "Ahh that is some old book of ethereal manifestations. If you're serious about getting into that sort of thing. This will do the job." He smacked his furry dry old lips as he walked over to it. "You seem like a good lad but not a mage, no offense. For you I'll sell it for 10. If you were a mage I'd sell it for more ya see... heheheh." He chuckled.
Nyph approached Shye and nuzzled against her leg. He then sat down and looked at her directly in the eyes. "When it comes to the Sunfire Orphanage and Aeden. It gets personal. You don't mess with those kids. I mean... you don't mess with kids in general, but Aeden will go to war for those orphans. No one I know will put a greater effort than him."

The old man watched as the tiny dragons played about in the store. IT was not strange to see people with their pet dragons in Gaia. So he payed it no mind. Though he did have a treat in his attire for some reason that he tossed to the ground for them. A delicious cooked bone, though small and tender for the beast's protein intake. He looked at the two items the halo'd man asked for. He eyed them carefully. "Ahhh that orb is a container of essence. Used by mystical Seers of fortune, or by a rare mythical creature hunter. As for it containing a flesh and blood being I'm not too sure about that. Regardless it would take a pretty nifty spell to get something inside of there. Might be more useful as a container of essence for later use." He shuffled over to his little counter. Taking the ink he had on it and his feather on his hat he began writing up the prices total. "Uhhh hum.. Lets see.." He grumbled under his breathe. "Ah I see.. So the total will be 53 Gold pieces. Would you like anything else young lad?"

Aeden bowed his head to Shye respectfully. "I respect your resolve."

This mission was personal in a large way. If he learned any other way about an assassination or any other attack on the Orphanage he would be there with a vengeance. He cared for those children as if they were his own. It was possible some of them were in fact his own. Several of the orphans there had been rescued from the Therosi and their customers. He had been used to breed their "livestock" when he came of age, so it was entirely possible.

Aeden considered the overall price of 53 gold. It was definitely more than he was used to spending at once. The cause was good. "Can you do, 45 gold? These items will be used to protect our future generations."

Aeden's expression went from firm and confident to slightly offended as Shye stepped in on his haggling. Half the fun of shopping was haggling. The competitive nature of it. The power struggle between vendor and customer. Her coming in to cover the difference completely shattered the dynamic and any incentive for the vendor to accept anything less than full price.

"No," Aeden pulled out ten gold, a sapphire, and a letter of credit from the Bank of Sunfire. "This will cover the full price." Irritation stitched the edges of his voice as he worked to maintain his calm. If he were not on edge he may have considered accepting Shye's offer to cover the difference.

As soon as the letter of credit was approved he would take his goods and begin preparation for his rescue of Bidzil.

The merchant took a finger to his chin as he hummed. His allegiance to the Aion's cause was indeed tested. He was a wise fellow and not only because of his years. With a gentle smile he was pleased to be haggled with. A bit of sportsmanship he felt it were. Given his age and wealth it was little more. However the young girl approaching to aid him made him open a wrinkled eye to get a good look. She was a bit worn. Possibly from the earlier fray the day before, given those weapons on her hands. He chuckled as Aeden refused her funds. "Oh hoh perhaps.. " He stroked his beard. "You are helping this young woman I presume." He began to put two and two together. Though he could not put together their entire plan or what reason he trusted his intuition. "Alright. But I'll have to do 48. That's a final offer." He folded his arms and nodded.

Aeden felt a slight pang of regret at Shye's reaction to his snappy shutting her down. He realized that his rejection of her help was a small cruelty to someone already in a difficult place. The merchant chimed in before he could apologize and placed down a counter-offer. Aeden turned his attention briefly to the old man with a nod. "That is acceptable. You have a deal."

After the exchange of currency and receiving the goods, Aeden followed after Shye in hopes of catching her before she made it to the inn. "Shye!" He paused to wait for her attention. "Bidzil will be saved, and you will be freed. Your 'masters' don't deserve you."

He had to consider exactly where he would arrive with his first scroll. Anyone in the orphanage itself could be considered a threat. He did not want to reveal the location of the Aion base by accident if it was just a coincidence that the Dolofon were there. This also meant he could not go in his Aion armor or use any of his Aion gear. He wished he had more time to plan, but the urgency of this situation would force his tactical and improvisational skills.

"Nyph, get ready. We're going."

"Gotcha!"

Shye

Shye noted the price on the belt to be 120 copper, well within her budget if she were to buy anything. She delicately picked up the belt, feeling its weight as it seemed quite sturdy. Nix chirped on her shoulder, cooing a bit in curiosity herself. Nix then turned around and started looking at the other things in the room, all very shiny, but there was one thing that seemed to catch her eye at the other end of the group of shops, her pupils dialing in on it like a predator once she saw it. She hunkered down and then jumped off of Shye's shoulder, surprising Shye as she turned to see what excited her. Shye tried clicking her fingers together to call to her, which she always obeyed, but Nix was too exited to stop. Nix made two songbird sounding notes as she tackled Nyph, purring as she latched on same as before, gnawing on one of his horns.

Shye turned a bit red in embarrassment, Nix never really ran off like that, but she never met another dragon either. Shye turned to quickly pay the shop what she owed. Hopefully able to pa before Aeden made his way to her.

While Nix continued to gently nom on Nyph's horn, Shye finished her purchase. She breathed deeply before heading over to get her young dragon. It was quite uncomfortable feeling. She knew that Nyph had come back to tell Aeden what he saw. She didn't make eye contact straight away, clicking her clawed gauntlets, this time Nix paid attention and hopped off of Nyph, chirping happily with the sound ending off in a birdlike whistle. Shye's arms were loosely crossed as she looked to Aeden, "I'm sorry, she normally listens better," she said quietly. There seemed to be a bit of an awkward silence until she continued. "I know, after knowing what I am, I'm probably the last person your alliance wants to help.....But....is it true? Do you really have a way to save my son?" She was doing well to still be as composed as she was, but her voice betrayed her as it was wavering close to the end of her question. First and foremost, she wanted to make sure her son could be saved, even if she may not be after this ordeal was over.

Shye nodded slowly, pulling some of her hair behind her ear. The whole situation made her feel weak, even to the point it was hard to stand. She found a small bench close to the stall they were next to and took a seat. to be honest, though she was able to walk back to town, she was still trying to calm her nerves, but she was a wreck, as any mother would be after hearing such a harrowing thing. She found it hard to concentrate on something without the vision of Bidzil's limp body haunting her mind. When he mentioned a request, Shye looked up to Aeden from where she sat, her hands clasped together to keep them from shaking. "I would do anything to assure Bidzil's safety. Even if it doesn't guarantee my own." She said to him her eyes locked with his. It was dim, nearly squandered even, but there was still an ember that burned in her eyes that was holding out for just one last chance, and she was placing it in in their care. She didn't know why the alliance seemed to want to help her, and it was a strange feeling she hadn't felt from anyone else before, but if they could pull this off, and she could finally be free with her son for only a moment, it would be worth all the pain.

Shye gently pet Nyph's head when he came by and nuzzled her, "Thank you, knowing that helps a lot," she said, giving a weak smile. Nix gently hopped from Shye's shoulder when she saw the merchant pull out a snack. She glided over to the merchant's table and sniffed it, then backed away. SHe flattened herself against the table eyeing the treat befor hopping up and pouncing on it, scurrying back to Shye's lap as soon as it snatched it up. Nix leaned forward from Shye's lap looking down at Nyph with her prize. Nix then broke the snack in half with her mouth and then dropped half of it to Nyph for him to have as she curled up in a ball and finished her half.

This brought Shye's attention up to Aeden's puchases, noticing he was having some trouble. After her earlier purchase, she still have seventeen and a half gold and thought to help. "Please, I'll cover the difference for you," she said as she opened her coin pouch and took out an holding it up to him. She knew she couldn't do much to help, but wanted to try to help any way she could from here. The eight gold in value he needed came in the form of an emerald, three gold coins and one silver coin.

"O-oh..." Shye uttered, a little taken aback. Her hand gently curled around her offer as she took it back and placed it in her pouch, [color=DC143C]"My apologies..." she said, her eyes downcast again. She gave Nyph a light pet once more before scooping Nix up on her shoulder and standing up. " I should be heading back to the inn for the time being." She looked up to Aeden one last time like she was about to say something and then stopped. She gave him a short bow instead and then turned to leave.

Garrett & Raquel

Garrett looked at Raquel, then towards a window to check the approximate time, then back to Raquel.

"Bathe me then."

He smirked, utilizing a power move for her to follow him into the bath and give his body a dutiful scrubbing. He waltzed his way towards where he could get a nice, relaxing, and warm bath, hoping she would follow in order for him to get a wonderfully well-needed cleaning.

With a tilted head Raquel was surprised by his request, but more puzzled by it. She then warmly laughed, unable to control her giggling. "You're a fun Knight. But you're a grown man. Wash your own hide. Besides I've got to bathe myself." She walked past him, lightly bumping into him with her hip and tail. "There should be room for two." She smiled over her shoulder before lightly running to the room. Once inside their previously used room she locked the door to the bathing room. Running the water herself she watched as the water fell from the upper part of the stone wall. Fresh water from outside was used every day within this town. Water often kept well stocked by using melted snow. Though it warmed before entering the bath through coals that emitted heat within the Inn's walls. A trick learned from Fotians long ago and used nearly around this world. She didn't open the locked door until the large bath was filled with steaming liquid. Once the door was opened she was already stepping into the bath. Submersing herself quickly and emerging with a relaxed sigh. She would not be able to afford such a room on her own. But the luxury of being with a Knight was starting to make her forget how sad she was the day before.

There was not much for Garrett to take off in terms of the clothing he wore once the two arrived to their well-used room. He was ready for a bath, both because he required one, but because he would be able to share one with a significant other. Nude, he would wait for the bathroom door to reopen from its locked state.

Entering, his bare body would once again be seen to those who could see him in the bathing room. Quite fitting to be nude in one. He stood by the bath, testing the water with a hand before entering and submerging his body, directly across from Raquel, facing her. He smiled as he relaxed into the bath.

"Wonderful. A bath is a great place to talk about things with each other while we properly clean ourselves."

"I suppose" She muttered, submerging her body neck deep into the waters. Raquel's tail grabbed a bar of soap and she began to rub it against her cheeks before submerging it away from her face. She then began to wash the rest of her body. Her form, raised out of the water, was covered in soap bubbles. Covering her delicates. Her scales were shining under the purifying soap and water. She then smirked at Garrett. "There only seems to be one of these.." She began to sink in the water whilst walking toward Garrett. Disappearing under the waters she soon appeared next to him from beneath. Holding the soap. "Lets talk." She said, placing the soap on his chest and rubbing it slowly in circles. "What do ya honestly think of me? Ah common farm girl from this small town." She sighed. "I'm sure you been looking at much more refined lasses. Smaller too." She pouted.

Garrett let her start to wash him. It was what he wanted in the first place. He watched her, listening to her words and considered them. He closed himself, allowing him to relax further in the bath.

"You doubt yourself too much, Raquel. If someone other than me saw what I see in you, they would not know what to do with themselves other than love you. You are hard working, you have a real heart. You look, and you act perfect. Your class, your rarity, how refined you are, it has not affected the decisions I have made."

After a little longer than what necessary. Raquel and Garrett were finished bathing. She emerged from the bathroom with a white drying robe made from wool and silk. Something the Inn provided and expected to be returned once the patron was done using it. "It feels so good to enjoy what the fancy folk who step in here do. Though I work here I can hardly afford the best room like you can." She giggled. Stretching with little concern of what she revealed and grabbed her own attire. "I should head home. Make a change of clothes. I live only down the road so it won't be long. Will you be waiting for me here?" She asked Garrett. Turning from the open windows light that illuminated her in the dim room. "Hm?"

Dremmick & Mason

With Mason's body being forced to heal itself and recover Amaiah trusted he would be fine. She turned to Dremmick with a surprised expression, not expecting to be asked such a question. Given Dremmick's appearance he didn't come off as an alchemist. "I had an organic substance that reacted to the aura of the one who healed the town. It began to grow constantly, with enough of that aura it would of grown nearly infinitely. I encapsulated that infinite regrowth. Luckily I had this." She pulled from her pocket a container with glowing enchanted writings on it. "A true containment bottle. It contained the effects of the spell cast on the town and keeps its infinite growth inside." She smiled. "Two magical items, and a third magical spell that not many can even cast. That's what it took to make this elixir. Now I can keep developing a cure forever, but it takes time for the growth to resupply the initial bottle."

Dremmick raised an eyebrow at her apparent surprise, though he reached back in his pack and pulled out a small notepad and charcoal pencil, jotting down what she had said. "What was the organic material? I doubt its something I would regularly come across, but it would be nice to have notes on it. If I can get my hands on another one of those true containment bottles, we shouldn't have to worry about needing to come back for more periodically. And did you need to do anything to prep the organic substance? Or did you simply let it dry and crush it with a mortar and pestle?" His eyes were trained on Amaiah, though occasionally looking to Mason to check on him, one of his eyes still glowing and streaming out a silvery aura, but he was still listening intently to her instructions.

"Ah that would be Slime from Tearia's depths. There's a strange sea creature that reacts to spells and can feed on essence to grow. It got a huge helping of aura, and a special one that let it grow for as long as it had the spell washing over it. Filling it up. Being a simple creature it decided to grow, to reform itself over and over." She walked to a jar. Poking it a transparent slimy creature moved inside it. "Tearia has so many neat little sea creatures like his guy." She said.

Dremmick scribbled the notes down and a sketch of the creature, though being a slime it was fairly easy. [color=A52A2A]"Maybe by the end of this it will be easier to get a hold of one, but I doubt I'll be coming across any of these things soon." He closed the book and stuck the pencil in a loop that held it to the book. He reached back and stored it, and if Amaiah was paying attention to it, she would get a glimpse of the inside of his bag before he closed it. Everything was neatly filled to the brim with all sorts of vials and ingredients, safely stashed to keep from clanging around and breaking.

With the curse purged from his body, Mason shuddered somewhat violently as a strange feeling of..... connection to something he'd never been able to fully take hold of-- like part of a dam had been lifted, freeing up the stemmed flow. It wasn't necessarily a good or bad feeling. Just..... New. A sigh of relief escaped Mason's lips as his mind drifted to other things, he'd heard that this town had quite the market for magical goods, spellbooks, etc. and could further help him better understand his strange circumstances. But he needed money......

"Hey, Amiah-" Mason hesitantly interjected, "You're an alchemist right? I was wondering if you'd be willing to test my blood to see what I am....... If it's something you could use for potions and stuff would you be willing to buy some?"

Amaiah blinked in confusion at first to Mason's words. She looked him over. "I suppose it couldn't hurt... But well we can't tell what your bloodlines are exactly here. We can only do so much here. I've been mostly focused on healing medicines and elixirs." She showed him the alchemy table where mostly plants and other natural remedies from Vrondi were available. "I'm well aware that looks can be deceiving. But you look entirely seraphim. Maybe your blood can be used in making a divine potion. I can test its effectiveness within an hour." She took a fresh extracting needle in preparation to take some of his blood. "If it's good I'll pay you ten gold for a bottle."

"Alright then," Mason said as presented his arm to Amaiah; excited to find out what he really was.... He knew for a fact his mother was a pure seraphim, but his father-- well, no one knew anything about his father, not even his mother herself knew, "But like I said, I've got absolutely no clue about my heritage other than the fact that I'm not pure seraphim; so I'm rather unsure if it would be particularly useful in that.... Then again, I can't say I know much about alchemy..."

"There's lots you can learn about alchemy." Amaiah spoke as she tenderly placed the needle on his bare arm. Examining its scale like structure. "Hmmm..." She hummed. Taking the blood sample to her table. After a few minutes she was startled by way the blood was still very active. "Hmm..." She went again. Eyeing the blood carefully with a puzzled raised brow. "I see... Good news is this won't take as long now. I can tell the rarity of this blood just by looking at it. You are one of the few to have the 'original' bloodline. Seraphim and Dragon alone." Her words made Lucius even raise a brow.

Mason quietly drifted close behind Amaiah as she analyzed the sample watching her work with intent curiosity; very noticeably intrigued by the craft. However once she mentioned the 'original' bloodline, and that he was part dragon, Mason's already curious eyes turn to saucers, "Wait-- REALLY???" he excitedly asked, "How much of each? Does this mean I can breathe fire??? CAN I TURN INTO A DRAGON???? WHAT KIND OF DRAGON AM I???" With each question, the young knight became more and more excited, practically bouncing with excitement. He HAD to know more! It was AWESOME news, and the fact that he was in Gaia made it even better-- it was a perfect opportunity to find out!(edited)

"Uhhmm" Amaiah was visibly irked by Mason's sudden outburst. "Well those things will require actual bloodline history. If you know nothing about your family bloodlines though I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do." She folded her hands down and sighed. "But you do seem to have a decent amount of Dragon blood. Perhaps you could try learning about your dragon half." She walked over to a dusty book and wiped it off. "This is pretty useless to me. But you might like it." It was a book of the Dragon cult. Perhaps a bit preachy in wording, trying to allure those to worship the Dragons as they do. But lots of information was stored on Dragon physiology and even hybrid Dragon physicality. Such as the way the lungs can be used to breathe fire. Or how the heart is placed in their center chest rather than their left side.

Dremmick smirked at the outcome of the blood test, the soul sight in the one eye he activated it in fading out as he had seen Mason take the elixir well. "Looks like my 'wild guess' wasn't so wild after all." Dremmick made his way towards the door, but he didn't quite leave yet as he turned to wait on Mason. "Your help is appreciated," he said, with a slight bow of the head to Amaiah. "If you'd like, I can bring back more samples if we run across more of the venom, so you can run more tests on it in Vrondi."

"That's quite alright" Amaiah spoke frankly. "I've enough samples from all over the lands. It's hard not to see the stuff here and there while traveling in the forest." She bowed herself slightly and awkwardly. She was not a royal or noble but was instead recognized for her intellect. "I hope to see you again."

She hoped to see him again? That was something he didn't hear quite often. He smiled to her a bit, "I hope to see you again as well, hopefully on some better circumstances. Have a safe journey back to Vrondi." He then turned to Mason. "I'm headed for some supplies, and some new clothes it would seem. I'll meet back with you at the inn." He then nodded to them one more time, mainly towards Amaiah, as he left out the door towards the market. However, he had a completely different market in mind to pay a visit to.

Calming down as Amaiah explained that she could do no more, Mason gladly accepted the book from the alchemist. "Thank you Amiah, you have no idea how much this means to me." Mason said with a beaming smile as he turned to exit the tent, pausing at the doorway. "Oh wait! I almost forgot! Even if with my blood not being very pure? Would you still perhaps be willing to buy some?"