Ragnarok

[Archmage Jeremiah]

"It's alright, Qadira! If any of them try to do that to any of us, we'll punch'em right out!" Yuuna flashed a wide grin and punched the air in front of her, reassuring Qadira in her own way. "Just sit tight, and we'll go out and find that chest."

Seemingly unperturbed by the horrible scenery surrounding them, she moved to the Craftsman Hut.

Fortunately it seemed that Li-Ming was lighting the area, so Yuuna simply waited for the light to reveal whatever it was that they would be able to see.

@Krieg @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah​

"A chest with black wood, and encrusted with emeralds and sapphires..." Shirou repeated Qadira's words to himself, before nodding thoughtfully, "Got it. Just stay put. We'll be right back before you know it," he said softly to the young woman, essentially echoing what Yuuna said. The little girl's liveliness and spunk certainly seemed to contrast with the gloomy air of the town they were in, Shirou noted; it reminded him of her. This world was so full of reminders of the place whence he'd come from, right down to the devastated landscapes and the girl whose smiles were perhaps the brightest part about them all.

A dream that threatened to break about like glass at every given moment.

With that taken care of, Shirou moved with Yuuna to the Craftsman Hut, promptly lit up by Li-Ming, and with that, the young man also waited to see what such a gesture bore.

@Krieg @Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi​

Glancing at Shirou as he entered, and then at Yuuna, Li-Ming wore a bad-tempered frown. "Well goodness, no need to thank me. I swear, you spend the bulk of your life mastering the arcane arts and saving the world only to receive immeasurable wealth and fame, but never a simple thank you," she said, sounding entirely serious in tone, yet she wore an entirely unserious smirk.

@Verite @Kaykay @Takumi​

 

[Krieg]

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

---

Alchemist's Shop

All resistance was gone from the corpse upon a mere tug, cold fingers slipping away from the paper. Before Ingrid, the piece of paper revealed itself to be damaged, black ink inscribing some sort of hymn.

First of the Seed, once mighty and woe
Now lays banquets of buzzards and crows
A Tempted struck by the blackest course
An Executioner slain by the darkest force
So the Seed goes...

Second of the Seed, promising yet weak
Doomed to shift through sand and salt
Our future chasing mirages, Paradise bleak
Our spiraling descent downwards our fault
So the Seed ends...

Half of the hymn was missing. In fact, it appeared half of the entire page itself was missing. Perhaps there was another piece of it nearby? Or other compatriots nearby held the other piece? Whatever the case may be, the hymn itself left a strange calling of deformed piety. A facade of righteous holiness with these dark words carrying dark intentions.

Meanwhile, Coco would come across a narrow corridor behind the counter and lobby of the store. Other entryways around the store were in crumbling ruins, much of the damage looking artificial than natural weathering and rot. With most of the wood and cobblestone collapsed, the source of the growl repeated, distinctly situated before the gunslinger. At a dead-end, the corridor itself was cloaked in darkness. Occasionally, perhaps if she took off her sunglasses briefly, the moving a humanoid silhouette could be seen directly in front of her.

A very, very large silhouette.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee​

 

[Jeremi]

Upon entering the alchemist shop, Coco immediately got the sense that something wasn't right with this place. Noticing that someone had come in with her, Coco turned to Nathan and gave the treasure hunter a nod.

"Keep your eye out for anything impor-" She whispered before being abruptly cut off by a strange grumbling noise that came somewhere in the back of the house.

"Okay, stay here in case anything happens. I'm gonna go check out where that sound came from." She said as she traversed through the house in order to hopefully find the source of the sound.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Krieg @Alchamisthouse​

"Very clever to go alone, yes? Will certainly be able to stop the enemy alone." Death's Head responded to Coco.

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

---

Alchemist's Shop

All resistance was gone from the corpse upon a mere tug, cold fingers slipping away from the paper. Before Ingrid, the piece of paper revealed itself to be damaged, black ink inscribing some sort of hymn.

First of the Seed, once mighty and woe
Now lays banquets of buzzards and crows
A Tempted struck by the blackest course
An Executioner slain by the darkest force
So the Seed goes...

Second of the Seed, promising yet weak
Doomed to shift through sand and salt
Our future chasing mirages, Paradise bleak
Our spiraling descent downwards our fault
So the Seed ends...

Half of the hymn was missing. In fact, it appeared half of the entire page itself was missing. Perhaps there was another piece of it nearby? Or other compatriots nearby held the other piece? Whatever the case may be, the hymn itself left a strange calling of deformed piety. A facade of righteous holiness with these dark words carrying dark intentions.

Meanwhile, Coco would come across a narrow corridor behind the counter and lobby of the store. Other entryways around the store were in crumbling ruins, much of the damage looking artificial than natural weathering and rot. With most of the wood and cobblestone collapsed, the source of the growl repeated, distinctly situated before the gunslinger. At a dead-end, the corridor itself was cloaked in darkness. Occasionally, perhaps if she took off her sunglasses briefly, the moving a humanoid silhouette could be seen directly in front of her.

A very, very large silhouette.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee

​

Coco would hear a gun cock behind her.

"Suggest you step into light. Have itchy trigger finger, wouldn't want to accidentally fire, yes?"

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Krieg

 

[Takumi]

"That's exactly right, Qadira," Li-Ming reassured, and gave her captain a dainty pat on the shoulder. "So long as we're here beside you, minimal harm shall befall you. I cannot guarantee no harm, however; who knows just how strong the minions of Hell will grow with ten strapping young adventurers grouped together?" she quipped, before turning and leaving for the Craftsman's Hut with a light giggle.

-----------------

With the intent of keeping Clare closeby, Li-Ming thought very little of the bleeding barrel in favour of concocting a weak spell intended to light their way. Training on her arcane focus, Li-Ming allowed to deep purple orb to glide out of her grasp and up to the very ceiling, where in an underwhelming display did it produce a fair amount of violet light. Although that did mean the main foyer of the building now had light, everything would appear to have a slightly purple tint to it.

"Perhaps you should look before you leap?"

@Krieg @Takumi

@Craftsman's Hut​

"It's alright, Qadira! If any of them try to do that to any of us, we'll punch'em right out!" Yuuna flashed a wide grin and punched the air in front of her, reassuring Qadira in her own way. "Just sit tight, and we'll go out and find that chest."

Seemingly unperturbed by the horrible scenery surrounding them, she moved to the Craftsman Hut.

Fortunately it seemed that Li-Ming was lighting the area, so Yuuna simply waited for the light to reveal whatever it was that they would be able to see.

@Krieg @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah​

Clare glanced over to Li-Ming and Yuuna over her shoulder.

"Hm." she hummed softly in response to Li-Ming. When Shirou arrived she gave a quick glance before seeing what the room had to offer.

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

---

Alchemist's Shop

All resistance was gone from the corpse upon a mere tug, cold fingers slipping away from the paper. Before Ingrid, the piece of paper revealed itself to be damaged, black ink inscribing some sort of hymn.

First of the Seed, once mighty and woe
Now lays banquets of buzzards and crows
A Tempted struck by the blackest course
An Executioner slain by the darkest force
So the Seed goes...

Second of the Seed, promising yet weak
Doomed to shift through sand and salt
Our future chasing mirages, Paradise bleak
Our spiraling descent downwards our fault
So the Seed ends...

Half of the hymn was missing. In fact, it appeared half of the entire page itself was missing. Perhaps there was another piece of it nearby? Or other compatriots nearby held the other piece? Whatever the case may be, the hymn itself left a strange calling of deformed piety. A facade of righteous holiness with these dark words carrying dark intentions.

Meanwhile, Coco would come across a narrow corridor behind the counter and lobby of the store. Other entryways around the store were in crumbling ruins, much of the damage looking artificial than natural weathering and rot. With most of the wood and cobblestone collapsed, the source of the growl repeated, distinctly situated before the gunslinger. At a dead-end, the corridor itself was cloaked in darkness. Occasionally, perhaps if she took off her sunglasses briefly, the moving a humanoid silhouette could be seen directly in front of her.

A very, very large silhouette.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee

​

Glancing to the paintings she frowned before heading to the stairs. What did the upper level have to offer? There was only one way to find out. She'd make her way up, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to check on the others.

@Krieg @Kaykay @Verite @Archmage Jeremiah
---------------

Jasmine chuckled as Fandral carried Asher off, giving said boy a small wave before turning her attention to Ashley, she tried to think of something to say to the girl.

"Ah, you said your name was Ashley? Is there anything you like to do for fun?" she asked with a small smile. Passing time with small talk while Lucifer and Chloe sorted out what they needed seemed like the best option as of now.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Gands @thatguyinthestore

 

[thatguyinthestore]

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

---

Alchemist's Shop

All resistance was gone from the corpse upon a mere tug, cold fingers slipping away from the paper. Before Ingrid, the piece of paper revealed itself to be damaged, black ink inscribing some sort of hymn.

First of the Seed, once mighty and woe
Now lays banquets of buzzards and crows
A Tempted struck by the blackest course
An Executioner slain by the darkest force
So the Seed goes...

Second of the Seed, promising yet weak
Doomed to shift through sand and salt
Our future chasing mirages, Paradise bleak
Our spiraling descent downwards our fault
So the Seed ends...

Half of the hymn was missing. In fact, it appeared half of the entire page itself was missing. Perhaps there was another piece of it nearby? Or other compatriots nearby held the other piece? Whatever the case may be, the hymn itself left a strange calling of deformed piety. A facade of righteous holiness with these dark words carrying dark intentions.

Meanwhile, Coco would come across a narrow corridor behind the counter and lobby of the store. Other entryways around the store were in crumbling ruins, much of the damage looking artificial than natural weathering and rot. With most of the wood and cobblestone collapsed, the source of the growl repeated, distinctly situated before the gunslinger. At a dead-end, the corridor itself was cloaked in darkness. Occasionally, perhaps if she took off her sunglasses briefly, the moving a humanoid silhouette could be seen directly in front of her.

A very, very large silhouette.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee

​

"Y'know, it's awfully rude to make such a racket." Coco said to the silhouette, not at all phased by its size. Before she could determine whether or not this thing was even hostile, she heard a gun cock behind her along with a familiar robotic voice.

Not even turning around, Coco just simply walked to the side and into the sunlight.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you to knock?"​

@Jeremi @Krieg @LuckycoolHawk9 @Yun Lee @Alchamistshop
​

 

[Yun Lee]

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

---

Alchemist's Shop

All resistance was gone from the corpse upon a mere tug, cold fingers slipping away from the paper. Before Ingrid, the piece of paper revealed itself to be damaged, black ink inscribing some sort of hymn.

First of the Seed, once mighty and woe
Now lays banquets of buzzards and crows
A Tempted struck by the blackest course
An Executioner slain by the darkest force
So the Seed goes...

Second of the Seed, promising yet weak
Doomed to shift through sand and salt
Our future chasing mirages, Paradise bleak
Our spiraling descent downwards our fault
So the Seed ends...

Half of the hymn was missing. In fact, it appeared half of the entire page itself was missing. Perhaps there was another piece of it nearby? Or other compatriots nearby held the other piece? Whatever the case may be, the hymn itself left a strange calling of deformed piety. A facade of righteous holiness with these dark words carrying dark intentions.

Meanwhile, Coco would come across a narrow corridor behind the counter and lobby of the store. Other entryways around the store were in crumbling ruins, much of the damage looking artificial than natural weathering and rot. With most of the wood and cobblestone collapsed, the source of the growl repeated, distinctly situated before the gunslinger. At a dead-end, the corridor itself was cloaked in darkness. Occasionally, perhaps if she took off her sunglasses briefly, the moving a humanoid silhouette could be seen directly in front of her.

A very, very large silhouette.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee

​

"Clearly, this has some significance," Ingrid thought out loud. "Otherwise why hold it until your dying breath?" She took the time to smooth the little parchment before tucking it into her notebook, before hearinv some commotion. Oh, what is it now?​

"Very clever to go alone, yes? Will certainly be able to stop the enemy alone." Death's Head responded to Coco.



Coco would hear a gun cock behind her.

"Suggest you step into light. Have itchy trigger finger, wouldn't want to accidentally fire, yes?"

@LuckycoolHawk9 @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Krieg

"Y'know, it's awfully rude to make such a racket." Coco said to the silhouette, not at all phased by its size. Before she could determine whether or not this thing was even hostile, she heard a gun cock behind her along with a familiar robotic voice.

Not even turning around, Coco just simply walked to the side and into the sunlight.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you to knock?"​

@Jeremi @Krieg @LuckycoolHawk9 @Yun Lee @Alchamistshop
​

Lovely. Not even fifteen minutes into this mission and already they were turning on each other.

"Pardon me, Mister Death's Head, but I do believe Coco here was just talking to some unwanted guest back there-what it was, um..." Her psychic powers couldn't pick up what Coco had seen, even as Ingrid put her index finger to her forehead to try and pick it up. "Ugh! Care to fill us in, Miss Adel?"

@Jeremi @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @LuckycoolHawk9 @Alchemist​

 

[Archmage Jeremiah]

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

Clare glanced over to Li-Ming and Yuuna over her shoulder.

"Hm." she hummed softly in response to Li-Ming. When Shirou arrived she gave a quick glance before seeing what the room had to offer.




Glancing to the paintings she frowned before heading to the stairs. What did the upper level have to offer? There was only one way to find out. She'd make her way up, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to check on the others.

@Krieg @Kaykay @Verite @Archmage Jeremiah
---------------

Jasmine chuckled as Fandral carried Asher off, giving said boy a small wave before turning her attention to Ashley, she tried to think of something to say to the girl.

"Ah, you said your name was Ashley? Is there anything you like to do for fun?" she asked with a small smile. Passing time with small talk while Lucifer and Chloe sorted out what they needed seemed like the best option as of now.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Gands @thatguyinthestore

Li-Ming gave Clare a firm thumbs-up just before the ironclad mercenary could escape to the second floor, then set about analyzing the paintings with a quizzical stroke of the chin. "What an awfully familiar shade of red..." she murmured and narrowed her eyes as she reached out to delicately bring her gloved finger down the red robed man's form to test if the paint was wet.

Regardless of outcome, Li-Ming traced her steps back to the front door and eyed up the leaking barrel. "Wait one second, is this paint?" the wizard questioned aloud, noting the substance's oily viscosity and the vivid stains it left on the stone path where it traveled. Procuring a stick from her swampy surroundings, Li-Ming dipped the piece of nondistinct wood into the red pool and wiped it off against the Craftsman's Hut's outside wall as her second experiment.

@Krieg @Takumi

@Verite @Kaykay​

 

[thatguyinthestore]

​

"Clearly, this has some significance," Ingrid thought out loud. "Otherwise why hold it until your dying breath?" She took the time to smooth the little parchment before tucking it into her notebook, before hearinv some commotion. Oh, what is it now?​

Lovely. Not even fifteen minutes into this mission and already they were turning on each other.

"Pardon me, Mister Death's Head, but I do believe Coco here was just talking to some unwanted guest back there-what it was, um..." Her psychic powers couldn't pick up what Coco had seen, even as Ingrid put her index finger to her forehead to try and pick it up. "Ugh! Care to fill us in, Miss Adel?"

@Jeremi @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @LuckycoolHawk9 @Alchemist​

"Certainly." Coco said before gesturing to the large silhouette. "This... thing was making noise throughout the shop. Like any rational person, I went to investigate. And I had the situation under control until bolts for brains over here interfered."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Krieg @LuckycoolHawk9 @Alchamistshop​

 

[Jeremi]

"Certainly." Coco said before gesturing to the large silhouette. "This... thing was making noise throughout the shop. Like any rational person, I went to investigate. And I had the situation under control until bolts for brains over here interfered."

@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Krieg @LuckycoolHawk9 @Alchamistshop​

"Rational, of course." The sarcasm was palpable in Death's Head's tone as he addressed both Ingrid and Coco. "Go in with out back up to investigate potentially lethal situation. For one who got offended by money of dead person going to the living, seem like you want to give it to us willingly."

Death's Head lowered the gun away from the silhouette and left the girl be. If she didn't need back-up then she could go right ahead. "This is why I work alone, yes?"​

@Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Krieg @LuckycoolHawk9 @Alchamistshop

 

[Verite]

Glancing at Shirou as he entered, and then at Yuuna, Li-Ming wore a bad-tempered frown. "Well goodness, no need to thank me. I swear, you spend the bulk of your life mastering the arcane arts and saving the world only to receive immeasurable wealth and fame, but never a simple thank you," she said, sounding entirely serious in tone, yet she wore an entirely unserious smirk.

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.
​

"..."

Shirou only furrowed his eyebrow at Li-Ming's remarks, genuinely unsure how to respond given her contrasting features and tone, before he simply sighed and kept moving on after producing a response he'd settled on eventually.

"Let's not mess around. We have a chest to find. But if you really must, thanks..." He sighed.

With that, focusing back to the matter of hand, the young amateur mage attempted to examine each of the rectangular paintings that had been revealed to the group, and while he couldn't do so immediately, he kept their image saved in his head, like a snapshot taken by his brain, deciding them to not be of any immediate significance. Instead, he veered his focus onto the strange book on the grandfather chair, intending to take a look at its contents for, if nothing else, a clue as to what had transpired in this place's past and what may be waiting for them around. Like a warning for the watching eyes that Shirou could feel creeping on his very soul.

After all, any sort of clue as to where the chest was wouldn't be found in here, would it?

@Krieg @Archmage Jeremiah @Kaykay​

 

[dalecOoOoOoOoOper]

The FBI agent turned liaison was only on the planet of Ash for a little bit since he arrived, and already found himself lost turning streets and corners looking for Ragnarok, and even when he did, the building only had him even more confused as he tried to find the one room in the entire building that screamed "Boss man here!"

Eventually, once Gordon found himself there, he sat down in a little waiting area outside of what he believed to be the office of the commander in charge. Gordon stood up, sat down, stood up again and knocked on the door, and again sat down (rip knees) as he looked toward the door and waited for a response.

@Atomyk​

 

[Kaykay]

Glancing at Shirou as he entered, and then at Yuuna, Li-Ming wore a bad-tempered frown. "Well goodness, no need to thank me. I swear, you spend the bulk of your life mastering the arcane arts and saving the world only to receive immeasurable wealth and fame, but never a simple thank you," she said, sounding entirely serious in tone, yet she wore an entirely unserious smirk.

@Verite @Kaykay @Takumi​

Craftsman Hut

For Clare, the search of a light source would be a futile attempt. All that she could find scrambling within the deep veil of the hut was shards of wood and scraps of metal. Luckily, the more magically inclined arrived, a deep, lavender illumination casting out the darkness. Abruptly, the silhouettes came into vision, the first noticeable sight being the rectangular paintings that hung on the walls.

More of these strange artistic pieces hung, yet the depiction of a strange ritual clad in the depth of a marshland struck a particular chord to this situation. A retelling of events, or a mere coincidence? Each of them awkwardly hung throughout the shop, their position not planned and their origins not with this hut. Near the paintings, more ale barrels sat, presumably not too unlike the oil barrel oozing paint into the streets.

Outside of these...abnormalities, a cozy lounge accompanied with a fireplace sat at the right of the travelers. While damaged, little debris sat about the lounge, a nice, simple place to sit and gather thoughts. Upon closer inspection of the lounge, a strange book could be seen resting on a velvet grandfather chair closest to the fireplace.

Finally, there were no corridors or any other passageways visible, however, there was a small flight of stairs leading upwards to the rest of the hut. Quiet and clearly desolate, this place seemed almost homey if it weren't for the paintings and overall state of disarray outside.

A brief solace, not too far from a deadly illusion.

@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite

"..."

Shirou only furrowed his eyebrow at Li-Ming's remarks, genuinely unsure how to respond given her contrasting features and tone, before he simply sighed and kept moving on after producing a response he'd settled on eventually.

"Let's not mess around. We have a chest to find. But if you really must, thanks..." He sighed.

With that, focusing back to the matter of hand, the young amateur mage attempted to examine each of the rectangular paintings that had been revealed to the group, and while he couldn't do so immediately, he kept their image saved in his head, like a snapshot taken by his brain, deciding them to not be of any immediate significance. Instead, he veered his focus onto the strange book on the grandfather chair, intending to take a look at its contents for, if nothing else, a clue as to what had transpired in this place's past and what may be waiting for them around. Like a warning for the watching eyes that Shirou could feel creeping on his very soul.

After all, any sort of clue as to where the chest was wouldn't be found in here, would it?

@Krieg @Archmage Jeremiah @Kaykay​

"Haha, my bad, my bad! Thanks, lady."

Yuuna gave Li-Ming a simple response, not seeming to mind the varying expressions she wore, before they went their separate ways. She took a glance at the various pieces of art hanging around, but the ritualistic feel that emanated from them didn't really vibe with her, and didn't seem all too related to finding the chest Qadira wanted.

The lounge looked nice, but a little unproductive. And before heading upstairs, it would be best to investigate the floor they were already on. So Yuuna peeked over at the book that Shirou had opened up.

@Krieg @Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Verite​

 

[Mason Moretti]

Maera looked at everyone who had gathered in her office.

"Lock the door." She said to the last one in. "Alright, whatever I tell you in here, you will not say to any other UN Employees, especially ones connected to the Security Council. Do you understand?" She looked at the group in front of her. She would wait for an answer before continuing.

"We've been burned by the Security Council. A medicine shipment that came in today is the last of them for... A while. They see this hospital as a lost cause. I can see what I can get my lab to do, but... We're going to run tight. Especially with the fact that medicine shipments have come up missing." She tapped her hand against the table. "Any questions before I go on?"

@Mason Moretti @Yun Lee @LuckycoolHawk9 @UN Volunteer Hospital

Elise - Maera's Office

"How could they do this to us?" Princess Elise whined with a pout upon her lips.

"This place isn't a lost cause! There are people here being treated every day! They can't just turn them away! How could they be that mean?"

The princess's normally cheery demeanor had been compromised by a fit of frustration. Despite her age being past that of childish fits, she was in no mood to act her age. However, she knew how her sisters would react if they saw her acting this way.

Summoning every ounce of maturity she had, Elise calmed her time and said, "Surely there has to be a good reason to cut the supply like this. Is there some problem that we can fix? Is it a lack of funds?"
​

@Minerva @LuckycoolHawk9 @Yun Lee

 

[Krieg]

Craftsman Hut

The other paintings that accompanied the eerie depiction of the congregation in the woods appeared to be more vivid and abstract. Slashes of colors were randomly spewed about, shapes distorted and merging within one another. Whatever artistic talent the unknown artist had originally spiraled into visual lunacy, the paintings hinting at some progression.

When Li-Ming touched the painting of the congregation, she would find it to be very dry. Concurring to the leaking barrel propped against the front entrance of the hut, the splash of the unknown liquid against the stone wall would net an interesting result. The liquid, as to be expected of paint, splattered and stuck like an ooze. Yet, strangely, small, nearly microscopic tendrils of the gluttonous liquid arose from the epicenter. Spanning outwards, the liquid splat slightly expanded, its motions and expansion through tentacles giving the unknown liquid an illusion of life.

A paint, surely, but one of a strange and chemical concoction.

@Archmage Jeremiah

///

Meanwhile, the pair at the lounge would find the most striking aspect of the book to be it's cover. Arcane and occultism symbols were engraved into the aged, blacken leather. Entrancing and mesmerizing, one caught staring too long at the cover might even be filled with dark thoughts. Of course, it was hard to tell if it was some malevolent power of the book or the mind deluding itself into illusions.

Whatever the case may be, an attempt to pick up the strange book with bare flesh would left with a frightening, real response. A surge of adrenaline and phantom heat would crawl into the fingers or wherever flesh was made contact with. The unpleasant feeling of being burned would pulsate in second intervals, the intensity of the strange heat however easing with the passing of time.

The cover glowed shortly afterwards, the depiction of the eye dimly opening in real time to stare up at the dawn of a star...

@Verite @Kaykay


///

For Clare, the ironclad warrioress, upstairs would be greeted with that same, familiar veil of darkness she first encountered entering the hut. The outline of a corridor could be made, with a single door-frame present in her view. Interestingly, if still and attentive, the sound of a voice could be heard near the end of the hallway. Harsh whispers rang out, accompanied by the harsh banging of wood and the splattering of a thick, gluttonous liquid against something...

"...more...the patrons want more...my talent..."

@Takumi

---

Alchemist Shop

The silhouette stood, a gush of unnatural wind coursing through the hallway, extinguishing any light source within the corridors. Pitch blackness reigned, an omnipresent voice rang out, powerful yet without origin. A shudder coursed through your spine and bones, a noise found everywhere yet nowhere. The masculine voice hissed, sounding more reptilian and inhuman.

"Our flame is eternal and infernal
Yours is weak, divided and reckless
Greed and avarice will lead you to darkness
Our path leads us to Dawn..."

Upon the completion of the warning, torches throughout the hallway would spontaneously combust. A surge of light filled the room, and lo, the silhouette revealed itself. At least ten feet tall, the skeletal form cracked its neck. Horns, longer than any known beast and glowing a fiery red protruded from the being's skull, pointing upwards in half-circular slopes. A narrow, foul slit ran down where a face would be, some ungodly opening for consuming whatever this being at.

Strangely not attacking, the Dark Silhouette stood firm like some unearthly guard, watching your movements with no eyes...

@Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Jeremi @LuckycoolHawk9​

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Lucifer/ Asher/ Ashley/Chris

Lucifer paused, remembering that he had put her on the bus back him. " Yes, Linda is their mother. It just happened during that whole mess ... where stuff happens." He refused to admit that he had a hand in killing people.

Asher was fine with being tucked under the arms of Fandral and was happy that he was not in any more pain. He watched as Chris followed them. He was happy he would get his chocolate on the end.

" I don't think you had to announce it to everyone here." Chris sighed after he said this.

Ashley looked around the room as his father talked with the other woman and her brother had gone off to take a bath. Good thing too, he smelled like he had been in the garbage.

" Well, there is this game I like to play. Let me go and get it," Ashley said, teleporting gods know where and back and returning with a board game in her hand. She turned it over to Jasmine so that the woman could read the name of it.

@Gands @Takumi @thatguyinthestore

Henry Morgan and John Stevenson

John had several questions that crossed his mind, but he decided to go to the one that went to the situation the best. " Is there any way we can prove to them that we are not a lost cause? It seems that we do good for this planet and I personally believe that we can save it.

Henry seemed to be deep in thought, but nodded in agreement with what John said.

@Minerva @Mason Moretti @Yun Lee

Nathan Drake

Nathan should have been scared when he saw a giant skeleton devil appear out of nowhere, but he had gotten so used to the strange, both from his forgotten past and his time on Ash that a giant talking skull didn't seem to phase him. He instead decided to go the daredevil route and ask the beast a question. " Are you friend or foe?"

@Krieg @Yun Lee @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore

Max Thunderman/ Lucas/ Scooby

Max frowned when he fell. Maybe he wasn't so up to walking and he cried a bit. He wanted to be okay. " I believe some walking support might help Max to get back to normal," Lucas replied.

@Yun Lee

 

[Archmage Jeremiah]

The other paintings that accompanied the eerie depiction of the congregation in the woods appeared to be more vivid and abstract. Slashes of colors were randomly spewed about, shapes distorted and merging within one another. Whatever artistic talent the unknown artist had originally spiraled into visual lunacy, the paintings hinting at some progression.

When Li-Ming touched the painting of the congregation, she would find it to be very dry. Concurring to the leaking barrel propped against the front entrance of the hut, the splash of the unknown liquid against the stone wall would net an interesting result. The liquid, as to be expected of paint, splattered and stuck like an ooze. Yet, strangely, small, nearly microscopic tendrils of the gluttonous liquid arose from the epicenter. Spanning outwards, the liquid splat slightly expanded, its motions and expansion through tentacles giving the unknown liquid an illusion of life.

A paint, surely, but one of a strange and chemical concoction.

Li-Ming watched with a curious grin as the peculiar paint spread across the wall with no further input. "I must admit, self-applying paint is quite the nifty concept. Perhaps I should..." she trailed off upon fishing a vial no larger than her thumb out of her vest pocket and scraped off a small sample of the paint into it, before tightly corking it up and stuffing it away again.

Heading back into the hut itself, Li-Ming took a second close look at this mystery artist's works. Although they progressively became more abstract, the renegade wizard still appeared impressed. So impressed, in fact, she hoped to meet this artist. And judging by the barrels of paint, Li-Ming deduced that this was the home of either their supplier, or themselves. Secondly, Li-Ming deduced that checking the second floor was a good idea whether or not anyone was up there.

@Krieg @Takumi​

 

[Takumi]

Craftsman Hut

The other paintings that accompanied the eerie depiction of the congregation in the woods appeared to be more vivid and abstract. Slashes of colors were randomly spewed about, shapes distorted and merging within one another. Whatever artistic talent the unknown artist had originally spiraled into visual lunacy, the paintings hinting at some progression.

When Li-Ming touched the painting of the congregation, she would find it to be very dry. Concurring to the leaking barrel propped against the front entrance of the hut, the splash of the unknown liquid against the stone wall would net an interesting result. The liquid, as to be expected of paint, splattered and stuck like an ooze. Yet, strangely, small, nearly microscopic tendrils of the gluttonous liquid arose from the epicenter. Spanning outwards, the liquid splat slightly expanded, its motions and expansion through tentacles giving the unknown liquid an illusion of life.

A paint, surely, but one of a strange and chemical concoction.

@Archmage Jeremiah

///

Meanwhile, the pair at the lounge would find the most striking aspect of the book to be it's cover. Arcane and occultism symbols were engraved into the aged, blacken leather. Entrancing and mesmerizing, one caught staring too long at the cover might even be filled with dark thoughts. Of course, it was hard to tell if it was some malevolent power of the book or the mind deluding itself into illusions.

Whatever the case may be, an attempt to pick up the strange book with bare flesh would left with a frightening, real response. A surge of adrenaline and phantom heat would crawl into the fingers or wherever flesh was made contact with. The unpleasant feeling of being burned would pulsate in second intervals, the intensity of the strange heat however easing with the passing of time.

The cover glowed shortly afterwards, the depiction of the eye dimly opening in real time to stare up at the dawn of a star...

@Verite @Kaykay


///

For Clare, the ironclad warrioress, upstairs would be greeted with that same, familiar veil of darkness she first encountered entering the hut. The outline of a corridor could be made, with a single door-frame present in her view. Interestingly, if still and attentive, the sound of a voice could be heard near the end of the hallway. Harsh whispers rang out, accompanied by the harsh banging of wood and the splattering of a thick, gluttonous liquid against something...

"...more...the patrons want more...my talent..."

@Takumi

---

Alchemist Shop

The silhouette stood, a gush of unnatural wind coursing through the hallway, extinguishing any light source within the corridors. Pitch blackness reigned, an omnipresent voice rang out, powerful yet without origin. A shudder coursed through your spine and bones, a noise found everywhere yet nowhere. The masculine voice hissed, sounding more reptilian and inhuman.

"Our flame is eternal and infernal
Yours is weak, divided and reckless
Greed and avarice will lead you to darkness
Our path leads us to Dawn..."

Upon the completion of the warning, torches throughout the hallway would spontaneously combust. A surge of light filled the room, and lo, the silhouette revealed itself. At least ten feet tall, the skeletal form cracked its neck. Horns, longer than any known beast and glowing a fiery red protruded from the being's skull, pointing upwards in half-circular slopes. A narrow, foul slit ran down where a face would be, some ungodly opening for consuming whatever this being at.

Strangely not attacking, the Dark Silhouette stood firm like some unearthly guard, watching your movements with no eyes...

@Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Jeremi @LuckycoolHawk9​

Clare paused to listen, before quietly making her way towards the whispering. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she was ready to at least see if whoever the person whispering--more than likely the craftsman--was a threat to her or the other's here. If so, she'd have to either quickly put them down or try and get some answers if they could provide it.

She did glance back at Li-Ming and brought a finger to her lips. Although Clare wasn't much on stealth at times, after her first mission with Lucifer she made sure to be more careful when it came to such things.

@Krieg @Archmage Jeremiah

 

[Atomyk]

"Um... what... exactly are you doing?"

Gordon found not the commander, but a young girl standing before him eventually. Unless, of course, she was the commander. Regardless, she looked confused for a moment but eventually smiled at the man.

"Actually, maybe you're in the same position I am. I've kinda been waiting here to meet the commander, but everyone says he's out on a very important mission." The girl gave a bit of a nervous laugh. "Seems everyone's real busy these days!"

@dalecOoOoOoOoOper​

 

[Atomyk]

Whatever the case may be, an attempt to pick up the strange book with bare flesh would left with a frightening, real response. A surge of adrenaline and phantom heat would crawl into the fingers or wherever flesh was made contact with. The unpleasant feeling of being burned would pulsate in second intervals, the intensity of the strange heat however easing with the passing of time.

The cover glowed shortly afterwards, the depiction of the eye dimly opening in real time to stare up at the dawn of a star...

"Oh, hey, that book seems pretty neat!"

"Wait, Sorey!"

A boy walked past Shirou and Yuuna as if not even realizing they were there to make a grab for the strange book they were examining. Despite the warning of a boy following behind him, he grasped it with one hand but pulled back as if scalded immediately afterward. "What the--" he snapped, bringing his hands close to his face to examine them.

"I did tell you to wait." The boy behind him looked less-than-impressed. "Something tells me you're lucky you're the Shepherd."

Sorey looked at his friend with a look of shame, thankful the heat seemed to be dissipating. He turned to Shirou and Yuuna to finally acknowledge them.

"I'm sorry. I admittedly got a bit carried away there. I'm Sorey, and my friend here is Mikleo." He held out his hand as an offer to shake but pulled it back after a hesitant moment. "Uh... Maybe, just to be safe, we can skip that."

"You're the first we've seen in a while, so I assume we're in the right place. Sorey had us running late."

"Um..." The boy brought a hand to his forehead in embarrassment. "He's... not exactly wrong. But anyway, we're here now, right?"

@Verite @Kaykay @Krieg

​

 

[Verite]

Meanwhile, the pair at the lounge would find the most striking aspect of the book to be it's​

cover​

. Arcane and occultism symbols were engraved into the aged, blacken leather. Entrancing and mesmerizing, one caught​

staring too long​

at the​

cover might even be filled with dark thoughts.​

Of course, it was hard to tell if it was some malevolent power of the book or the mind deluding itself into illusions.​

Whatever the case may be, an attempt to pick up the strange book with bare flesh would left with a frightening, real response. A surge of adrenaline and phantom heat would crawl into the fingers or wherever flesh was made contact with. The unpleasant feeling of being burned would pulsate in second intervals, the intensity of the strange heat however easing with the passing of time.

The cover glowed shortly afterwards, the depiction of the eye dimly opening in real time to stare up at the dawn of a star...

"Oh, hey, that book seems pretty neat!"

"Wait, Sorey!"

A boy walked past Shirou and Yuuna as if not even realizing they were there to make a grab for the strange book they were examining. Despite the warning of a boy following behind him, he grasped it with one hand but pulled back as if scalded immediately afterward. "What the--" he snapped, bringing his hands close to his face to examine them.

"I did tell you to wait." The boy behind him looked less-than-impressed. "Something tells me you're lucky you're the Shepherd."

Sorey looked at his friend with a look of shame, thankful the heat seemed to be dissipating. He turned to Shirou and Yuuna to finally acknowledge them.

"I'm sorry. I admittedly got a bit carried away there. I'm Sorey, and my friend here is Mikleo." He held out his hand as an offer to shake but pulled it back after a hesitant moment. "Uh... Maybe, just to be safe, we can skip that."

"You're the first we've seen in a while, so I assume we're in the right place. Sorey had us running late."

"Um..." The boy brought a hand to his forehead in embarrassment. "He's... not exactly wrong. But anyway, we're here now, right?"​

"..."

Shirou merely stared at the strange book for a good while without even touching it, not even having to do so before he found himself somewhat affected by the book. For some reason, the memories of his past began surfacing to the top like a shaken bottle of pop opening up, as though triggered by the strange book, between the transformation of Sakura into a monster, the puppeteering of Julian Ainsworth and his intent on taking away everything Shirou ever had... It filled him with a grim reminder that though he may be free for now, he was in perhaps the worst place to be right now.

That is, anywhere except back in the world that he had come from. He could not fight Ainsworth like this, and if he could not, everything would be destroyed. Famine. Death. Suffering. Anguish. Such thoughts suddenly invaded his head faster than he realized, and it almost felt like time had slowed for him in that moment.

It was like the Holy Grail had come back again.

It was like it had come for him.

It was as though Ainsworth had come to take him away again.

"!"

Shirou let out a sharp breath as he was suddenly snapped out of his strange, alien thoughts, a result of two newcomers making themselves known, apparently late party members for the so-called misadventure they were all on. Though their appearance was a surprise to the orange-haired young man, one could hardly tell just by looking at him, as his face seemed to possess a blend between pensive and irritated, but at what, who could tell?

Maintaining his serious face, he simply gave a nod to the two. "Mhm. I'm Shirou. It's good to meet you two, Sorey, Mikleo," he spoke, before gazing back upon the book, his features slowly becoming a tad more troubled, "Did that book... burn you?"

A redundant question? Perhaps, but one could never be too sure in a situation like this.

Regardless of what answer Sorey would provide, Shirou only continued to stare at the book in deep thought, pursing his lips lightly. He weighed his options carefully, not wanting to be reckless in a place like this where the darkness, the unknown, could easily overtake them all.

But if dark was all around them, then no matter what move he made, it was just a shot in the dark, wasn't it?

"There's something off about this book for sure. Has to be some sort of curse..." He mumbled to himself, before clearing his throat, "Trace, on."

Raising his arm all of a sudden, making a small swiping gesture, blue energy began to form around Shirou's hand, before the magical energy was given shape and materialized into a silver, short sword, one that the young mage had conjured and projected easily enough, and without a word, he suddenly drove the sword right into the eye of the book, as though to test his theory that it was enchanted with some reactive, dark magecraft.

@Atomyk @Kaykay @Krieg​