Post by Kierkan Matthew Landers on Jul 20, 2011 19:25:12 GMT -5
Installment: Part 3
Location: The Secret Caverns located in the Ancient Forest behind the waterfall.
Participates: Kierkan Matthews Landers ( magicalslaying ), Agnes Clayborn ( agnesclayborn ), Latisha Moonstorm ( LatishaM00nst0rm ), Jade Knight ( xxshad0wd3m0nxx ), Danladi D'Ambri ( faytedwhispers ), Beetle Habuki ( gingercomplex ), and Moira Blackwoode ( bellustoxicum )
Date:: 7/18/2011
[ Notes: I have listed the entire listing of everything that has happened. I hope you enjoy reading it. I also placed a short summery at the bottom that explains what has happened thus far.[/ul]
A[/b]n important lesson was learned during the last mission. Things are not always as they seem. A person must not only use their brute strength but skill and knowledge as well. Without these things used in combination, a person's journey will be a treacherous one. It was once again time to journey into the unknown and explore more of the ancient forest's secrets that are hidden in the dark. This week, Kierkan would send a missive to all of the explorers to meet in the castle keep to discuss and reflect on the information learned from their previous exploration of the caverns within the ancient forest. The castle keep was a large one-room structure with a loft ceiling. Torches were used to light the interior. There were central hearths with canopies and escape louvres in the roof that provided the heating in the castle keep. The sweet smell of herbs such as lavender, camomile, rose petals, daisies and fennel would have filled a person's senses when they first walked through the front entrance of the keep. The castle keep was decorated and furnished indicated the wealth of the owner of the castle. The interior of the hall was whitewashed. Tapestries and shields and banners displaying coats of arms decorated the walls. Individual chairs and wooden benches were aimless placed through the castle for lounging. Trestle tables were used for dining. There were some free-standing tables which were covered with a linen cloth. It would be a remarkable sight to see regardless where you were from. Kierkan would have been in the parlor, awaiting for the others to arrive.
A[/b]nd thus here Beetle Habuki was once again, the vampire in the black attire. There had been certain things too occur. These things would have sapped his body of the strength he once had. He was now a boy of less power. Nevertheless, he knew with each journey he would grow stronger and stronger, but in the meantime he would journey to the castle keep. Hearing of the mission was not hard if one used their sense of sight, so here he was walking alone whenever he came upon it now. Finding the man wouldn't be too hard as he followed the random scents and the fires all around. A blade on each side remained strong as he came too and found where the man was now and bowed with a smile.
A[/b]s Moira Blackwoode stepped inside the keep, pause was given. This place could have been the keep in which she'd grown up. So much about it was similar to her father's own. Her expression remained stoic however, revealing nothing of the nostalgia behind the serene, if rather blank facade. For a brief moment, as she followed Habuki toward the parlor, a glow of pale, buttery yellow surrounded her in a halo of color, then quickly faded away. Her once raven hair was neatly braided down the back of her simple green gown, now mostly white in color, bleaching out her normally pale skin. Not even the faintest of a smile graced her delicate features, but when they found and sought their host, the slight woman did dip into a smooth, innately graceful curtsy, as she spoke a quiet greeting. "My Lord."
N[/b]ot long after the others, Dani would make her appearance. Stepping through the keeps wide doorway after having been summoned via a missive, she now carried within her travelers pack. Taking a single step to the side, she brought her left arm to cradle against her chest. It was wrapped in a tight bandage in order to hide those chains that were embedded within it; the golden key laid within her left palm. Bright cat-like hues gave a cursory glance toward the others already inside the keep, before trailing out to seek the very one who summoned her. A smile would grace those crescent tiers as she finally noted him in the distance. "Good day."
T[/b]he young lady made her way up toward the castle. Agnes carried her usual pack with her as the dull whisper of the skirts moved about her ankles. The scent when arriving was pleasant as she took a moment to look over the flowers. She'd get there. in a moment as she finally turned away from them to meet up with the others within the parlor. She lifted a brow but offered a small polite nod of her head.
T[/b]hose magical orbs of oaken hue would raise to the explorers that now were filing in within the halls. He would greet them each as they entered the room and then he would stand before them to speak. Although he would nod to male and then give a bow to the females. "Hello everyone. I am very excited that you were able to attend yet another mission. And I am happy that new faces are within the crowd. I have spoken with Lady Emmarie and she verified the information that we found to be true. She was not very forth coming with anymore details as I think this was upsetting information that we found. So we will have to journey more within the cave to learn more in our pursuit of truth and knowledge. I have gathered everyone here today at the castle to spend some time learning about the information we gathered last mission. I will read what I have learned from the information we have so far." Kierkan would give a studious look toward the two books that rested in his hands. He would shifted between them to read different pieces of information. "Creatures of the Temporal Planes are time aberrations resembling various creatures, but because of the effects of the paradox as it appears in our world, they are twisted and terrifying. They may be made up of various creatures, crafting itself into a horrifying amalgamation. These creatures very touch ages a creature by years. They are so abhorrent. They also have clawed hands and place curses upon creatures, objects, and areas. These curses can be cast on an object or place. It brings harm to others and in order to sustain life or rather undead life, these creatures feed upon living flesh to stay alive." He would look up from
his reading. "This is what we know so far. Your thoughts?"
"...Huh?" T[/b]he flaw caught him and Habuki looked over toward Moria, the shine of his eyes given once before whenever he made a look over towards where she was. Those features were turned on her. His hands resting on Moira's now as he would let them come together and squeeze her hand. The boy would enter with her now, hands interlocked as they made their way to Kierkan. Suddenly, he caught the scent of Agnes and another he did not know. The vampire greeted them with a toothy smile before eyes turned back toward Kierkan as he spoke his speech. Habuki was quiet and calm as he shook his head with a little bit of a nod.
A[/b]gnes lifted a brow. "It should be interesting the anomalies that are created from the paradox." She stated quietly as she shrugged slightly. She looked to Dani and frowned slightly. "Are you holding up alright?" She inquired softly. Moira gave Habuki a slightly questioning look, as she didn't have the slightest clue that her aura was bleeding through now and then, she didn't seem to notice it. She gave his fingers a gentle squeeze though, and turned her attention to Kierkan. She was one of the new faces he spoke of, and so she wasn't familiar with what he was talking about. However, open interest appeared upon her features, and she questioned quietly. "These...aberrations...they are what we are seeking?"
S[/b]tanding back slightly, Dani remained quiet for the moment. A nod was offered to Agnes whom she recognized and finally she would respond to Agnes. "It's well enough, just hoping to see where and how I can have these things removed." Lifting her left arm, she motioned toward it before dropping it to her side once again.
T[/b]he seemingly young boy would change his direction and set those eyes fixated on the woman who asked what they seek. He would give her question a serious amount of thought, tilting his head to the side as he thought on how this all started. Finally, he would speak after a long pause. "[color=C70101We first started this because of a vision I received of the past. People are being snatched by the forest and it devours flesh, turning the forest into a evil place. From what these pages have written upon them, these creatures are what have caused this terrible curse to be placed upon the forest. We seek not the creatures ultimately, but we seek to rid the curse and stop whoever is behind this. I fear it is just one that had the power to create such a terrible and powerful curse.[/color]" Those eyes would now dart to Agnes with terrifying eyes as she too bared witness to the dark figure within his vision. Suddenly, his eyes would lift to Dani's comment. "I know you are ready to have that key removed. Unfortunately, we just did not have enough time to move any further into the caverns as the magical barrier would return. Although, hopefully we will fix that today."
"It's fine." S[/b]he stated wryly towards Kierkan's words. Hell, dealing with the damned thing for a week wasn't all that bad...at least until the moment Lacey's twins decided to try to play a tug of war with the chain links. Unfortunately that brought her to the point of almost murdering the little imps, but as far as that went...well, at least she lived through the ordeal! Pushing away from her spot she moved closer to Kierkan, as usual she wore her black leathers with the emblazoned wolf of her clan upon the front of her top, a pair of dirks sheathed at her sides and a katana on her back.
A[/b]gnes looked at Kierkan as she gave a small nod to his words. She had seen the creature, as to why exactly it had focused solely on Kierkan at the time was still..somewhat interesting. She kept her silence for now, as she had before.
H[/b]onestly, Habuki had no idea what they were talking about. It was an experience to gain back some of his diminished strength and that's all that matters. Clearing his throat, Habuki would relax a little bit now and watched in that curious manner when something was said about a key---but it was mostly ignored for that part. "All right, well let's get going then...." A slight tilt of the head and those hands pushed down inside of his pockets as he a waited for the others
M[/b]oira gave a small nod to Kierkan, taking a step back as she adjusted the pack upon her shoulders slightly, slipping one loop from her arm to check the contents and be sure she had everything she might need in it before she gave Habuki a slight smile. He was always so eager to rush headlong into danger, if danger was to be had. It was a good thing she was becoming more skilled as a healer. Her green eyes flit back toward Kierkan then. "Lead on, if the journey proves dangerous, I will do what I can to keep you all in one piece."
T[/b]hose enchanting features would look around the room as he would gaze at them. Kierkan finally would decide that it was time to journey further into the caverns. So they would have to journey to the cave and find their spot that they were once in; Lady Emmarie had given him an enchanted item that would send them to the cave to take a closer look inside. Of course, it could only be used for these purposes. It was a large orb that pulsed and glowed upon activation. It would mount directly in the center of the room. "Everyone stand close to the orb and it will send us to our destination today. Do not stand close enough and you will be left behind." Kierkan would step forward toward the orb now waiting for everyone to follow in suit. Agnes, Dani, and Habuki all stepped forward closer to the orb. Moira moved toward the orb as well, but she was reluctant to draw too close to anyone. She disliked being touched, and being in proximity that might chance that. Instead, she drew closer to Habuki's side and kept her hand in his.
O[/b]nce everyone was within range of the magical circle that had formed on the floor around them, their bodies would start to encased in warm blue-white orbs that would scale the length of their forms. Finally, they would be whisked away through the ceiling and would head toward the cursed caverns. They would arrive! It would seem that they had teleported into a new section of the caverns that did not seem explored in the least. Cobwebs littered the walls and the ceiling and rats would scurry their way across the floor beneath a person's feet. Untouched by others was the only explanation that would come to them at this time. The ride would be a bump one as they landed against the floor rather harshly.
A[/b]nd it was not an unusual time for something to come apart from such a ride. Habuki would quickly arrive now and looked around, curiously observing the area around them now. "Hmmm....interesting." There were a lot of features around there that seemed to be vast such as the cobwebs and rats which were some of the things he did not want to encounter. His hands raised upward as he brushed his hair back and his vision settled in and he gazed ahead.
L[/b]anding delightfully on her backside with an oof.. she sighed and pushed herself up. Dusting off her backside, she'd look to Kierkan. "A small warning about that would have been nice." She stated softly. Dani hit the ground with a solid thump, sucking in a breath, she pushed herself back to her feet and looked around. This place was the same as she had seen before on the last journey here and she thought it looked definitely familiar to her. Her head tilted from one side then the other as she gazed around. "Okay then."
A[/b] small sound of surprise escaped the young healer when she hit the ground, but Moira stood and dusted herself off. A rather dark smile touched her lips. Cobwebs were wonderful. They meant spiders were in the vicinity and that would be useful for her. For the moment, however, she withdrew a small crystal globe from her pack and closed her eyes for a brief moment. Her hair became just a little whiter as a warm, radiant glow began to spread around the group from the sunflower inside the globe. Pure daylight spreading around them in a ring nearly 30 feet in diameter.
P[/b]oor Kierkan himself even though using the item, still did not expect that! His entire body clashed into the rock's floor and he would lay there for a good moment, stunned a bit. He would shrug it off with his hand in the air, "No no no. Kierkan is okay!" He would state in a rather angry tone toward Agnes' comment. He would push off the floor's ground and come to his feet, erecting his back straight up. "Don't you think I would have warned you if I knew MYSELF." He would shake his head in response to everything. Those slender hands stroking carefully against his robes to brush all of the dust and dirt. He was fortunate that he changed into darker robes because his white ones would be ruined by the end of this mission. He would then look to everyone as the frustration would leave him. "Everyone stay closely together. I don't want to lose anyone in this place."
A[/b]gnes only lifted a brow at Kierkan and shook her head as she looked around them. "It doesn't look familiar to the place we have already inspected." She spoke softly as she turned in a full circle.
G[/b]od he hated spiders. Habuki shivered a little bit once more as the vampire allowed a gloved hand to issue forth and sway anything that even got close to him. His allowance of accordance was shown now as he would turn his face toward Kierkan nod. "All right, lead the way...." He had no problem letting him take the lead. He honestly wasn't sure where to go and thus Habuki walked with that stride pace. His hands down uponthe hilts of his blades, prepared for anything.
D[/b]ani blinked her eyes some in order to adjust them to the newfound light that surrounded the small group. Now that she could see better this place did not look so familiar as she had first thought. She gave a single shiver of revulsion as the sound of scuttling spiders penetrated her hearing. "I'm ready when everyone else is."
M[/b]oira slipped to the back of the small group. She held the light, but it's radiant glow spilled forward around them. From the rear, she'd be able to keep her distance, and see whatever was coming, as she followed their lead.
A[/b]lthough something else was in the room with them. A large creature stood in the middle of the room. Air would billow through the room as it gusts up and down against their skin. It looked as though it was coming from him. His body was clad in dark and ripped clothing and stood about 8 feet on a podium directly in the center the room. His skin was black and wrenched with glowing red eyes and white hair pooling from its head. It had human features but it was far from it. A large cave entrance could be seen in distance behind the creature and it would seem you had to go through him to get to it. Suddenly, it would speak when finally learning of your presence. "I am the Guardian of this cave. You shall not pass unless you possess wisdom. Wisdom is not simply obtaining knowledge but learning how to apply it. If you can answer correctly, you may pass. In daytime I lie pooled about, at night I cloak like mist. I creep inside shut boxes and inside your tightened fist. You see me best when you cannot see, do not be fooled I do not exist. Air I'm not, think hard on this, for one wrong answer, misery commence.[/i]"
M[/b]oira lifted her eyes toward the being, pausing a moment in silent thought, as a gray haze started to glow slightly around her. "Darkness." She said in a quiet tone in response.
T[/b]hose glowing red eyes of the air guardian would peer at Moira with wonder, unsure of how to respond to the answer that was just given. It would appear, it was dumbfound and at a loss for words. It would seem she were correct. Slowly descending down upon one knee, he would bow before Moira in defeat. "You may pass."
T[/b]he group would continue onward down the narrow path that curves and twist deeper into the cavern's depths. "Oh you have got to be kidding me." She whispered low beneath her breath. She hated riddles and was glad the woman had guessed the answer in such a quick manner. A breath was released, part exasperation and part relief. Stepping forward, she gaze closely at the being who now kneeled and gave them his blessing to pass.
"...Haha my baby is smart." H[/b]e smirked toward the air guardian as he came up and gave Moira a kiss on the cheek and a nod of his head. The boy would then continue onwards down the narrow path that curved and twisted, Habuki would take one last glance at the guardian, before he would move outwards and deeper into the cavern's depths, letting Moira take the back motion, as he led the front.
T[/b]he gray glow faded just as quickly as it had appeared, and Moira shivered slightly. She had almost answered wrong. The first word to come to mind was not always the right one, and she was glad she'd taken a moment to consider the phrasing of the riddle before making her reply. She smiled slightly at the kiss Habuki gave her, letting her slender, scarred fingers, brush against the back of his hand as she let the others pass before she'd take the back once more.
K[/b]ierkan's eyes would quickly rise with haste as questions swarming those temples of his. He would look to Moira with a small smile. She was one bright cookie. He would shake his head slowly as he should have known the answer to that question but he was slightly still in his head like he normally was. Finally, he would continue down the hallway with the rest of them, trying to keep his thoughts narrowed on watching for things to pop out. They so did in this cave as they learned last time. He would stay as sharp as possible. He would finally speak after a long silence was around them. "Very good job back there, Moira."
A[/b]gnes walked beyond the creature as they moved onward. A pause for a moment as she marked the wall with a small piece of chalk. She wanted to know her way back.. one of those things. She let the others move forward.
S[/b]eems with nothing but the settled darkness ahead of them, he would do nothing but walk ahead now, keeping himself at the best foot forth. Habukis eyes centered as he relied on the darkness seeing more than anything else and allowed himself to gaze forth as they moved. He wasn't sure about these things that could make you age, but Habuki wouldn't be taking any reckless decisions.
A[/b]fter a long journey down the empty hallways of the cavern, they would finally come across a room on the path. The group would slowly entered the room and look around curiously. They would be amazed by the sights that they saw now. Pure silver outlined the wall hangings that were posted against each wall. Silver and gold pieces would fill boxes that were littered throughout the room. There were statues lined in rows pressed against the rock walls that covered the larger length of the room. Although one of the statues would stand out to Agnes and Kierkan the most. It was the dark figure from their shared vision. It was too far away for them to see. They would need to inspect it closer. Although something was amiss in this room.
"Thank you, my Lord." S[/b]he said in a quiet tone as she lifted the small globe, letting the light shine a little more ahead of them, spilling sunshine into the dark recesses of the room they entered.
A[/b]n interesting place to say the least....Habuki entered the area now, his eyes turned all around as he walked ahead alone and went to observe the silver and gold pieces. He wasn't sure what all was here, but he searched for any clues about this place. He would then begin to sort through the gold and silver lining his pockets with it and would share the rest with everyone else later.
T[/b]he young lady pause a moment as she reached out and lightly touched Keirkan's arm. She gave a small nod as she looked over to him. Her hand slipped away to draw the head band out of her pack. The deep breath was given as she slipped it on. Well best to know what the hell they were looking at. "A word of advice.. until we know .. don't touch anything. ..not yet." She stated softly.
R[/b]ight hand braced comfortingly against the ivory handle of her dirk. She would move on after the others. After traversing the long hallway, she finally came to a stop. A single brow lifted high as she noted the riches around her, though she would not make a move to reach out and touch anything, as that usually leads to something unwanted. A nod was given to Agnes as the girl's words followed her thoughts. "No kidding."
T[/b]here were traps set in this room! Thin wires were lined all across the floors. Habuki had tripped a wire. The wire would pull away from the rock wall that would cause a huge explosion. The entire room would shake and heavy rocks would come down from the ceiling. The rocks would smack him around a few times causing damage to his body. A person must be careful in this place or he or she will fall victim to it. There are treasure boxes with gold and silver coins in the floor. There are five statues to look at.
M[/b]oira turned with a small gasp when she heard the explosion. Her pale eyes going wide as she rushed toward Habuki first to make certain he was alright. She could see he had taken only minor wounds, and so helped him up before continuing further into the room, moving carefully to avoid setting off any further traps as she stepped toward the first statue in the area. The gold and silver could wait, in her estimation, she was curious about the statues. Agnes looked around the room and walked toward the statue that resembled that of what she had Kierkan had seen. She studied it for a long moment before relying upon the Headband of Lore to explain it for her who and what it was.
B[/b]lown to pieces....not really, he let the others work on understanding just what the people were doing and thus he would unroll a scroll now and headed to the statue 2 and unrolled it now. It would tell be able to show him if their were any enchantments or curses were in the room. Habuki would look around to see any enchantments or curses that were placed on the status around him and suddenly, he would see something from the corner of his eye. Something dark and strange about two the statues in the back.
D[/b]ani turned and watched as the trip wire was snagged and the rocks came tumbling down around Habuki. Making sure he was well enough, she would then look to the treasures on the ground then towards the statues. She had already made her choice. Gold and silver, those riches, did not interest her much. She was here for the excitement of adventure, as well as to get that thing off her arm. Dani made her way up to one of the nearby statues and reached out towards it, though her hand came close as she would not work to touch the thing. Instead she waited for the others, to see what they might have to say about these things first.
K[/b]ierkan would watch everyone move toward the statues. He thought about it for a long moment to make his way toward the gold and silver but he knew what would happen as it did before when they made the choice over knowledge. Bad things happened. He would make his way toward the statues with them and he would stand next to them. "Well, at least nothing bad happened, right?"
"Kierkan.. please don't say that." A[/b]gnes gave him a pained look. A brief flash of green eyes cut toward Kierkan, though Moira remained silent, she wouldn't call a rock fall 'nothing bad', but in the scheme of things, it could have been much worse, and probably would be before long. "Two statues in the back..." Habuki nodded his head as the scroll was rolled back up and put back into the end now and watched. "What is up with these two?" In the back, he would look ahead and observe, but not touch....not yet. He wouldn't want another rock slide happening again. "...Something off with the two in the back..."
What was that?! S[/b]omething was moving and shifting within the background of the cave but from where. There was nothing new that had appeared in the room. Although shock would have been across their faces when they saw the two gold statues within the cave were shifting as gold powder was fluttering down from the statues' bodies. THEY WERE ALIVE!!!
M[/b]oira's head jerked up as she caught movement in the back from the statues coming alive, and her first thought was to incapacitate one so if they were hostile, at least one wouldn't be able to damage them. Her gaze concentrated on the first stone figure, as she reached into her pack, and she darted forward just close enough to throw the seeds encased in her palm toward the advancing figure. Immediately, thorny vines began to sprout up around it, tangling around the figure's legs and up its body to hold it immobile.
T[/b]he stone figure would step off the podium in which it was seated upon and would start to head toward the group. Suddenly, vines would encase his body. He would glare out toward the female that had try to bind him in place. With a deft and abrupt moment of his body, he would break the vines that held him there. When he was free, he would jolt out toward Moira with a stone brawny first and slam it into her body.
A[/b]gnes shifted and the rather sturdy looking book was in her hands as she moved forward , the battle book was swung at the first statue. Habuki swung the blades too life and he rushed towards the first statue just like Agnes. The boy met him full on now as he swung forth and attempted an attack harsh at him, attempted to bring the pain of the blade down into it now.
"Oh, here we go." S[/b]he ground out between clenched jaws as the statues managed to come alive. Slipping to the side quietly as the vines encased one for no more then a moment, she would make her way behind it. With no magic at her call all she could do was try and stick this one with her dirk. Palm clenched around the ivory handle of one blade before pulling it from its sheath. Stepping against the back of the statue, she slammed the tapered end of her blade between its shoulders.
S[/b]uddenly, the fight would have started and Kierkan was completely taken aback by the abruptness of it all. He would loom over to the side, not wanting to get too close out of fear that he would be crushed by the mighty fists that each of the stone creatures bear. He would then reach into his magical mind and search for the power he sought. Finally, his mind would lock on to its target and he would prepare to use his telekinetic magic to fight against these creatures. Then, when he was prepared, he would finally launch a telekinetic wave to strike the being hard.
T[/b]he beast roared too life now as it came forth and into the being that had dealt it a lot of damage which so happened to be Habuki. The beast slammed its body forth as it attempt to strike into him hard. Although Habuki was able to protect himself with his armor that would lessen the powerful strike. Although, as Habuki's defenses activated, Habuki's skin turned green!!
M[/b]oira went sliding across the floor when the fist slammed into her, knocking her flat. She was stunned for a moment, but she shook it off as she rose, sliding the wicked, curved blade from its sheath at her side, and she darted toward the first stone figure as it was taken down with the telekinetic blast, attempting to cut into it with the serrated edge.
A[/b]nger would rage from his stony throat as one of the statues made its way to lash out at anyone who was within his sight. Suddenly, Dani would get caught its path. He would throw his arms to strike her down as hard as his stone first would allow.
A[/b]gnes had stepped back and drew upon her internal core of magic. The small narrowing of her eyes as the hand lifted and directed bolts of lightning toward the statues as they attacked them. Agnes would give a terrible scream from the lightning bolts bounce from their bodies and strike her in the process. Monsters were wounded slightly from attack though. Dani remained to the side as the magical energy of the others was cast out. Once she found an opening she charged in and made a second thrust of her blade this time aiming for the creatures stone eye.
H[/b]abuki gripped the blade as he targeted the first statue and his duel handed side winded now finding his strength. He rushed toward the monster and brought the blades down as he attempted to pierce through the beast now.
K[/b]ierkan was up next yet again. He wasn't sure exactly what he was supposed to be doing here but he was going to do his best nonetheless. He would prepare himself for his next attack. He wasn't the most skilled of people as he relied mostly on his magical talents. He would then try to attack that statue once more as he reached into his magical mind and would try to strike the first stone figure who had emerged first. He made a small mark in the stone just like Dani had but not much. The second statue who was still unharmed whizzed around now, as he whizzed around hard. He would slam into a side of the wall now, and strike it...as it did the stones above would be noted to be a little fragile now....well never mind, their nature was noted. The stone figure growled as it rushed at Agnes now, this one seemed "bored." Although the skilled human would move just in time before she was bum rushed.
M[/b]oira was watching the statues closely, noting the way they moved, and when the second one slammed into the wall, she caught the movement of the stalactite above it. Her bow was drawn from her back, and an arrow notched to the cord as she took a few paces back, gaining the distance she needed for such a shot, before firing the arrow at the loosened stone to make it crash down onto the first stone figure. Although her arrow would just bounce of the rock and it would stay intact. And then watched her arrow whiz by her target with a low growl. One of the stone statue had taken a lot of damage thus far as he was starting to get a little tired. He would lean over with his brawny features looking grim. Suddenly, he would watch that arrow shoot out toward the rock that was above him. Anger billowed amongst his face as she was trying to harm him. He would jolt out toward her and grab her by the waist. He would lift her and throw her down. Pain would invade her body.
A[/b]gnes looked up at it charged her and she shook her head as she lifted the book once more from its chain where it hung off her side and bashed the running creature, but the book would just bounce off its stone skin. Habuki growled as he saw that one hit the one he cared about, so the stone statue was rushed at now as he brought the blade down hard and attempted to knock it back for a loop. The boy swung the blade forth as he attempted to hit the nearby rock wall. Suddenly, rocks began to fall from above their heads, crashing down upon the stone figure with a powerful slam.
T[/b]he first stone figure would scream in agony as the stones from above would drop upon him and shatter his body into a several rock pieces across the floor. Littered and gone away, a blackness would rise from out of the rock and enter into the air as the curse that was placed upon it would evaporate into the air.
P[/b]ulling her second dirk from its sheath, she slipped up to remaining statue and slammed its tapered end into its side, then using the momentum of her forward rush, she thrust her second dirk into that stone chest. A painful strike it was! Kierkan would standing off to the side. The battle was coming along just nicely as one stone brother laid waste against the rock floor. Then, he would suddenly look to the ceiling where two loose rock formations lingering above their heads. He would soon focus his magical mind to hit that spot above. He would raise his hand and then pull his magic from his thoughts and strike one of the rocks that was in his sight.
S[/b]tone figure was struck, and roared hard. Its brother had been taken out! And thus it rushed towards Kierkan and slammed its solid body into him and attempted to strike him hard. Fortunately, the magical protection of his cloak that wrapped his body would repel the creature back.
A[/b]lthough in the middle of the battle, two new players would make their way into the cave. Jade would appear in a swirl of shadows she had gotten a letter from Lady Emarrie to be here, and be ready for battle, as the shadows dissipated from her form. The elf could be seen wearing her usual attire, her raven black hooded cloak with hood down revealing those dark elven features of haunting beauty. Her mithril armour underneath, sword hilt at her side, and daggers hidden on her person with a bow and a quiver full of arrows strung on her back. She was ready for battle indeed. Dark emerald hues peered as she watched the battle from the shadows and stepped froth from them with that dark tainted smile on her face. She would draw her sword and looked straight into the eyes of the statue as she locked her gaze she uttered one word using vampiric command. "Freeze" Her voice was chilling and haunting and she would smirk as she then slashed at the statue with her sword. Unfortunately, the foe was stronger than she and she would not be able to control it nor would her sword leave a mark on its stony skin.
T[/b]he lone white wolf would make her way to the place she too was sent by the Lady, and told to be ready for battle. Latisha was clad in her full plate mail mithril paladin armour as she always was. Ixen alight on her right shoulder, she let out a fearsome howl, followed by a growl as she looked onto the battle field announcing her arrival, sword hilt at her side and bow with quiver full of arrows strung on her back the lone white wolf drew her sword and aimed it for the rocks near by. Although the rocks were too high for her to reach and she would be unable to hit them.
T[/b]he creature was alone now as he did not have his brother with him to aid him in this battle anymore as it was crushed underneath the rocks that caved down on it. Everyone would work as a team to try to intimidate the creature and make it see it was outnumbered. The rock monster wasn't intimidated by the weird looking Asian boy or any of the others....the ones that would take him off guard were the lycan, vampire, and mage. He would look to them and see their power. The monster spun around and ran the other direction, escaping with its life
A[/b]gnes watched it run off as she shook her head and straightened her dress before looking to Latisha and Jade. "Good evening, ladies.. it seems you arrived a little late." She teased gently.
K[/b]ierkan would have been so relieved to see the creature finally gone from their sight. It was something very horrible as he stepped upon rocks left of the remains of the creature beneath his feet. Kierkan would shutter upon contact beneath his boots. Then he would make his way over to the rest of the group. "That was a close one. Is everyone okay?" He looked over to Latisha and Jade who had joined them. "Nice of you to join us." He would smile brightly.
W[/b]ith an abrupt pant, Habuki watched as two new people entered the battle now, a slight wave as the numbers seemed to scare off the statues! Habuki spun his attention elsewhere now as he would look ahead and try to see just what was ahead of them. He would look around and nod. "I'm fine, nothing but a little wear and tear..." He would survive, and that was what mattered. The boy sheathed his two cutlasses and grimaced a little bit.- "What now?"
B[/b]oth dirks were slid back into Dani's sheaths followed with a hrumph noise from their wielder. "That's right run away!" She lifted a fist while calling out to the retreating creature. Apparently, Moira was not at all intimidating, so it was a good thing that their bolstered numbers had seemed to frighten off the creature, and she slipped the bow back onto her back, as she retrieved the sunflower globe from where she'd placed it on the ground during the battle, and held it up a bit to cast the warm sunlight throughout the chamber.
T[/b]urning, Dani offered a nod of greeting to both Latisha and Jade. "Glad you both could make it. Hell, we need the help." Lips curved into a small smile. Jade offered only that dark tainted smile on her black lips that no doubt stood out from her pale white elven skin as she watched the monster run away. Then she turned to the others. "Better late then never!" She mused as she put her sword back in its sheath. "True.." She chuckled and looked back at her nails. The little mage frowned as she held her hand out. "I chipped a nail.. hate that." Agnes looked around at the others. The lone white wolf, would let out a deep resounding growl as Latisha watched the monster flee, which was followed by a ferric howl of victory and she sheathed her sword as she looked to those that greeted her and offered them that oh so friendly wolfish smile of hers as frinedly as a wolf can look when baring those sharp pointy fangs, tail swishing excitedly behind her. "Only too happy to help." Ice blue eyes would glance around as Latisha took in everything and ears flicked this way and that as she took in the sounds around them, muzzle lifted and twitched as she took in the scents around her trying to figure out what to do next.
O[/b]nce the brother statues crumbled away, it was time to look further into the cave. There were a few statues to take a look at in the room. Standing about 6 feet tall, the creature had on brawny and bulky armor that covered its entire form. The eyes painted in blood and claws that were crafted into points on each finger. This statue was the one that Agnes and Kierkan had seen before in a vision. Although there was something written on it in a language that was only known by the Kh'ronen.
S[/b]tepping forward she peered at the lettering for long moments. "It says that we should put out heads between our legs and kiss out asses goodbye." She was kidding of course and the small grin that formed against her features would state so. Of course, she knew the real words written across the stone, but for now she would remain where she was.
J[/b]ade would read the symbols and smirked as she seemed to be able to understand what they said. She would read it and looked to Kierkan as she spoke in a haunting voice of hers. "You don't happen to have the book we found on you?"
H[/b]abuki looked toward the strange and eerie statue and frowned a little bit now...disgusting, but not much he could do in such regard, so he was silent now as he gauged the others reactions around since he could not read the writing nor had the means to read the writing, but the boy did look odd with his green skin. It was all over his form from head to toe, and he looked at it, shook his head and watched onwards.
M[/b]oira could read the words, and sound them out, but she didn't exactly understand them. She was good at reading things phonetically, but she didn't have a knowledge of the language. After taking a good look at the words, she sounded them out, and then looked toward Kierkan to see if he understood the words when they were spoken.
K[/b]ierkan would make his way toward the statue now as he looked at the wording. He knew the language but this was much older and something he had not had a change to study. It was not his main tongue so it would be harder for him to try and understand it honestly. Suddenly, he would peer up at Jade and then to Moira. He was slightly confused and completely taken aback by the statement as it was in the book that they found. He would reach down in his pack and reveal it. He would hold it up toward Jade handing it over. "Yes, these creatures are named in this book that we found in our last exploration of the caves here."
T[/b]he white wolf looked at the symbols a utter look of confusion on her face as Latisha had no clue what they meant or how to read them. She was thankful some of them seemed to be able to though and would remain silent as she let them do their thing:
M[/b]oira glanced over at Buki and she suddenly grinned, a small, scarred hand covering her mouth. He looked kind of like a christmas tree, all green with red on top. She winked at him real quick, but then forced her face back into its common, expressionless state, though briefly, a glow of pale purple formed around her..she was amused.
Hm? H[/b]e thought as he looked over toward where Moria was and nodded his head...damned side effect of the armor, but that was mostly what he could do as she winked back at him and sighed...and if not to make matters worse, the arcane was flowing through his veins...so not only was he green....he was lit up blue...like a f*cking Christmas tree. He would push the cloak on further to cover him up, but it still, ran through his veins now...and he sighed and took her hand, walking with her.
J[/b]ade would offer only that dark twisted smile as she took the book and placed it in the hands of the statue and stepped back. Dark emerald hues watched as she waited expectantly for something to happen.
A[/b] door would open in the distance but the travelers are not yet finished with exploring this room. They would continue examining the statues. When the next statue was in view, a person would see the same writing upon it but this statue was familiar to everyone. It was Lady Emmarie. It was a golden statue that had be defiled and defaced with blood writing. Those who were able to read the last statue again can help the others understand what the writing upon it. There was something written at the bottom but the most disturbing part was that there was blood smeared across its face in that same writing and the eyes of the statue had been gauged out. Someone did not like Emmarie in the least.
A[/b]h there it was.. as she watched the others while fixing that nail. She simply remained off to the side as she glanced down now and then. She looked back toward the other statues, still wearing the headband. Habuki found the one that defiled Emmarie. Habuki honestly didn't know the woman well, so he couldn't say if he liked or disliked her. A blink was given though and he shrugged it off. "...well obviiously someone dislikes her. This maybe a personal vendetta against her..." He muttered and observed with his eyes only, before walking away a bit.
M[/b]oira gave Habuki's hand a gentle squeeze. She still thought he was adorable, even if he was green, though no one would note it from her expression. She slipped from his side to examine the next statue, sinking down to one knee to read the writing there, once more phonetically sounding out the words, though they were meaningless to her, others seemed to understand them. Moving over to the other statue, Dani swiped a hand across the blood watching it flake off while at the same time reading the words. She truly could not make heads or tails of its meaning, nor did she try. She was a fighter not a scholar after all.
"It is.." S[/b]he spoke up softly. "There was a war between Emmarie and what's known as the Thief. Those of the temporal planes..one seeks to steal the gemstone weapons and gemstone that the oratio possess." She spoke up quietly.
T[/b]hat smile of hers only grew more dark and twisted as Jade looked to the blood covered statue and read its words. She did like how these creatures thought and worked whoever they were as she spoke aloud in that dark eerie voice of hers. "Death to the Andra'llah..."
A[/b]gnes frowned as the information flooded far too quickly for her to grasp it all. "There are other plans in the works it seems..as to what they are..I don't know." She shook her head. Rage would fill Kierkan's heart when he saw how they had defaced the Lady's statue completely. It would bewilder him beyond belief. "These creatures have no shame, do they!?" He would state wildly as he placed his hands in a tight ball as he then looked to the others. He would listen to her speech a little confused and taken aback by this. He would listen closely. "She had never shared these details before. This must be the reason why she did not say anymore than what she did. Maybe to protect us?"
T[/b]he lone white wolf let a low growl escape her lips at the sight of the defiled statue and rage would fill her as Latisha heard the words of Jade had spoken. She sneered as she let out a loud howl. "Death to us. I fear it is them who shall meet death." She spoke in that low gruff growl of a voice. Kierkan's eyes would quickly raise as that word would stand out to him for some odd and sick reason as he heard someone from Emmarie's past call her that. Andra'llah. "Someone once called Lady Emmarie that. If she is in danger from these creatures, we need to be ready for them. If they started one war, they are likely to start another." He would shake his head in disbelief as war was not something that he could handle easily. Death and destruction. It was all too much for him and he would simply fall quiet as he couldn't believe what they were saying right now. Jade would find it funny but his heart would ache.
D[/b]ani listened quietly to Agnes' words then offered a nod of agreement to Latisha. Turning to Kierkan then and absorbed his words as well. Here she was learning something of the history they spoke of and the reason for the defilement of this statue. "...well they are creatures, they wouldn't have any shame." Habuki, was Mr. Obvious in this situation....he honestly didn't know, but he was more or less neutral in this situation. Habuki offered a condolence though and nodded his head.
A[/b]gnes lifted a brow and canted her head. "As the daughter of time..I can see her finding herself with a few enemies." She stated softly. Moira gave a small shrug. Whereas most people were good, or at least lawful, she really saw nothing wrong with what had been done. Apparently someone simply didn't like her. If she didn't like someone, she just poisoned them, but that was just a neutral outlook on the whole thing. She stood back, quietly listening to the others as they prepared to move on. Kierkan would not mean too but he would glare at Habuki's blatantly obvious words with a little bit of a dry sense as he was really upset about the situation but Kierkan often got upset over a lot a of things but he would have to learn how to suppress his emotions a little better than what he was right now.
T[/b]here was no more information that they could benefit from in this room. It was time to continue into the path that lead further into the cave that was opened previously. The group would slowly make their way into the new cavern room. There were three caves they must choose from. It would seem you need a key in order to open the cave they chose. Stepping into the room with the others with a sigh of relief, glad to be out of that current room, Dani's bright hues gazed around at the three doors measuring them up before moving to the first door she saw. Standing before it, she slowly began to unwrap the thick cloth bandage from her arm, thus releasing the chains that embedded within the flesh of her arm. The key was held within her palm, kneeling down she looked to the lock and inserted the golden key into the doors aperture. Releasing her breath, she turned it within the lock. The golden key would melt into a pool of liquid and finally become nothing but ash against the floor finally relinquishing itself from her flesh. Yes! Dani shouted in her mind. It worked and as the chains disappeared, the pain and the heavy weight would as well.
E[/b]veryone proceeded into the cave behind Dani. Upon entering the cave, they come upon a plant that is attached to the wall in front of them. Unfortunately, they awaken the plant and it is alive and angry as can be. Vines begin to surface from beneath the floor and walls and intertwine themselves around their legs, arms, and waist. Only Moira and Hubuki were strong enough to break the vines attached to them. Jade, Latisha, Dani, Kierkan, and Anges were still captured within the veins and are restricted from movement.
T[/b]hough moving into the room with the others, Dani would find herself wrapped and held within the tentacle vines of some angry plant. "Argh!" Moira managed to dart past the vines before they could wrap her up, but others were caught, and she turned her concentration to a spell, summoning a swarm of spider that would attack the vines constricting her companions.
T[/b]he plant grew mad as it was territorial of its cave and it would be angered by the presences of others and rage would fill the vines that were attached to the ones still caught in them. Electricity would jolt out from the vines and send it toward Jade, Latisha, Dani, Kierkan, and Agnes. Everyone would managed to get free at this point but poor Dani. Suddenly, Habuiki had found the plant's weakness. FIRE! He would send flames to lick at it's vines and would stun the giant plant.
M[/b]oira drew back a few steps, drawing her bow from her back as she readied an arrow, aiming for the plant's base to avoid hitting any still trapped in the vines. But, as she released the arrow, in mid flight, it suddenly transformed into a venomous snake that did extra damage to the plant as its fangs sank in. Even though her weapon shoots from far away and her spell was far ranged, the vines still could reach her. The plant would shake from the bite of the snake and then would tangle the woman within its grasp holding her in place as it was not fire to stun it.
