Fantasy Alabastor: Age of Heroes

[welcome.the.miracle]

The golem blinked down at the beast-folk, and dipped it's head respectfully. Daries smiled and waved enthusiastically, however, she almost fell of Chad's shoulder when he reared up. She panicked and gripped onto his shoulder more tightly, a little confused at why he acted so hostile for a moment. Her eyes landed on Al, who had just began to retract his chains. She pet Chad soothingly, assuring him that Al was a friend and that he was jumpy sometimes.
" It's alright guys! H-he isn't hostile or anything!" Daries called down to the others, patting the top of Chad's head so he would let her down. " This is my m-most used technique... i can a-also summon something else, but it takes a lot of Astra a-and i might be really tired after i s-summon it..." Daries took a deep breath, closing her eyes again.
The grey halo began to glow as Daries stuck one hand out to the side. A 9 foot tall, dark, obsidian bladed scythe appeared in her hand with a flash. Although it looked incredibly heavy, Daries was able to lift it with ease. "This is something i learned t-to do only just last year. i was traveling a-around the uh.... s-shadier parts of the forests when i m-met an elf who taught me t-this. It's quite fun, and d-durable!" But Daries faltered a bit, her halo flickering and her eyes fluttering shut for a second. Summoning this took a lot of energy out of her, having already summoned Chad earlier it meant that she was really tired.

 

[SilverFeathers]

"No worries Daries" Safona smiled in response. She was briefly taken aback by her exclamation of gratitude, before remembering that was just the kind of excitable personality the little Sidhe had. She watched curiously as her eyes were consumed by pure darkness, with a grey halo wrapped precariously around her head. She silently wondered if this was some form of dark magic, before a shadow-coloured wispy golem with glowing blue irises appeared before her. A creature from the Summoners Ground? Safona pondered to herself silently. It seemed the way she summoned creatures over vastly differred to her own. As Daries started yelling about Chad from his shoulder, she smiled nostalgically once more, reminded of the time when she first called her own summon over. "Hello Chad." She greeted calmly, as she looked over the creature. She could tell it was a powerful summon, considering she was a summoner herself, but she concluded that Ryzim would not lose against Chad in a battle.

Suddenly, the sound of a loud crash occurred next to her. Spinning her head round, she noticed shards of glass cups collapsed on the floor, alongside the tray the peach tea was once on. A sweet smelling liquid littered both the ground and Als shoes. Looking up at the cause of this mess, she noticed he seemed fearful of the summoned creature, with a chain of some sort materialized in his hand. Had he really never seen a summoned creature before? She pondered, not feeling bothered enough to make fun of him like Silber would.

Turning back to the golem and Daries, she watched once more as she summoned another being from the Summoners Ground, this time a weapon. A dark scythe of some sort to be exact. However, rather than marvelling at the weapon itself, she was more concerned by the flickering halo on the little Sidhes head. "No need to push yourself, send your summons back Daries. Thank you for showing us some of your abilities, it was interesting to see." She smiled coaxingly as she called out to the tired little one next to the golem.

 

[Office Worker Craig]

Al blushed in embarrassment as he put the trays holding glasses on top of a tree stump. Daries explained how the golem was friendly and wasn't hostile. She patted the golem, ordering it to put her down to the ground. She summoned a large obsidian bladed scythe, her halo glowing. The scythe should have been too heavy for her, yet she carried it like it weighed nothing.

Daries' eyes fluttered and she slurred her words as she talked about learning the technique from an elf. She was using too much Astra summoning her weapon and golem. Al walked to her as the drahkin cautioned Daries to not push herself. What does she care, she's probably looking down upon her for being so weak after a few summons. He reached Daries and held her, trying to keep her standing.

"Are you hurt...and sorry about earlier," Al said as his eyes glowed yellow and his right hand shined brightly gold.

 

[Ace Cream]

Yigira​

"Awesome summons!" Yigira clapped her hands excitedly when watching her guildmates show off their summons.

"Big wolf, big shadow, long chain, big sickle. Yigi wants one." Every single of their summon had been really cool. It made her want to looks for a battle summon to, maybe later. "Speaking of summon, Yigi also have one. Come forth, potii!"

In a pale green light, a rather big potato appeared on her hand. The potato had some crooks carved into it, the placement of the crooks made it looks like the potato had a face.

"Hurriiii. Me. Turn. Heaven??" In a excitable child-like voice the potato spoke.

"Introducing Yigi's summon, potato-kin. They're talking potato and their goal in life is to be eaten." Snapping the potato into two, Yigira munched at one of the piece. The potato, both potato pieces scream in excitement as Yigira chomped down on it.

"If you can handle their babbling in your mouth, they are actually quite tasty mya, also can restore energy and heal wounds. Want to try?" Yigira offered the other part to Daries, who seemed to be quite tired after summoning that golem. The potato piece was giggling uncontrollably on Yigira's hand.

welcome.the.miracle

 

[welcome.the.miracle]

Daries leaned against Al as he helped support her, her summons disappearing, as well as her halo. She smiled tiredly at Al, shaking her head. " I-i'm okay, and don't w-worry about earlier. We all get jumpy s-sometimes." She paused to stare at the glowing yellows and golds. Daries looked back up at her friend and raised an eyebrow.

She then shrugged, then turning to look at Safona. ' i'll ask him about it later' she thought as she assured the female Drahkin that; " I'm t-totally fine, y-you don't have to worry!" Daries smiled gently, still leaning on Al. She was glad that they cared about her health, but they need not to be worried, she was just tired afterall.

Yigi offered the young sidhe a talking, giggling potato. " O-oh, thank you so much y-yigi, but i'm alright... i think i just need to r-rest up a bit.." Daries responded, smiling warmly at the sheep like beastfolk.

 

[Ace Cream]

Yigira​

Feeling rejected by the sidhe, the potato piece that Yigira offered to Daries started crying, Yigira shut it down by plopping it all into her mouth.

"They get sad if they are not eaten. It do not help that they can't stop talking though, Yigi understand if most people feels uncomfortable eating them. But don't fret if Yigi shove one of it down your throat in an emergency situation, mya?" A grin then appeared on her face, it's like she was planning some pranks... or maybe she just want to provoke anyone to try eating the potato.

 

[Office Worker Craig]

Al let go of Daries when she claimed to be fine, she looked puzzled when she saw his yellow glowing eyes. She must have never seen this type of healing spell before, which Al developed himself while living in the streets. The spell was very useful, especially with threats of hobos, guards, or violent drunks.

"Alright, if you need me I'll be at my cabin." Al left Daries at the sparring pit and headed to one of the cabins, he dropped his baggage beside his bed, wondering who will he be sleeping with him, hopefully it won't be that brat of a drahkin with Baoithin claiming it was for a 'trust exercise' or some crap. He locked the cabin and looked through the window, making sure no one was watching him. Once he made sure no one suspected him, he looked through his baggage and reached for the treasure he kept.

He pulled out a knife, but it was no ordinary knife, it was the knife the Dragon Slayer Guild valued. The handle was embedded with various jewellery like rubies, emeralds and diamonds, which made it difficult to hold. The blade itself swerved evenly, like the wave of the ocean, clean and reflective. Al was lucky to leave the guild with the knife undetected, otherwise he would have executed instead of being exiled. He wasn't sure what made the knife so special, some said it was made of remnants of a dragon, others say it was enchanted for the sole purpose of killing dragons and drahkins. All seemed like bull to Al. Maybe I should test it out with one of the drahkins.

He thought of confronting Nox, but he hadn't seen him anywhere since his trial with Baoithin. Maybe Baoithin knew-
Al suddenly remembered the strange tattoo on Baoithin's chest when his Titan form burned away his tunic. It was a strange symbol and he would redraw it if he fully remembered what it looked like, but his mind was focus on the fight rather than staring at Baoithin's beefy chest. The tattoo strangely captivated him, he couldn't explain why, but he felt it was something important Baoithin, it was tattooed on his chest after all ...or maybe he was just tired and was just overthinking it.

Al removed his cloak, shirt and pants, leaving him only wearing undergarments, dropping into the bed and falling asleep.

 

[Severinus]

Summoning the huge weapon in addition to her giant golem friend seemed to exhaust poor Daries quite a lot. The cold sweat was clear to perceive for his fine nose. Reynar was already tempted to step towards her, when the young human nsmed Al stepped towards her and held her protectively, even offering her healing. This one had seemed rather the immature youngster more focussed on proving himself rather than cooperating with others. But his behaviour towards the young Sidhe proved that he had the potential to work in a pack.
The screeching sounds from the potato in Yigi's hand dragged him out from his musings. Curling his nostrils he could only barely keep from snarling at the annoying thing. What kind of creature wanted to be eaten? Survival was a basic instinct - somehow this felt wrong. As the gathering seemed to dissolve, the wolfman yelped to Daries: "Have you found a spot for a bath yet or would you care to look for one? This would help you relax and regain your strength." Looking around he added: "If any of you would like to join us, you are of course welcome."

 

[welcome.the.miracle]

Daries waved, smiling at Al as he left. " Goodnight! Hope you sleep w-well!" She called after her friend, only stuttering once, grateful that he had healed her. Her attention turned towards Reynar as he spoke, wondering if she had found the stream yet. " Oh! yes, i did i-in fact. My tree-house is b-built right near it in f-fact, there's even a w-waterfall!" She exclaimed happily, running a hand through her pearly white hair. It blew in the cool wind, cooling her down from the heat.
" You are all w-welcome to stop by at a-any time! I'm setting up a s-shop for herbs and medicines for the guild, so if y-you ever need anything just come and a-ask!" She proposed nervously, wondering if it was an acceptable thing to do. After all, she was only introduced to the world outside of the isolated forests last year, there's a reason it's called isolated.
" But as of now, if you w-want to come check out the w-waterfall, you can come for a dip! It's r-really refreshing and calming!"

Severinus Ace Cream SilverFeathers

 

[Severinus]

Reynar smiled at Daries baring his wolfish teeth and perking up his ears, while he listened to her accounts of her tree house, herb shop and a waterfall which sounded most promising. Sleeping in a house would feel like a prison cell holding him in and he rather wished to camp close to the waterfall. "I would be honored to see your new house and herbs", he growled in a friendly way. "And visiting the waterfall afterwards sounds excellent."
After taking a curious look around the others to see, if anyone else wanted to accompany them, the wolf shaman nodded to Daries and started the walk towards the trees. As he stepped among the trees, his ears picked up the rustling of the wind in the branches above, the birds cooing and the small rodents scurry over dry leaves. Breathing in and smelling the scents of rotting and fresh leaves, of odorant herbs, of fertile soil and the creatures living in the vicinity made his heart leap with joy. This is where he felt at home more than in any house.

 

[welcome.the.miracle]

Daries sent a glance at the other two, deciding that if they wanted to join them, they could find their way. She skipped after Reynar, a smile on her face. She watched as he relaxed the moment he stepped into the forest, and her smile only grew. " R-Reynar, where are you going to stay? C-certainly you would l-loathe the thought of staying in a cabin as m-much as i do, s-so were will you reside w-while at the guild?" She asked the beast-folk, her eyes landing on her treehouse. She noticed the wash had finally dried, and Daries rushed ahead a bit so she could grab a basket. Carefully, she took down the clothes she had hung up to dry as she waited for his response, her pastel pink eyes focused on the task before her.
" I-i w-would have asked the forest t-to make you a little p-place, but i didn't know i-if you wanted an actual house, o-or if you preferred s-something else instead. So i h-held of from doing so, b-but i made my shop and took a d-dip near the w-waterfall earlier."

 

[WorldWeaver]

Baoithin was disappointed, mostly in himself. He had tried to unite the guild, but failed. Was he really cut out for this kind of thing? No, he'd see this guild through to the end. He'll have to learn to better manage his guild, though. And as the sun was beginning to go down, he knew he would have to end this now pointless endeavor. Noticing the vine of Poison Ivy ignite from his flames, he pulled his tunic over his nose and mouth, looking to Silber. "I understand how you feel, Silber. In my many battles, I've seen atrocities commited left and right by all manners of factions. I apologize, again, for assuming your quarrel was simple racism, and not looking into the situation enough." He then looked toward the sun. "However, I believe what Al said earlier, about him trying to escape his nightmares...I think he's trying to atone for his sins, somewhere deep down."

He then disengaged his Astra, the aura around him fading away, and his hair and beard returning to normal. "I see now that I cannot simply make this problem go away overnight. Give me some time to think over how to settle this." With that, he gathered up his armor, and started back toward the guild. "Oh, and Silber..." He pointed toward his neck. "Your collar's a bit ruffled up." Before he could leave the clearing, however, a goblin had approached him, introducing herself as Kofsia in a rather flamboyant fashion. Then, she mentioned Hallix, and remembered the letter. "Ah, that's right. Good to have you, Miss Kofsia. I hope the journey wasn't too much trouble for you. As the sun dipped lower over the horizon, Baoithin seemed a bit...nervous. Five above, just let me get to my cabin in time...

 

[Ace Cream]

Yigira

"Yigi doesn't like symmetric room either, but living with the other feel safer." Yigira casually joined the conversation after she landed on the side of the Daries' tree house from her trees leaping. She walked vertically down the tree, unseen force prevented her falling as she made her way to the ground.

"But this seems pretty good. Sidhe really likes their house to be on, in or under a tree, mya?" Although small in number, Yigi remembered about a handful of sidhe living among the beastfolk in The Grove. Sidhe from the other place usually called them The Flightless since they choose not to fly and live underneath the giant tree's root so they can be with Mother Earth.

 

[AncientBird]

"Heh heh heh, what do we have here? Little daughter of Lord Everius, the leader of Bronzewood trading post. You will bring us good fortune, little lass!" Said One-eye Wargul as he gazed upon a little girl, no more than ten years old, who was immobilized and tied up to a pillar.

"Let me go, you big meanie!" Shouted the little girl as she struggled, trying to get free.

"Shut up! Until that fat lardy, daddy of yours pile up shiny goods in front of us, you will be going no where!" Wargul snapped at the girl to shut her up. The wolf man then turned toward one of his goons, a hyena man.

"Grok! Where is Lord Everius? He's supposed to be here an hour ago."

"I will go looking outside, boss." Grok replied.

"Go quick! And you'd better have a good news!" Wargul shouted as his goon departed.

"It almost seems like he doesn't want to have his baby girl back, boss. He barely contacted us and in the past few days had been pretty shady..." Another goon, a thin human spoke.

"Well, in that case we will sell the lass to the slaver instead... But that would be a big bummer, she wouldn't worth half of the ransom we demanded." Wargul replied. He seemed to be getting more and more impatient.

Suddenly, a big shadowy figure of the hyena man showed up at the door.

"Has he come yet, Grok? I swear if you mistake someone else as Everius again, I will-"

But Grok didn't answer his boss. He fell face first into the floor instead. Blood spilled from his back where a huge harpoon could be seen piercing on his hind, he's absolutely dead. The entire gang gasped at the sight and watched as a small figure waddled into the room. It's a bird, a cormorant to be precise, but it wore steel jaw brace and had a nasty smirk on his face.

"Greeting, Baredfang Gang! One-eye Wargul, ya little crime end today!" Billawanka spoke as he called upon his trusty harpoon, Gutter which unplugged itself from Grok's body and returned to his wing which he used as arm and hand.

"The hell are you? A talking goose?" Wargul replied, still shocked from his goon's death.

"Goose? GOOSE?!! I be a cormorant, ya stupid dog mon! I be Billawanka Babadosi and Lord Everius be wantin me return his daughter, along with ya filthy pelt!" Bill screamed at the gang leader, angered by the wolf man's word.

"Ohhh... So a mercenary then? Lord Everius think a little bird like you can rescue his daughter from us? What kind of joke is this???" Wargul said and laughed. The rest of the gang echoed his laughter.

"Oh, confident much? Ya better hand me da little gal and I be makin sure ya still be alive when da lord throw ya in da cell, kidnapper." Bill spoke as he waddled closer.

"Ah... Alright, let's see if your threat is actually legit... Men! Get him!" Wargul snarled. Three of the goons walked toward Bill and started to surround him. They were big and towered over Bill. They then rushed in with their weapon ready. However just as they tried to attack, their throats were sliced open. Bill span and slid pass through them as their bodies collapsed on the floor. The cormorant looked back at the rest of the gang, smirked.

"What the...?!! Kill him! Kill him!" Wargul shouted, ordering the rest of his goons to attack. All of them rushed at the mercenary. Bill charged forward, sliding on the ground with his magical feathers. As he passed through each goons, he cut and jabbed and stabbed. These ruffains were no match for him, they barely knew how to actually fight and relied mostly on their number. However, Bill was too quick and slippery to be caught. He easily cut through all of them, leaving their bodies to fall dead on the ground. Eventually it's only Wargul left.

The gang boss was frightened. He reached out to his last line of defense, his hostage. The wolf man took hold on the little girl and with a knife, he pointed it at her throat. "Don't come any closer! Or else the girl took it!" He shouted.

But then, his knife was knocked out of his hand by the harpoon thrown by his adversary. Gutter was magically pulled back to Bill as he charged the defendless gang boss. The cormorant with his steel jaw brace, clamped his jaws on the wolf man's nose. Wargul yelped in pain as he backed out from his hostage. He fell to the ground and had the harpoon pointed at his chest.

"Please! Have mercy! Don't kill me!!!" Wargul pleaded for mercy. Bill smirked at the wolf man and lifted up a rope. "Ya crime spree will end here, mon. Now time to be back and face da lord ya self!"

As Bill finished tying up and secured the defeated gang boss to his cart outside the lair, he freed the girl from the pillar. "Thank you for saving me, Mr. Goose." Said the girl.

"Nah, it's nothing mon. Ya father was very worry so he hired me to help ya... Also I normally mind being called goose, but ya seem like a wee nice gal... Just call me Bill, ok?" Replied the mercenary.

Bill had the girl get in the cart while he sat on the driver seat. Before him stood 2 ostriches, tying to the cart. "March! Kro and Juju. Get us outta here!" Bill gave order as he grabbed the leash. The two ostrich began to pull the cart forward and soon darted through the forest, headed out to the destination.

 

[Severinus]

Reynar had been too distracted by his enjoyment of nature and jumped a little, as Daries spoke to him. "C-certainly you would l-loathe the thought of staying in a cabin as m-much as i do, s-so were will you reside w-while at the guild?" At those words he gave her a warm smile. At least the Sidhe cold understand him and his wish to stay close to nature. The thought of where he would stay had not bothered him too much. He could always create himself a simple mat from the grass and leaves with the help of his astra and sleeping under the open sky did not bother him, unless it was raining or snowing.
As she talked about thinking to create a hut for him, he finally accepted the Sidhe as true pack. If the need arose, he would defend her with his life, even though her golem friend looked quite capable of doing so as well. Touched at her thoughtfulness the wolfman yelped back: "Thank you! You are like ..." he hesitated and thought about the outside expression, beofre continuing "like family to think of something like that. I would be very glad to have a hut out here in the woods where it is more quiet or close to the creek. But do not strain yourself too much. You still look exhausted and your use of the gift of the moon has cost you a lot of energy. Please, rest first, before doing it. I don't mind sleeping out in the open for some nights." Inhaling deeply, the smell of herbs growing close to fresh water caught his nose and his ears could pick up the soft sound of flowing water. "Come. Let us rest at the creek."

 

[AncientBird]

"Oh thank you so much! I know if anyone could help bringing back my precious Maddie, it must be you!" Lord Everius spoke gleefully as he shook one of Bill's wing violently that it made the bird's entire body quivered. Lord Everius is a big, plump man with large, stylish mustache and bald head. He's the leader and manager of the trade post of Bornzewood Town, which was where Bill met and was hired by the man for the first time and had still been called for his service repeatedly since.

"Yah yah, it's nothing mon..." Bill said after pulling his wing back, feeling a little ache. "What about da "best" part?" He then asked the trade lord.

"Oh, for saving Madelene, I have a huge reward for you! You are gonna be impressed!" Lord Everius said and one of his servant brought out a chest. Bill's eye gleamed with happiness as he saw the chest. The servant opened the chest and inside lay a big sack. "60 gold pieces, all pure and shiny!" Lord Everius grinned.

"By basilisk's beak?!! This much? Daaaaaaamn I can be buyin me own cart now!" Bill exclaimed at his reward. "Your own cart?" Lord Everius asked. "Yah! Sliding around in da forest be tirin sometimes, I wanna have me own cart to travel with, just like da one ya lent me." Bill answered. "Nice, there are several cart smith in the town, I can recommend you some if you'd like to." Everius replied. "Yah yah, but I need somethin to pull da cart first... Everius, can I ask ya for somethin?" Bill said. "Sure!" Replied Everius. "I like ya birds Kro and Juju, da big ones that pull ya cart. Can I have them?" Said Bill.

Lord Everius seemed unsure. "What? The ostriches? Oh no no no... Those two are one of my prize animals. I don't easily give them out... Also, why did you call them like that? Their name is Everendelle and Coronaria..."

"Awww... mon... I think I be havin good connection with them..." Bill said in disappointment. Everius stopped to think, patting his mustache a few time. "Well, I might find some exception for my favorite avian mercenary... Alright, I will give them to you if you do this one work for me." Spoke the trade lord.

Everius then pulled a paper from a board near by. "My caravans are having some problem with a 'thief'..." Everius spoke, his face became more serious. "Just a dang, simple thief??? How so?" Bill repiled.

"I wouldn't call him simple..." Everius spoke, becoming more and more serious. "He had been raiding 6 of my caravans from the north straight in 2 weeks... He single handedly cut through the guards who tried to protect the caravans and also destroying numerous goods and cargo. The thing is, he hasn't been taken anything... Just destroyed stuff and pull everything out then left... It's almost like he's looking for something."

"That one be a weird bastard indeed..." Bill commented.

"He caused a lot of damages in our caravans for nothing and he's really powerful too. My men said that he's a Drahkin with powerful earth astra. If you could stop and prevent his senseless assault on our future caravans, I will reward you greatly, as well as giving you my ostriches." Everius spoke. "Do we have a deal?"

"Sound like a good challenge, alright mon... I be takin this job for ya." Bill replied.

"Marvelous! I look forward to see your victory!" Everius happily clapped his hands together and smiled.

"Yeah! I be smashin and slicin and beatin da troublemsome guy in no time... One thing though... What's a Drahkin?..."

 

[welcome.the.miracle]

Daries grinned as the beast-folk smiled, happy that he accepted her and trusted her. The warmth and welcoming feeling was something Daries enjoyed, and she hoped that soon she will be able to feel the same thing with the other guild-members. " Of c-course i'll make y-you a hut near the creek! I-i'll be fine, Al healed me up a bit!" Daries exclaimed, her eyes closing as her smile widened, " But i s-suppose a q-quick rest by the w-water w-would be nice! I'll make sure to s-start w-working on the hut later!"

As they began to walk to the small creak near the treehouse, a sudden voice startled her a bit, her eyes flashing to the midnight black from earlier. It only lasted for mere seconds though, seeing as Daries relaxed when she realized it was Yigi. The sheep like beastfolk began talking about how she "doesn't like symmetric room either, but living with the other feel safer," walking down the side of the tree. Daries blinked a few times, calming her beating heart. " I-i suppose, Yigi, but i cannot s-stand the crowded e-environment of the camp." Yigi went on to talk about how most Sidhe's prefer to live near trees or wooded areas, making Daries smile again. " You're right Yigi, my kind usually prefer to live in very heavily forested areas. It's easier for us to survive wen we are closer to nature."

Ace Cream Severinus

 

[WorldWeaver]

Baoithin hurried over to his cabin and closed the door behind him. Letting out a sigh of relief, he finally relaxed as the sun finally vanished, and the moon dominated the sky. Locking the door, he sat down in his chair as he felt his strength leave him. His body began to deflate almost like a balloon until he was almost skin and bones, and he shrunk down two feet. Letting out a cough, he glanced at himself in the mirror. His tunic fitted loosely over him, and he could see the markings begin to appear; the markings of someone's Astra technique, "Curse of the Venomous Moon". A mighty foe had used on him years ago during his last battle in service to the King of Victoria. Ever since then, his powers would diminish greatly, and he'd hardly be able to walk after the sun went down.

He hated it. He knew there were people out there that needed help, day OR night. Before he was given this curse, his techniques were at their weakest during the night, sure, but they were still enough to get a job done. Now, the only thing his fire could do, at best, was light a fire in his hearth, or perhaps a candle. Not even his axe, Voluundrun, would boost his power much in this state. Coughing roughly, he swore under his breath. Seems he inhaled some of those vapors just before he could pull up his tunic. "Damn it all..." he grumbled as he moved to his bed with some effort, "Today was a disaster...and I feel as though I only made it worse..." He knew that he'd have to unite this guild somehow. But how could he...? Looking to his map, an Idea began to formulate in his head...

 

[Office Worker Craig]

Al abruptly woked up, a loud ruckus occurring nearby. He took his cloak, put on his pants and headed outside. The night was cold so the cloak was a fitting attire. He headed to one of the cabins where the ruckus was occurring. The cabin looked to belong to Baoithin, inside he could hear Baoithin coughing and mumbling words.

Al knocked at his door, concerned for his guild master.

"Baoithin you alright?" Al said. "You don't sound well, also I saw that weird tattoo on your chest from our spar. What's that all about?"

 

[WorldWeaver]

"You saw it, then...?" Baoithin replied, his voice bearing a slight tone of surprise and worry. He then let out a sigh and shook his head. "I was hoping to keep this on the down low, but perhaps it's for the better that you know." From the other side of the door, Al could hear the struggle in his walk to the door. And then the door swung open. "That marking you saw is more than just a fashion statement. Ten years ago, An Astra user cast a curse on me, greatly diminishing my powers during nightfall." Hobbling back to his seat, he grunted as he coughed again. "Since then, I've been like this; a mighty champion during the day, but a weak and frail man at night. All the while, trouble never rests."

"That, Alacer, is the hardest part for me to accept. As I am now, I cannot help others during nightfall." Looking up to the young man, a curious look came over him. "You came here because you hoped to redeem yourself for the attrocities you commited in the Dragon Slayers' guild, didn't you?" He asked, "Is that what you meant when you said you wanted those nightmares of yours to end?" Looking down to the floor, watching his and Al's shadow dance in the light of the fire, he sighed. "We all have hardships we must overcome. We all have limits we must accept, surpass, or work around. I don't know why a man like you joined them in the first place, but I'm glad you at least came to your senses enough to leave them behind you." He then let out a small chuckle over a cough. "Sorry. I know you didn't come here to hear one of my lectures."

 

[Severinus]

Reynar pricked his ears up, as he heard something and turned around, when Yigi came out of the bushes. From what he could get of what the sheep kin was bleating, it shared Daries' and his sentiment to stay in a normal nature oriented home rather than than square buildings of dead wood, stone and metal that the humans and drakhins enjoyed staying in. "The earth gives and the earth takes back what is hers. That is the way of life", he recited the ancient shaman's verse on earth and its powers, nodding to his new-found Ovil friend. "Join us in resting by the river. Then we think about making a homestead there", he invited Yigi to come along, as he strolled along the baring walked on path that led towards the creek according to Daries' description.

As he reached the water, the sun had finally lowered itself beneath the horizon and the remainders of the once so prominent moon started to climb on the night sky. Along with its rise, Reynar felt his strength and powers grow, as the goddess was smiling down on him from the night sky. This was wonderful spot for spending the night. In joy he laid his head back in his neck and howled a long joyful prayer to the moon. Turning to his companions, he winked and smiled while baring his fangs. "So, who wants to join in with a bath?"

welcome.the.miracle Ace Cream

 

[Office Worker Craig]

Baoithin opened a door, behind was a man...who barely had any muscle on him.

Al was taken back at first, believing it was one of his stupid tests, but Baothin let him in and explained everything. Baoithin was cursed by an Astra user to have his strength and power subdued every night, a champion of the people by light but a frail skeleton at dark. Al was somewhat glad to have Boathin be so honest to him, it was probably since their background was quite similar. They both were once part of an army hoping to do something good, only to commit atrocious crimes that haunt them to this day.

Baoithin started discussing Al's reasoning to join the guild, and how he was trying to escape his sins.

"I hate Drahkins, I will never forgive them for what they had done to me," Al said. "but the things I did while under the Dragon Slayer guild...was something no one should go through."

They deserve so sympathy, Al's old guild master's sayings and guidance were still within him.

"But why hide it?" Al said. "Why hide the curse? Someone in the guild could help you and this is vital information they should know."

 

[WorldWeaver]

"Because of my damn pride, Al." Baoithin stated, "It is pride that causes even the wisest and most experienced to act so foolishly." He looked to his hands, letting out a small cough. "It felt like an embarrassment to display just how far I had fallen from grace. I was afraid to swallow the pride that had built up for years. Alas...the secret's out. I suppose it is for the better." He once more chuckled, smiling despite his state. "Regardless, I may not know what you've been through, and I'm not going to pretend I do, but all I ask is for you to try and see that a single individual or group of a specific race does not define the whole." Sitting back in his chair, he relaxed a bit, listening to the crackle of the fire in the hearth.

 

[Office Worker Craig]

Al nodded. He stood from his chair and headed to the door. Before exiting however he turned to Baoithin.

"You are a humble man Baoithin." Al spoke. "I don't really know much about you but I know you're a humble man. Maybe that humbleness will wither away the Pride holding you back...as my Prejudice holds back my inner peace. I'll try to change my outlook about Drahkins, it won't work but I will try, just for you."

Al closed the door behind him and headed back to his cabin. He closed the door and lunged himself to his bed. Changing his mindset was not something he could easily influence, where was he going to start anyway? He sighed and sat up. Al didn't feel like sleeping so instead his eys glowed purple and practice his touch illusion for the rest of the night.

 

[AncientBird]

The road became bumpy as Bill's cart headed deep into the forest. He was following a trail where caravans use to travel across towns and cities. If he wants to catch the caravan raider, this trail is his best bet.

"So... A descendant of dragons? Huge lizards with wings and super power? Da elders never told me any of those. Do ya think I can do this? Bah! How bad can it be? I killed basilisks, and giant snakes and crocodiles before. I even took down a dang roc once! A man-lizard thing wouldn't be so bad... What ya think, Juju?"

The ostrich didn't seem to acknowledge any of Bill's blabbering and kept pulling the cart forward.

"Yah, yah... Ya better be payin attention to me when I finally own ya and Kro... Oh, da prizee! Mah own cart and ostriches. I can't wait to show da tribe all my fortune when I... Wait a minute."

Bill stopped his cart. On the trail before him, a huge band of caravan could be seen scattering around. The people were in chaos, with many of their carts crushed, flipped over and destroyed. Goods lay scattered around everywhere and there seemed to be many lifeless bodies lying around as well. The ground around where the caravan fell were cracked and distorted, with many fissures and rock spires. Just as Bill was hoping to find a caravan, it seemed his target was one step ahead of him. He parked his cart nearby and then waddled toward the caravan.

"Hey! What happened to ya all here, mon?" Bill asked a man. "It was horrible! We were just passing through this forest, heading for the trade post in Bronzewoord but then we were under attack!" The man said. "A man came, asking us 'Where is it?'. We didn't understand what he was asking for and tried to get him to clarify, but he kept asking the same question again and again. When we thought he's just a random loon and tried to shoo him away, he got all furious and unleashed his power on us. He tore down the carts one by one, broke stuff and scattered them on the ground. Anyone tried to stop him, he killed in cold blood..." Spoke the man as he pointed out to a bunch of sharp rock spires that seemed to be raised from the ground, their tips stained with blood. "Aww shuck..." Bill exclaimed.

"Now with lots of our men dead and all our goods destroyed, what are we supposed to do? Our career is doomed!" The man cried in despair. "Be da man somethin like a half man half dragon?" Bill asked. "You mean a drahkin? I am not sure, but I think he might be... He had those giant horns on his head." The man replied. "Yah, he's da one. I be hired by Lord Everius to hunt this troublesome bastard down. He has be ruinin many caravans heading for Bronzewood for a while. Ya be havin idea where he could be goin?" Said Bill.

"He disappeared into the wood after destroyed our caravan... I think he headed north." The man replied. "Alright, I be goin now... If I can catch da bastard, Lord Everius might be able to help with ya loss. So don't lose ya hope yet." Bill said, trying to sooth the poor man. "Thank you! Mr... Ehh bird?" Spoke the man, suddenly curious after noticing what Bill is. "Yah, bird... Obviously..." Bill said. "Well, I hope you manage to catch this rogue. The loss of our men and goods is just too massive. He need to be brought to justice!" The man said. "Yah, wish me luck then." Bill replied.

Walking back to his cart, Bill started thinking about what he witnessed. "Da man seemed to own a powerful earth power, just as Everius spoke. He sure be very good at showin off his power too. This may not be as simple as I thought..." Bill spoke to himself.