Part I - The blood-dimmed tide

[Nano]

Hitori Chizuru (????)

"If I could disappear..."
​

Aqua orbs of clear hue gazed into the dense fog that had seemed to settle itself into the area almost in an instant. Even before this, Chizuru had noticed that something was amiss within Roselea. While Roselea was certainly far from the most welcoming of cities due to its cold weather as well as lack of sunny areas, it was still strange for there to be little to no travelers finding their way to or passing through the frozen city. However, his current situation cemented his suspicions that things weren't quite as ordinary as most believed. It was true that Roselea was plagued with unusual and unpredictable windy and cloudy weather, but a dense fog such as the one that had just suddenly rolled into the surrounding area wasn't something that he could consider a regular occurrence here. In fact, this fog didn't even feel natural. It was smothering and had an oppressive and unsettling feel to it.

So, how exactly had he ended ended up in this fog?


Being the oh-so good-natured and dutiful person that he was (not really), the silver-haired man decided to finally investigate the reason as to why there had been virtually no movement to or from Roselea whatsoever for the past few months. As fate seemed to revel in his misfortune, it just so happened that the obstructive mist appeared just as he entered the forest. His luck was ironic, really, considering the fact that his name was given to him as to denote "blessings" and "good fortune." The only fortunate, or perhaps still unfortunate, thing that had resulted from him stepping into the forest was finding out what was most likely the reason for the lack of travel in the area.


At first, it had appeared as a mere blur, as if it were simply a figment of his imagination. That barely discernible blur soon turned into a full-figured shadow. What the figure in the mist exactly was was impossible to tell due to the poor visibility caused by the mist, but anyone could say one thing for certain. That thing was not human. Rather than that of a human lost in the fog, it's shape was that of some monster's.


Chizuru stood still but very much alert the moment that he had become aware of the extra presence. While staring the shadow down with bated breath, he took note of how the figure didn't appear to be moving. Seeing that the distant creature was no immediate threat, Chizuru took the opportunity to remove himself from the scene. With such poor visibility, he was much more susceptible to attacks that wouldn't normally work against him. Clearly, he would be at the disadvantage in an engagement against a beast that seemed to have some sort of relation to the dense fog. He didn't know what the beast or the mastermind behind the strange occurrences was aiming for, but it certainly wouldn't be wise to simply charge headfirst into a perilous situation, especially on his own.


Suddenly, Chizuru caught a glimpse of another shadow out of the corner of his eye. Immediately placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, Chizuru glared at the new figure with a sharp and searching gaze. The air surrounding him seemed to grow just the slightest bit colder. It was something different from the monster that he had nearly encountered earlier. Was it...a human? That was impossible. It had been months since anyone had arrived from the outside and no sane person was likely to simply decide take a walk in the forest. Then again, the most unexpected of things could happen when in the midst of an unnatural fog like the one that he was in right now. He just had to proceed with caution.

no slide

no slide

 

[Solemn Jester]

@Kayzo @Nano @SleepyBuddha @Robertaka123 @GoldenChari @TheHappyPikachu @Solemn Jester @Aukanai
Not too far from the town square, Gin was listening to Cider talking about his recent encounter with another human about an hour earlier. He was still in the illusion disguise as a middle-aged man, known as "Leonard", one of the curse mages in Roselea previously. Gin nodded every now and then as the two walked, though she didn't look too amused.


"That aside..." Cider said, thinking carefully. "The hellhounds have found some of the travelers wandering. A few have entered Roselea now. It won't be long before they are all trapped, as Gula had directed."


"You haven't killed any.. I hope?" Gin said, inspecting a shop's broken sign that was currently on their left. Hearing Cider's negative comment, she gave a nod of approval. "Good. We'll leave it the humans themselves to do that."


The other still had the confused look like a few nights ago, when Gula had first warned his servants and stewards to leave the humans to fight themselves. The little girl, seeing his look merely giggled. "I'm afraid you're thinking in a rather naive manner, Cider, if you had thought reasoning or persuasion would have helped. The last thing they need is a common enemy. Think about it, if they did, those distasteful enough to have 'virtues' of a hero would be reasoning with the others to work together. "


Her words stopped when there was a yell from not far, most likely a masculine voice. There's an energetic one lost around here. Judging by how most of the starved people were not here, he was likely to be another recent wanderer. "I'm going to take a look," Gin said, adding a skip to her steps as she walked two paces ahead of Cider.




@GoldenChari @Solemn Jester


By the time Gin and Cider had reached the eastern side of the square, the voice seemed to have quietened down. Not too far, she could see there was a girl, with something small squirming in her arms. An animal. That wasn't one of the faces she had seen earlier in the fights. "Good evening, madam," Gin said, walking up to her. "You've been trapped here for a while as well?"


Behind her, followed along a middle-aged man, or rather, Cider in the guise of "Leonard".

Gin had been walking around for a while, and couldn't find anyone."Hmm, it seems I'll have to use my powers then." Gin put two finger up, and put his other hand up against it holding beads. Then he began chanting, and a strange white aura enveloped his form."Hmmm yes, there are three other auras close by. But what's this!?" Gin said his eyes opening wide in shock."I must act before it's to late!"


Gin then ran directly for the three auras, luckily it wasn't long before he spotted them. A middle aged man, a little girl, and another girl who seemed in her teens."Ah, ive found you, now your mine!" Gin roared in his mind, as a strange aura eminatted from him. This time the aura was black, and he seemed to be a completely different person. He walked without any sound, and pasted Cider, and Gin. He would go undetected until," ahh that's what I like to see. Very nice," Gin said a perverted look on his face as he beamed at peach from behind. He then attempted to raise her skirt up with his Staff, and peek under moving his staff very slowly so as not to arouse suspicion."Hehe, never thought I'd find a pretty girl out here!" Gin smiled, and paced happily his head titled in an attempt to see under her skirt.





@GoldenChari @Quark

 

[St. Boethius]

________________________

Ikari stared at the older man with a raised eyebrow as he began making a statement that appeared to startle the girl a little, obviously not having caught onto the sarcasm despite its obviousness. She shuffled backwards a little more in the direction of the younger female as she went back to a more refined look, "Well then, I presume you're not trying to head into the forrest to your left then?…. If you're looking for Roselea change your direction and walk that way for a bit, it shouldn't be far considering I came from just her the get a- while ago…." She replied, gesturing in the general direction through the fog to the side a bit, her thoughts once again heading to the outline of whatever had attacked her before, just what was that thing? Rosella had been empty lately, that and hungry but there hadn't been whatever that was- Well, it was a thought that could be left for later, right now she was still on a quest to discover why exactly this odd group was huddled together over here, admittedly still behind the child of the group for some sort of protection against the older man.

________________________​

@Quark @SleepyBuddha @Robertaka123
​

Benton watched the girl for a moment as she she pointed the way to the town they were seeking. Benton was confused as to why a guard from the town was inside the mist. They of all people know that they can't escape. Not only that but to only send one person on patrol is just negligible. We're they trying to kill this girl? Benton sighed and pushed past the girl heading to the town. He felt vulnerable in this fog as he couldn't even sense the life energies of the others who were a few feet away. This made him wonder how many other people or creatures hide within the mist that he couldn't sense before hand.


"I'd advise you to make your way back to the town. Never now what hides within the mist." Benton said as he pushed forward.


@Quark @TheHappyPikachu @Robertaka123

 

[Aukanai]

Nio Lancis


Location: Roselea


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Entered Roselea


Interaction: N/A

Three hours.


The time would have passed by quickly. But, it wasn't as if Nio was particularly counting nor did he seem bothered by the time that he had lost. Three hours ago he would have been in the midst of the fog. Had he been scared? No, that wasn't Nio. The man was almost impossible to phase, that blank look on his face. Had he been wary? No, he merely had one thought in mind. Nio had only been looking for a way out of this heavy fog, his pace and confident footsteps would quickly reveal that he wasn't all that aware of his surroundings or that he actually cared of any of the potential dangers. More foolish than anything else. Nonetheless, his feet would lead him to the gates of Roselea. Yet, he stopped there, glancing around the area through narrowed eyes.


No people, no noise, and the cold temperature picked at his skin. Nio wasn't bothered by the cold, but it seemed odd for there to be no sign of people here. His ears couldn't catch any noise around here. Something could have happened. But, that wasn't what Nio was thinking about. He merely wanted to find some place to rest. The man began walking again, glancing briefly to the left and to the right as he passed by buildings. It seemed like a ghost town here. Perhaps, he should make the attempt to find out about this place. Nio shrugged to himself, his mind too deep in thought and his eyes to set before him, that he didn't see the people he walked by. He was just too focused on finding some place to settled down. Nio sighed softly as he sat down on a small ledge not too far away. A few moments, and he shuffled to make himself comfortable. Ah, that's better. Without not much of thought, Nio slowly unsheathed his sword, gently laying the blade across his thigh, looking the silver surface over. It only looked somewhat shiny because of the way Nio kept polishing it. It had definitely been used many times, and he was beginning to think that he should ask his uncle to craft a new blade for him to wield. Though, he had become familiar with this one, it had become more of himself each time he used it. The way it felt so natural when he wielded the weapon.


Perhaps, as he had shifted in his position that he had seen the figures in the corner of his eye. For Nio lifted his head, glancing towards them, unsure if they had seen him as well and if they were threat. Nio couldn't tell.


(@Quark @GoldenChari )

 

[Mykinkaiser]

@Zuka @Mykinkaiser @GoldenChari
Blood and growls were in the air when Garrett suddenly collided the fist into the flesh of one of the underworld beasts. There was a choking sound, though there was no nasty bone-crunching. Perhaps it had been a normal hound it would have its bones shattered. It was sent flying away a few distances, and shakingly got up.


Within an instant the body of the hellhound with the jaws ripped dropped to the floor like a heavy sac. Patches of grass became red and there was a howling in the air. Beyond in the mist, more pairs of red eyes appeared, and soon there was rustling from the bush. The air now had a low humming sound from the low growls of about five more hellhounds. One of them stepped over the two corpses, daring the two mercenaries to venture further. Within the fog, it was hard to tell how many there were.


They haven't moved any further, as if daring them to continue challenging, or perhaps head in the direction towards where their commanding officer was.

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: Roselea gate


Time: late afternoon


Activity: entering city


Interaction: @Robertaka123 @Mitchs98

It was rather quiet. Even though Roselea wasn't as busy as Iafern the capital city of Erminia, the gate looked rather dark and forlorn. "Where are the people...?" he muttered to himself, before walking past Draena and Haruko to slip through the gate. It wasn't even shut. The guards were certainly not here then, if the gate wasn't even shut for the evening. He peered into the street, where it was an area with less shops. It seemed rather deserted. Down his spine, Emiyn felt a chill when he saw how some houses seemed to have been broken into with their broken doors and shattered windows. Even if there were no corpses, he wrapped his jacket up a little closer. Roselea was colder than he had imagined.


"I... think we should head to one of my homes first." he said, pointing in the direction where the villa is. Hopefully either of them would agree. He didn't feel safe with only 16 magic gems on him, and was getting a little desperate in wanting to see if there were any there. "If we see anyone else on the way... that would be good."

Erika LeBlanc


Location: Roselea gate


Time: late afternoon


Activity: heading towards


Interaction: @Robertaka123 @TheHappyPikachu @SleepyBuddha

Erika followed, keeping close to Benton and Kurio. She would have thought of grabbing Kurio by the wrist, but his eyes looked so fragile that he might just yell and panic again from someone touching him.


The foggy environment seemed to have lessened their hearing senses as they continued walking towards the direction where Roselea supposedly would be. From within the fog, emerged a girl with flaming-red hair. Erika almost jumped in surprise when she suddenly appeared. The girl took an offensive stance like a guard about to attack them. "Wait!" she said, hurriedly getting in front of two men, waving her arms around a little in a half-flustered or fearful manner. In the heat of the moment, she hadn't gotten a proper look at whether this girl was a guard or not. "We're travellers. We need to Roselea." she said. She didn't mention about Emi and the others though. "Are you... from there?"




@Aukanai @TheHappyPikachu

Refara Illinara

The snow-haired girl made a innocent smile ear to ear in much the same way one might smile to a newborn or a kitten, but this smile was simply because she had driven her dagger deep into the neck of the Bloodhound. Unfortunately even as she yanked Garrett's utility knife back out she was greeted with no gush of blood or limp body. The creature's wound only licked strange coloured flames.


Refara's smile completely faded to something akin to fear if the girl had the emotional range to feel it. The psychotic Killer watched it jump before spinning and aiming down towards her, gasping as she narrowly rolled and avoided the attack but only just, scrambling to get to her feet with the knife blade still held low. She turned in time to witness Garrett spread one creatures jaw wide but again no blood...her face paling significantly as she stepped backwards more towards Gary and away from the corpses. Eventually she was standing before him and took one more step back to land her back into his front, one foot sliding between his in a defensive stance.


"These....things, these hounds.... they aren't flesh and blood Garry...." she whispered, watching more and more pairs of eyes appear, guarding, preventing them from moving in that direction.


"....I can't do this without my Scythe.." looking visibly shaken and a tremour working her frame once more. Felt no doubt through his front.

Garrett Bolton

Garrett looked down briefly as Refara backed up to seek refuge with him. He immediately noticed how shaken she looked and the uncertainly in her voice as she trembled against him. As the man curled an arm around his girlfriend protectively his smile vanished, as if wiped from his face, to be replaced by a chilling look of rage. Even if they weren't human, or otherwise capable of rational thought, the hounds had done something inexcusable. They had scared Refara. She, who usually whirled through a battlefield in a mix of blood and laughter, was now clinging to him like a child hiding from some perceived monster. However, in this case, the monsters were real and thus Garrett could deal with them. He could make them suffer. He could show Refara they weren't worth being scared of. He could make her smile again. He could kill the ones who took that smile away in the first place.

Garrett Bolton

Giving the white haired woman a short one armed squeeze of reassurance Garrett lifted her back onto his shoulders before speaking, "Don't worry, we'll get your scythe. Just hold on tight and watch my back." With that said he briefly squeezed her leg to once more reassure her before striding forward in open defiance and challenge to the hounds, as if daring them to come and attack him, to test his anger. Where once he had emitted an aura of bloodlust that was tinged with a primal sort of joy, the thrill of a hunter, he now emitted something far colder and far darker, something that could strike fear into the hearts of even the staunchest men. The hounds had hurt, even if it wasn't physically, the women he loved, and he knew only one way to rectify that.

 

[Cosmos]

________________________

Ikari moved only slightly as she was pushed out of the way by the man, she raised an eyebrow slowly, "Don't touch me you filthy geezer." She muttered, 'W-Was that how I'm supposed say it?…. I mean, you shouldn't push people.' she thought to herself curiously despite the glare still being given towards the male. She then sighed a little, adjusting her position into one of placing a hand on her hip, "It's not the fog you should be afraid of, nor the beasts that lurk in it. Rather you should fear the people you meet along the way." She continued, "Oh, and your off course, turn right a bit." She added with a rather smug expression. She then turned to face the other two, the boy and the small girl, "So~…. Child of female gender would you tell me why you're here apart from the bodies thing?~…." she asked, somehow still thinking that the man was being serious earlier, She ran a hand through some of her short, messy red hair and her light green eyes stared curiously like those of a cat.

________________________

​

@Quark @SleepyBuddha @Robertaka123
​

 

[Robertaka123]

Draena Kabria


Location: Roselea


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Trying to lead his group.


Interaction:@Quark @Mitchs98

Draena was less surprised to see the gate open, people had not been able to import or export from here in quite a while. The city would surely be in shambles. As the trio entered the city, his posture changed. Upon seeing the state it was in he began to relax, the only ones foolish enough to attack them while in this part of the city at least would be simple thieves and bandits. "Don't go too far, they've likely been looted already." Draena suddenly felt something not too far away... something familiar..."Actually, it might not be a bad idea...we could turn one of these into a rendezvous while we figure out what's happening in the city." Draena said, walking towards some of the houses.

Kurio Palmonius


Location: Roselea


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Panicking, recovering.


Interaction: @Quark @SleepyBuddha @TheHappyPikachu

Kurio had basically succumbed to his delusions, once the scary man grabbed him it only made the voices seem right. He was so lost in his mind that the real world did not matter right now. His screaming stopped, and all that remained was his heightened breathing while he stared off into the distance. He snapped back into reality a short time later, and another figure had joined tho group...or at least stopped it. Having calmed down a fair amount he pushed himself away from Benton and squatted down to a crouching position, something much more comfortable for Kurio than being dragged around by the neck of his clothes. The deranged man remained quiet while the other two interacted with the new person, and Kurio did his best to avoid being added to the conversation. Instead he found a stick on the ground to be much more entertaining, although he still listened in on the talk just in case he needed to fight. He was back in control now, but there was no guarantee how long that would last and he didn't need another episode so soon.

 

[Mitchs98]

@Zuka @Mykinkaiser @GoldenChari
Blood and growls were in the air when Garrett suddenly collided the fist into the flesh of one of the underworld beasts. There was a choking sound, though there was no nasty bone-crunching. Perhaps it had been a normal hound it would have its bones shattered. It was sent flying away a few distances, and shakingly got up.


Within an instant the body of the hellhound with the jaws ripped dropped to the floor like a heavy sac. Patches of grass became red and there was a howling in the air. Beyond in the mist, more pairs of red eyes appeared, and soon there was rustling from the bush. The air now had a low humming sound from the low growls of about five more hellhounds. One of them stepped over the two corpses, daring the two mercenaries to venture further. Within the fog, it was hard to tell how many there were.


They haven't moved any further, as if daring them to continue challenging, or perhaps head in the direction towards where their commanding officer was.

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: Roselea gate


Time: late afternoon


Activity: entering city


Interaction: @Robertaka123 @Mitchs98

It was rather quiet. Even though Roselea wasn't as busy as Iafern the capital city of Erminia, the gate looked rather dark and forlorn. "Where are the people...?" he muttered to himself, before walking past Draena and Haruko to slip through the gate. It wasn't even shut. The guards were certainly not here then, if the gate wasn't even shut for the evening. He peered into the street, where it was an area with less shops. It seemed rather deserted. Down his spine, Emiyn felt a chill when he saw how some houses seemed to have been broken into with their broken doors and shattered windows. Even if there were no corpses, he wrapped his jacket up a little closer. Roselea was colder than he had imagined.


"I... think we should head to one of my homes first." he said, pointing in the direction where the villa is. Hopefully either of them would agree. He didn't feel safe with only 16 magic gems on him, and was getting a little desperate in wanting to see if there were any there. "If we see anyone else on the way... that would be good."

Erika LeBlanc


Location: Roselea gate


Time: late afternoon


Activity: heading towards


Interaction: @Robertaka123 @TheHappyPikachu @SleepyBuddha

Erika followed, keeping close to Benton and Kurio. She would have thought of grabbing Kurio by the wrist, but his eyes looked so fragile that he might just yell and panic again from someone touching him.


The foggy environment seemed to have lessened their hearing senses as they continued walking towards the direction where Roselea supposedly would be. From within the fog, emerged a girl with flaming-red hair. Erika almost jumped in surprise when she suddenly appeared. The girl took an offensive stance like a guard about to attack them. "Wait!" she said, hurriedly getting in front of two men, waving her arms around a little in a half-flustered or fearful manner. In the heat of the moment, she hadn't gotten a proper look at whether this girl was a guard or not. "We're travellers. We need to Roselea." she said. She didn't mention about Emi and the others though. "Are you... from there?"




@Aukanai @TheHappyPikachu

Draena Kabria


Location: Roselea


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Trying to lead his group.


Interaction:@Quark @Mitchs98

Draena was less surprised to see the gate open, people had not been able to import or export from here in quite a while. The city would surely be in shambles. As the trio entered the city, his posture changed. Upon seeing the state it was in he began to relax, the only ones foolish enough to attack them while in this part of the city at least would be simple thieves and bandits. "Don't go too far, they've likely been looted already." Draena suddenly felt something not too far away... something familiar..."Actually, it might not be a bad idea...we could turn one of these into a rendezvous while we figure out what's happening in the city." Draena said, walking towards some of the houses.

Kurio Palmonius


Location: Roselea


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Panicking, recovering.


Interaction: @Quark @SleepyBuddha @TheHappyPikachu

Kurio had basically succumbed to his delusions, once the scary man grabbed him it only made the voices seem right. He was so lost in his mind that the real world did not matter right now. His screaming stopped, and all that remained was his heightened breathing while he stared off into the distance. He snapped back into reality a short time later, and another figure had joined tho group...or at least stopped it. Having calmed down a fair amount he pushed himself away from Benton and squatted down to a crouching position, something much more comfortable for Kurio than being dragged around by the neck of his clothes. The deranged man remained quiet while the other two interacted with the new person, and Kurio did his best to avoid being added to the conversation. Instead he found a stick on the ground to be much more entertaining, although he still listened in on the talk just in case he needed to fight. He was back in control now, but there was no guarantee how long that would last and he didn't need another episode so soon.

Haruko Kiyama:Roselea

Haruko was a bit surprised to see the gates of Roselea before them after their somewhat short walk, though simply shrugged. It was fairly odd, but it didn't exactly bother him all that much; simply made him more alert. At Emiyn's suggestion and Draena's agreement Haruko nodded. "It would be best to get some sort of shelter secured, yes. Looking around for any other people would be a good idea while we walked to." He commented. That said he followed slowly behind Draena, looking around the place carefully. It was possible monsters attacked during the attack on the Tower, or after, perhaps even before. Haruko had little idea what was going on beyond some sort of attack or riot, it didn't add up to not see anyone, or even any bodies. The eerie silence only made him even more unsure of what happened. If there was monsters, where were they now?

 

[Zooks]

The snow-haired girl took a sharp breath inwards as she felt Garrett's strong arm wrap around her middle and torso. Holding her to him, almost to say It's fine. You have nothing to worry about. I'm right here. Refara’s eyes still looked vaguely uncomfortable though her body posture did relax a fraction. Afterall with Garrett here, he would never let anything happen to her and that made an oddly soft smile cross over her warm lips. She glanced over her shoulder and up to him, with that same cute small smile. 


In an instant he had lifted her up onto his shoulders and out from her compromised position. She let go of the breath she didn't even know she was holding. The squeeze on her thigh only melting her fear slightly more. The sheer power and outward defiance left her in a loss for words. It was strange to imagine this man was the very same man she had meet all those months ago, the shy blushing guy who refused to look at her.


As he strode forward, the girl tapped his head for a moment as her vision swung to the right. "I know this is going to sound reeaaallly strange... and you'll never in a million years believe me.... but I don't think that way is the right way. Let me test something... stop going forward and try walking east... Look at the way they stand, almost guarding? I.. don't think they are trying to attack us ,simply keep us from going in that direction... and furthermore I know my Scythe like the back of my hand. I just FEEL like it is that way..." pointing towards the East where she had suggested earlier.


@Mykinkaiser 

 

[Mykinkaiser]

Refara Illinara -


The Doll Looking Killer


The snow-haired girl took a sharp breath inwards as she felt Garrett's strong arm wrap around her middle and torso. Holding her to him, almost to say It's fine. You have nothing to worry about. I'm right here. Refara’s eyes still looked vaguely uncomfortable though her body posture did relax a fraction. Afterall with Garrett here, he would never let anything happen to her and that made an oddly soft smile cross over her warm lips. She glanced over her shoulder and up to him, with that same cute small smile. 


In an instant he had lifted her up onto his shoulders and out from her compromised position. She let go of the breath she didn't even know she was holding. The squeeze on her thigh only melting her fear slightly more. The sheer power and outward defiance left her in a loss for words. It was strange to imagine this man was the very same man she had meet all those months ago, the shy blushing guy who refused to look at her.


As he strode forward, the girl tapped his head for a moment as her vision swung to the right. "I know this is going to sound reeaaallly strange... and you'll never in a million years believe me.... but I don't think that way is the right way. Let me test something... stop going forward and try walking east... Look at the way they stand, almost guarding? I.. don't think they are trying to attack us ,simply keep us from going in that direction... and furthermore I know my Scythe like the back of my hand. I just FEEL like it is that way..." pointing towards the East where she had suggested earlier.


@Mykinkaiser 

Garrett Bolton


Garrett stopped as he felt Refara tap his head, listening as she explained her idea. It never once crossed his mind to doubt her due to the fact that what she was saying seemed reasonable to him, and also she had proven that odd sort of connection to her scythe in the past. He didn't know how it worked, but it sometimes seemed as if the weapon was truly a part of her, and not just inanimate metal. Thus, he turned to face the direction she was pointing and began to stride forwards again. After a moment of this it became clear that the hounds weren't following them and the tall man broke into an easy loping run, covering the distance back to the carriage quickly and easily. In fact, he had yet to break a sweat by the time they got here.


Setting Refara down he walked over to where her scythe was, lifting it up and carrying it back to her before exchanging it for his knife. Once that was done he cleaned his knife on a bit of cloth and sheathed it once more before turning towards his girlfriend and putting her back on his shoulders and walking away from the carriage. "Better now that you've got your scythe?" he asked, looking up at her and heading back the way they came, towards the hounds once more.


@Quark

 

[Quark]

Roselea - Emiyn Devereaux


The three of them had no disagreement. Emiyn saw Draena had began to walk towards one of the houses not too far no the other side of the street. Just by the way the elder man hadn't had tensed shoulders, one could see the confidence that he had. Even in the eerie silence and foreboding atmosphere, he wasn't afraid. "Um, Officer," Emiyn spoke up, still politely. He remembered that Draena had came from Roselea originally. "if you could lead us towards curse mage shop opposite the town hall, that would be ... good. There's a tunnel that would lead to the villa." He didn't speak anymore, since something told him that the military offcer would have already known about the underground tunnels. 


He was about one step behind the two men while they walked. Suddenly, he tugged on Haruko's sleeve for a bit, trying to get his attention. "When we do find somewhere quiet..." he said in a low voice. "Can I talk to you about something?" Under the soft light from the street lamps, perhaps only the present Haruko, or the absent Yuki and Erika would have seen that there was something bothering him that he felt the need to confide about it to someone. 


@Robertaka123 @Mitchs98


Near Roselea - Erika LeBlanc


Erika couldn't decide whether she liked the girl or not as of yet. She didn't seem like one with wrong intentions, but just didn't know how to talk to her elders, perhaps, judging by the conversation with Benton. While walking, she kept an eye on Kurio, while half dragging him along by the wrist. it felt kind of awkward by the string that Benton had provided, and she was half-paranoid it might snap. She whipped her head when asked a question. 


"Me?" she pointed to herself, she frowned a little in confusion. "I don't know what you mean by the bodies thing, but we're travelling to board an airship." she said. She didn't know how safe it was to tell all the details. If the adults felt the need to they could add on to her explanation. "We just got separated from a few others..." she said, looking in the distance again. If there were others that she was worried about, it would be the two who probably were the most easiest to get hurt: Emi and Marth. 


@SleepyBuddha @Robertaka123 @TheHappyPikachu

 

[Zooks]

​

 
​

The snow-haired girl took a deep sigh outwards as her prediction was correct. The hounds weren't coming towards them any faster so Garrett rolled into a fast run. She could almost start to feel a tingling deep in her stomach as they neared and when he placed her on the ground her whole face seemed to light up as she reached out for her baby. Once the Scythe was in her hands she thrust it towards her chest and snuggled it in tight, making deep cooing noises as her voice only grew more high pitched. "OOOooo my baby! My sharp baby, mumma is here.... shh shhh I'd never leave intentionally you know that...my precious little dear..." spinning the stick around her palm making the whole Scythe twirl before she clutched it suddenly and making it stop mid momentum. She slung it over her back with a nod and an adorable smile as he lifted her back up onto his shoulders and continued to walk.


"Feeling much better... thank you Garry Baby..." leaning forward over him to kiss his lips suddenly and forcefully before just as quickly pulling back. "We should try and find the others...if I know Yuki she'll be heading towards town by now..." It was as she was peering around did she hear the sounds of sobs. Refara blinked  as she wordlessly slipped herself from Garrett's shoulder and placed a warm hand on his arm. "Do...you hear that Garry?" But as with most things she was already walking in the direction of the sound before he could answer. She was more curious to her then any sort of heart felt emotion. That was when she spotted something all curled up against the ground and she approached with a hand on her chin, eyebrow raised. "HEY!" She yelled at it in a crude manner. "Why you making a funny noise?" Not realizing it was Marth or why he was crying.


@Quark @Mykinkaiser @GoldenChari @Maki

 

[Cosmosis]

Refara Illinara
​

 
​

The snow-haired girl took a deep sigh outwards as her prediction was correct. The hounds weren't coming towards them any faster so Garrett rolled into a fast run. She could almost start to feel a tingling deep in her stomach as they neared and when he placed her on the ground her whole face seemed to light up as she reached out for her baby. Once the Scythe was in her hands she thrust it towards her chest and snuggled it in tight, making deep cooing noises as her voice only grew more high pitched. "OOOooo my baby! My sharp baby, mumma is here.... shh shhh I'd never leave intentionally you know that...my precious little dear..." spinning the stick around her palm making the whole Scythe twirl before she clutched it suddenly and making it stop mid momentum. She slung it over her back with a nod and an adorable smile as he lifted her back up onto his shoulders and continued to walk.


"Feeling much better... thank you Garry Baby..." leaning forward over him to kiss his lips suddenly and forcefully before just as quickly pulling back. "We should try and find the others...if I know Yuki she'll be heading towards town by now..." It was as she was peering around did she hear the sounds of sobs. Refara blinked  as she wordlessly slipped herself from Garrett's shoulder and placed a warm hand on his arm. "Do...you hear that Garry?" But as with most things she was already walking in the direction of the sound before he could answer. She was more curious to her then any sort of heart felt emotion. That was when she spotted something all curled up against the ground and she approached with a hand on her chin, eyebrow raised. "HEY!" She yelled at it in a crude manner. "Why you making a funny noise?" Not realizing it was Marth or why he was crying.


@Quark @Mykinkaiser @GoldenChari @Maki

Marth Flames
​

Marth heard a voice as it yelled. He seemed to calm down as the voices hissed, trying to continue feeding from him as he uncurled enough to only see a person. He didn't know it was the woman he almost killed, or the big strong guy who was merciless. 


The smalll child only saw a caring person and he got up and scampered over, colliding with the woman's right leg, his head being right below her knee, as he wrapped his arms around the soft, warm, comforting flesh of another human before he continued crying though he wasn't sobbing uncontrollably.


"Pwease dun weave me awo-oh-oh-ooone!" He managed to wail out as he nuzzled her leg. The demons growled and went up in smoke, lurking in the shadows knowing another opportunity would strike eventually.


Marth however hadn't ever acted like this. It was forbidden, a taboo. However these people had cracked a heavy sealent on his body placed by his mistress. He actually could be sad for being the one thing he feared the most. Being alone.


He didn't care about the reprecussions at that time. All he thought was that another living being had found him and scared the monsters away from his mind, even if they hadn't made them vanish in his tiny, fragile heart.


@Zuka @Mykinkaiser

 

[Zooks]

​

 
​

Refara was leaning down at the waist to peer to this weird small creature at it made that funny noise but it was only as it started to uncoil did the girl half leap up and away with a horrified look on her face as she realized it was that weird little human that had been surrounded by cats. The same weird cat human that told her to stop slicing up those Pixie's and made her loose her concentration. Glancing down to her midriff at the scar that was still there, albeit with no stitches anymore, but there all the same that had ruined her beautiful skin. Her purple eyes narrowed down again but she was shocked when the little human suddenly ran to her and clutched at her leg, gripping onto it tightly as his cheeks looked wet. Why where his cheeks wet? Why was he making that noise? She withheld her normal response to simply kick the little human as far away from her as possible, her brain more trying desperately to work out just what he was doing. And was he talking? Was it some new language she had never heard of before? He looked odd enough to have another language she supposed.


Odd odd little human. She glanced around to Garrett with that half eyebrow raised expression before she reached down with a half disgusted look on her face and slowly grasped the little human by the back of his clothes and peeled him off and dangle him up to her level, not unlike one might with a feral cat or dirty pair of socks. "What would Yuki do..." She thought almost more to herself, as she peered to him with that same furrowed brow expression before she kept him aloft and turned to start to walk in the general direction of where she assumed Roselea was. Keeping him an arms length away. "We...should take him back to Yuki at the very least, I'm sure she wouldn't much like me abandoning some Little Human making a weird noise in the middle of a Forest...." Glancing over to Garrett with that same eyebrow raised, weird half disgusted manner. Not unlike one might react to a cockroach.


@GoldenChari @Mykinkaiser @Maki

 

[St. Boethius]

Benton wasn't sure if the guard was adding on to his sarcasm or was just plain stupid by still going on about the bodies but he didn't plan to st and around and find out. " As Erika said we are trying to gather our companions. You seem like you can handle whatever comes your way in the mist, but I'd rather not put myself or my companions at risk any longer." With that Benton lead his little group through the mist away from the young, disrespectful guard. He needed to think about himself and stop worrying about people he didn't even know. As the mist cleared and he walked into the village Benton stopped immediately as if he had just been punched in the face by something. There was a darkness here that stirred a feeling within Benton he thought he had lost a hundred years ago: Fear. Whatever this darkness was it was clearly more powerful than him and the power so so great that he couldn't even pin point where the source of it was in the village. He had the feeling that if he tried that it could put him in quite a bit of danger. He would just have to regroup with the others and try to avoid getting noticed by that darkness.


(sorry for kinda cutting off the interaction between the guard and the group. Benton just isn't the type to stand around in vulnerable position.)

 

[Cosmosis]

View attachment 157257
​

 
​

Refara was leaning down at the waist to peer to this weird small creature at it made that funny noise but it was only as it started to uncoil did the girl half leap up and away with a horrified look on her face as she realized it was that weird little human that had been surrounded by cats. The same weird cat human that told her to stop slicing up those Pixie's and made her loose her concentration. Glancing down to her midriff at the scar that was still there, albeit with no stitches anymore, but there all the same that had ruined her beautiful skin. Her purple eyes narrowed down again but she was shocked when the little human suddenly ran to her and clutched at her leg, gripping onto it tightly as his cheeks looked wet. Why where his cheeks wet? Why was he making that noise? She withheld her normal response to simply kick the little human as far away from her as possible, her brain more trying desperately to work out just what he was doing. And was he talking? Was it some new language she had never heard of before? He looked odd enough to have another language she supposed.


Odd odd little human. She glanced around to Garrett with that half eyebrow raised expression before she reached down with a half disgusted look on her face and slowly grasped the little human by the back of his clothes and peeled him off and dangle him up to her level, not unlike one might with a feral cat or dirty pair of socks. "What would Yuki do..." She thought almost more to herself, as she peered to him with that same furrowed brow expression before she kept him aloft and turned to start to walk in the general direction of where she assumed Roselea was. Keeping him an arms length away. "We...should take him back to Yuki at the very least, I'm sure she wouldn't much like me abandoning some Little Human making a weird noise in the middle of a Forest...." Glancing over to Garrett with that same eyebrow raised, weird half disgusted manner. Not unlike one might react to a cockroach.


@GoldenChari @Mykinkaiser @Maki

Marth slowly stopped crying as he could see who it was and when he did he went quiet, his tattered shirt moving him to fully look at her. He wiped his face with his left hand and whimpered a bit.


"M-miss..." He started. The kid only hoped she didn't get angry. If she bonked him on the head then thats what she did. "I sawwie yew got huwt bee cause of me." Marth stated as he stared into her eyes. "I'll do wha ever yew need me tew and wha ever yew do tew me is fine. Just dun weave me awone..." He ended. His ears shifted under his hair slightly as he was nervous and his tail wiggled a tad. It was quite obvious he was not trying to make her be angry with him.


@Zuka  @Mykinkaiser

 

[Cosmos]

Ikari blinked a few times and stared blankly, a hand reached out pathetically and twitching lightly as, even whilst the small girl answered her the group continued walking away at a rather fast pace and before long had left the red-haired girl standing in the middle of the fog alone, she glanced around a bit with a small sigh as she rested her hand back on her hip for a moment, she panted a little and shook her head as her hair turned back to white and her eyes back to crystal blue and crimson red, she closed the red one slowly, "Argh!~ I thought they'd never leave~….. That was a close one, I don't know how long I'd be able to keep that up…." She mumbled before suddenly looking up, "I'm talking to myself again, aren't I?…. I really need to stop this~" She continued, a slight blush on her cheeks as she slapped her cheeks again, grabbing an eyepatch out of her pocket and placing it over her left eye, covering the almost glowing shade of red within the closed eyelid.


She then took a deep breath and soon her hair returned once again to red and her eye to green, "There. I guess I better go check-up on them~…. they didn't exactly seem like a competent lot." She said softly as she folded her arms behind her head and walked after them in their general direction before suddenly pausing, "W-Wait a minuet, did they call me a guard at one point?~…. Why does everyone always think that!?~" She yelled out loud to herself, blushing even more though her expression throughout the experience remained rather stoic, she huffed a little and ran after them now, catching up only a few minuets later but hesitating in approaching them, lurking just a few paces behind and watching them as the fog cleared ever so slightly around the entrance to the city.


@Robertaka123 @SleepyBuddha @Quark

 

[Maki]

Senki Tazuya

Senki couldn't help but silently giggle at how embarrassed Yuki got over her calling her cute. It was adorable really and only served to make her want to say it more. She was really happy to finally get some alone time with her. Not that everyone else wasn't great and all, but still getting some alone time with your girlfriend was great. She could tell however she was getting a little annoyed by the fact of her mentioning monsters and such. She nodded in agreement at her response, "Yeah, you're probably right. Still makes ya wonder though." She replied before shrugging. It was honestly as if all the monsters ever just up and died to something or someone. It wasn't right, it wasn't natural. But it had clearly happened, or at-least something had. Monsters wouldn't just up and abandon their home for no reason. While simple-minded they weren't necessarily stupid.


She had little time to comment further before a wall of fog rolled in. Even before Yuki said something she could tell something was up. You didn't become a professional monster hunter by not second guessing a lot of things. And she knew for a fact random fog was not natural in the slightest. She nodded and drew her hand blade when Yuki drew her own weapon and told her to be on high alert. "Leave it to something to happen right when we say nothing would." She told her before sighing heavily as she followed her. Something wasn't right though, despite them walking in the direction of the others they seemed to be passing by the same dumb old trees multiple times over. "Yuki..something isn't right, we're going in circles." She said, looking over at her. "Or at-least in some kinda loop."

Yuki continued to walk in a straight line through the dense and evil fog. She knew she was walking in a straight line, 100 percent sure of it. Yet something in the back of her mind kept telling her that they were getting nowhere. Thinking that it was just her mind playing tricks on her she pushed it off and kept trucking through, wanting to reach Refara and the others as quickly as they could. Everyone could be in danger and Yuki needed to be back at the carrivan to help. But once Senki pointed out that they were going in some sort of loop the guard stopped walking and began to scan the area, searching for any familiar trees or landmarks. "Are you sure about that? This forest is heavily forested, so it would make sense if you kept seeing recurring trees. There isn't much that differentiates one from another." She explained, staring at a tree long and hard before speaking again. "But every now and then I do get the feeling that I'm going in circles... Perhaps it's the fog that's messing with us? That seems like the most logical answer in this situation, but I'm not sure. I'm a thousand percent positive that I'm not turning or looping." Reaching down into her boot Yuki pulled out a small silver dagger and sharply dug the blade into the trunk of a tree, wiggling it a few times to make sure that it was snug in place. "Here, this will tell us if we are going in circles. Keep an eye out for this dagger while we walk. If you do see it, then that means that this is the doing of the fog. If not then we keep walking." Yuki said to Senki, giving the silver haired girl a small smile before continuing to walk in a straight line. She hoped that they wouldn't come across the dagger again, she'd be truly lost then, and on top of that scared. 


@Mitchs98

 

[Quark]

Seeing the monk had approached them, Cider could immediately feel the aura of holy magic emitting from his body. Rather than hearing his words clearly from afar, the demon in disguise had misunderstood as the human was coming to save the girl from the clutches of demonic beings. In his human appearance, he reacted by turning swiftly and swung his walking stick towards the monk. Even if Gin could withstand it, he didn't want it near him. 


At the same second, while it was happening, Gin had turned towards the other side of the city. She seemed suddenly focused on beyond the buildings of the town market, and something else was drawing her in. Not even feeling obliged to give any warning, she ran to the exit, disappearing into the shadows again. A look of excitement had appeared in her eyes just before her figure had completely disappeared. 


"Gin?" Cider had turned his head swiftly before his walking stick would have hit the monk. But she was already gone. "I'm afraid I need to go," he said hastily, more to himself but Peach would have been able to hear just as clearly. 


@Solemn Jester @GoldenChari




Erika LeBlanc


Erika sent towards the red-haired guard a small glance, the most polite and apologetic look she could muster. It wasn't the most satisfying decision to make as she tugged Kurio's wrist to follow after Benton. She had no doubt that the guard would be able to find her way back, much easier than the three of them. Up ahead she saw there were dark masses appearing, and Benton didn't seem to have slowed his footsteps yet. Not liking how they looked, she could only copy his footsteps. If he wasn't stopping then it was likely it was just her nerves giving her unnecessary worries. 


Turned out that she was right, when she began to make out the outlines of the tops of gothic buildings. She had only heard about it from Emiyn, but those were the notable things of Roselea. Hearing there was some noise behind, she turned to see that the girl was still following. "Um, Benton, is it ..." her voice trailed off when she saw that he had stopped, right near the gate. A small spark of panic rose within her. It was hard enough with Kurio beyond paranoid, she really hoped that Benton hadn't lost his composure yet. "Um.. Benton, are you alright?" she asked. 


@TheHappyPikachu @SleepyBuddha @Robertaka123

 

[St. Boethius]

Benton snapped back into reality when he heard the voice of Erika. His eyes blinked and he shook his head trying to regain his composure. " Yes yes....  I'm alright. Just sensed something rather unpleasant. Let's keep moving. I'd rather not meet that thing." Benton said cutting away his string and walking deeper into the city. With the powerful dark energy so prominent in the city he won't be able to sense much else. So he'll have to look around the old fashioned way while trying to avoid whatever the source of this darkness was.


Benton didn't look behind him to see if he was being followed. He knew perfectly well that Erika would tag along with him. Now it was just the matter of finding the others. Benton kept his eyes and ears open for any sort of sound that would alert him.

 

[Aukanai]

NAPOLEON ADLER


The cold temperate continued to prick at his skin, making every movement almost a little painful. Yet, moving was all he could think to do. Just keep walking. He'd find a way home eventually, right? There was a pause in Napoleon's thoughts. He wasn't so sure, this place..just seemed haunting. Besides, he couldn't think for the life of him how he had even ended up here.


He could remember walking in the fog then waking up to see the gate, but...what had happened before that? It was frustrating. At least it was enough to keep his mind away from his eerie surroundings. Well, until he found himself falling to ground with a thud. Huh.. he must have tripped over something. As any person, Napoleon sat back up and looked at what he had tripped over. A bloody and limp body. It was enough to get Napoleon to half scream and half gasp at it. No,no,no, he didn't want to die here. Whoever had killed that man was sure to be around still. The fear of dying was the cause of Napleon's quick instinct to get up and run away. It wasn't as if he was afraid of the sight of blood - he had to gut fish regularly. 


The man stumbled as he ran. To where? He didn't know. To find somewhere to hide seemed like a good idea. Turning the corner of a building, Napoleon pressed his back against the outer wall of the building, sighing as he slid down onto the ground. It was most likely enough to give the impression that Napoleon was a wimp to the three people -  Emiyn,Draena,Haruko - who weren't too far away to witness it.


It was quick, but Napoleon instantly hid his face in his hands when he had spotted them. As if to hide his fear or perhaps in hopes they'd ignore him and keep walking. He really wasn't sure who he could trust, in this strange place.


@Quark @Robertaka123 @Mitchs98 

 

[Nano]

Tags: @TheHappyPikachu

 

[Cosmos]

Ikari suddenly turned around, her foot skidding against the ground and causing a small noise of shifting dirt. She stared at the boy behind her, most of his features still somewhat covered by the fog, She stared at his blank expression with her own to matter, pausing in complete silence for a few moments as she listened to his words before moving backwards slightly in the direction of the main group as they continued to walk on, "You're a stalker?…." She asked in a suspicious manner, Her green eyes staring at him accusingly, "Are you another tourist trying to get themselves lost out there mr stalker?~ And here I thought three was a pain." She continued with a slight sigh, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly, "You better get a move on through these gates, that or I'll lock you out there." She added, glaring intimidatingly at him, stepping through herself, 'A stalker, an old geezer, a nut job and a child?~….. How many more oddballs can I get stuck with?….' She thought to herself curiously, the images of the group up ahead getting clearer as being distracted by her thoughts had caused her to loose concentration on her pace count which she attempted to re-adjust but ended up tripping and falling onto her face, her fingers twitching slightly in front of her as she sat up slowly, face now slightly red.
​

 
​

@Nano @Robertaka123 @SleepyBuddha @Quark
​

 

[Quark]

Erika LeBlanc


Benton's voice seemed still somewhat unnerved, but he had said he was alright, so Erika wasn't going to press on the question. She knew very well like Emiyn that looks didn't indicate the person's strength and mentality. 


Unfortunately, Erika hadn't followed along when he was walking away. Suddenly, from behind her there was another voice. Her alertness immediately rose up where a man's voice dropped into the silence in the street. She let go of Kurio's hand immeidately and turned behind her. There was the red-haired girl's figure, and behind her was a young man with grey-blue hair and sharp eyes. While the girl was asking questions Erika remained quiet while giving a slightly wary look. If this had been in the broad daylight in the street, the teenage girl would have gotten rather excited at seeing such a pretty-faced boy. Right now, was not the time. Not with Kurio still in a daze. 


"Hey Benton," she dared to turn her back from Ikari and Chizuru, since they didn't have a malicious look in their eyes." What sh-- huh?" she blinked seeing that his figure couldn't be seen. Chewing her inner cheek a little, a small voice said Oh no within her head. What should she do? While still contemplating, she turned back to the other three.


@TheHappyPikachu @Nano @Robertaka123 @SleepyBuddha


Gin's footsteps finally had stopped, she hadn't reached the gates but from where she was at she could see the peak of it beyond the outline of the two-storey building in the street. With light skips in her steps she made her way towards the gate. No one was there, but her excited smile didn't falter as she pressed her hand against the door. It was almost negligible, but with her magic strength, carried over from another world, Gin could feel it. 


The mana of the one she had seen years ago. He probably wouldn't have known that Gin had remembered very distinctively his mana before. Or perhaps he did. It mattered little. 


"You're here...finally..." she breathed out. On the surface, she looked like a girl in blissful peace while she leaned her head against the door. No surprise, of course. One of those that she loved was here. Someone she loved so much that she could ... devour them. 


The demon pushed herself off the wall and back onto her usual standing position while patting the dust off her hands. She turned around and faced towards the central part of the city again. There was a soft hum of a song while she walked. 

Spoiler

Melting caramel drizzled over my baked custard pudding 

Softly embraces my taste buds  deliciously 

Maple syrup covered recipe 

 

Lulala lilulila 

Curled up under my blanket 

Lulala lilulila 

Made out of fluffy omelette 

So many flavours to explore 

I have to eat more 
 

Just as Cider had attacked towards the monk, the shadows around Peach, Cider and the monk grew darker than any shade of black. They quivered and rippled as if there was something shaking underneath a dark blanket. Cider stopped his movements and looked down. 'What witchcraft is this?" he hissed under his breath. One could not even feel any presence of magic from the strange moving black shapes. There was no hint of mana, and no one around seemed to be performing any magical rituals of sorts. 


From where Mr Monk was, black masses in the shapes of vines, ropes and strings shot out from the monk's shadow. Cider almost leapt back as these ... black ropes seemed to want to wrap and tighten around the monk like a trap. 


@GoldenChari @Solemn Jester

 

[St. Boethius]

Benton continued walking, though it was more like wandering around at this point. As he did Benton took inventory of the city around him. It seemed like your usual town that should have been filled to the brim with people. At the very least he expected to find signs of an attack, but there was only the light mist hanging in the air that was drenched in the dark magic that hampered his senses. The last time he had been in a village that felt like this was the day he achieved immortality, and sacrificed his entire village to do so. Of course there were obvious signs of struggle, bodies and blood everywhere, but not here.... it's as if they all just left.


Benton continued forward only to start hearing a light humming. The strange part about the humming was that he didn't remember anyone in the group that particularly enjoyed such a practice.  So was this new person resident? No that didn't make sense, why would a resident be walking around humming a tune in such a care free manner? Deciding to investigate the humming Benton drew closer to the source of the tune, his blade hidden behind him within the mist. If he didn't know this person he would go ahead and use them to for materials. In fact since he couldn't here Erika behind him he might just kill the humming person regardless. Benton pulled a good over his face and calmed his mind of killing intent, "Excuse me?" Benton called out as the faint silhouette of a person was visible now, " Are you a resident here?"