Take Back the Crown

Receiving no answer, Oceana took a wild guess reached into her waist pouch and withdrew a bright green fruit resembling a tiny cucumber.


Turning to Bo Oceana thrust it into his hand.


"You must convince her to eat that. Being in such a strong current of energies is very disorienting but she trusts you. Judging by her reaction, hearing, sight, and vestibular senses have been overwhelmed but the link with the energies is still open. Meaning that she must sense energy using ethereal touch, or taste or smell. My bet is on ethereal touch but just in case..." She gestured to the small, extremely sour fruit.


"We have to override the ethereal energies with visceral stimuli."


Knowing the mostly private nature of the sylph, Oceana hated to do it but she jogged up to Svetlana, knowing that Phaedra needed more than a fruit or a prick from a needle.


"Eildear Svetlana," she began "Phaedra is ill from all of the negative energy. If we get attacked she's sure to be a liability. And" she added softly, teal eyes downcast "I hate to see her suffer like this."


@Lo Alyssa @TeeKay @soundofmind
 
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Garrett had to do his best not to puke as he entered the city, and then the castle, with everyone else. He sensed the dark magic around him as a weight, a wall pressing down around him, but what he hated even more was that he could see it. It looked like smoke or ink, putrid and unnatural, dripping from walls and drifting through the air. Suddenly, a hawk landed on his shoulder and it was like a switch had turned off the sight, the familiar acting almost like a filter to his senses.
 
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"......." Ayda was reluctant to follow the others, and stayed near the door and stood unsure on what to do, fiddling with her dress.


Seeing Phaedra in such a state sparked something however, and her 'motherly instincts' ,as her siblings like to call it, kicked in. Taking a deep breath, the woman quickly walked towards her 'friend?'


"Phaedra...."


@TeeKay
 
Valeiah couldn't see or sense any magic. The only thing bothering her was how many skeletons there were. And how her tribe would look like this place eventually. It made her feel weak, but also fueled her to find those cursed cannibals and kill them all one by one. She was actually getting angry.


"Agh! How could anybody do this?! It's insane, cruel, and just sick! There were probably hundreds of innocent people here that didn't deserve to die, but they did! All for what?!" She yelled.
 
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Bo nodded at Ocean's orders, feeling the weight of the responsibility in addition to the weight of their environment. He didn't fully understand all of the ethereal mumbo jumbo that she said, but he understood enough that it was important, and that the fruit would hopefully help. He was about to grab Phaedra's attentions, but Ayda came over trying to do so as well. He knew Ayda's concerns were genuine and she meant well, but seeing as he was now tasked to try and convince Phaedra to eat this... fruit, he needed Phaedra's sole focus to be on that. Ayda would only distract her in her already fragile state.


Bo made eye contact with Ayda and shook his head. "Just wait a moment, uh" He spoke quietly but turned away. He put his hand on Phaedra's shoulder, to stop her from walking for a moment. In an attempt to grab her attention more effectively, he bent down to her level, looking into her face. She really did look unwell. "Hey, Phaedra," He said, speaking as gently but clearly as he could, not wanting to yell in her face. He held up the fruit between them. "This fruit should make you feel a little better, so you don't feel so woozy." Maybe woozy wasn't the right word to describe what she was feeling, but she certainly looked it. "You think you can eat it real quick?"

 
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Unfortunately, she could hardly pay attention to Oceana long enough to give her a response. Phaedra's eyes had looked vacant as Oceana repeated her question and she drew inward - a form of self-protection after the healthy dose of psychic energy that had overwhelmed her system. Normally, she would have told Oceana that - because of her air elemental blood - she had one foot in the world of the ethereal, able to tap into large amounts of energy and her finely tuned senses could sense ley lines. She could even see the magical energy. Since their world was inherently magical, ley lines were abundant, and it went to show how easy it would be to overstimulate Phaedra since she was particularly sensitive.

Ordinarily, Phaedra subconsciously avoided areas like the one they were in. She had never traveled to the Kingdom of Valer, not purposefully, but rather because something about the magic coming from the area never felt.. right, for lack of a better word. It wasn't that the area was evil - at least not on the level she imagined Syrk to be - but that there was a dark history with strong emotions buried deep in the land and in the bones that remained, daemon and human alike.

She attempted to tune out those who approached her, though she did enjoy the presence of her comrades. It wasn't for lack of appreciating them or anything of the sort - Phaedra was desperately trying to concentrate. The mountain nymph had a particularly warm energy - though it still felt muted to her - that soothed Phaedra as she was surrounded by the inky black energy of the fallen kingdom.

She did notice Bo stop her, confused when she noticed they were face to face. He must have knelt down to meet her eyes. Phaedra's world was distorted, as though she were submerged underwater. Confused, she took the fruit from Bo's hand, barely registering what he had to say.

"No, I'm not really hungry. Didn't we just eat breakfast?"

She frowned, looking the mystery fruit over. Phaedra didn't recognize it.

Still, she took a bite out of it. Bo, Thora, and Ayda were greeted with Phaedra's face scrunching up in complete displeasure. Her eyes squinted and began to water, her lips drew back into a thin line, and she shivered violently. It was sour! What was this? How could Bo betray her? Treachery! Treason! Double crosser! She had been deceived! Phaedra hated sour foods with a passion.

She quickly spit out what remained in her mouth, and then spit again to get the flavor out, but the damage was done.

"Whyyyyy..?!" Phaedra moaned, still trying to get the flavor out of her mouth.

The one good thing was that she felt a little more grounded. The sharp, sudden nature of sour flavors certainly did wonders to bring her mind back into the physical realm. Not quite there all the way, but Phaedra was certainly more present than she was before the god forsaken sour fruit.

@OlKaJa77 @QueenSaiko @soundofmind @plasticlizard022


(ugh. sorry for such a long post, bros)


(also sorry to @Lo Alyssa if I'm overstepping any boundaries with the little bit of world building I've done there)
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Oceana started, when she heard shouting coming from their group, but there wasn't much fuss about it. It just seemed that Valeiah was... crying...?


Or maybe trying to burn the building down with how much she was glaring...?


The elf didn't really care to know although, she was a bit annoyed with the shouting, it definitely could give them away to an enemy.


I'll let the others handle that hot kettle.


Oceana understood Valeiah's feelings completely. But they weren't here to ponder philosophies on why people had to die. They were here for the crown.


Feeling emotionally, and quite physically, exhausted from being in the thick Bás of the city and playing mother hen for the half-sylph, she rejoined Hjalmar and donned an expression of mild irritation, hoping he would deign to leave her alone.
 

(I apologize for not responding ughugh, I really need to keep up and post more. T_T)

Lucasta clenched the heart area of her chest. It felt as if something was ripped out as she entered that fallen castle. She swallowed a lump in her throat, as she tried to hold back tears. She sniffled as she saw the broken throne. Her heart felt completely broken. She shuffled over to it, placing a hand on the remaining arm of the throne. She collapsed onto her knees and closed her eyes, as memories flew back into her mind.

(FLASHBACK)

"Lucasta!" The king yelled for her. She came running, quickly to her parents. She stood straight, and bowed. "Your mother needs your assistance, girl." He snapped. "Fetch some towels for her." Lucasta quickly nodded and ran up the spiral stairs to her Mother's bed room, where nurses and a doctor surrounded the bed. Lucasta couldn't see what was happening. She didn't understand what was wrong, but whatever was happening it was painful for her mother. She gave the towels to one of the nurses, when suddenly she heard the sound of a baby crying. Lucasta's eyes filled with tears. The awaited baby was born. The nurse made her get out of the room, so they could help her mother and the new born.

An hour later, the doctor came out with a wrapped up baby giving the small infant to the King. The king shed a tear at the sight. "A boy..." He said through tears. "I shall call you Lucas." He looked to Lucasta, the one time she saw him truly happy. She walked up to him, peeking at her new brother. The baby opened his eyes slightly, then gave a heart warming smile and giggle at his sister. Lucasta, has never been more happy.

(FLASHBACK ENDED)

Lucasta wept, and brought her hands to her face, wiping tears from her face. This is were she first felt love. The love of her brother. She couldn't move from where she was sitting. This throne had a precious memory with it, and she didn't want to go back to the horrible world that awaited her when she opened her eyes.​
 
"Go help out Phaedra. It seems like this place really spaces her out." Garrett mumbled to the hawk on his shoulders and tried not to flinch when the bird flew away, taking the protective aura with it. But as a soldier, the mage was used to dealing with similar places, and soon went back to being more concerned about the crying princess.


Slowly he walked over to her. "Are you okay?" He asked, though he knew that the answer was a definite 'No'.


@Queen of Fantasy


Dorian flew back towards the air elemental at Garretts request, landing next to her feet as he was unable to perch on her narrow shoulders. He pushed his familiar magic around her, trying to tune out the corrupted energy of the place.


@TeeKay
 
How strange? Having wandered the area countless times, each nearly as desolate as the last, it was odd to sense so many forces present? The ethereal touch that flared from the group was even more surprising. Even from such a distance their presence screamed to his senses. Just what could a group want from here? There was scarcely life here to sustain such a company as vast as theirs. And Foxrun highly doubted they were here to delve within the darkness that kissed each object, or corpse, that had yet to wither from this plane such as he had. Curious, he aimed in their direction. The castle? He chimed to himself. How more interesting this group was growing! And he had yet to lay a single eye on any of them! He had to admit to himself that this was more excitement than he had expected from today's endeavors. He lived apart from most others, not fully understanding the reasons behind their actions. Yet he rather enjoyed studying the differences in action and thought between even similar beings. Would they be hostile? He paused, letting the thought longer. Possibilities flashed one after another. He shrugged it off, no matter, I would approach regardless of knowing their intent or not. Where's the fun in knowing what to expect anyways? He did however hang back when getting closer to the group. Despite his curiosity, caution would not be forgotten so easily. Just within his earshot, which was quite high should it be compared to others, he perked up to see when to come forth.


(I tried winging oh my. I hope this was okay ah. Took forever to get caught up.)
 

Svetlana stood, trying to process the chaos her group was in. It was not that she could not feel the dark magic emenating from this place, she could feel it as much as the poor half-sylph. But being as old as she was, and having walked in the plains of Syrk more than once in her liftetime, she had grown an immunity to it. It could not weigh her down.


She turned over to see Yaroslav sitting down against the wall, his head in hand. He was fairly good at hiding pain and discomfort, being the stoic boy he was, so to see the place physically draining him meant it must be bad. Even the thief, who had no magic abilities could feel it.


"Enough!" Svetlana exclaimed as she walked to the center of the room, "This is only a small portion of what you would feel if we were near Kvacht, or the plains of Syrk for that matter!" She knew that they couldn't help it, but if they were so easily brought down by an aura, not even the real thing, she worried for the safety of her group. How could they face Kvacht when they can hardly stand his memory? Or the scar he left behind?


"I will use a spell to filter the air around us, but I can only do it in the throne room. We have limited time..." She said, kneeling to the ground. She raised her glowing hands, closed her eyes, and her brow furrowed in concentration, "Hreinsið stað þar sem ég stend!" She shouted as she brought her hands down to the ground. A loud gong was heard upon impact, and her magic rippled across the room, completely enveloping it in a warm virescent field. As long as she continued to feed it mana, it would continue to block out the overwhelming dark magic. If everyone remained inside her externalized aura, like ducklings under their mothers wing, their heads would be cleared. She couldn't hold it up forever though. But at least she cleared the foul air and made it fresh with her own pure energy. "Princess," She said with sympathy, "I know this is hard for you, but we can not linger here. We must press on, we need to find the crown. Only you would know where it is, and only you could open the door." She helped the princess to her feet.


@Queen of Fantasy @OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja @TeeKay @soundofmind @Danika @QueenSaiko
​
 

Lucasta wiped her tears way, and smiled at Garrett. "No. This place brings back memories, that are painful for me. I've only ever had one good memory here..." She mumbled. When Svetlana helped her up, and mention how only she could find the crown, Lucasta felt worry overcome her. "I-- I know not where it is." She confessed. "My parents did not want me as an heir, so they did not tell me the crown's whereabouts." She said, anxiously.


@L1d1ja @Lo Alyssa
​
 
Observing Oceana @OlKaJa77 bestowing upon Phaedra @TeeKay with the help of Bo @soundofmind a fruit resembling a cucumber, Pip's melancholy frown vanished off of his face.


The group has become rather compassionate to one another, Pip thought. I do not know why but I am delighted! I never was interested in friendships of any kind. They use to bore me tremendously... Perhaps it is time for my heart to become true flesh. I will not allow the Master's hold to inhibit me from my own desires. I want to know them. I want to experience their world, not just observe it! I want to get involved in their quest. Even if it is to end the Demon Lord's malevolent reign. I will revile divulged my presences here! It is time! ...Oh Carp!


Pip's soliloquy was cut short by the telepathic imp captain beseeching for the stone imp's help.


WHAT?! the statue said to her in annoyance.


Please Pip! Gore begged Pip. I... need help!


*sigh *Where are you?


Behind you. Under the shield! I know you hate me Pip but I need you to help me.


Why would I ever assist a ghastly imbecile such as yourself? I will not help you Gore! What idiocies have you inflicted on yourself to need my help?


Pip... my side... I was stabbed by- my... Pip! will ya just help! I just need some of the supplies that are in those monsters', who have you prisoner, wagon. Some Nightshade. Just one piece. I know they have some. Please!


Dolt! ...I am not a captive. I am merely observing them.


Then how's about we both 'observe' their supplies and snatch some Nightshade!


...No.


Why NOT!!


I must not get involved.


Don't ya give me that! I ain't asking for much. Just help to their cart! It hurts Pip!!! If you won't do this for me won't you do it for my sister?!


...


Please Pip, Please!


...Alright! I will help you. But you must terminate your hunt. Stop trying to kill these people!


...Wha'? But this is my job! The master commands it!


Then I won't help!


Wait! ...Fine! Just help to the wagon!


Pip, still unsure if he could trust Gore, stealthily slipped out of the bag, held by the prince @A Simple Egg and yanked Gore from under the shield without the groups knowledge .


I'm a fool! Pip thought, dragging Gore's bloody body to the wagon...


{Be back in 7+ hours}
 
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Hjalmar had been listening quietly. He walked toward the throne and studied it, the wheels in his head turning. "You say this was cleaved in two by Kcacht, yes?" He asked Svetlana, he held his chin in thought.


"Yes..." She responded, raising an eyebrow at the question, "I would recognize those scorch marks anywhere."


He was quiet for a moment more, and then stood right in front of the throne, "... Perhaps he struck it out of anger... but perhaps he also struck it in a desperate attempt to reach something... and the fact he could not, was why he was angry..." Hjalmar muttered perceptively, he didn't need to finish his thought for anyone to understand what he was insinuating.


@Queen of Fantasy
​
 
"So you think it's in the throne?" Valeiah asked Hjalmar. "That's crazy. Wouldn't they put it in a vault or something? Anyone can break a chair."


@Lo Alyssa
 

"No, I think the throne is the key." He said, not taking his eyes off of it, "Look, I'm an expert at breaking and entering... It is angering when brute force doesn't work."


Svetlana nodded, "Very perceptive, boy." She said in amusement, "We wouldn't be able to track it down with magic since this place is so clouded and distorted... I remember in my time serving Algoran, he had a secret chamber set up for the crown to be placed when it was threatened. It was fused with the strongest of magics, continually fed by the life forces of those who made it. They would serve to protect it even after death." She continued, "There is a mechanical function as well though... It is a mix between machine and magic so as to better protect it and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands... Only a descendant of Algoran can open it, which would explain why Kvacht could not reach it..."


@Danika @Queen of Fantasy
​
 
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The princess' eyes widened at both Svetlana and Hjalmar's observation. "I see what you are saying." She looked around the throne, searching for anything that could hint at an opening. She looked at Valeiah and smiled. "You'd be surprised. My family was quite talented when it came to hiding things." She said as a joke, but her smile faltered and went back to being a serious frown. She felt the bottom of the chair, feeling a ridged design. Suddenly a small, yet bright light shone from that design, and Lucasta jumped back, as the chair sunk into the floor. A spiral staircase led into the floor. She looked at them and smiled, feeling like she accomplished something. She was closer to bringing her kingdom back to light.

​
 
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Oceana hung her head shamefully, feeling like a scolded child. She knew that this destruction was nothing compared to what Kavacht and his lands were made of.


But she hated it.


She was forced to taste the tears of the fallen, smell their burnt and turning flesh, and reach out with her heart-sense only to find broken rubble and decaying dreams.


It was enough to make anyone hopeless.


She wanted to fall to her knees. Her bones ached with the effort of withstanding the despair brought upon this place.


And then, life returned! Svetlana's aura covered the entire throne room, washing away all of the Bás.


Oceana once again felt shame, stronger this time.


I thought myself strong. Capable. But on this journey it seems I have been proven to be nothing but a lost wee bab among giants.


She clenched her fist, angry at herself and determined to rectify her shame.


I must not lose focus. We must find the crown. That is our current mission.


Listening closely to Hjalmar's words the elf started to nod.
 
"Oceana, can you feel it? It feels much better now, yes?" Ayda said gently to Oceana before grasping Oceana's hands in her own.


"You'll feel much better soon enough, the elder has done something... And I... I trust that woman." Ayda said. The previous aura of the throne room had not affected her as much as the others, because she was not only just a mere human, she was used to seeing death all around her since childhood and had learnt to ignore it.


@OlKaJa77
 
Hearing the compassion as well as the scolding that came from a woman who could be nothing but experienced, he decided it must be time. The dark feeling of the saddened land around them bothered him not. He had visited this place a plethora of times, to familiarize himself with such atrocities and to gain more knowledge of what had happened.


From overhearing what little he had heard, it became apparent what they intended and who was with them. The heir who would save this land?! But were they the real deal?Perhaps he could lend a hand in helping? If anything it would provide some situations to satiate his curious nature for sure. True he did find joy in causing problems occasionally, but never would he wish such destruction to happen elsewhere. This demon Lord had already conquered so much, who was to say where he would stop? Foxrun knew they would care little about what realm any of them were from if they crossed his path the wrong way. What would it hurt to take a chance to see if this was in fact who he believed?


With a deep breath, he stepped out of his hiding spot. Of course he was use to surprising people, liked it actually, but spooking an already unsettled group didn't seem entirely fun. Here we go....hopefully this won't bite me in the rear.... He began to say something but then hushed. He had no clue what to even say....introductions were never his strong point. So he merely threw a hand up in a sort of waving gesture, "Greetings!" He practically had blurted the single word out, a tad too loudly at that. He realized this and his hand sunk down slightly. Well jeez....way to blow that one...





Of course he had been too far away and too nervous to realize what the princess had just uncovered previously. But now that he had stepped forward he saw the path that appeared from seemingly nowhere. His eyes widened as they settled upon it. Countless times he had explored this place and just as many times, never knew of this. Not in the slightest. She really IS the lost princess!
 
Valeiah jumped and whipped out her dagger, a reflex. "Woah, woah, who are you?! How long have you even been in here with us?"


@GalacticRam
 
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Nameen had been in her usual place trailing the back of the group as they moved forward. She was one of the closest of the group to the newcomer, so his sudden outburst sounded right behind her. Startled and already on edge as it was, Nameen drew her sword with a silver flash and held it out, ready to defend herself.


She'd been ready for something to happen, preparing every since they had arrived at the desolate kingdom.


Nameen stalked forward, joining Valeiah in confronting the stranger.


@Danika @GalacticRam
 
As fast as they had drawn weapons on him, his eyes darted between them. "If I had wanted to hurt anybody, would I announce myself?" He then cleared his throat, it was probably better to not best with people who had weapons pointed at you... "I'm Foxrun. Just got here." He wanted to answer directly as to hopefully not get himself in more trouble. "Didn't mean to startle. Intended otherwise actually, but backfired clearly." He gestured to their weapons. "I was drawn by the heavy aura your group casts." He held his arms wide open to show he wasn't going to do anything back. His tonfas were strapped to his sides so he made sure to keep his hands high above them. "Those wouldn't happen to be iron....would they?" He frowned slightly as he glanced between them again. Not exactly the smoothest approach.... @Danika @Rydellius
 
Oceana flinched at the human girl's touch, largely annoyed at the breach of personal space.


But when she inquired about how Oceana was feeling, the elf's expression softened. As did her heart.


"Yes I am fine now." She said, blushing to her ears again. Unused to the contact, she squirmed a bit before squeezing Ayda's hands once, to placate her, before extracting herself slowly, gently.


She didn't want the girl to believe she was upset with her.


Then suddenly a creaking and grinding sound emerged from the throne as it sank into the floor, leaving behind an entrance to some secret room. The others started filing into it and Oceana and Ayda made to follow suit...


That is, until some unfamiliar voice erupted in a shout from behind them. With Ayda to her back, one step down into the staircase, Oceana drew her daggers and took a stance, defending the stairwell, and the human behind her as best she could.


And even when he said he meant no harm she didn't drop her daggers even an inch.


@GalacticRam @QueenSaiko
 
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"That is one weird question to ask someone." Valeiah narrowed her eyes. "Yes. Mine is. Care to explain why you're worried about it?" She was glad the others were standing by her, since they were probably way better at using their weapons than she was. She was best with her dagger when she was up right next to the person. Then she could just rest it against their throat. Yeah.


@GalacticRam
 
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