[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

There's a knock at the door and then it quickly opens, revealing the young Lucatiel and her ever-by-her-side Carbuncle. Perhaps having not thought about it, she seems dressed as usual and not specifically for a temple or jungle or anything specific - her long white dress and boots. However, she did have the foresight to bring a small backpack that is now strapped to her back, and the Carbuncle is carrying a small bag wrapped around it with medical supplies aplenty. If it had features that could convey emotion, it might seem upset but blessedly it is ever stoic.

“Astraaaaa! I'm here! Treasure!” The girl cheers loudly and excitedly, looking around the house before landing her eyes on the woman herself. “I'm totally ready for adventure!” Her excitement continues unabated.

[Astra]

Astra house was warm upon entry, but darkened. A Pleasant mixture of spices added to the air.

“Greetings Lucatiel, if you care to wait for the others upstairs, I have everything setup for us there.”

She walked up the stairs beckon Lucatiel to follow to the sitting area with a ritual circle.

[Lucatiel]

“Okay!” The girl happily follows, looking around to no avail as she does. She takes a seat near the circle, looking at it curiously while she waits. “Oooooh….”

[Tretesta]

There was another knocked on the door, which swung open to reveal a none-too-amused hyur. Tret was certainly geared up for something; steelcapped boots over long slacks that had pockets near the knees, what appeared to be a pocketed canvas button down shirt, a loaded rucksack, and a metal tipped quarterstaff secured by the outer straps of the pack. With a grunt he unloaded and set the bag down on the ground, then turned to close the door behind him and step out of the way “Hey! anyone home still or did I miss the fun?”

[Astra]

“Mister Tretesta, is that you?” Astra voice called from the second floor. She called out again,“We're up here, Oh! Did you bring rope?”

“Miss Lucatiel, do you study arcanist magics from a sharlyan scholar?”

[Lucatiel]

“Huh? Shar-lay-uh? Umm… Wassat? Is that those weird people that live on an island far away from everyone?” The girl looks confused but not entirely unsure, having heard about something similar.

[Astra]

Astra looked at Lucatiel, furrowing her brow,“They are scholars that prefect their usage of aspects magic.”She looked down,“or so I am told, uh… who is teaching you then?”

[Lucatiel]

“Ohhhhh… Nope! I'm teaching myself! And umm, Vinalo helps a lot! That Lalafell from the bar the other night! They've helped me figure out how to control my aether!” She looks absolutely proud of herself.

[Tretesta]

“Rope? Yeah I've got plenty of rope.” Soon, a head of blue appeared coming up the stairs, but stopped at seeing the women and the circle. He wouldn't speak out about the former, but hesitated for a few moments before he continued up the stairs “…yeah… Rope was always a 'must have'. Along with a few other things. Do I need to bring everything up here or …”

[Astra]

Astra raised an eyebrow,“Vinalo knows Aether?”

Astra looked over to Tret,“Preferably, unless you only want to bring your body and not your pack. The attunement is done. Just waiting on A'erina, and ummm I forgot his name already.”

[A'erina]

Fashionably late as usual despite being just up two or three sets of fucking stairs. A'erina finds herself outside in the yard of Astra's home, usual attire on, satchel ever present and both her Greatsword and her Axe, strapped across her back, a Bandolier of sorts keeping the two in place. Close attention at the tavern would have saw her with a Sword she had no desire to bring along to a place like this, a gift from F'loki for Starlight, but is was too heavy and she hadn't practiced enough to get used to it's weight yet, opting to leave it at home, instead bringing her favoured sword which was much Lighter and perhaps slightly more expendable, and could be replaced if she should lose it or break it. She looked at the outside of the house and the surrounding Goblet for a minute, after all, this was her home too. She let out a big sigh and nudged the door with her foot as it opened slightly. “ …The fuck? ” She gripped the handle of her blade and proceeded to kick the door as it swung open. It appeared quiet for a few seconds but then she heard voices coming from upstairs. She made a face like she ~~had just watched someone get smacked in the face with a can of Twisted Tea~~ had just done something she shouldn't have, and proceeded to close the door behind her as if nothing had happened.

[Haimus]

Haimus came barreling up the stairs outside of Astra's estate, poor sap overweight and out of breath. His eyes were glosses over, he looked like he was on a bender from the night before. More or less still drunk, he had just entered prior to A'erina entering. He made no means of communicating with the others, just looked like he was constantly on the verge of passing out or vomiting. He only carried a sword at his waist, and his attire looked quiet tight for him.

[Tretesta]

With a sigh, Tret turned and headed back downstairs for his bag…. Only to find a hulk of a man waiting for him. Tret found himself taken aback, circling around the stranger slowly as he judged the precarious look on their face “Er… Ello. Easy now, big guy…. Hey Astra? I think we've got an uninvited guest… Looks drunk as-” He turned immediately as the door banged open again to reveal Rina “Son of a… At least I know you belong here. Careful of this guy. I think he's about to tip…”

[Lucatiel]

Excited by the sounds from below but unwilling to go look herself, Lucatiel cheerfully calls downstairs. “Treeeetty who is iiit!? Is it Reeena!?” She sounds quite eager for A'erina's entrance, though not for any specific reason.

[Astra]

Astra made her way down stairs, to see the Highlander,“Really, I paid you for another job and what do you do? Get drunk!”She sighed,“He an extra body, Team, this is Harold.”She walked past them and made her way to the kitchen.“where is it…” pulling the eorzean version of ginger root, peeling a slice, and returning to the group. Waving the group to follow her back up stairs.

Haimus corrected “Hai..” hiccup “Haimus”

Astra was clearly annoyed by the inept new comer. Shoving the slice of root at him.“Eat it or you'll vomit during the teleportation.”

[A'erina]

A'erina looks the rather big fellow up and down, looking at Tret. “ Don't care, never seen him before, unless he's one of Balric's boys, fuckers are always drunk and when they're not they about as useful as a parasol in a sands, but he don't look familiar to me.” She proceeds up the stairs noticing the man had nothing else but a sword on him. Gears in her head turning as she looked at Astra and Haimus briefly before heading up the stairs “ Seems fishy, just what have you got planned, rabbit. ” She'd ask herself in her head.

[Tretesta]

Tret remained careful around the inebriated man, listening carefully for “the noise”. He took his time loading up his pack again and brought up the rear guard ascending the stairs, dropping his burden closer to the ominous circle. “Right then… Anything to do before we go? Anything new youd like to share since we last talked?”

[Lucatiel]

Now spying A'erina who had made her way upstairs, Lucatiel comes to a stand, excitedly bouncing on her feet. “Reeeeeena! You're here!” She stretches out her arms as if hoping for a hug, but even she knew one wasn't coming.

Hearing Tretty, she turns her head to listen in, curious on what preparations remained for their expedition.

[A'erina]

A'erina moves around to her side and just pats Lucatiel's head. “ Of course I'm here. Where else am I going to be? ”

[Lucatiel]

The girl smiles, accepting of the head pat.

[Astra]

Astra tending to the drunkard, “Not really,” pointing to the leather bound shards around, the circle. The circle itself has writing not well known to Eorzean language unless you looked carefully. “Shards are a means of attunement to the point in Golmore. We stand in a circle, I do an spell, poof we there” looking over the young man again, “Maybe not poof we are there, but pretty close.”

Astra grabbed the necklace shard creation and plopped Haimus down on his point of the circle, placing the the necklace around his neck.

A soft snore came from the man.

“Teleportation should wake him up.” she muttered with a sigh.

[Lucatiel]

There is a drawn-out “ooooooh” from Lucatiel in amazement at the woman's explanation, and she looks at the circle very curiously now. Quickly does she drop to her knees to look closer at all of it, though it means virtually nothing to her.

[Tretesta]

Tret reached down and placed a hand on his stomach, then shook his head and crouched down with his bag, checking an outer pocket “Likely wake me up too… Let's not burn time then. The longer we sit here, the more likely I am to just leave…”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel looks over at Tret, looking a bit worried. “What, nooooo! We're gonna have an adventure, don't go!”

[Astra]

Astra grabbed a bag, and a jacket that really seemed no purpose other than fashion. Wearing something not normal to her attire, a leather bounded corset, with matching pants, slightly heeled boots that rose to her calfs. The sleeveless jacket with open pleats nearly touched the ground after pulled it on. Her hands were gloved. She handed the rest of the shards out. Slipping her makeshift shard necklace over head and slipping the backpack on.

“Let's not waste any time, the desert does get hot if we wait to long.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel takes the makeshift necklace, happily slipping it on without a second thought. It clinks a bit when placed on top of her emerald necklace, but otherwise sits well. She looks down at it, admiring it happily.

[A'erina]

A'erina takes it and wraps it around her wrist. “ All set. ”

[Tretesta]

Tret shouldered his pack with some effort and stood up straight, taking the necklace and pulling it haphazardly over his head “….Desert? I thought we were going to a jungle….”

[Astra]

“Golmore is an interesting place,” Astra smiled and took a place in the circle. “Don't lose those, they can get us there and back.”

Astra clapped her hands. Rather excitable,“Please stand in one of the circles with in this larger circle, then we can go. Make sure nothing on you is outside of it.”

[Tretesta]

Tret simply stares at Astra, adjusts his back, and then moves as instructed, never taking his eyes off her

[A'erina]

A'erina does as shes asked, double checking to make sure it's all good.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel moves into a circle, picking up her Carbuncle and holding it in her arms like a small dog, idly playing with it's paws. “Ready!”

[Astra]

---

[Lucatiel]

A bit dazed and disoriented, Lucatiel finds her feet suddenly on some grass nearing the sand. She steadies her head with a hand for a moment before replacing it around her held Carbuncle. She begins to rotate in place, looking around. “Whooooa! That was so cool! It felt all tingly and magicky and now we're here! Somewhere! It's like… a beach and a forest smashed together!” She continues to look around, finally putting her Carbuncle down. Amazement is written clearly on her face.

[A'erina]

A'erina, barely able to stand, has her hand against a nearby tree for support, vomiting onto the ground near her, she still wasn't used to aether travel of any kind, despite messing around with her own aether more recently. She glared Lucatiel's way in the midst of throwing up, wondering why she's already bouncing around.

[Tretesta]

a bit awkwardly, Tret lands on his feet. He was looking about as uneasy as the stranger, but managed to carefully shrug off his pack before dropping to his hands and knees. He stared at the ground for a little bit then began to dry heave. After the most agonizing minute of his day so far, he slowly collected himself, brushed off his knees, and looked about “Urf….right then…everyone doing better than me at least?”

[Astra]

The inept drunk man rolled over onto his haunches, and threw up into the mixture of sand and grass. “Bloody hell, you are a mad woman.”

Meanwhile, the physical drainage was apparent on Astra as she dropped to her knees holding her head for a moment. Slowly breathing, a loud buzzing sound deafened her senses.

As she slowly began to regain some of her hearing, she looked around to see were the party was.

“It worked”she said under her breath with wide smile.

[Tretesta]

Tret crouches down and fishes around in an outer back, pulling out his canteen and a handful of some brown stuff. He starts to take a drink from the former then turns his head suddenly at movement “…I think…. Was that…Huh…” His eyes darted around, looking for more of what he saw, then resumed his drink and snack time “If you say so, Astra… We after that buried thing out there?”

[Astra]

“Yeah, the buried building”She looked up over her shoulder. She slowly stood, pulled the illusion spell off of the cluster only to find it completely devoid of color, and heavily cracked. With a sigh she tapped it with her shoe, and it turned to ash. She venture back upto the top of the sand dune, and began scooping the sand away from roof to partially reveal a very dull window.

Haimus looked around as he was still on his hands and knees, wiping his mouth off.“I.. never seen anything like this before

[A'erina]

A'erina was still busy vomiting and trying to compose herself instead of being aware of where they were or what was going on.

[Astra]

Sound was soft but to Luca and Tret paying attention, they hear a bit of ruffling before a snap of a tree branch. A couple arrows came whistling by as warning shots at first.||

[Lucatiel]

Unsure of what just went whizzing by, Lucatiel looks towards the sound as it passes, curious and confused. Her Carbuncle immediately goes on guard.

“Whoa! What was that!? Something just went by super quick!” There is an excitement to her tone as she looks around, bouncing on her feet still, though it's more for adventure and intrigue rather than wishing to be shot.

[Tretesta]

Having been on edge since he got to Astra's, Tret jerked immediately towards the noise, and scrambled behind his pack as the arrows came in. He barked out to the others “AMBUSH! GET BEHIND A FUCKING TREE.” Rooting around in a leg pocket, he spilled out a clutch of five flat knives onto the ground. Tret grabbed one and whipped it off in the direction the arrows came from

[A'erina]

Tret's alarming level of shouting finally snapped A'erina out of it.

” Ah, shite, here we go again.“

She pulled out both her weapons and stabbed the sword into the ground so that she could wield her axe with ease. Yelling in the direction the arrows had came from.

” Ya can't aim for shit! Come out and play so I can cut yer damned heads off. “

[Lucatiel]

“Oh! Okay!” Not quite understanding what was happening, Lucatiel does as she's told and hides herself behind a tree, flattening up against it. The Carbuncle follows suit, though it's tails peek out now and again as they whip around. “Is someone out there? Do they have the treasure!?”

[Astra]

Astra looked up as the arrows came launching at at the group. Taking a moment to scan the tree line, then yelling out, “They're not missing A'erina, they're warning shots. We are a place no one should be.” She began to slam her foot into the glass. “They wont show themselves, but if you do not help me, then those shots may not be warning next time.”

Haimus began to climb the sand dune to the top, still wiping his mouth, the warning shot were not so friendly toward the man, and landing him in the upper arm. The arrow cleaning punching through to the front, ripping the shirt on both end. The man screamed out in pain as he. “What the hell? Shit. Shit. Shit.”

[Tretesta]

Tret peeks around the bag at the trees, then scoops his pack over a shoulder to make a mad scramble across the sand towards Astra. As he drew up on the window, he reached back and yanks his staff free. Offhanded, he jammed the metal tip at the glass along with the mage's kicks “Then let's get in there!”

[A'erina]

A'erina grabs her sword and moves near Lucatiel, Sword arm stretched out pointing it towards the dense jungle. She narrows her eyes to see if she can spot any of their assailants as she moves, tapping Lucatiel on the shoulder to get her to move from the tree and head to Astra, Tret and the big lad. ” Get movin' Luca.“

[Lucatiel]

The girl looks confused but does as she's told. “O-okay!” Not quite as fast as she could, she moves over to Astra and her tree and the revealed window. Not one of strength, she only watches as they try to open it, unable to really offer any help.

[Astra]

Once the window was shattered, Astra went to the log of weight they brought with them. She snapped the back of the arrow, pulling it through the man. Using little bit of healing magic, she sealed the wound and nulled the pain. “There you go Harold. That should do the trick.” turning her attention back to Tret, “Can we get a rope setup to go down. I can create a shield to prevent anymore arrows coming in. But the sooner we get in, the better.” Turning back to the tree line, “I am also not supposed to be here, and that I am here, I have a bit of a mark on my head for death. Exiled comes at a cost.”

[Tretesta]

Dropping his pack in the sand and jamming the staff next to, Tret gave Astra a look that might kill lesser creatures “Sigh….not now. Do something to cover us.” He then set to task, digging rope from his pack along with a thick three pronged metal hook. Rope through the hook, rope through their makeshift door, and hook lodged into the stonework outside the broken window. Tret then geared back up and readied himself for going in “I'll go in first, send Luca after me, if she can get in here.”

[A'erina]

Despite the itch for a fight, A'erina chose to move with the group to the now smashed conveniently located window as Tret was doing rope things.

“Don't you think it would have been better to tell us the small details before we left?”

[Astra]

Astra created a dome of aether around them. “That should hold for long enough.”

Looking up at A'erina, making a face, “Never really travel with anyone, just throw an illusion glamour on, and go about my business.”

Haimus Looking into the temple, “When do I go then?”

[A'erina]

“Thanks for sharing that with us now. Screw your fucking glamour, wear clothes like a normal person!”

[Tretesta]

“If Astra has to be up here to keep that barrier, you come down before her, big guy.” Satisfied with the hold, Tret then took a moment, fishing another knife out of a pocket and dropping it into the hole first. When it finally made a noise, a grim look came over him “Fuuuuuck me….”

[Astra]

“Fuck you? Astra looked at Tret oddly, “I think you been away from your wife for to long.” she let out a laugh.

“And A'erina, my glamour are not for clothing, I can create an illusion to allow me to look like anyone I want. Actually wear one nearly daily to hide my tribal markings on my face. BUT, I can glamour myself naked if you would like.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel looks between everyone, blinking and a bit confused. “OH! Disguises! I have one of those Astra! I put on a mustache and some gross guy clothes and…” She finds herself distracted by the apparent distress of Tret, moving over to him and looking down into the opening. “Umm… Is that where we're going? D-do I need to ummm… go first? I bet I can fit in there easily!” She nods, as if proud of her small frame, though her tone also speaks of her unease towards the idea of climbing down into a dark chamber alone (with a Carbuncle as a light of course).

[Tretesta]

Tret turns to Luca, Taking her by the shoulders and looking her dead in the eyes “Luca, Shut up and listen. Listen carefully. I don't want you first because we don't know what's down there yet. Here's how you are going to go, though.” he took some slack on the rope and looped around his leg and it over his feet, showing her how to climb down using her shoes as a braking method to control her fall “Do Not grab the rope too hard. Do NOT go down too fast. Keep looking up at the hole as you go down. Rina, Wanna go down first and guard the drop? its you, me, or the big guy.”

[Lucatiel]

The girl looks taken aback, but not frightened, instead listening intently. “Umm…. Okay! Got it! Grab the…. umm, with…” She moves in place awkwardly, practicing the motions with her boots and looking down at the ground. She seems a bit unsteady but relatively capable, continuing her practice.

Nearly unseen, the Carbuncle however casually walks up to the opening and drops itself in, it's aetheric light illuminating a bit around it as it falls like a great big glowy stone.

[Haimus]

Haimus looked anxious, listening to Tret and watching Luca action. “Sure! Either we get in or we get shot by whatever, or whoever.”

[A'erina]

A'erina jumps in after the Carbuncle. Mid-descent, she has her feet on the head of her axe as she falls.waiting and waiting she tries jumping off it when shes not far from little glowy fella, it was going well until she misses her footing and falls unceremoniously to the hard floor. ”… I think I made it.”

[Astra]

Astra looked down around the area that A'erina and the carbuncle. Then to Tret, Haimus, and Luca. “After you three.”

[Tretesta]

“Luca, go, now. Haim next. Go go go!”

[Lucatiel]

“Okay! Come on Carby!” She gestures towards nothing for her Carbuncle to follow, completely unawares that it had already plunged itself into the veritable abyss. She wraps her legs around the rope as instructed, slowly making her way down. Though the pace was snail-like, she could be heard quietly going “Wheeeee~” to herself. As she makes contact with the sand and floor, she moves off the rope, finding her Carbuncle waiting for her. “WHOA! You're so fast Carby, I didn't even see you!” She bends down to pet it, smiling widely. “How did you climb the rope anyway….”

[Haimus]

Haimus followed suit once Lucatiel had made her landing. Going a bit faster than Luca. “Don't fall, Don't Fall.” muttering to himself only to jinx himself and his ass slamming onto the ground, with a Oof, he may fell an extra foot before his feet would of touched the ground. “Oh my ass.”

[Lucatiel]

“Oh! Are you okay!?” Lucatiel whips around to Haimus, looking concerned at the man's sudden impact.

[Haimus]

Haimus looked up at the blonde hair beauty, “Oh my guardian angel, dear I'm great with you around.” he tried to flex for Lucatiel.

[Tretesta]

As everyone wenty down, Tret secured his pack, then called out into the hole “HEADS!” before throwing his staff down. Gearing back up and tightening his straps, Tret looped the rope about his leg and arm and gave a salute to Astra “See you down there….” He sat on the edge of the window frame, then carefully wedged himself in and slid down the rope at a fairly quick pace, slowing to a stop about a foot above the sand and stepping off to look around for his dropped knife and staff.

[Lucatiel]

“Oh! That's great! I'll make sure to stick by you so you stay that way!” She claps a little bit at the pathetic flex, impressed by feats of strength as ever. She barely even notices the staff fall into the sand near her, though her Carbuncle does and rushes over to it, as if expecting it to be some sort of attack.

[A'erina]

A'erina collects herself before marching over to Haimus, grabbing his shoulder to spin him to face her. “ What the fuck do you think you're doing, you slime?! You can quit the funny shit right now or I'll drag your carcass back up there and leave you to the flora and fauna… Got it?”

[Tretesta]

“Rina, Easy. We fight each other after we're home safe, neh? Wanna check to see if there's anything other than sand in here?” He found both of his weapons and looked up at the hole, calling up “It's a far fall! Careful coming down, Astra!

---

[Astra]

A very over confident and cocky smile darkened Astra face. Once Tret hit the ground, she undid the rope and through it down. “If the role was reversed, they would be the offerings, in another life.”

Jumping down without second thought, her landing came with a poof a sand, using anti gravity to soften her landing. When she landed she pulled the barrier down, blocking the window.

“Right, look for a door, I guess, I think a door.”

[Haimus]

Haimus looked at A'erina a bit confused, “But she's cute though!”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel nods and looks quite pleased. “It's true! I am! My mom told me so! And so does Luna!”

[A'erina]

“Tch… fine.” She nodded at Tret and released her grip on Haimus shoulder.

“You so much as look in her direction and I'll cut off your fingers and wear them around my neck. ” Turning away from him, she secured her axe to her bandolier again, holding her sword in her right hand and channeling some aether into her hand to create a small but bright enough orb of fire for some extra light, looking in Astra's direction ” I presume that it were Viera shooting at us, back up there, right? Better be worth me being down here when I could have been up there shortening the long life of some of your kin.“

[Tretesta]

After collecting his pile of rope and hook, Tret begins searching around, spying the altar and what did she just say? He stops and turns, giving an odd look towards Rina and Haimus, shakes his head, and resumes wading through the sand to check out the altar

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel smiles at Haimus before turning to begin searching herself, though having absolutely no idea what she was looking for. Her Carbuncle aids as well, though even if it did find something what could it do?

[Astra]

Astra looked at A'erina, “A warden, yeah,” She walked toward the Alter looking behind it. “Brother of the woods, not my kin, they live further north. If they fight,” she shook her head, “The only time the tribe sees them is when they come to collect the male kits, and well other things too.” she shrugged then shoved a statue over.

Haimus still on his ass, now oogly eyes at both A'erina and Lucatiel. He just muttered to himself after he was released from the cats grip. But getting a full eye of Rina. He began to search. “Exactly, what are we looking for?”

[Lucatiel]

After a moment of looking, there is an excited uproar from Lucatiel. “Oh! Oh! Oh! What's this!? Look!” She gestures to a lever she accidentally unburied from some sand. “I wonder what it does!” She gestures one last time to the others before happily grabbing the lever and pulling it.

[A'erina]

”…“

[Astra]

“A damn lever?” Astra looked over Luca shoulder

[Astra]

The walls begin to shake and a section of the darkened wall next to the lever begins to move. Stereotypically, the false wall goes up to reveal a previously hidden tunnel.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel looks at the wall, turning back to the group with the widest smile on her face. “OH. MY. GOSH! IT REALLY IS ADVENTURE!”

[Astra]

“What if that was a trap door to a spike pit….” Astra was cut off as the wall opened to a dark tunnel. “oh.”

[Lucatiel]

“BUT IT WASN'T!” The girl's excitement is quite high as she practically jumps in place.

[Tretesta]

Tret was distracted from his investigation by excitement and movement. He waded over now and fished around in a chest pocket, pulling out a white stick and palming it. “Well, lets stop talking about it and see where it takes us. Send carby up front as a light. Haim after, Rina, Luca, Astra, and I'll bring up the rear… If something seems odd, dont hesistate to speak up, alright?”

[Lucatiel]

The girl nods, happily turning towards the tunnel. “Alright, go on Carby! If there's anything up there let us know okay!?” She pats the little creature. Almost as if it were resisting for the slightest of moments, it hesitates before heading down the tunnel jauntily.

[How am I to inform you of the veiled dangers, Mother? You are foolish]

The light of the girl's Carbuncle shines bright as it takes the lead.

[Astra]

Haimus followed after the carbuncle, drawing his sword, looking unsure how to use it.

Astra just looked at Tret with a rather unamused expression, “Calling the shots now, are we?” turning her back to him then rolling her eyes she illuminated her hand with an orb of light, much like when she used it to to create her star shower spell.

[Tretesta]

“By all means, if you have some information to share, please do! I'm just doing what makes sense to me!” Tret gave the tall eared healer a grin and place his hand on the wall before looking over his shoulder behind them

[A'erina]

A'erina reluctantly follows behind the big man, making sure he was in pushing distance of any traps, better him than herself.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel likewise follows as instructed, looking around with a dopey grin on her face and occasionally looking up towards her Carbuncle as if proud of it.

[Astra]

Astra followed after Luca, checking the shards around her neck. With the star like aether orbiting around her hand, she kept a small a bit of light around them.

[Tretesta]

Tret brings up the rearguard, reaching out to drag his hand lightly along the wall periodically

[A'erina]

A'erina looked at the old and crumbling walls as they made their way through the tunnel.

“So what's the whole objective of being here, anyroad, you after something other than knowledge, Astra? Someone doesn't risk life and limb for something that they can probably find out from reading a book..”

[Astra]

Astra let out a sigh, “Just legends and lore of a temple of old.”

“At one point, there was a group of priestess that served a god, and in order to obtain high priestess, they were tested with a series of task. The priestess that finished the test successfully, was granted a gift of wisdom… or something like that.” letting out another sigh.

“I was in a costal city not far from here, um about a year ago. Heard some of the local talking about ruins near the Rabanstre showing up with the shifting of sands. It took me a while to find it, but there it was, a city of eld. The temple was nearly missed as you seen, still nearly covered and look like a sand dune.” Shaking her head, regaining her train of thought “back then, offerings were made to the God, and they were sealed away below the temple.”

Haimus began to sing to the carbuncle in an terrible off tune. “Carbuncle short and sout, here is my tail and there is my snout, when I get all work about, I glow like …. what rhymes with that.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel listens intently as Astra explains her spiel, causing the girl's mouth to widen in amazement. However, it is Haimus's terrible singing that really gets her attention, putting a wide smile on her face as she turns to the man excitedly. “Oh! Oh! When he gets all worked up, he glows and pouts! He's a pouty boy sometimes!”

[Tretesta]

Tret throws the remaing half a stick of chalk in his hand at the back of Haimus's head “Voices down, damn it. We don't know who or what is going to be waiting for us ahead… Singing and fighting each other when we get home.” He then fished around in his chest pocket, pulling out another chalk stick and making another mark on the wall as he walked on

[Astra]

Astra teased tret, “You know what is down here, viera eating vieras. They do like Blue haired men to have as trophy.” she laugh snorted.

[Tretesta]

“Sad for them, They don't get either today. Need you to get us home, need me because I am just in love with living.”

[Astra]

Astra slumped her shoulders in defeat, “You are by far one of the most straight forward man I've met, Mister Tretesta. So what brought you to this adventure sir? what desires do you crave so badly to blindly follow someone you deem no trust in?”

[Tretesta]

“You hurt me, Miss Astra. I like to think I'm…. Ahhhhh- what's the phrase what's the pra- ah, a consummate professional! Can't be having people I depend on get eaten down here, neh? Especially me. Definitely me.” He flashed a grin behind the sullen bunny, then looked over his shoulder as he continued “The chance at some quick money is always a lure, maybe a taste of younger days… And to be quite honest, I didn't lose any trust in you until about an hour ago.”

[Astra]

Astra waved off the concern, “They really should not mess with me, the last time confronted, I left one near death. But, earlier I was weakened. Could of easily crushed the warder.”

Haimus stopped suddenly causing Rina to nearly slam into the flesh meat back. “What…” he muttered looking out.

[A'erina]

A'erina was busy looking at the walls of the tunnel as she bumped into the halted Haimus. ” Hey, Harvey, why'd you fucking stop?!“ She pushed him forward. ” Quit messing around. “

[Haimus]

“Haimus” The man corrected the Miqo'te, “Haimus.” He stuttered, and pointed “What… what is that?”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel blinks, coming to a halt behind everybody and leaning to the side. She looks up at the platform, curious. “What's over there? Oh! Oh! Haimus, you should go check it out since you're so strong! If there's anything dangerous, you can beat them up!” She happily encourages the man, smiling wide.

[Haimus]

Haimus nods toward the young woman, “Have no fear maiden, I will protect you!” The man began to inch across the narrow pathway. Parts of the path began to break off under the heavier mans foot. “woah.” Eventually making it to the platform and holding his sword out, but other than the carbuncle was dark there.

[Lucatiel]

The girl claps happily for the man's apparent bravery.

[Tretesta]

Tret carefully pushes past to women, calling ahead “Haim! Here. You can't stab darkness. Use my staff to check the ground ahead so you don't fall off an edge” he'd offer the metal ended stave out to the lead man

[A'erina]

A'erina watches the display for a moment before holding her hand near the walls as Tret passes her, looking to see if there might be anything of note etched on the walls or signs of things to come such as warnings.

[Astra]

Astra strength from the teleportation was still weakened, she leaned against a wall. Watching Haimus take the staff from Tret, and proceed to smack the side of the edge. “This man wants to be a flame.” She snorted.

[Tretesta]

“son of a bitch- HERE! Switch with me and make sure we're not attacked from behind.” Tret pulled on the man's shoulder to stop him and swiped his stick back. He muttered quietly to himself about monkeys as he probed the ground ahead of them with the end of the staff, leading the party now behind the Carbuncle

[Astra]

“Why would be attacked from behind?” Haimus asked Tret as the blue haired man switched with him, the young lad looked behind the group to the women, and became distracted. Shooty fingers, “Hey Ladies.” He winked and then went back looking at Tret, “Wait… are they going to attack us?”

Astra pushed aside Luca and Rina and started her passage, “Lets go, no point of sitting here and waiting. What we want could be on the other side.” She made her way up to Haimus who already fallen a bit behind Tret. “Stop delaying, and move your fat ass.”

Haimus screamed “ahhh she's attacking me” Then skuttled up to Tret.

[Tretesta]

Tret stops and turns suddenly, spinning the probing end of the staff around to menace Haimus “That sounds pretty gentle compared to what will happen if you stay up here.” He stared hard at the man for a few moments, then turned back, resuming his vigil as he walked on and tapped the stick lightly on the stones ahead of his path.

[A'erina]

A'erina finds herself a spot at the back while Tret is seemingly taking the reins of this wacky exploration venture. Content for now to just keep an eye on things from behind for the time being. ” It's like babysitting all over again… “ She'd mutter to herself.

[Astra]

Haimus Looked at the back of a blue haired man. “I get a bit uncomfortable when spooked, and I am spooked right now. This like some void scent, haunting. Something feels off about this place.”

[A'erina]

She was facing away from the rest of them, her back turned as she slowly treaded backwards. A'erina's ears twitched, not usually one for involuntary ear movement, she tightens her grip on her sword, before saying something in a more serious tone of voice. ” Somethin' doesn't feel right…“

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel blinks, looking between Haimus and A'erina. “I bet it's just because it's really dark! It's like when you go into the bathroom and it's super dark and you look at the mirror and you see your mom in it! So maybe…!” She smiles and closes her eyes, focusing her aether on her Carbuncle for a moment. The Carbuncle begins to glow brighter, illuminating more of the area for whatever good that does.

[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

With the group now stopped on the platform, Lucatiel runs up to her Carbuncle as it fades back into it's usual smaller glow. She picks it up happily, pressing her face against its, smooshing it excitedly. “You did it Carby, yaaaay! Good job!”

[Tretesta]

Tret Swipes at Luca to try and stop her, but fails, only able to watch her run up and snuggle the sentient lantern. Since she took the job of checking for traps, Tret shoulders his stick and follows after at a leisurely pace, circling around the pillar curiously ”….Astra? Recognize anything on this?“

[Astra]

Astra standing near the center, holding the orb of aether between her hands for a moment. The ball grew brighter “Just a moment Tretesta… trying to help..” Releasing the ball of light, dim sparkle of light illuminated the room. Astra looked at the pillar.

Haimus looked to A'erina, “Hey kitty cat, you going to join us or just pout in the darkness?”

[A'erina]

A'erina made her way near to the gathering by the pillar, pointing her sword out, the point just a few ilms away from Haimus' neck. ” Call me kitty one more time, I dare you. I'd love it if there was one less person to share our gains here with. “ She looked down the darkened tunnel, a small speck of light barely visible, she tilted her head, convinced that someone or something was there, and she couldn't shake the feeling off and Haimus' rather dumb behaviour was probably attributing to her being on edge.

[Astra]

[Astra]

Astra attempted to read the pillar, her constration was struggling, and she kept reading “Life” over and over. She began to shake her head, pulling away. Her eyes seemed dilated, and she stared blankly off into space.

Haimus held his sword out toward the group. Muttering. In his haze he swung it.

[Lucatiel]

Completely unaffected by such dark thoughts, Lucatiel backs up visibly from Haimus as he swings. “Hey! What are you doing!? That could hurt somebody!” Her Carbuncle immediately puts itself between the girl and Haimus, ready to strike if he comes much closer.

[Tretesta]

Tret reached up, holding his head as it was invaded, muttering to himself “no… No no no… You're gone. I got rid of you! I GOT RID OF- HEY!” He looked up in time for the sword swipe, skipping back and bringing the staff up combatively. “Haim, I said we fight each other when we get home! Put the sword down now.”

[A'erina]

Sinister thoughts invaded her mind, ones she had become accustomed to, she was often easily persuaded to do things and this time was no different. She looked at the others without saying a word as she closed her fist, putting out her small orb of fire and her personal source of light before holding her sword with both hands, beckoning to Haimus.

“Figured you'd be the first one to turn against me…”

[Astra]

Haimus pointing the sword between two, “I'm turning against you? You got to be kidding me, she is a witch,” he fully turned on Astra pointing his sword at the viera throat but not close enough to do anything. “You fuckin' witch. Whispering in my ear.”

The viera seemed to be in a trance, she ignored the lunatic that was rambling about and looked about at the room, the vision change.

[Astra]

Haimus charged at Astra, with a low swing, trying to stab her.

“You want blood…. have a taste of your own.”

Astra side is ripped open, her dazzled state she just felt her body pushed over, caused her to fall over and hit her head, leaving her rather useless.

Haimus turned back to the group holding a bloody sword. “You're all going to die down here.”

Haimus charged at A'erina swinging like a mad man, flicking a slice of blood from the sword that arc out and hit everyone.

[A'erina]

A'erina had got what she came for, as the hulking mass of a man came barreling towards her, barely keeping onto her own sanity, she instinctively grabs her axe in her free hand before holding both her weapons crossed with each other, grabbing onto the crazy guys sword swing at the right time, slightly startling her as she was not expecting strength from him at all as it caused her leg to buckle under the force of the attack, dropping her to a knee. It gave her the chance she needed to clamp the two weapons together to hold his weapon in place temporarily as he refused to let go of it.

[Lucatiel]

Watching the crazed man slice up Astra's side, Lucatiel backs up again with a terrified scream. “NO! HAIMUS WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” The girl begins to tremble, looking between the now injured woman and Haimus charging at A'erina. She becomes paralyzed by fear, only able to watch.

[Astra]

He tried to pull the weapon free, he then proceeded to kick at “Stupid bitch cat girl.” he kicked it again, before turn to the girl in white, “Oh, look at me, I'm a precious princess, giving guys blue balls and playing innocent to get my way.” He spouted

“SHUT UP YOU SLUT VIERA.” he started hitting his head “Get out of my head,”

[Tretesta]

Talking was over, it seemed. Taking the opportunity provided by the man yelling at Luca and then Astra, Tret darted in. He brought the end of his staff back and then back around in a two handed swing at Haimus's head.

[Haimus]

Haimus head cracked as the staff hit it, the whip of his head to the side. The man partially blinded by stream of blood down the side of his face ran Tret, trying to shove the blue hair man closer to the edge.

[Astra]

[Tretesta]

Tret shook his own head, trying to stay focused. This was not the same voice that tormented him long ago, but it was just as loud. He closed his eyes but for a moment, and opened them to Haimus charging him. With little time to process, Tret skipped to his side and dips the metal end down to the ground where he stood before, trying to trip the man without any other thought.

[Lucatiel]

There's a loud shriek at the violence between Tret and Haimus as Lucatiel puts her hands on her mouth, shrinking. “No! No! This was supposed to be a fun adventure! I…” As the voice echoes in her head, she shuts her eyes, looking ready to cry. “I don't want to! I don't want to hurt him! No!” She shakes her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts.

[A'erina]

A'erina just stood there as Haimus was intent on attacking everyone and everything. She had already snapped out of whatever was plaguing them but still not jumping into the current skirmish when the voice whispers into her head again, she smiles as it finishes

” You're sorely mistaken if you think that anger is the cause of my problems. “

[Astra]

Astra raised her head while gripping her side, she didn't speak. Trying to use a bit of healing magic on her side while watching everything unfold.

Haimus was to slow to react. He lost his footing tripping over the staff and flying forward. He stopped shy of edge trying to regain his balance but struggling

[Tretesta]

The staff was brought up and pointed at his attacker's torso. Tret stared hard at the off balance Haimus, trying to ignore his pounding head “Traidor… I told you to stand down… Shut up shut up SHUT UP STOP.” Yelling at his own insanity now, Tret lunged forward with the pole, intent on removing the untrustworthy man.

[Haimus]

Haimus let out a cry as he fell, his crys were short. A grotesque puncture sound was made, then it was gone.

[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

As Tretesta attacked, ending the man's struggle and sending him over, Lucatiel practically crumples to the ground. She looks out towards Tret and where Haimus had been, now genuinely in tears. “TRETTY STOP!” She screams at the man, but is too late. Her hands clasp over her mouth and she begins crying, looking absolutely terrified now.

The Carbuncle moves to put itself between Tret and the girl now, staring up at the man as if expecting to fight.

[A'erina]

” Shit… “ A'erina heads over to Lucatiel, dropping her weapons for a moment. She doesn't quite know what to do, but awkwardly puts her arms around Lucatiel ” Hey, hey, shhhh, listen to me for a minute, 'kay? “ She holds Luca while she talks to her. ” So I lied, I know Haimus, I knew who he was from the moment I saw him, he works for some bad people I know, he's probably done his share of bad things, stealing, attacking people, killing people, the way he used a sword, did you see it? He knew how to use it he just looked like he didn't. He was also very sleezy, putting on a show for you, I'll not let you get attached to someone like that, that wouldn't be very suitable for you, would it?. Besides… Sometimes it's… It's okay that bad people get what they deserve, mine's just taking a while. “ She pulled herself away, placing a hand on each of Lucatiel's shoulders and nudges her face up to look at her own ” Try and keep these emotions in check while we're here, alright? I need you to keep a level head while we're here, I'll make it upto you when we get back, alright? “ She offered Lucatiel a weak smile. For once she actually felt bad about lying, she didn't know Haimus but it was the quickest story she could come up with to try her best at comforting her, and comforting others wasn't something she was good at.

[Tretesta]

Tret takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and lets it out before approaching the edge carefully to peer over. The voice sounding out made him turn and look up towards the ceiling and then down to the others. He locked gaze with Carby and shook his head gently, then approached Astra, since Luca was being tended to. “How bad did he get you? Going to be able to keep going?”

[Astra]

Astra sat up, holding her side where she was stabbed. Looking between Lucatiel crying her eyes out, and A'erina comforting her. She turned her attention to Tret. “Should be fine, probably will need to get it properly check out.” Removing her hand to see the blood it was still covered in blood. Then looking back at the way the group came, then to the new exit “I dont think we have much of an option but to move forward. Our path is now set to completion.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel sniffles as A'erina gives her an awkward hug. Her body shakes as she listens, not sure what to think. Her tears do slow down as the man is described as a ruffian, though she still feels conflicted. She doesn't resist her face being turned towards A'erina, now blubbering and streaming tears quietly. “He… He deserved it? But… But he… But he hurt Astra and tried to hurt you too…” She lets out one big sniffle before rubbing her eyes and nodding, forcing a weak smile of her own. “O-okay… I'll do my best!”

She awkwardly hugs A'erina's legs for a moment before coming to a stand, sniffling a bit and looking around. Her eyes fall on Astra and her wound, causing her to rush over to the woman. “O-oh! Astra you're hurt! Here, let me help!” She begins to focus her aether on the woman, slowly working to heal up the wound as best as an amateur's magic triage can do for now.

Meanwhile, the Carbuncle maintains his lock on Tret for a moment as the man shakes his head, only breaking to move over to Lucatiel and Astra as the girl begins her work.

[Astra]

Much to Lucatiel surprise, the wound was already knitting itself back together, but she did not notice the blood on her head from smacking her head against the ground. “See nothing to worry about dear, I can dull the pain and generate some healing tricks, but it will still need to be looked at when we get back.” She scratched her head. “I kind of blacked out there for a bit, the last thing I remember is trying to read…” She looked up at the pillar to find the text glowing. “That is weird.”

[Tretesta]

Tret steps back from Astra as Luca runs in, looking back down to Carby for a bit then over to A'erina. “Rina? Wanna stay and make sure everyone is ok with patching up? One of us could probably take a peek ahead and try to see what's coming up.”

[A'erina]

” By all means, go and have a look, I'll wait here until we're ready to keep moving.“ She'd usher Tret away to peek ahead as she walked over to Astra and Lucatiel.

” Luca, Tret's gonna need Carby's light. Mind going with him? “

[Lucatiel]

The girl finishes channeling her aether for the moment, blinking. “Oh. Umm… Y-yeah! I'll go help him!” She nods and turns to Tret, heading over to him with her Carbuncle in tow. Despite wearing her usual smile (if not weakly), she visibly maintains a bit of distance from the man, looking nervous. The Carbuncle trudges forward to lead the way once more.

[A'erina]

With the both of them out of the way for a moment, A'erina turns her attention to Astra. ” You knew about this before we even got here, didn't you? You knew exactly where to come, where we should go… And what should be done to continue, that's why you got him to come along, you needed someone and when you realised that only we were stupid enough to come with you, you dragged someone else along and used them to get us in… I hope whatever you find down here is worth it. “

[Astra]

Astra looked blankly at A'erina. Her mind was fuzzy. “Who? I only brought Lucatiel, Tretesta, and You…. How did I…” She rubbed her head “The voice, it's quiet now.”

[Tretesta]

Tret returned Luca's smile, adjusted his pack, and turned to follow down the path after the semi-sentient lantern. He shouldered his staff for now, watching and listening for anything interesting.

[A'erina]

”…“ A'erina stared at Astra. ” We don't have the luxury of standing around here too long, so I suggest you get moving and catch up. I'm sure you'll remember… And just so you know, his blood is on your hands. “ She grabbed her weapons and headed off in Tret and Lucatiel's direction instead of falling behind.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel sticks relatively close to Tret, though perhaps a bit closer to her Carbuncle for the moment. She can be seen glancing at the man occasionally with a furtive look before quickly looking back around the darkened path. “Ummm… Tretty… Why did you… umm…” She pauses, stumbling over her words. “I know Reena said he was a bad man but…”

---

[Astra]

Astra stood up looking around, still rubbing her side as it knitted together. She followed after Rina into the new opening. “His blood is on my hand?” She furrowed her brows. She let out a sigh, “This was a temple, to an old god, I mentioned this earlier. What I've read in the past, the trials were roughtly translated to the path of a high priestess or something.”

[Tretesta]

Tret raises a hand and calls back “hold up, let me check these out…” He then stopped walking to investigate the lanterns, seeking out one with at least plenty of wick left, hopefully some oil as well. He paused his search as Luca half questioned him, looking over to her ”… It's not about him being a bad man or not. He was going to kill one of us. Maybe all of us.“ He set his pack down and began rummaging through it, producing a tinderbox and then resuming his investigation. “Death is a last resort, Luca. I hope you never have to take a life. Try to find other options… Please.”

[Lucatiel]

Natural curiosity takes over the fear, and the girl comes closer to Tretty. She looks at what he's doing with the lanterns, watching intently. “He did hurt Astra… and then he started coming over here… Maybe I should have…” She reaches into her backpack and produces an arcanistry book, looking at it furtively. “You all were being really weird and I heard a weird voice in my head telling me to 'overcome him'. What if… What if he heard that voice too and that's why he…”

In her possible realization, the girl makes a large sniffling sound before shaking her head. “No! Reena told me to keep it together, so I'm gonna! If anyone else tries to hurt us… I'm gonna… do a magick thing! Just enough to stop them!” She clutches the arcanistry book to her chest with both hands, nodding to herself and looking around again with a bit of renewed confidence. “No death! Just… just enough to stop someone! If it's someone mean or or or… I dunno!” Perhaps in an attempt to help Tret see or just happenstance, the Carbuncle glows brightly again for a small amount of time.

[Tretesta]

Tret stops again, watching her now when she mentions the voice. “So you heard something? Hm. Maybe. But still. It was his life or yours, Luca. Do what you can. What you must. If you can stop them without killing them, you'll be better than I was. But… Last resort. Sometimes they won't stop. Can't stop. If it's your life versus theirs… Live.”

[A'erina]

“I heard a voice too, seems we're not welcome here. Whatever is looking after this place isn't doing a good job of welcoming guests. I'd welcome them to try that shit again.”

A'erina had caught up with them and glanced over the area, somewhat confused. ” When I say something doesn't feel right, you believe me right? This isn't like anything I've read about in any books. Something is definitely off with this place. “

[Astra]

“Or, maybe we are toys to something we can not see yet. A means of entertainment.” she shivered slightly as still was trying to recall everything. She was a step behind A'erina when they caught up to Tret and Luca. “What do you mean things don't feel right?” Astra looked at the wall lanterns then a small stream on the side of the paths caught her attention, dipping her fingers in it she rubbed it between her thumb and finger, sniffing it. “Smells familiar…” She looked at Luca, “Hey girlie, can you do fire spells?”

[Lucatiel]

The girl hesitates at Tret's words, thinking about what he means, though her smile returns quickly. “Last resort! Got it!” As A'erina catches up, she turns around to greet her with a quieter but still excitable “Reena! Oh… Umm, what do you mean? What doesn't feel right?”

Lucatiel blinks as she's asked to do pyromancy. “Ummm… No, sorry.” She offers an apologetic smile.

[A'erina]

“Call it being cautious, something I've picked up from getting in with the wrong crowds and doing things I shouldn't be doing… ” She snaps her fingers together to create another small orb of fire and holds it infront of Astra. ” You can manipulate magics, right? Here's your fire, take it. “ She extends her arm out to Astra as though she's literally trying to give the bunny the fire like it were a sack of coins.

[Tretesta]

Tret takes a lamp that seemed like a suitable candidate and started to pull his flint from the tinder box when suddenly there was a new light. He turned and stepped back from the flame, holding a hand out as if to shield Luca “Hold on, before we start setting things on fire… Is it oil? Why would there be oil in those trails?”

[Astra]

Astra manipulated the rest of the fire, lighting the way, the lanterns, and the small dips on the side of the path appeared to have oil ontop of water. The fire burned lightly on the water.This was just a hall way. Beautiful design similar to that of Rabanstre. “We are hardly near the next room it seems, this is very..” she snapped her fingers “what is that word.”

Astra looked at Tret, her voice cracked “Trial by fire?”

[Tretesta]

“Not quite the phrase, I think… But this seems to be the way. Let's go.” Tret put the flint back in its box, box in the bag, lantern attached to his pack, and shouldered up his gear again. He then pushed through and to the front with his stick lightly scraping the ground like a blind man's cane

[Astra]

“What exactly did you expect when you were inquiring for this?” Astra asked but she looked over her shoulder from the way they came. Looking like she was forgetting something.

[Tretesta]

“I expected nothing and everything. That's why I came loaded up with everything I could think of.” He stops, not hearing anyone behind him coming along and would only press in when the others followed “Explore a mystery dungeon, be ready for a possible fight, and try to come home with something worth the effort. You didn't give us much to expect, except something about trials….”

[Astra]

she shrugged, she appeared the whole time, completely weaponless. However her coat shifted, and on her belt was the holder for her cards, and the inside of her boot was visible the hilt of a short sword or a dagger. “one thing says that this place was a place of great worship,” she waved her hand, and then other. “Another script said this place was full of madden zealots. No way of knowing unless you were here.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel follows the group, looking around at the small fire display with an open mouth. “Oooooh… This is more the kind of adventure I was hoping for! Pretty lights and mystery!” Perhaps not hearing what Astra says about zealots and worship, or just ignoring it all together, the girl is unphased by further discussion. Now that her Carbuncle isn't needed as a source of light, it walks much closer to her as she holds her book in her hands, still marveling at everything.

[Tretesta]

”…..Fucking hell, cultists. Well… I think if there were still any, we'd have met the welcome wagon already. Lets keep on so we can find something worth looking for and get home. Tired of this place already…“

[Astra]

Astra sighed, “The record of this place is old, by old, I mean older than my elders.”

[A'erina]

A'erina drew her sword. ” About fucking time.“ She yelled down the hallway ” Show yourself! Ain't here to play games, so we're either takin' what's here the easy way, or I'll take what I want from your corpse.“

[Lucatiel]

“Whuh!? Who's down there!? Is it Haimus again!?” Lucatiel seems to get prepared about as possible for her - she brings the back into one hand and opens it somewhat clumsily. Her Carbuncle moves to be in front of her, looking down the darkened path. “Please! Don't try to hurt us!”

[Tretesta]

Tret perks up at the sound of laughter, then shakes his head “Not going to be Haimus. Possibly not even going to be there for us to hit. But stay awake, everyone. Soon as we start thinking nothing is going to hurt us? BAM. Someone loses a leg.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel takes a step back, looking quite upset. “No! I like my legs!”

[Tretesta]

Looking back over his shoulder, the remaining male of the party gives Luca a wink “Then like I said. Stay awake!”

[Lucatiel]

The girl gives a nod and an assured “Hmm!”

[Astra]

scratching the back of her head. “it could be a void scent…. I didn't even think about that. But, there really hasn't been any on this side of the world.”

the viera stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face the way which they came. “there was another with us, an over weight feller…. I… I…I… remember him coming to my home, and my thoughts became cloudy.” A'erina words echoing through her mind, 'His blood is on your hands.'

Astra snapped back into her cold somber demeanor, her eyes dulled from the light again. She was soothed by the voice that haunted them. 'You did nothing wrong my wayward rava.' She straightened up, and pointed down the hallway, “I don't think it is too much further.”

[Tretesta]

Tret stops again and half turns to look at Astra. He regarded her for a moment as she seemed to have some memory issues. His gaze shifted to Rina, and he gently nodded his head towards the bunny and raised his staff a bit. Immediately after he turned back to get done with the hall “We'll talk about him later, Astra. Now… What do we have up here?”

[A'erina]

Seemingly disappointed with yet more voices, A'erina decides to keep her sword out for the time being, she kept looking back on herself as a precautionary measure, she couldn't shake an uncertain feeling that was washing over her, she kept quiet while not quite sure who was actually leading this little adventure, Tret or Astra, but stayed close all the same.

[Astra]

Astra stepped forward, keeping her back to the rest of the group. She didn't say anything as the group made it to the next room, it was lit with the fires that fed into the room. It was warm, and actually beautiful. Gold accents adorn the stone walls. The room had a similar pillar to the last.

Astra walked around the pillar, she was muttering something in a different language.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel steps forward into the room, though still behind Astra. Her worries about the strange voice are stalled as she sees the splendor of the surrounding room, visibly and audibly gawking at it all. “Oooooooh! It's so pretty! This is definitely adventure! There has to be something really cool in here! Why else would people have made it so fancy! I wonder if there's gold or or or like a statue!?” She chatters excitedly to no one in particular, completely lost in the scenery.

[Tretesta]

Tret takes a slow circle of the room, looking at the walls, the pillar, and checking to see if they had a way forward yet. He'd set his pack down on the ground and stretch, watching Astra read and talk to herself ”…Something you can read, I hope? or are we going to start attacking each other again?“

[Astra]

Astra looked at Tret in a weird way. Her head clicked from side to side.

[A'erina]

A'erina nudged Tret. “What say we kill Astra and her new pet, so we split whatever we can take back with us three ways, I'm already done with this place.”

[Tretesta]

“Oh… Wonderful. Just…. Wonderful.” As if utterly annoyed with the whole situation, Tret reached up and pinches the bridge of his nose between his closed eyes ”…We need her, 'Rina. Killing her won't do anything about the spirit, I'm willing to bet. It might just jump to one of us. Luca, please step away from Astra and her giggling friend….“

[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel slaps a hand to her ear, looking at the new arrival in surprise. “Oh! It's… kinda cute? Ummm…” She looks up at Tret, stepping back as instructed and hesitantly holding on to her arcanist's book, unsure what to make of the imp.

The Carbuncle, as ever, does not respond in any discernible way.

[Astra]

`The imp amused by Lucatiel response to the carby ear grab. And poofed off the behind, and slapped the back thigh leg.`

[Lucatiel]

The girl twinges, instinctively grabbing at her thigh. It wasn't pain, but more like the echo of the actual slap.

[Tretesta]

“Well, how about you be my friend then, little trickster? What should we call you, and what will you have us do for your amusement?”

[Astra]

“I am no little trickster, this form amuses me. I bored easily and it has been so long since anyone has come to worshipped me.” Astra then collapse to the ground, surrounded by a barrier that matched to the markings on the tiles around her.||

[Tretesta]

“Bored… Toying with mortals… Speaking vaguely… You have not convinced me you are not a trickster.” There is a sharp TAP at the sound of Tret's staff rapping the ground (and possibly his patience breaking) “where to?”

[A'erina]

A'erina attempts to grab the little shit off her head.

[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

“Astra!” Lucatiel yells out, making to move towards the woman, however as the barrier comes up she stops instead opting to stretch out an arm. “Ohh… You better not have hurt her!”

[Tretesta]

A flash of anger, but Tret gave a smile and raised a brow “Oh come on. In my head too? Little Trickster it is. Not sure what ees-a-keye means…” He approached the marker as indicated, looking back at his pack left behind “Don't suppose I'm allowed to bring anything, am I?”

[A'erina]

” You can cut the shit, now. I'll not do anything you want. ”

[Astra]

Astra sat up, her head spin, she was on her hands and knees, she tried to get up but the dizziness. She heaved then vomited. Resting her hand on what she saw was a wall, she looked to the others before realizing she was resting on barrier.

[Tretesta]

Tret blinks as his own personal barrier goes up, and then the lights go out. He looks towards where Rina and Luca were before, calling out “Hey! can you two still hear me? Theres a lantern on my bag. try to find and light it.” He then turned back and squatted down at the sound of vomiting “Astra? You with us then?”

[A'erina]

“…Why are you yelling? We can hear you. You're just behind some kind if magic barrier.” A'erina went and grabbed the lantern anyway and held it in her hand and went ahead and lit it. “ Now what?”

[Astra]

Astra laid on her back, “light it?” rubbing her head “Fucking thing has been fucking with my head.” She looked over to Tret, “I think we're locked into the next trial.”

[Tretesta]

“Now what? We suck it up and see what games that spirit has for us. If it wanted to kill us, it would have already. Two come on and stand where it told you.” Tret's weary smile was illuminated dimly by the lantern behind him as he turned back to Astra “Seems so. Or left to rot here when Rina and Luca run off back to daylight. Let's hope that doesn't happen. I can't even get to my deck of cards to pass the time with.” Backed into a corner, the good humor hyur returned to the party. Under the wisecracks, Tret was losing his cool rapidly

[Astra]

“It's not a spirit.” Astra sat up and looked at Tret.

[Tretesta]

“It is playing the part VERY well.”

[Astra]

“It is… more than that. I saw stuff, heard things. That we saw is just a projection.” she shook her head then looked at the wall from which it came. “If we win its favor and pass this, then we can move on, get whatever we want and leave.” She looked to Rina and Luca. “I'm not sure what will happen, but this is not a death challenge, it is a means to test us, this is I know.”

[A'erina]

“…I still don't like this.” She grabbed her axe, wielding a weapon in each hand before pointing the axe at Astra “ When we get back, IF we get back, I want to talk to you, without the need to worry about my life or hers” She says, pointing at Lucatiel. “ I have a lot of questions that will have to wait. ” Reluctantly doing what was asked and stepping onto the destination which she was told.

[Astra]

[Astra]

“There is always questions, and I have my own for what is behind that wall.” pointing to the sealed door way. “… was this what the priestess went through to become high priestess? Or is this just some fucked up game.” she fell on her back again. “Something is telling me you don't want to be standing for this.”

[Lucatiel]

“Wuhh? Run off to daylight? But umm… I wouldn't leave you guys behind!” The girl is quick to point this out, looking between the group in a small amount of worry. She takes a moment to look at the floor and the squares, moving to place herself within the final square unoccupied. “Like this?” she asks, her Carbuncle moving quickly to be by her side. Her eyes dart over to A'erina as she is mentioned, though she doesn't say anything for the moment.

[Tretesta]

Tret sighs and sits on the ground as Luca approaches, crossing his legs and waiting

[Astra]

Nothing happened.||

Astra looked to the others “When I heard of this place, and sought it out, I started hearing whispers the closer I got. The whispers got louder until I uncovered the city then the temple.” She yawned.

“The whispers became images… thoughts…” Astra yawned again, fell over on her side.

[A'erina]

Suddenly A'erina finds herself unable to resist (the dice rolls) some force driving her to take catnap. Refusing to let go of her weapons, she uses them to keep herself propped up, dropping down to one knee, barely able to stand anymore. She looked over at Astra. “ You're fu… Fucking… Usele–.” like some unstoppable drowsiness had washed over her, with a thud she fell to the ground and passed out.

[Tretesta]

looked about as the glows were set off “Really now… what kind of…” He yawned after Astra and shook his head. damn contagious yawning. Wait. they shouldnt be sleepy… He blinked and looked at the other three again, vision blurring “Ah….ah damn. this can't be go-” And dozed off, chin down against his chest

[Lucatiel]

As the glows set off, a wave of slumber soaks into Lucatiel. She looks around at her friends and then down at the Carbuncle, confused but placated. “Whuhh… So tired! Adventure is really…. Exhausting…” She practically drops to her knees, blinking very slowly as her Carbuncle almost instinctively moves behind her. Her head rests against the little aetheric golem as her eyes close fully. “Goodnight everbody~!” And then she's out, tiny breaths signalling her full departure into sleep.

[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel comes to a stand, looking around in confusion. “Wuhh…?” She pauses for a moment. “Uhhh… Tretty? Reena? Astra?” She blinks, fear starting to set in a bit. “H-Hamius!? Carby!?” Even her Carbuncle was nowhere to be seen, and she begins to look around a bit more frantically.

[Tretesta]

Tret's head jerked up, not saying a word. (Thoughts will be translated for readers ease.) Nothing… Blind… He reached up to touch his chest, then his knees Not my clothes. Ok… I wait. Patience. Calm. Spirit will return.

[Astra]

As Astra came to, she looked around, the void of nothingness actually made her feel comfortable. A clean slate, no past or errors. “How comforting” She said a loud. She began to walk to see if there was an edge or a force. She felt her mind free of the past.

[A'erina]

A'erina stirred and opened her eyes, of course it would be dark. She had got bored of doing this already and channeled aether towards her hand and another small orb of fire hovered just above her palm. It seemed to do nothing except show her the floor she was standing on and her lack of weapons or personal clothing. She'd shout out to try and see if the others were nearby or atleast within shouting distance “ Tret! Astra! Luca! ”

[Astra]

---

[Astra]

Astra walked among the empty stalls, a windchime chirped in the breeze. Her heart sank. She kept walking but no one was in sight. “HELLO?” She called out, no one responded. She continued forward, but nothing. Everyone was gone. A bit of gunfire caused her to run down and alley. But arriving at the center was nothing. Confused and lost Astra turned around and was stopped in her tracks. The path she came was cluttered with corpses of Viera and Garleans.

Hesitation begins to wash over her as she walks through the carnage. The veira lying there are her sister, her tribe. She rounds a corner, and hides. Her sister, her own blood, was being held at her knees, her eyes shifted to see her daughter next to her sister. Covering her mouth she hides hoping not the seen.

The firing goes off, and then nothing. She holds back tears as she gets up in silence. Nothing changed. She walks over to the bodies of her blood, and sees both of them. Falling to her knees she sobs.

“I'll never be strong enough to save you.”

Astra held onto her sister as she cried. However the bodies turned to ash as she was surrounded by the redden skies of that night. Her eyes widen.

“No.”

She got up and ran to the small group of watchers, finding a purple eye elezen.

“No, no, no.”

With a sigh, a few others teleported out, but this girl waited. Astra tried to grab her, but her hand fell through. “You fool, what did we expect? To be able to stop this madness? We will never be strong enough, and I am just as foolish today.” The elezen stood and watched, before one of the scholars said something.

“Come Astra, there is nothing we can do.”

They both teleported out.

The now Astra fell to her feet, and watch everything unfold.

“…. I'm weak.”

Astra began to walk about the yards, and the buildings watching others play with magic. Unsure what was going on, she continued to walk around. She looked at her hands, they were shaking. Unable to control her emotions, she looked for her old room.

“you don't belong here, you can't even use the arcane” someone called out to Astra behind. “Can't even glamour yourself” A crowd gathered around Astra taunting her.

Astra felt helpless, she couldn't feel her connection, her body felt weak. She couldn't save anyone, they will all die, and she will be left to live hundreds of years.

“But at least I can try, and try, and try again.” She yelled at them. “I will never stop trying, and I will learn.”

Balls of energy came flying at Astra. She was surrounded by aetheric residue. The teasing kept on. “Astra the Weak is what they will call you.”

“Stupid Bunny”

“GO BACK TO THE JUNGLE.”

The mockery continued.`

“No! I belong here! I can learn.” A younger version of her voice came out, the heavy rava accident muddled her words. She covered her mouth. Another ball of magic was throw out at her, she held her hand up to stop it, but to much of her surprise, it collided with one of her barriers.

“I am not weak.” She said in her normal voice, it was malice and angry. “I am not weak.”

She pulsed with energy, the residue around her glowed, and spun around her for a moment before exploding away from her body. Dropping to a knee, she shook from the mixture of emotions.

---

[A'erina]

A'erina began to stir again, she opened her eyes, her head feeling like it had been split in two. She looked as the barriers around the others were still active. She sat up clutching her head, looking Lucafiel's direction as Carbuncle was nudging its master trying to illicit some response. Astra and Tret were still out cold. She looked at her hands, no longer feeling like she had ~Children fingers~ a smaller frame and feeling younger, breathing a sigh of relief. It felt like almost everything that happened didn't actually happen. She grabbed her weapons and came to a stand but something inside her own head and not anyone else's doing clicked inside.

“Don't forget what they said, they don't need you, they'll kill you too when they get the chance, you're useless, remember?”

A'erina had given up subconsciously in whatever nightmare she was in, and it was all too easy for her to lose herself when she'd be back in reality. Without a second thought, she began swinging her weapons at the other's barriers, to little effect but if she had made it back then the other should surely follow suit eventually. She kept this up for awhile as she noticed the light beginning to dim over Astra's barrier.

[Astra]

Astra felt the cold floor under her first, the energy she had trapped inside of her was bursting at the seams. She slowly sat up, shaking. Her hands were glowing. This power that rippled and deamed its escape was different then the cosmos attunement. The barrier dropped while she was adjusting herself. She screamed grabbing her head, releasing the surge of energy. Sadly she did not see Zerking Rina who was hulked out, or she would of released the energy in a different means.

[A'erina]

“Say that to me now, Astra! Call me useless, tell me the real reason you brought me along. You going to kill me too?” Without so much of an explanation to her rambling she threatened Astra to make a move, “ You left me in there on my own…” A'erina would try to wrest control of herself the best she could, if only for a second, managing to just say something that wasn't fuelled by her Beast. “Astra… I'm sorry.”

With the Light subsided and the barrier seemingly shielding her gone, A'erina began making a move over to the still woozy Bunny.

[Astra]

Astra looked up at Rina, she snarled. “I am not weak.” Her eyes were spinning cosmos pulling into a black hole. Her hairs on her arms stood up on ends. She was pissed, and not in the mood for what was going on with Rina.

[A'erina]

“Tell me what's here, what's so important to you, If not for me you wouldn't even be here in the first place, What's in it for you, Astra. Are you going to have Lucatiel killed too just to get what you want?” With her mention of Lucatiel, she looked at the girl's unconscious body and the Carbuncle desperately trying to awaken her before turning her gaze back towards Astra.

“This is your fault, you don't care ” With that she slammed her axe down, imbued with her own aetheric energies, a shockwave was let loose upon impact with the ground, heading straight for Astra.

[Astra]

“Why would I ever have Lucatiel killed?” She looked over at the girl passed out, then to Tret. “I had 0 knowledge of what was down here, just lore and legend.” she looked back to Rina. “You are physically fine, you do not have a scratch on you.” She did not answer what she wanted.

As the shockwave came at her, she used the aether that was surging through her own body, and barriering herself off. Then summon a small ball in her hand and yeeting it at A'erina

[Lucatiel]

The light around Lucatiel's square fades and she manages to stretch out an arm on to her Carbuncle, slowly pulling herself up. She barely makes it halfway, effectively draped over the creature. Tears start streaming from her eyes, but she is too groggy to cry properly. Instead she sees A'erina and Astra fighting, letting out a very confused and half-asleep sounding “Reeeena….”

[Tretesta]

Tret stirs slightly. He tries to raise his head and loo-… Tries to raise his head….TRIES TO RAISE HIS HEAD DAMN IT there we go. And look around. No, don't put your head back down goddamn it wake up. Yes wipe that drool off… And there we go. Tret slowly looks about through bleary vision at those around him. That's… Luca? Yeah. Ok, and there's astra… Attacking something? Oh that's bad. What is she… Oh hey, Rina is awake. And that is a shiny ball heading right for her. Maybe you should say something. “Urrrgh….” Well, you tried.

[Astra]

Astra full on leaped up at A'erina but her weakened state from the trial was little to no effect of a tackle, she yelled at A'erina, “I am not weak, and none of this is my fault. NONE.”

Astra awareness of Luca or Tret was less than that. She was in full fight mode right now.

[A'erina]

After lifting her axe back up and readying herself, she stood there waiting for Astra to make a move, an attempt at a tackle, waiting for the last moment before she would have connected, stepping out of the way, tripping Astra up as she fell down.

She noticed the barriers dissapear from around Lucatiel and Tret. Her head tilted as she threw her sword in Tret's direction whilst backing up to stand infront of Lucatiel.

[Astra]

Astra full on biffed from the trip, eating the dirt. Astra slammed her fist into the ground, she turned her body slight, and looked at the retreating A'erina. “I am not done with you.” With that, she slammed her hand down into the ground and exploded a wave of starlight out.

[Tretesta]

Tret's head rolls around again, taking in the picture of Oh hey, that's a swor- “<FUCK>” the man lurches to the side, away from the blade that went wizzing by him. Pushing himself up from the ground, he starts to call out, but is immediately caught in the blast of energy. he was Flipped heels over head and landed hard on his back with another “<FUCK!>”

[Lucatiel]

Luca tries to pull herself up more but is still too addled from the experience. She barely manages to even stay awake, unable to react as the burst of starlight speeds towards her. She and her Carbuncle are flung some odd fulms away violently, causing her to shriek out in pain and fear. She lands on the floor, her Carbuncle overturned next to her though it quickly hops up and heads towards the fight. Lucatiel stretches out a hand towards it as it rushes, but can do nothing more except whine in pain.

The Carbuncle rushes towards the embattled wildlife turned human. It homes in on Astra, running up to her before jumping into the air where it hovered, focusing aether on itself before firing it off towards the woman in a small blast. It lands with grace on all fours, staring at her as it takes a moment.

[Astra]

Astra is knocked in the head with the ball of energy. “How did you….” she looked behind A'erina to see Luca laying behind her. She then looked at Tret. Then to Rina, and narrowed her eyes on A'erina. “Are we done? They're awake.”

[A'erina]

“I'll be done when I'm done with you. ” A'erina crouched down next to Lucatiel tapping her on the shoulder to wake her up some more. “ Get up! ” She points the head of her axe in Astra's direction. “ You're not going to get her killed too, I'm not a failure, I'm not useless. You keep saying I am but I'll prove you wrong!”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel strains against the pain - a sensation not alien to her but not one she was used to in such severity. She slowly pushes herself up to a stand using A'erina as stability. She was still a bit muddled, but now she could see properly and was more aware. Her Carbuncle was winding up for another blast against Astra but as the girl stood fully it stopped, returning to her side. Having been barely aware that A'erina and Astra were fighting, much less why, Lucatiel puts her hand on A'erina's arm holding her axe. “Reena! No!”

[Tretesta]

“<Bitch Mother… Ohhhh my head…>” Tret sits up then pops up to his feet, turns and holds his hands out as he walks between the two warring sides. “EVERYONE STOP. WEAPONS DOWN, SPELLS OFF, CARBUNCLES BACK.” He looked between the three, staring daggers at the lot “I'm pretty sure I said we fight when we get home. I'm the only one with blood on his head, so let's fucking keep it that way. The hell is happening here?!”

[A'erina]

A'erina had heard his words, but it was in one ear and out the other, she was ready to assault him too until Lucatiel touches her arm. Her beast was quiet for all of a second as she set her sights back on Tret again, but she refused to move from where she stood. In that moment she reached behind her, pushing Luca away from her as she holds her axe behind herself, lifting it up, over and back down to the ground, smashing it into the floor repeatedly. After several collisions with the stone flooring, anyone but her would have notice the axe head warping, bending and chipping hit after hit, slam after slam until after what seemed like an eternity the axe head finally just shatters into a few pieces. One such shard still retained some sharpness, and with enough force from hitting the ground, finds itself a new home embedded in her thigh, luckily missing everything important but causing her to fall to a knee in pain, at the same time the pain seems to have helped her snap out of it.

[Astra]

Astra stood up fully as rubbed her temples. “I never said you are useless, you are the one calling me weak.” Astra walked over to Rina after her temper tantrum, a bit weary not sure if she would attack. “I can fix that.”

[Tretesta]

“Hey hey HEY!” The man was momentarily distracted by the axe destruction, but turned as he heard movement to the other side. Staring at Astra, he kept a hand up in her direction and stepped to block her way to the other pair “We're not all fine and friendly just yet. Just… Hold up right there. We fix shit when we know exactly what's broken, damn it.”

[Astra]

Astra used emphasis hands on the shard stuck in A'erina leg “Look, see that,” making the gesture more annoying “That is an issue. And if it isn't tended to properly, she might lose her fucking leg. I can fix it”

[Tretesta]

“I said STOP, Astra. you two were just out for blood. Luca! Patch her up…”

[Astra] “You indicating I'm weak too?” Astra's hands began to glow.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel staggers backwards, shoved away from the Beast. She yelps a bit as she moves, about to practically throw herself at A'erina this time, however she stops when the woman begins slamming her axe into the ground. Her eyes go between A'erina and Astra, and though she doesn't know why she feels very concerned about the rabbit. She waits for A'erina to 'calm' down, turning to Tretty as he addresses her. “U-umm, yes!”

She moves over next to A'erina, taking a knee next to the woman as her Carbuncle walks over as well. “Reena, I'm sorry! This won't feel good!” She puts a hand on the shard embedded into the woman's thigh and breathes in, puffing out her cheeks and holding her breath. Having to use all her strength, the shard comes out without incident and quickly is thrown on the floor. Surprisingly practiced, Lucatiel dives into the bag around her Carbuncle, taking out a bottle of liquid. She pops it open and quickly pours it into the now exposed wound - some cleanser that would likely burn.

Diving in once more to her Carbuncle's bag, she brings out bandaging and begins wrapping it around the wound and thigh, finishing when it was very tight. Finally, she puts a hand on A'erina's leg to administer some magicked heals - just enough to close the wound for now.

[Tretesta]

“I'm telling you that I'm only letting one person die here today, Astra. and I'm not happy with even that much. Put your dick away, take a breath, and think for a second. If you want to fight more, you can fight me. But WHEN WE GET HOME, GOD DAMN IT. I will fight you all day and night, but NOT NOW.”

[Astra]

“NO ONE HAS DIED!” Point to the others. “We came as four, we leave as four.” looking at the door, “did the two of you fail?”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel grabs A'erina's leg in a sort of hug, both as a bit of a re-assuring embrace but also out of fear of Tret and Astra yelling. She's intentionally looking away from them at this point.

“B-but… Haimus…”

[Astra]

“Who?”

[Tretesta]

“We came as five, Astra. There was a man, drunk as piss or something. I don't know. He came with us, I threw him into the pit in the second room we found. I don't know if we failed or whatever, all i know is the two of you woke me up from a perfectly insane dream I was having, and now I'm yelling at you.”

[Astra]

Astra rubbed her head. “Everything here has to play with our minds, what is real anymore?”

“What was your visions?”

[Tretesta]

“The cut on your side. Rina's leg. The ungodly pounding in my head. All of that is real, believe me.” Tret's stance slowly relaxes as Astra switches to curiosity, but he keeps his place between her and the other two “Vision? ahhh… Zombies… My home… My other home… Blue… and then the sun exploded.”

[Astra]

“Also, are you sure you did not have visions of kill this man? I do not remember him, I don't remember any of it.”

“What cut?” Astra looked at the tear in her fabric, but no physical damage since she had healed it full.

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel's voice comes meekly, her head still turned away. “I watched him kill Haimus.”

[A'erina]

A'erina fcould do nothing but scream in pain as the shard is removed, and finally rejoins them mentally breathing a bit heavily. “ I… I'm sorry. I said I wouldn't lose control but, whatever happened to us… I'm sorry.”

[Lucatiel]

The girl only tightens her embrace on A'erina's leg. “It's okay! It's fine!”

[Astra]

She looked between the group. “You sure? You sure it was a physical manifestation to mess with us? And, your visions, the dream. The reoccurring part that continued to happen? Mine, I was rendered completely helpless from being able to do anything. I was weak.” Looking at her hands that still dimmed.

[Tretesta]

“Astra. It seems you're the only one that is missing pieces here. The little trickster seems to have been holding you for some time. Do you even remember coming in here? If you don't remember even that much, then trust our version of events.” He sighs and relaxes entirely, going over to his lantern from before, relighting it, and joining the others “…Are we all going to play nice now?”

[A'erina]

A'erina puts some weight on her leg, grimacing a bit but able to stand and walk. she holds up the handle of her axe before looking at it and throwing it to the floor. “ I hope so. Just don't let me lose control of myself again. ”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel also comes to a stand, staying very close to A'erina. “I'll try!” She turns to Tret and Astra, looking very concerned but slowly forcing a smile.

[Astra]

Astra snapped her fingers, causing her aether I'm her glowing hands to disappear. A strange sensation would transfer to A'erina injured/healed leg. “Should help with the pain for a bit.” She turned to examine the door. “your dreams. Sometimes in readings your dreams are a manifestation of your greatest desires or fears. Things we can't address head on.”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel practically blurts out, “They weren't dreams! They were NIGHTMARES! Horrible awful nightmares!”

[Astra]

“And why were yours a nightmare Luca?”

[Lucatiel]

The girl looks very hesitant suddenly, almost looking away from Astra. “Umm… Umm… I was completely alone… Absolutely nobody, just me… Not even Carby… And Luna was dead… And then there were so many people hurt…”

[Tretesta]

Tret shakes his head and wanders back over to where he had been sitting before “my dream felt…. mixed. Good parts… Bad parts… And then it all exploded. I'm not sure if I won its little game or not…”

[A'erina]

A'erina recalls hers, the very thought of it was distressing enough “ Mine was… Well, you saw what happened. Whatever it was, it won. ”

[Astra]

Astra scratched my head, let out a laugh. “oh, I might to be the cause of you waking up to early. I kind of couldn't contain my energies from my emotions” thinking about it for a moment, “Luca are you afraid of those you love dying? Tret, what is a zombie? And your homes? Sun exploding? A'erina, you were the first awake, assume you would of been still battling the dream if not.”

[Lucatiel]

“That's…. I don't want anyone to die! But it was more about just being completely alone…” She looks a bit sheepish, almost as if ashamed.

[Tretesta]

“Undead things, Astra. like ahhh….. tempered? but dead. And yeah, the sun exploded, and a giant head told me that something was not right…and then a sword was thrown at me and I got flipped like a pancake. But those last two things were real.”

[A'erina]

“There's only so much I could do against something not real… It felt like I was attacking family and friends for an eternity. Then I fought something that consumed me…? I figured I'd lost and be dead but here I am… Felt like I let everyone down, that I really was useless, that's why when I came to, I couldn't control it, it effected me and I couldn't stop it. ”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel places a hand on A'erina's shoulder, trying to be supportive. “Reena… Nooo! You're not any of those things, don't tell yourself that!”

[Astra]

Astra shrugged, “I have zero idea what it wants. I know now it wanted our fears.”

[Tretesta]

“It can take them.” Tret looks up to the darkened ceiling and calls out “Hear that? Take them all!” He steps firmly onto the marker he was on before and spreads his hands defiantly “I'll play your game again, but at least show me how to play!”

[Lucatiel]

Luca shrinks, putting herself behind A'erina. “I don't want to go back to that… Please, Tretty!”

---

[Astra]

[Tretesta]

Tret turns as the door opened. Squinting his eyes and raising his lantern up “What the… I… Guess we're moving on?” Off the spot, Tret walked to his pack collected it and his stick, and set off down the path

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel stays behind A'erina, though she would move with the woman when she begins to move.

[Astra]

Astra ran her hand across the golden detail walls of the hallway.“This…… this is something else. You think all this was offerings to the god?”

[Tretesta]

Once he had entered the room, Tret set his pack back down and looked about with a wary eye. “It's… Something. Too good to be true, it seems.” He then busied himself with his belongings, the sound of glass rattling as he dug through the rucksack “Let's try not to touch anything just yet.”

[Astra]

Astra continued to look around, in amazement. “why must you act like an old man in a young man's body?”

[Tretesta]

Tret slowly looks over to Astra, an incredulous look on his face “Because one of us has done this type of thing several times before and has the scars to prove it. Do we know if all four of us passed the trials? You said before we started off we should get treasure if we pass…”

[Astra]

Astra looked at the food, unsure if it was Aetheric conjured or not. “That's odd, either someone lives here, or this was conjured with magic.”

She looked up at Tret, “What if your scars never existed because you can heal a wound to the point that it was never there?”

[Tretesta]

“You let me know how to heal the wound of watching someone's hand get mangled to pulp because they touched the wrong thing…” Tret turned back to his bag and pulled out what appeared to be a beer bottle and a handkerchief, setting them on the ground near his stuff and standing up to start looking around properly

[Astra]

Astra stuck her hand in a pile of coins scooping them up. “See, nothing..” She screamed and then fell face forward into the pile. Not moving.

[Tretesta]

Tret starts to say something snarky when she speaks, but is galvanized into attack stance, facing… Well.. Where Astra was. He looks around in panic for a momen- Oh, there she is. “<No fucking….Agh!>” Tret carefully approaches Astra, sizes up the situation, and tries to roll her off the pile with his staff. He wouldn't touch the treasure with his bare hands if he could help it

[Astra]

Astra flung coins up at him, laughing hysterically. “live a little old man, this is coming someone three time your age. This maybe a trap, but” she sat on the pile crossing a leg over the other. “Your so called trickster is being generous. Perhaps it is lonely and wants friends.”

[Tretesta]

Tret finds himself resisting the oh so tempting and cathartic urge to brain the rabbit with his staff. A look that might kill lesser creatures lingers on the fortune teller for a moment too long, then turns back towards the rest of the room “Then it can come out and have another chat with us. I am glad to make friends, but I do not trust anything but myself right now…”

[A'erina]

A'erina picked up her sword and followed Tret and Astra, keeping Lucatiel at a distance but making sure her and Carby are following her. Upon reach the room she refuses to touch anything.

“Looks like a trap to me. ” A'erina is of the same mind as Tretty though. “ I have to agree, call it out and let's have another word with it. Someone owes me a new axe. ”

[Astra]

Astra moved to pul a chair out from the table with food, and sat her ass down and kicked her feet up. “Maybe there is a pretty golden axe in here?” She looked to Tret, “You going to hunt your friend down, or you just looking for these so called traps?” pulling out her deck, and shuffling it for the first time.

Astra played her cards out to see if she could get a better ready of what happen, what will happen.

“I wouldn't say that this room is set up with traps, but something does feel off about it. And the food. What is with the food.”She poked a piece of fruit.

[Tretesta]

Tret is quiet, not replying to the taunting of their much-to-be-desired-from guide. Instead, he continues poking around, gently moving the thin cloth at the back with his staff. his eyes widened in wonder as he caught sight of the statue and the orb “<Look at that…>” He leaned back, taking a quick look to see who all, if anyone, was watching him

[Astra]

Astra pulled a Lady of Crowns. “That… that's not right I don't use the crowns.” She looked up and around

[Tretesta]

Tret slowly looked back to the hidden find behind the curtain, trying to size up what he'd come upon <Too big to try and take and hide… Might kill me if i touch it. Might be the trickster even, looks a bit like the ball… Wait…. is it smiling? No, it was always smiling.> He shakes his head and looks at the orb again. This had to be important… but he couldn't bring himself to touch it.

[Astra]

[Tretesta]

<Let's take a closer look, can't hurt> Tret stepped a bit closer, studying the entrancing orb

[Astra]

[Tretesta]

Tret found himself mere inches from the orb, entranced the the soothing voice in his head that was not his…. wait… was not his….

[A'erina]

“Is this room what we came here for? Can you stop fucking around? This is not exactly the place for readings.” A'erina looked over at Tret. “ Oh for fuck– Tret get away from that!”

[Astra]

Astra looked at her cards, “I bring them nearly everywhere I go.” Looking over to see where Tret was and froze.“Tret, back away from her slowly.”

[Tretesta]

Tret blinked hard twice when he was yelled at, then stood up straight, looking up to the smiling face above him. He returned the smile and tapped his temple “Nearly, Little Trickster… Nearly.” he turned the smile over to Rina and shrugged “Found something.”

[Astra]

Astra looked between Tret and then Rina, then pulling out a sharlyan tome from her bag. “That… isn't a trickster, it's the eye of the blind goddess, the statue is her.” Flipping to a page of a image of the goddess.

[Tretesta]

Tret just laughs and shakes his head, pointing up to the statue “Blind goddess or not, she is the little trickster!” he looks back up to her face and spreads his arms “I've missed you. I'm sorry we didn't get more time to play before. Was a lovely child you made…”

[Lucatiel]

Lucatiel was still positioned behind A'erina cautiously, now looking around at the room. While there was a large sense of amazement in her, the fear and concern of everything that had just happened was overriding it, leaving her only with her forced smile. She peeked out from behind the veritable cat tank, watching Tretty with trepidation. “Tretty please! Don't tempt it!”

[Astra]

[Lucatiel]

The girl practically jumps against the back of A'erina, only just stopping herself from doing so.

[Astra]

Astra eyes narrowed on the closing door, then up to the statue. Leaving the Sharlyan book and her bag at the table she walked up to the statue , making eye contact with the white eyes, verse the orb.

[Tretesta]

Tret sighs and drops his arms, leaving the statue and returning to his stuff “Thats it then? Call me pathetic and then close everything up? I expected…. more. From someone bored, at least.”

[Astra]

“Tret, did you touch her?”

[Tretesta]

“Not quite. Nearly, but not quite!”

[Astra]

Astra got right up in her business, lightly running her fingers against an arm, the skin was warm to the touch, she then pulled at her face, looking at her teeth. Then hopping down way from the statue.

“If you had, you know she is not a statue.

We need to find another way out.”

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