As Phebe and her shadow partner made their way away from the seen caravan and the woods, it became obvious that the demons had not so easily given up, as there were some apparent shouting and chopping coming from behind where the cliff had once been. Though, it was a small enough distance away that being caught right now seemed highly unlikely. What did not seem highly unlikely were the voices that suddenly came from ahead of Phebe.
"...elling you, I saw a damned demon lord jump from the pit. If the damned things ARE under those mages, then we are due for a full deployment." A man said, seeming to poke through the trees and brush as he was walking.
"Gods damn your imagination. Everyone knows to stay the hell away from the demons, or they'll get all riled up. Come looking for a fight and for trophies. Though....maybe we aught to get back to camp. If the demons are coming, then the scout group is probably already in for it."
[hr]
As Raven's energy began to flow into the odd "core' of dark energy, Darnell seemed to nod in approval, and then spoke, the monotone still seeming to be the same one from the Academy, even in the trials. However, it was clear that something was oddly...different about Darnell. Whether it was that he was wearing the odd shadow armors, or it was because of the odd creating that she was now assisting in making. But, regardless of the change, it still seemed to be Master Darnell.
"Shadow Raven, it is time to begin the catalyst. Your shadow will hold your powers there while you weave your line between each of the elements. Be quick and precise, and do not force the line. Begin it...now." Darnell said, and seemed to amplify the amount of focus he was putting into the darkness, which suddenly seemed to just become a part of a larger whole. It was then that the other elemental circles became much more obvious to Raven, as the Nightshades had begun their channeling first. A ball of fire was next to them, with then the earth, then the water, then the light, and then the air. All had a master holding their element as what could only be assumed to be Weaver seemed to also be prepared to stop helping their master and begin moving between each element, leaving a trail as they did so.
The aftereffects of the now underway ritual could be felt by all the mages within the trials. A growing power could be felt as the energy of the entire world seemed to be shifting and changing around them, becoming more focused at this particular point and moment. Also, the storm began to worsen, the lightning and rain seeming to be not only probably, but inevitable.
[hr]
As Seth and a few other mages made their way into the seeming mazelike way of the canyon, he finally paused. It was this spot that would be best for them. This spot would be best to sit back and be ready for whatever it was that would come their way. Sure, the entrance was somewhat....obvious, with the few camps and things already in place here. However, it was well enough walled and with enough cover to make a fight...manageable for them. Even if it did get bad, a retreat from here also seemed relatively simple.
"This is the spot, eh Blade Darius? Alright! Lets set up!" A particularly....loud earthshaper seemed to say, and then went onward to seal off some parts, reinforce others. The shifting of the earth would be felt by any nearby other mages, but at this point it might have not mattered. It was obvious to Seth that things were going to get messy, and the time for hiding was all done. Now it was time to be ready for battle. Glancing upward, he noted the coming storm and couldn't help but grin. A perfect way to start this odd...test.
[hr]
As Silvana made her way some small distance away from the camp, it suddenly fell into her view a shifting of earth. It was a slight one, but was enough to catch her eye. However, before she could even being to get closer to take a look, something else demanded her attention. An odd chatting came to her ears, and she turned to the unfamiliar noise and apparently language as an odd green creature, armed with a spiked club, stepped into the canyon, seeming to be looking for something. Upon being seen, the creature froze, not seeming to know what to do.
In the meantime, back at the small encampment that the mages had originally arrived at, several larger demons jumped out of the odd forest, seeming almost gleeful to have found something to go after for a change. The men, however, surprised, were very ready for the jump, and placed multiple bolts into the demons, but the commander of the group, the man from before, was already cursing.
"DAMNATION! Sound the horns, get the main force up here! Someone riled up the demons, and with these dead we sure as the storms are going to start getting hit if we don't get some help from the main force, NOW. Get those damned horns, and start making noise!" Some of the men scrambled to some supply tents, obviously intent on finding the supposed horns to get things going.
[hr]
Joseph looked at Alexander for a moment, seeming to be rather confused about what he had just claimed. Muttering to himself for a moment, and pulling out a familiar pad of paper, and looking it over before looking back at Alexander again.
"I....don't quite understand. These are indeed Trials with which there are particular... trade-offs or rewards for such a challenge. Going into them for...well, just to do it? Doesn't make any sense at all. Why do something that is somewhat risky and difficult for no other reason than to say that you have done it? You just enter and leave with nothing? That doesn't make much sense." Joseph said, seeming to be at a small loss for what to think about mages just wandering into the trials for...what reason?
"But, I don't think that stronger shadows is...well, quite an advantage. What if your shadow disagrees with you? Stands in your way? Decides to replace you? Perhaps the other individuals had a point? So many questions, and no real answers. Personally.....I am hoping that someone comes back with....well, something different. Maybe it would enlighten me a bit, and open up what these strange shadows....do. In fact..." Joseph glanced at the Prime Minister, seeming to silently ask something, to which the Prime Minister paused for a moment before finally nodding.
"We have a small chip of...well, something. Crystal or something like that from the strange shadows. It was given at the beginning, and....well, we don't exactly know what it does. Seems to react around shadows, but they only exist around the crystal downstairs for us. For you however, you have no such limitation. So, if I could, I would...well, ask if it would be alright to have you test such a device. If you would...?"
