Journey of the Elementals RP (Pm if Interested, Started)

[Lambi]

Silvana would have wanted to see what the others would get, but there was nothing further for her to do there. With her new shadow double behind her, she went through the darkness door she'd used before, and was out of the trials and back in the real world.

The first thing she noticed were Seth and Raven who had clearly finished before them. Then she noticed their shadow doubles, and all the other shadows around them. Seth's weren't much of notice, but one of Raven's who noticed her showed that she was not happy with seeing Silvana. It stung her a bit to be again reminded of her previous idiocy, but she wouldn't let it phase her too much as she walked towards them.

"I see that you two managed to finish the trials before me." she said, sounding a little tired. Which matched how she felt since she was honestly a bit tired after that whole ordeal, and her newfound powers of seeing multiple shadows of other people made it so her vision was kind of obscured by the shadows. She closed her eyes and held one of her hands over her face, using her thumb and index finger to rub her eyes a bit before she took her hand down again and opened her eyes. She was curious what they got out of the trials and what they may have given up, but at the moment she didn't want to ask.

 

[Mr. Omega]

Drew listened to what the shadow had to say, remaining oddly silent the whole time. Didn't offer anything about what he'd offer for Fei's safety... looks like any time I try to get any info him he just goes right back to trying to sell me a deal. So much for outsmarting him. He sighed in frustration, but decided to take this chance to actually take an offer into consideration. A change, huh? Isn't that why I came on the ship in the first place...? Not normally one for things like fate or chance, but it all just seems to come together a little too perfectly.

He sighed, taking a moment to think of what to say next. This is something I need to do. I hope... "A while ago on the ride over here, I was asked what I wanted. And I didn't have an answer. I guess now I have a better way to say it. I want purpose. I doubt you could really offer me that, but even if you could, I wouldn't take it. It's too easy. No, I want something simpler."

Holding his right arm in front of his face, Drew spoke. "For most of my life, my direction came from this." he clenched his fist and sparks started flying, with the electricity arcing between the hairs on his arm. "Just constant studying and comments about how much more I could learn about it." he lowered his arm, relaxing again. "I could keep going, but I feel I'm just wasting my time. I want it to be over. I want to be the mage the teachers tell me I should have been. The mage my parents keep telling my I could be. The mage..." he sighed, lowering his head, muttering "...The mage my sister thinks that I am."

He shook his head, looking back up, more confidence in his voice. "I want to master what I've been learning since the day I learned I was a mage. I want to reach the end of this path I've been walking for so long. To see what purpose is waiting for me beyond it."

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Changes. That's what the shadow was offering. Cale glanced at his hands, how different he was from the child he was but that was expected. People change by themselves but this... thing was offering changes otherwise not natural in exchange of something equal of value. The offer was enticing. Then Nydia spoke out.

"Very well, I have made my choice. If contesting myself with my shadow is the price I must pay for the power to carry out my duties, then I shall gladly bear that burden."

She offered her own shadow as the cost for the change. He pondered what he could give the shadow in return for something equal of value. It was hard deciding what could go and what was equal of that. A few ideas had already popped up in his head by the time another mage spoke out with another question. Then his mind drifted back to his endless toil on the farm he was shackled too. He then wondered why. He wondered why had his parents abandoned him. The question has forever racked his mind but until now had he the chance to figure it out.

"What is the price of figuring out why my parents abandoned me?" Cale asked.

 

[SkyeNeko]

Fei wiggled her back, trying to move the wings. They fluttered a little, blowing wind around the blank void. Her feet left the floor for a second too, but then she fell face first onto the floor. Was a lot closer than she thought it was. She got up and dusted herself off, flapping the wings again with a big smile. OF COURSE she wanted the wings. "Maybe more white. Just white and black and blue, I think." she pointed on her wings to where she wanted the colors. Maybe she should just get IRIDESCENT WINGS. ALL THE COLORS. But then that might get annoying if the sun was on it, and it was reflecting rainbows everywhere... actually, that might be awesome too! But what if it annoyed people... How was she going to swim with wings, anyway? She swam a lot... Maybe she should just ask for fins! Yeah, she'd be the first person with fins! Or maybe even a mermaid tail! But if she was a mermaid, she wouldn't be able to walk very well... "Are wings waterproof? Like, like duck wings? I want to dive into the water! OH that's going to be so cool! Like I could be flying and then WHOOSH into the water and I could catch fish and stuff! Yes I want the wings! Please please please please!"

 

[blaze96]

"I know quite a bit of the history of my own land, though the history of this land I am far less knowledgeable on. Especially ancient history. As for the gods, I imagine they can only hang their heads at times as their creations try to wipe each other out half the time. The other half the time you are probably right, our machinations must be quite comedic to the powers that be." Alexander replied as he continued to look through the book.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Just don't wait up for your friend. He might be waiting for all eternity! Which is fine, not often I can watch a guest for so long just pondering such a simple choice!"

"I'm thinking. Please don't rush me." When you could have anything you wanted, but only one thing, it was quite difficult to choose. Gabriel wasn't about to talk Fei out of her decision. She seemed fine with it, even if the price was a bit weird. What did this shadow being get out of aging Fei four years? There had to be some profit in the deal for this... person, otherwise it wouldn't be making these deals. Whatever the profit was, Gabriel didn't see it.

So... what did he want? A set of wings for himself? The idea had seemed appealing earlier, but now... not so much. Now it seemed like something that didn't quite have the impact he wanted for himself. His overall goal was far too much to ask for, Gabe reasoned. That left a third option, an increase in his magical talent. But he didn't fancy a straight upgrade. No sense in getting one thing out of this.

"In answer to your question, I want - well, not 'want'. 'Want' just sounds rude. I would like a magical artifact to bolster my abilities as a mage. Something to expand my abilities beyond Hydromancy... though it could have a hand in the increase in my own limited talents as well," he began, uncertain if his rambling would be a hindrance or a help. He continued regardless, intent on clarifying:

"Maybe this artifact could be imbued with a few spells outside of my own discipline... a fire bolt, maybe, could be one of them. I could use access to fire to practice my water magic on. Oh, and if it were a staff that would be good. Staves are cool."

 

[NeoAC]

Raven was actually a little disappointed when Seth pulled back, but it was understandable. Guess this really isn't the place to be trying to get super close. "It did seem like we were in there for a long time. We sure did a lot, bringing about an apocalypse and everything. After that, I'm good with whatever. I guess we could-"

"I see that you two managed to finish the trials before me."

Raven turned, not expecting another voice in the empty room. She almost had the mind to ready an attack before recognizing the Nightshade from the opposing team in the trials. Silvana sounded, well, like Raven did before entering the portal. But while Raven did that by choice, Silvana looked like she was dead tired and that was the best voice she could muster. She did not look well. Good.

"Well, we're just coming out on top of everything today," she replied confidently. "Winning all the trials and beating all the tests. You know how it is, right?"

 

[UnusualStranger]

The shadow was almost gleeful as Nydia went with the second choice, seeming to pull some form of blackness out of itself as it did so. As it wove it around, the shadow of Nydia looked at it suspiciously, and it's eyes darted back to Nydia for a moment before the dealing shadow let the darkness flow into Nydia's shadow, and it slowly became more defined. The shadow changed, seeming to become much more elaborate, eyes gaining the same color that Nydia had. More elaborate robes, almost seeming to be made for a master. As the shadow was changing, Nydia could feel her own energies increase, the light within her seeming to pulse to bursting for a moment.

"Heehee....Done and done! I don't think you have too much to worry about....yet. Unless, of course, you plan on stabbing your shadow in the back! Which I'm sure you plan on doing eventually, since you are a creature of the light and all....but, there you go! Have fun! Now...." The shadow turned, and then seemed to pause at Drew's suggestion. For a moment, all the mirth and jokes seemed to abandon the shadow, and then stepped close to Drew.

"Seeking purpose...? That is....a dark path, Airshifter Drew. A very dark path to want to have it cast upon you. Do you seek an end to trying to make the lightning your own, ultimately able to cause more than....just sparks? Or is it that you seek...something more dangerous? Both are open to you, and you can still go another direction....." The shadow did not seem to stray from Drew, but seemed to be split off in its attention as another part of the shadow seemed to claw free, and approach Cale, looking him over intently.

"Information always has the trickiest price....so I make it simple. A part of your...shadow, for the information you seek. Does that seem fair? Or do you want to instead continue onward not knowing? All up to you now!" With the two shadows now watching the pair closely, waiting for an answer, a door slowly rose from the darkness for Nydia to exit from, if she so chose.

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"Mmm....A tall order. A bow without arrows, a knife of enchanted design, some armor to it that sleek form of yours, and a talkative shadow? What an odd choice.....I think..." The shadow paused, almost as if acting for dramatic effect, and then laughed.

"I will accept your terms. The magic you have, for all that you have requested. Even that silly halberd that you want. The bow properly enchanted with all the arrows you will ever need....and a proper set of armor so that you will survive. Do we have a deal, or are you going to change your mind? Because once you shake this hand....." The shadow extended the hand, with the darkness still spinning all about it. "....There is no going back. Unless, of course, you come to visit again to get it all back!"

While the shadow held out the hand, out of the darkness seemed to rise an armory cabinet of sorts, with a glass door showing the armor of simple design, the bow which seemed to be still morphing into an impressive hunters bow, the small knife, and even the halberd.....and lastly was a jar with an odd light bottled within it.

"A shake of the hand, and the doors will open."

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[hr]
The shadow again found itself turning back to Fei as she celebrated her newfound wings, and gave her a small bow, and a wave of the hand, the wings changing in slight colors as he did so. "You are quite picky, but then again they are your wings! So...with that color chosen, you are all ready! Now let me handle your friend here...." The shadow turned back to Gabriel, listening intently with a small grin the whole time.

"Mmmmm....An artifact, you seek? So boring! Maybe you would prefer to have the power directly in yourself? Only will cost you an arm! Not like you need both of them anyways!" At the look Gabriel put on for THAT offer, the shadow laughed. "Joke! It was a joke! Sheesh....so serious. Fine fine....." The shadow sat down for a moment, seeming to flip through a book as it appeared from the shadows.

"Hmmm....I guess I can part with it...a staff that will let you amplify your power....but it will be at an increased price for that silly extra you want. An additional power? I think....you can either pay the price, or your shadow can pay the price. Half of your shadow right now....or giving up a chance of ever being your strongest. Do we have a deal...?"

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[hr]

Isabella gave a small nod to Alexander, and then closed the book. She grinned at Alexander as he looked up at her after doing so.

"There is only so much in the books though. The more important stuff is only whispered....and in scrolls or other things that are not...here. They are probably why you were directed here..." Isabella began, leaning a little closer. "You've seen the crystals, I know...They are...important. Why this city is here, really. Those crystals are history for this city. They...well, in a few things, the reason the world is supposedly still standing as it is depends on those crystals. So....whatever is making that storm grow now is...well, its probably living in those crystals. But it is also picky, in case you haven't noticed. Can't just send anyone in there. Have to be tougher, special, and different in many ways. Supposedly...the Prime Minister read what to find and do, but good luck getting him to tell you that." Isabella grinned, and leaned back in her chair.

"But the best history lesson is a mystery. What the crystals are even doing here, and what they are for. That...is the extent of my knowledge. Well, the stuff I tell people, anyway. It is hard to know what is really history, and what is legend at this point. So much...history here. Can't believe I have only read half of it....Sorry. Anything else, Alex? I don't mean to sound all mystical like some card reader or something. What I'm saying is...History is a mystery to us because sometime back then we did something wrong. And it would be a good idea to hopefully not repeat it."

[hr]
[hr]

Seth gave a small shrug at the observation that they had been in there for a while. This place...really doesn't follow time well, does it? What is with all this odd stuff? However, he grinned at the mention of them bringing about an apocalypse and everything. It was an odd accomplishment to be proud of, but they had survived it...

"I see that you two managed to finish the trials before me." .....and apparently so had someone else...

"Well, I guess we are just on top of things. Not that you should have doubted us in the first place but...." Seth paused as he turned to look Silvana over and associated the voice with how she looked. "...you alright? And..." As Seth took a step forward, he found himself stopping as Silvana's shadow stepped forward threateningly, with Seth's own shadow stepping forward as well with flames of his own.

"That's new. Did you do some silly...deal or something?"

 

[Lambi]

"Yeah, I'm alright. Just a little tired." Silvana said in reply, trying to focus on just Seth and Raven instead of the many shadows that surrounded them. "And I did do a deal, yes. I asked for more power and apparently got this...shadow double for it. I'm guessing she's supposed to help me with that." Her shadow looked as if it would attack Seth's, but Silvana reached out to it. "Don't. He's a friend. Or at the very least, not someone to attack." Her shadow didn't seem to listen, but it stepped back a little. Not by much, but still somewhat.

Silvana walked over to the walls to support herself better. While she wasn't so tired that she'd literally fall to sleep, she felt it would be better to have support just in case. Her shadow followed after her and stood between her and the two others. "I left early, so I wonder what the others might ask for."

 

[Mr. Omega]

The shadow's change in tone caught Drew off guard. The talk of dark paths did worry him, but he wasn't going to tun down the offer without knowing all he could about it. "I do want to be able to do more than I can do on my own. I do want more than just sparks. But what is this dangerous thing you're talking about?" As much as he didn't want any distractions, the shadow did manage to pique his curiosity. No harm in at least hearing what is offered...

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

She took his hand, and shook it. Only later would she think it strange that she hadn't hesitated, despite feeling insecure many times before in her life when she had to make an important choice. The door to the cabinet swung open, and Phebe walked over to it.

Her hand went for the bow, and she ran it along its white strong limbs. Too many times had she been forced to rely on fire, when her arrows ran out and the beasts were still close by. She checked the knife next. It was smaller than she'd hoped for, but it would serve its purpose well. It had been years since she'd needed one, but she'd make sure to put it to good use.

She wasn't sure why the figure had said the halberd was a silly weapon. It was versatile in battle, and had range to keep more than one enemy at bay, at least for a moment. Sometimes that was all you needed. A good one could block swords, which she'd never trained with. She had some experience with pikes and spears, which she'd been shown how to wield in her youth.

The armor was made of black leather, and seemed to be reinforced in some areas. She took the chest piece from the cabinet, and wondered if she should try to carry it all out of here, or get geared up now. It would be easier to get geared up, though she wasn't alone.

Phebe undressed, so that she could put on her new armor without problem. It did fit her, was even tighter than her clothes, and brought out her curves better than the robes. She was on the fence about it, but didn't complain. It didn't have a helmet, instead there was a mask that would cover the mouth and half the face.

She strapped the knife to her waist, attached the bow to her back and took the halberd in one hand. She could try attaching it later, somehow, maybe. The first thing she noticed was how light it felt to wear and carry it all. She had expected it to be more difficult.

Phebe wanted her father to have been there, as he would no longer have needed to hide her from the tribe. Although, all of that was gone, and she was left with a tear to dry.

There was one more wish she had gotten fulfilled, but not just for herself. She hadn't asked for the shadow in the first place. She'd wanted it gone, because it shouldn't be there, because she didn't need some thing to watch her back. Maybe she should see it more as a friend, and maybe she'd need someone she could trust.

She picked up the jar that concealed the light inside, and went over to her shadow. "As a thank you, for helping me out I suppose. Hopefully you'll get to keep your new form too." At the very least they could communicate. She opened the jar, and tried to get the shadow to consume it, by pouring out the light on her.

"Well, did it work?"

She turned to the figure, instead of waiting for an answer. "What enchantments were there other than the arrows? Also, how do we get out of here?"

 

[blaze96]

"So to go in the crystals due to our power and find out whatever is causing the storm to grow and try to reverse the process if possible. A tall order for a group of what amounts to magical adolescents." Alexander said leaning back and thinking on the tasks that would be ahead.

"I guess legend and myth are the place to start when it comes to figuring out how to get in the crystals or what may lurk inside them if you all haven't codified it all already. The oldest stories pertaining to them, of course we can't treat it as perfect fact, but we can at the very least get a basic idea with any luck. Then we find out the nature of the relationship between the crystals and the storm, what causes it and controls it. Since I presume either crystal or storm is older yet they are both intertwined. Even minor shreds from old tales half remembered through the generations could prove the key. Is there anything you might know pertaining to these subjects? No matter how old, mystical, or even nonsensical they may sound any shred could prove useful." He leaned forward again.

 

[UnusualStranger]

Seth shrugged, letting his shadow worry about the defensive extra that Silvana had brought along. More power because of the shadow, huh? That was an interesting thought. He then realized that Silvana wouldn't have had the shadows from before...at least, didn't have the ones that they had gotten from the trip over. He gave a small shrug, looking back at Raven for a moment.

"Not sure what the others got? So you went in as all together then? That is...interesting. Hope you got what you wanted as a a result of the....deal. Not sure if I like it so far." He said with a smirk, keeping his distance still. "But...you might want to consider getting to bed, or seeing one of those...doctors or something. Gotta be honest, you look pretty bad. Sorry if things were a little....rough in there."

Seth wasn't sure if it had really been her that he had been fighting, or if she had a rougher single trial, but it worked out all the same, since she was able to get the deal she wanted. Though, I don't think she got the same deal that we got....heh.

"So, me and Raven were going to go....out and about. See where everyone else has wandered off to...like the Prime Minister and the like. Right Raven?" Seth said with a small grin. He actually had no idea what the plan was, but it seemed like as good a reason as any to go out.

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[hr]

The shadow that Drew spoke with nodded quietly, seeming to be much more reverent about the entire situation and risk now. Shifting about, the shadow tossed around the small amount of lightning, gesturing as if to pass it to Drew.

"The danger about purpose is that you may fail without ever fulfilling the purpose. You may decide to take the wrong path to succeed, or may give up those that you thought you would be defending. Or attacking when you before would think to defend. And...the most dangerous thing about purpose is that no one has one. You are asking for something to be set in stone that no others are forced to do. It is....dangerous, and even in your success there may be little fame for it. Is purpose clear? Would you instead prefer the power? Or is a given purpose what you truly would want?"

The second shadow, now with Silvana no longer a concern, hovered about the two mages, largely more concerned with Cale's decision than what Nydia would propose. Since her deal was complete, it would rather see her out the door, but it was no concern at this point, instead seeming to try and pressure an answer out of Cale.

[hr]
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The shadow was now toying with the fires that it had been given, toying around with the energies and making it disappear as it was addressed once again by Phebe once she was finished dressing, with her tighter fitting armor and more refined weapons, it gave a small shrug.

"Just the simplest of enchantments, of course. Never needing to sharpen the weapons, a knife which can be used to start fires....and you'll note that the halberd will not snap like so many others when forced upon with an axe or blade...Not sure how many more demands you truly want, with all these things you now have. A totally different person and demon will walk out of here. Not many can claim that....actually, none can claim that! Always impressive, and I'm sure you will be proud of the changes...."

The demonic shadow blinked at the odd showering of light upon itself, being quite confused about all that was going on, and the odd bottle that was handed to it. "Wa.......huh? How....? I sound so...different." Phebe's shadow spoke, seeming to still trying to get used to the idea of communication.

"I...sound like...this? Not...half bad, Phebe...I think. What is the...need for my power? Should I keep this...body? This is so...odd. Sitting here with these...claws and weapons...." The voice was more of an echoing whisper than anything else, but it was Phebe's shadow speaking surely.

The shadow brushed aside the odd confused shadow of Phebe, and then rose out of the ground the familiar door that Phebe had initially entered through. "So there you go....a way out, with all of your enchantments and demons intact. Thank you for the simple deal...Always a pleasure, of course."

[hr]
[hr]

"You act as if all things must be done by the 'experienced' adults with all the powers. They are usually the ones blind to such things. Take more for example, I'm old and not good for much more than reading books, hearing rumors, and just an old guide. If anything, you are going to be my chance to...do something different. As for legend and myth though...." Isabella sat back thoughtfully, thumbing threw a few pages.

"There is always talk that in the crystal of trials we relive a past life. But that isn't quite right all the time...unless some of us are quite related to dragons. Most striking though? They all seem to fall back to the same thing. The storms, the ending, the big....booms that practically wiped everything we thought we deserved out. Cities brought low, many mages smashed to nothing, cities of humans just gone, caught in an inferno...Some claim they saw even more than that. Some saying the saw what happened afterwords...But the most important part is...that dealmaker fellow." Isabella sat back, leaning back in her chair to try and find another book in the shelves.

"He lingers in the world of these gems...offering whatever odd services he can to...some people. No idea why he would be like that...but nothing can be done to study the odd creature. I mostly wish that there was more to know at this point. So many questions with no answer, and so many odd things come from these gems, yet there is no way to really do anything other than assume it is for the best and keep going...though, the discovery of the new crystal means that perhaps we are misunderstanding the purpose of these crystals...." Isabella now turned in her chair, seeming to look through an area that she had looked before.

"...That instead of being guides to the past, they are...alterations maybe? Or perhaps a way to extend power beyond the simple realm of being in a location to do something? Perhaps the storm grows because we are unworth...hmph! Can't find that book. 'Shadows of a Broken World'. Interesting read, and perfect for this situation but...it isn't where it should be! Could you be a dear and help me find it?"

 

[NeoAC]

Raven was somewhat distracted while the verbal battle was going on. The more interesting one was going on behind the two, with Seth's shadow moving to defend against Silvana's more aggressive doppelganger. Wait, Silvana wasn't on the ride over with us. How come her shadow's developed a mind of it's own? Is that what she got out of the deal?

Raven was trying to think through the shadowy battle in the background and folded her arms underneath her chest. As she did so, she felt kind of hollow. Did I lose weight during that whole thing? I know it seemed like forever and there was no food, but I could have sworn I had more unwanted padding. Did that dealer do this when I asked to be healthy? No, he couldn't have. He was an asshole. But still...maybe I just need something to eat.

Right Raven?

"Huh?" Seth was talking to her. "Oh, yeah, right. Definitely. That's the plan!" What's the plan? I don't know.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

A good enough replacement. She thought to herself. In ways, even more than that.

"I'm satisfied, thank you." Phebe said. Although, if she was proud was another question. She believed there were those who would have been proud of her, but what she had done could be seen as both brave and cowardly, depending on what stance you took.

Her shadow was puzzled by the new changes. It reminded her of a child, and that frightened her, but hopefully it would get used to talking in due time.

"Yes, keep that body." She answered one of the shadow's questions. The only one she wanted too answer, and could answer. She didn't want to say that she had no need for it, even if she thought so. It had proven her wrong once already. If it remained by her side, she wouldn't be surprised if it did it again. "Let's get out of here for now, and figure out the rest later... Um." It didn't have a name that she knew of, and likely not one that was unknown to her either. Calling it shadow was impersonal, and could be confused with an actual shadow. "Lilim. I'll call you that, for now. Let's leave, Lilim."

She went for the door, and made sure Lilim came with her. "Always a pleasure." Phebe responded, then stepped through the door back to the real world. She wondered why the figure had said always, twice even, as if they'd met before.

Phebe got back to the room they had entered the trials in, and found a few other mages there. Well, not really other mages anymore, since she wasn't one. She stopped, and didn't say anything. They didn't seem to have undergone any major changes, like herself, or maybe she was too caught up in her own, too nervous, to notice at the moment.

She looked behind her back, and saw her shadow right behind her. "We're back. That was quite the ordeal."

She didn't know what to say to the mages though. She thought of things to say, but nothing came out.

 

[blaze96]

"Perhaps you are right, but that does not make the burden smaller by any means. The lot of us should tread lightly as we continue. And of course I'll help you find the tome, unfortunate to lose something so rare." Alexander said while getting up and beginning to look through the shelves.

"Well if it keeps taking people back to the same time frame, what if that were to be the key? A time of great emotion and danger to get the most out of subjects in both power and understanding their personality, maximizing it's ability to understand and manipulate the desires of the worthy to its own ends. That could explain why he only makes deals with some and not others, only those with enough to offer would be worthwhile. I mean a presumably ancient entity locked inside a crystal and sending those who come to it to a time when all was brought low then offering a deal to those it deems worthy seems a being that wouldn't exactly want to stay in such a confined and repetitive world. Or this being could even be simply transporting you into the different experiences of people from the past, then letting the scene play out with new actors. Figuring who is worthy by who acts in a most interesting way or in a way most similar to or different from the one it replaces.

But then if the entity is trying to escape the storms could be a way of preventing it, bury the thing and make it impossible to reach before the entity escapes. Though that wouldn't explain why the storms didn't start here and just bury it immediately, but any theory is worth exploration for now.

Do you have more than one crystal you can access, or just the trial crystal? If you have more than one, do they all have the entity and the scenario of the trial crystal? So many questions that could be answered if there was more than just the one. Also you mentioned odd things from the crystal, is there more than I have been told so far of their power?" He said as he began to think on what he had been told so far, still looking for the book.

 

[Mr. Omega]

Drew extended his hand out to meet him, his voice more confident. "I've had enough given purposes. I don't need to add some creepy shadow to the list of people telling me what I need to do and how much I'm failing at it. I want the power. I want to be strong enough to find my own purpose." He could feel bolts of electricity reaching out and arcing between the two of them for an instant before vanishing. "So you know what I want. What's the price?"

 

[CounterAttack]

"I think... you can either pay the price, or your shadow can pay the price. Half of your shadow right now... or giving up a chance of ever being your strongest. Do we have a deal...?"

Gabriel didn't understand the first option, and didn't fancy the second. This creature didn't seem to be the 'sharing-information' type. Maybe now was the time to build on that.

"I do not accept either option, largely because I don't know what they entail. In fact, there is a lot that I don't know about this whole endeavour. Specifically, you," he clarified, pointing a finger at the shadowy creature. "Who or what are you? What kind of power do you hold? What gives you the ability to make these changes, do the deals you do? What do you get out of them? There must be some benefit to you, making your deals and taking things that sound impossible. Years of life in Fei's case, chances at full magical strength in mine... what gives you the power - and the right - to do this sort of thing?"

Gabriel felt a surge of anger within as he spoke, and drew on it to feed his venting. Now was as good a time as any to get it out there.

"I'm not saying I'm walking away from a chance at a deal, far from it. I'm just a bit hacked off that I'm constantly left in the dark by people higher up on the metaphorical ladder. I don't even know why I was picked for this job. Just that I have 'a proper personality, skills, ideals and workings,' whatever in the Gods' name that means. So before I go any further with these deals, I want to know more. About you and your machinations, I mean. The latter part of my little tirade I will take up with someone else in due course."

I have no idea if this... thing knows the Prime Minister or not. Probably does. It's possible the man gave up something at some point. That something could have been his wings, when he had them.

 

[UnusualStranger]

Seth was rather sure that Raven had actually faded out there for a second, but her agreement was good enough for him. Giving a small shrug to Silvana, he turned only to note that another had come from the crystal, this time being...Phebe? He couldn't help but pause in his look at her. She was wearing something much more form fitting than the robes from before. It was an odd...armor of sorts, but something was different about it. And not only that, but she hadn't gone in with all those weapons, had she? Seth looked her over for a moment, but Seth's shadow seemed much more interested in the figure that came behind her.

The more well armed and somewhat demonic looking shadow, while still trying to get used to the new voice that it possessed, raised its hands almost in a peaceful method when Seth's first started off with bigger flames. After noting the odd expression, the flames instead went back down and it looked over the newly named Lilim in askance.

"I....am....me. Named...Lilim. And you are....?" Lilim asked, lowering her arms now that the threat was no longer as obvious to itself and Seth. Seth's gave a small shrug and gestured back to Seth, which made Lilim look at Phebe in askance. It was obvious that they didn't understand why they had not been answered.

This happened while Seth took full inventory of the new weapons and everything that she had, and he gave a small wave to Phebe, not really sure what else he could say at this point.

"Uh...Hey Phebe. I notice that you did a bit of...altering as well. You alright?" Seth asked, still wondering what had happened to her and her shadow in there.

[hr]
[hr]

"Slow down there Alex. Won't find the book just quickly glancing past them. Couple of them titled pretty similarly..." Isabella moved next to Alexander to look through the same row. "But I wouldn't say you will all need to tread lightly. If that was all it took, I think the good Prime Minister would have managed....whatever it is by now. I think he needs something a bit more different than his usual approach...." Isabella paused at one book, only to shake her head and keep going.

"And....maybe. The event might be the key to a lot of things. I know it is important to our history to learn all we can from that moment, because....well, so much happens. So many perspectives and ideas and changes happen in that spot. I've heard sometimes the humans killed all the mages, and....then everything ended, despite no mages to do...whatever it is they do. No offense, of course...But also worth noting is that the dealmaker isn't the one trying to escape, I think. Its this new crystal which seems to be the problem......this dealmaker fellow does seem to play out the event. Or at least watches, I think."

With the additional mentions of him perhaps doing manipulations, Isabella stopped looking through the books and grinned at Alexander. "Have you met 'King' Devon yet? If you met him, I think you would get a small taste of this shadowy figure. Not the best of people, but...well, you would see what I mean if you spoke with him. You would think he is manipulative, but it is more along the lines of hoping something will happen."

However, with the thought of the storm perhaps being used to cover the crystal, it was a new line of thinking. "Hum....Bury the crystal? We could do that ourselves but....I would think that is pretty risky on our part. Just throwing a bunch of stone and things on there would make it difficult to get back to the crystal...though, I only am really....lets say, 'allowed' to go with the trial crystal. Same with that...other odd fellow. David? Yeah, I think that's it...But, I am sure the Prime Minister has reasons for not allowing others to touch it. It is rather...ominous anyways. In a temple, with the Gods all looking over it...Though, your question about odd things is...well, I think that there is more to those trials. And especially more to that temple than simply looking at it....and...Those shadows. I'm sure you noticed them. I think they might be a key to a lot of the answers that we need. But...they don't say much. Least the ones I've seen...." Isabella went back to looking and pulled out a book.

"Not what I was looking for, but close enough. 'Artifacts and Understanding.' An odd title, but it has all sorts of little knowledge in there. Seems that in this book...crystals were more often the focus of power for magic than it was for anything else...but these crystals seem to do no such thing. I'm not expert, of course, but...maybe you think they are a focus point? Or maybe there is more to the old ways of magic than we realize...do you know about the older styles of magic?"

[hr]
[hr]

The shadow regarded Drew for a moment, extending the hand and letting it almost glow an odd blue. With the open hand, the shadow continued it's odd tone.

"The deal is a trade. Your power for this one. But...it is a dangerous gift to take, and one which takes more life than it would ever save. If the deal is acceptable for you to take this power, then it is yours for the even trade. With just a shake of the hand...And you are wise to perhaps not want another task on top of all that already goes on. Perhaps the power to make it through is what you will need...." The shadow seemed to offer nothing more, satisfied with what was said.

[hr]
[hr]

"Ooohhh...A little bit of fire in this one! You don't want to accept options because you are so.....concerned? How funny of you!" The shadow Gabriel had been venting at seemed halfway gleeful as he continued to do so, listening to the questions and shaking its head at a few others. After all the venting, the shadow sat back in it's chair, lounging once again.

"Does it look like I need a benefit? It is just....FANTASTIC to be able to make changes again! I mean, imagine how happy some people are with all these changes! You, with your unique staff! It would be quite interesting to see how you worked with the additional powers! Though, to be honest, I think this might be the WORST of places to discuss 'rights'. I don't have any 'rights', only the deals. And the people can accept them if they wish. For example....you could just ask to leave, free of charge! No strings attached, you can leave!" The shadow pulled upon the darkness, bringing out Gabriel's door as well, showing him the way out.

"And...being left in the dark is how those in power make you dance a certain way. I don't have any 'angles', to play, because for me I don't have to care, I get to WATCH! And truth be told, that is a lot better than having to do anything. So, who I am isn't very important. I am what you COULD say is....someone who can rewrite the balances of individuals. Rather than having one thing, another! Maybe you were born intelligent, and would instead want to be beautiful? It CAN be done. Those trades are something I can manage, all because I will stay here and watch! I don't know what else would be better really. I'm sure someone went for the world domination angle, but I think that would get boring in a few thousand years. I get to be new and creative EVERY time someone steps through....."

The shadow, paused, standing up to Gabriel, almost towering over him now. "But, I think that wasn't part of our deal...or was it? Would you like to trade some information in exchange for it? Such as how you feel about your newly feathered friend over there? Or maybe say something about how you have a particular....fear? Up to you, of course. I'm just here to provide a nice balance to things!"

 

[Mr. Omega]

Drew took a moment to consider. "You want my wind magic? Seems... simple." He lowered his hand slightly, thinking to himself. I wouldn't be able to fly anymore... but I'm not exactly great at it to begin with, and I've only started learning how to fly recently. I'm used to fighting with redirection, but I just prefer not to fight at all. I would miss it, but I don't really need my magic. He started to reach out, his hand almost at the shadow's right before he stopped. ...But what about Fei? We both needed to work together to use lightning before. If I lost my wind magic...

This seemed to make him hesitate more than anything else. He took a moment to weigh things in his head before finally coming to his conclusion. Sorry, Fei. One day you'll understand. He grabbed the shadow's hand, and his own hand started to glow blue. "Deal."