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

[Lambi]

Silvana agreed that she needed some rest, but she wasn't leaving just yet. Another mage stepped out, with a demonic looking shadow. Who apparently could talk. Could her own shadow talk, then? Her shadow looked back at her as if to confirm to her that she could not, as she said nothing. Maybe if she spent enough time with her shadow, it would gain the ability to talk? She honestly didn't know.

Other mages came through, one of them being the Lightdweller who had asked for the same thing as she had. It didn't matter too much to Silvana, as her main concern at the moment were all the different shadows she was seeing in addition to everyone who was stepping through now. The room wasn't too big to begin with, and with all the additional shadows, it was beginning to be a little hard to see much of what was going on.

She didn't need to see much, though, as the Prime Minister came into the room, Alexander close behind him with more shadows added to the room from the two of them. This is already starting to seem like the worse of the two options... Silvana thought before the Prime Minister informed them of their small time they had and what preparations they could make before they were to take on the task at hand.

Silvana looked at it as time to get some rest, so she, along with her own shadow, left the room and headed towards the rooms that had been made ready for them. She went into one that seemed like it had been made for her before she just closed the door and lay down on the bed, her shadow not just looking like it was standing by her room, but rather like it was standing watch, as if it was expecting trouble. Silvana didn't think much of it as she entered the dreamland. Rest would be good before the trip, and hopefully when she'd awake she could eat a bit.

 

[SkyeNeko]

Fei celebrated by herself in the background while Gabriel spoke with the shadow again. He was boring. He didn't want anything. Not even a sandwich or something. New clothes. But she had wings! And she was a little taller! It was like getting 2 wishes instead of one! She had to be like a gazillion years old now! Was she older than Drew now?

When Gabriel had mentioned that he didn't want anything, she saw the door open. The one they had gone through before. It was like a ray of light cracking open in the dark. "Come oooon Gabriel! If you don't want anything we have to go back out! Come on! I want to show everyone my wiiiings!" She went over and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the cackling shadow and into the portal.

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Fei didn't know how long it had been, but the next thing she knew, she was spit out of the door, tumbling out onto the hard floor. Was it over? The trial? She sat up and did a quick check of her arms, legs, and fingers. "Phew! I'm okay!" Even her shadow was next to her, albeit standing and unruffled.

Gabriel was spit out next, rolling to a stop right next to Fei. "Gabriel! We did it! We're out!" She looked around. "Where is everyone! Oh no! How long were we gone? What if we were gone for years, and everyone's already old and dead? Or they've already left? How do we get back to our own time? Do we have to go back in the door? Maybe we have to go in the back of the door instead of the front? What if we're in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLD???" She turned around, seeing some of the other mages and Drew and Seth. Nope, hey were in the right time. Good thing too! Otherwise who would she show her wings off to? "Drew! Dreeeew!" She got up off the floor and ran over to her brother. Now instead of being around his waist, her arms could go around his shoulders. It was kind of harder to run with her wings kinda splayed out. She wasn't sure what to do with them, or how to move them a lot. It was awkward. But they were pretty! "Look I got my wings Drew I got wiiiings! Seth look I got wings!"

 

[Mr. Omega]

Drew shrugged at Raven's question "I am kinda curious, but there's no need to be stupid about it..." he was interrupted by a sudden thud. He turned around, seeing his sister standing before him, a new set of wings now sticking out. "Fei! he cried out, smiling as he hugged her. He felt like a great weight was lifted from his shoulders, his voice now a lot more calm. "Thank the gods your ok. I knew you could handle it, sis! And you got some fancy new wings I see..." he said, looking at the wings. They certainly were a sight to behold. He was hoping to see them in motion soon.

Then he noticed that she was suddenly taller. He let her go, taking a step back and now getting a look at her. "Oh..." the smile didn't leave his face, but it was starting to look less and less sincere. "You look... great! A little different, but still great. Uh, could you excuse me?"

He then walked over to her companion, Gabriel, helping him to his feet. "So, you both made it through." he placed his hand on Gabe's shoulder. "Good job." He then stood directly in front of him. "So... you were probably offered a deal by a shadowy figure, right?"

His voice seemed a little more stressed now as he put his other hand on Gabe's other shoulder "I can tell because she looks like she changed. So do you mind if I ask a couple questions?" Before there was time for a response, Drew's hands were almost at his neck and he started violently shaking Gabe back and forth, shouting at him "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! Why does she look so different? What did that thing take from her? Did you have anything to do with this?!! Why didn't you stop it? Why didn't you stop her?!"

 

[UnusualStranger]

"I agree with the idea that the situation on the other side can't be much brighter than how our situation here is looking. But, we still have time and a chance to set things right, so it is what we must do..." As the Prime Minister stepped into the elevator, he regarded Alexander a moment as they stood inside waiting for it to go down. "You know....you have become quite the knowledgeable leader despite your objections earlier. It is good to see that you decided to step in rather than sit back and hope...well, that things went another way. Like with that Pyromancer...."

"But, at this point I can't expect you to come up with any specifics, Alexander. I have had more time than you have had, and I have yet to see anything in particular. Then again, my knowledge is more based upon humanity than magic...However, this stone you were pulled into sounds...interesting. Perhaps an answer to our problems? Most likely a bit too hopeful...but you are correct that it is something that might be of interest in taking along. Though, you say your magic made it...bigger? Not sure how we are going to be getting a bit of it when your magic didn't do anything but make it bigger....But I will see what I can do." The Prime Minister said, stepping out of the elevator to the academy once again.

"But, I do have some packages all set up for the group. Rations, herbs, some bandages....all the necessities of an adventure. I almost wish I could go along with you....but I think you'll find when you get to a point like myself, you can't exactly go off blowing holes in the walls or things like that...people tend to show a bit more concern when their leaders seem to be able to kill men just by giving them a dark look...."

The Prime Minister had seemed to reflect for a moment on that before addressing Alexander's last point. "Though, I have had a thought. You probably noticed that not all the gods are present at the particular ritual...thing that they are around. That makes me wonder why the last god is not there, why is the God of the Other Side not there? What is so special about him...? In fact, that brought up another point....you have mages of all kinds at the Academy, so are there those who follow the teachings of...The Reaver? Or practice his powers, perhaps? It just seems to be more than a coincidence that I was unable to find any mages that practice such things, and yet here we are with that god in particular missing from this equation....now, where is this rock that you were talking about before? The one that...grew with magic?"

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Lilim looked at Phebe as she spoke, seeming to try and draw a deeper meaning in the answers that she was providing. However, the ending that Phebe tried to put on the conversation seemed to make the demon slightly uncomfortable.

"But....isn't it nice to know....things? Like....Why would they hunt...you? Something wrong with you now? Broken maybe...?" She said, seeming to still try and get something new from the conversation. "I...I wish things were....simple. All this going on makes....no sense. We go...eat though?" The demon took a few steps over to the door, noting that Phebe had been slightly troubled by what they were talking about.

"It's....OK Phebe.....I'm here. Won't abandon....." She seemed to give a small bow when she said that, almost treating Phebe as if there was some sort of title that Phebe held.



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Seth turned at the mention of being Raven's boyfriend, which he couldn't help but give Drew an odd look. Yeah, that was still Drew over there, even if he did make any deals or change anything. Still, that was refreshing at least to know that he was still himself....even with Fei not being around right now. "She has a point that we are the more successful group here..." He said with a grin at Drew's mention of them together.

Seth nodded at Drew's suggestion that they shouldn't be stupid, only for the discussion to be interrupted by a tumbling Fei and Gabriel returning from the trials. He quickly made his way over to Fei, grinning as Drew tended to his sister, noting her new wings, which were somewhat...beautiful. It was a change that he thought he could approve of...until he looked closer. She seemed.....different. Older? That was...well, knowing that shadow guy, that was probably very likely. He stepped over to Fei after Drew went to tend to Gabriel.

"Hey there, Fei! You look great! I bet you chose out those wings yourself...and look at you! Growing up so fast now! You seem....taller? It seems you got all sorts of....." Seth was happily praising Fei as she stood practically beaming at how pretty her wings were, only to be suddenly interrupted by Drew.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! Why does she look so different? What did that thing take from her? Did you have anything to do with this?!! Why didn't you stop it? Why didn't you stop her?!"

Turning around quickly, Seth quickly moved next to Drew, not wanting to force him to take his hands off of Gabriel, but at least to stop him from shaking the poor kid. He wasn't going to be saying much going like that, and he...hopefully had nothing to do with Fei's odd change.

"HEY! Easy Drew! You need him somewhat coherent to answer you, and he won't do that with you shaking him like a piece of paper! Just...let him talk..." Seth said, putting his hands on Drew's arms to ultimately stop the violent shaking.

Seth's shadow in the meantime seemed to walk over to Fei's shadow, and the two seemed to look each other over for a moment, until the odd moment seemed to pass and Seth's shadow nodded, and went back to watching over Seth's shoulder at what was happening.

 

[CounterAttack]

No sooner had Gabriel been helped to his feet than Drew was practically choking him. "Get your - hands off - lunatic!" he tried to eke out before Seth thankfully intervened. Once he stopped shaking, Gabe tore himself from Drew's invading hands and stepped back, massaging one shoulder and then the other before speaking. The Airshifter's act had hurt, and it showed in Gabe's angered expression. His shadow was giving the Hydromancer a look suggested it wanted to help, but was unsure how to.

"Don't do that again. And to give you your answers, I tried. Did you think I wouldn't try to at least get her to reconsider? It's not like I'm a gods-blessed master negotiator. The deals it offered were simpler for Fei than they were for me. When I spoke up about what she wanted and the price it wanted her to pay, the shadow turned to me instead. Wouldn't give a straight answer at all, it danced around the questions thrown at it." That shadow probably gets a kick out of people who don't understand it. Like me.

"As for what Fei got out of her deal, I had nothing to do with it. If anything, I might have made the cost of those wings a little lower because I said something. So it's not as bad - as far as you seem to see it - as it could have been," Gabe finished, soon realising that he hadn't eaten in what felt like hours. Hopefully there was something available.

 

[SkyeNeko]

Fei's smile couldn't have gotten any bigger. Seth liked her wings, AND noticed she was taller. "What did you get from the man shadow thing? Did you get INVISIBLE wings!?" She skipped alongside Seth to her brother and Gabriel. "Aren't they awesometastic? I can't wait to try and fly in them. Do you think I could carry heavy things? Like like could I carry someone else?" She flapped her wings a little, stirring up a gust of wind and little else. The flapping was something you would have expected from a bird that had run into a window and broke a wing. Uncoordinated and unhelpful. Unless you were trying to blow dust around.In which case it was very helpful. She flapped her wings a little again, pretending to be an Airshifter. "Whoosh... whoosh! Look what I can do Seth! Drew? Gabriel? Look!"

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

"Hunt me?" Phebe raised her voice questioningly. "What are you talking about? Why would anyone do that?" She didn't know where Lilim had got the idea from in the first place. Maybe there had been a misunderstanding between them. Phebe didn't think anyone considered her important enough to chase after, should she disappear by her own free will.

Lilim went for the door, and told her that she wouldn't abandon her. It was a rare occurrence, but when people "abandoned" her, or more like threw her out, they had been individuals she'd not wanted to leave.

"Yeah, let's go eat." She said, but put down her halberd and bow first. She didn't need them now, unless someone planned on attacking them while they ate again.

She brought the knife with her, just in case. They walked through the hallways looking for the supposed feast. Phebe unsheathed her new knife, to have a closer look at it. He'd said it could create fire. She made sure that no one else was nearby, before dragging it along the wall, to create friction and see if any sparks would happen. At first, nothing, then the blade burst into flames. She freaked out a bit, and waved the knife around to put the fire out, eventually it died. Phebe put it back in its sheath, hoping that it hadn't attracted any attention.

They arrived in the dining hall, that seemed mostly empty. Phebe sat down at the edge of the table, after grabbing two plates of the food that were on it, stacking as much as she could without dropping them. It had been an exhausting day. Besides, soon she'd return to a physical life, not one where her mental aptitude were valued higher.

Phebe placed her feet on the table, with her boots still on and leaned back, digging in on what she thought was chicken. She wished the Prime Minister would walk in. She disliked the man, and showing some disrespect towards those who expected the opposite was fun. In a childish way.

"So, anyway, Lilim." Phebe said, while chewing. "Do you have any memories from before we met?" She was both curious and trying to think of something to talk about.

 

[blaze96]

"So far as I know there are none who follow the Reaver in the academy, either as a god or as a school of magic. If there are practitioners they are not in the school's general population or involved with the school in anything other than a clandestine way. Though if he is not present and the other gods are reacting to something in that room, and shadows could be considered an otherworldly reflection of the self...perhaps that is the connection.

What if the crystal is focusing energy that is coming from the Reaver or has some elements of Reaver magic to it? And the other gods are there because the crystal was considered dangerous and so was surrounded by effigies of the other gods to contain it or at least give warning. Then the war caused something to happen and over time the energy leaked out and is now fueling the storm. It may very well explain why there are moving shadows in the room, the connection between the storm encompassing all elements and the statues' reactions to the increased activity in such an overtly violent manner. It also fits in with the known history of the crystals and their purpose.

It would also explain the total lack of information regarding this situation from all of our angles. Neither the academy nor any human factions would go into depth on the Reaver or it's magical properties, so there would be a natural hole in anything regarding such forces." Alexander thought a little longer on it before continuing.

"As for the stone, it was used in one of the experiments in what I guess you would call your laboratory. It was just after we had parted ways, she was focusing lasers onto a small stone which simply absorbed the light and did nothing. However when I focused my light the stone absorbed my magical energy and grew toward it. If I can get a small piece I can take it with me, if not we can always put it in the room near the crystal. If nothing else it could be a kind of stopgap if my theory holds true. If the stone absorbs magic and grows it could work as a kind of container to at least possibly disrupt whatever connection the crystal and storm has. Though it would probably be a last ditch effort plan at best.

As for the supplies, they should be satisfactory given we can only work in generalities. Though I still don't like the concept of being a leader. Then again I guess most leaders who get chosen by circumstance don't like the idea."

 

[Mr. Omega]

Drew had to be pried away, letting Gabriel say what he had to say. He had time to calm down, sighing and muttering "Right, right... I know there wasn't much you really could have done..." he still wanted to blame him, but he knew it wasn't fair. He knew first hand that thing didn't give a straight answer. He turned to Fei, hiding his concern, looking at her wings.

"Not bad. Come on, sis, try and get off the ground." he tried for a second to give her an air current to use, but nothing came out. "Hm? Oh... right..." he muttered to himself before taking account of where everyone else was again. Cale and Nydia were still talking, Silvana had seemed to go off, Alexander was gone again, but Seth and Fei's shadows seemed to have entered the room. That made him wonder where his own was, but he shrugged and ignored it. He'll be fine...

He decided to at least try make amends with the other Hydromancer. "So... Gabriel... what did you want out of the trials, anyway?"

 

[UnusualStranger]

"Whew....damned...whatever it is." Seth muttered as the situation between Gabriel and Drew had settled. He knew Drew was extremely defensive of his sister, but still....the kid didn't do anything wrong other than end up with her in the trials. But, it was only reasonable, he guessed. Fei was practically his little sister too at times. It was strange, but she tended to come to him a lot with a lot of things. Like....right now, wanting to be seen with her wings.

"Heh, no Fei, I didn't get any invisible wings or anything like that. I got some experiences and things, and a chance to perhaps see how far I can go with my flames...but I didn't do any dealing. Course, I don't think I could get half as good a deal as you did." Seth watched as she tried to flap the wings that she had gotten, seeming to be doing it somewhat haphazardly. It was a start.

"Well, I don't think you are going to be picking someone like me up yet. Might want to give it some practice first, see if you can carry smaller things and then go up from there. Bet you look really pretty when the sunlight hits your wings." As Seth watched complimenting on Fei's new wings, he noted that Gabriel seemed a little...worse for wear. Glancing at him for a moment, he gave a small chuckle.

"Hungry, Gabriel? I hear back at the hall that we were in before has a bit of a feast for us to prepare for if ya are interested in partaking before the trip.

Meanwhile, Seth's shadow stepped back away from the others, deciding for the moment to take a stand next to Raven for the moment, simply watching over everything just as Raven and her shadow was at the time. He kept a careful eye on Drew for now, but otherwise made no movements, instead deciding to stay passive for the time being.

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As Lilim walked along with Phebe, she watched curiously as she rant the knife along the wall, and seemed to smile for a moment when the blade burst into flame as it had been scraped along. While Phebe gave it a few panicked swings to put it out, Lilim simply watched interested in the activities that were going on. Upon finally entering the room and again watching Phebe pile on the food and sitting, Lilim did her best to follow suit, sitting down in the chair somewhat uncomfortably as the wings took some shifting to get in place for the chair.

"Where I came from....abandoning meant hunting soon after. No free escapes, as....I was told once. You simply....fight or stay." Lilim replied, looking at the food that Phebe took a few experimental chomps. "But....should I remember something from before? This seems like an odd question....I think I should know something more, but I don't know anything that I think I should...So what do you know of me? Did you bring me here before? Were we always here?"


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"So, no followers to a god whom all seem to know well enough to fear. Quite the interesting fellow to follow, The Reaver. I'm sure you heard your fair amount of stories about the God of the Other Side as well. The one whom rather than join his fellow gods, decided to venture onward past what should be seen. To places where the other gods had not even dared to realize, even. Some say that he was the traitor god, the one that needed to exist simply because not allowing him to would cause even more hardship....But, it is beyond us at this point. With little more than guesses to guide those thoughts, we might as well hope that the storm just calms itself..." The Prime Minister mused, noting the stone that Alexander had mentioned before, and waving over the woman.

"But perhaps you are correct in that the crystal is much more of a dangerous focal point of energy, and that the statues around it are more guardians than anything else. Which means that we might have less time than I had hoped. Let me be clear, I would rather not send you through the damned thing if I could help it, but as of now I am not fresh on options, and venturing into the storm itself for answers is suicide. So we've ultimately come to this....where I send you through and hope that you can succeed where I have been unable to."

When the woman came over, the Prime Minister changed the conversation to her quickly. "I need you to get anyone you can to get a piece of that stone...whatever you need to do. Just something for me to take along..." And with that, the woman gave a slow nod and walked away.

"It's an odd thing, leading things along. But I think you can manage it just fine. You'll find that all you really need to do is make sure to not get everyone killed. A bit of a task in itself, but once you manage that, everything else tends to fall where it needs to. However, I get the feeling you wanted to discuss more than a stone that does...something. Perhaps to see the statues before the others? Maybe something else you wanted to try before you proceed? Speak your mind, Alexander, for I am listening."

 

[blaze96]

"If my theory holds, which it should given it fits all the evidence so far, then the traitor god seems more likely. Whatever the case I feel confident saying the Reaver or its magic is involved, and the statues are warning us. Working on the assumption this is true and the accelerated growth of the storm, your only idea left is also probably the best. If this is some form or invasion or attack or other form of meddling then the only option is to go through and intervene in some manner or other."

Alexander then listened as the Prime Minister spoke, smiling and thanking the woman as she walked off.

"While I would like to see the statues most certainly, if only to see if there is anything I can gleam from them. I am far more interested in the shadows in the room. You were there when I received the crystal and mentioned how my shadow had become an older version of myself. Well if a shadow is an otherworldly reflection of oneself, my shadow with its new form may act as a bridge between us and them. I'd like to see if perhaps there isn't some way my shadow might communicate with the ones in the room. I have no reason to believe it will work, and it is admittedly wild speculation, but I'd like to at least attempt it. For no other reason than should it fail, we then have one more thing to cross off the large list of possibilities." He replied.

 

[NeoAC]

The conversation that had turned into such a tepid debate was interrupted by the emergence of the latest (emphasis on late) of the mages to emerge out of the crystal portal. One was instantly recognizable, even if the name wasn't coming to mind immediately. The Water guy...what the hell was his name? Did I ever even get it? Oh well. Good for him. He made it.

It took a few seconds for the other figure to make sense. The height was all wrong and the large wings were making it difficult to see. There was no mistaking that voice though. That overly peppy, annoying voice. Is that Fei? What happened to her? She looks older then me now! Is that the kind of radical change that was on offer... She looked back over at Seth, who had moved to the new arrivals. He said he liked me as I was, but did he mean it...He said she got a good deal. I should have taken something. I should have asked for that kind of makeover. But he was so sure. He said I was perfect. She watched as Fei struggled to get liftoff with her wings, still fumbling around with the new appendages. At least she's still as clueless as ever. Guess even otherworldly forces can't change that. Seth mentioning food got Raven's attention though.

"Well if there is food on offer, I'd like to partake as soon as possible," she stated. "They weren't offering any refreshments while we were bringing about the end of the world in there."

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Uninterested in food, Raven's shadow drifted over to where Seth's shadow hung, over the Nightshade. The blue eyes from before emerged once again, looking worried. The dark creature seemed to be looking to Seth's shadow for some kind of confirmation or guidance on behalf of her partner.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Lilim's response puzzled her. In one moment she talked about the place she had come from, a home maybe, in the next she asked Phebe if she knew anything about it, as if she had forgotten the rest. She pitied her if that was the case. Phebe had some painful memories of her home and family, but she'd not wish them erased for anything in the world. A person's memories made them who they were, and without them they'd be an empty husk, kind of like Lilim she supposed. Had Lilim been something more once?

"I don't know much of anything about you. We were here, before heading into the trials."

Phebe had to pause and mull over the last question. She assumed it was more of philosophical one, rather than a literal question. Unless Lilim's mind was regressing, it would make no sense to ask if they'd always been there, since they just arrived. She thought about it while doing her best to finish her first plate.

"Perhaps we were. Perhaps we've even met before. My people believe in rebirth, so I suppose it is a possibility. We could have been somewhere else too, like a different plane or time of existence. We just arrived here though, like yesterday or something, if that was the question."

Phebe wasn't done asking her own questions. Lilim's answer had only sparked her curiosity. "I think you should be able to remember more, if you can remember that. It sounds like a tiny fraction of something that could be much bigger. Why wouldn't you have more memories than what someone told you? Who was that person? What was that place like?"

She would make sure to remember to see if she could find a good cure for amnesia, later, if that was what Lilim had.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

"And yourself? Did you make a deal with the shadow?"

Cale hesitated, watching his shadow react interestingly to the others coming out of the trials. And he didn't help but notice the changes too. Parts of people's shadows were missing or even changed. He wondered what exactly the purpose of these shadows were and why that shadow took such interests in theirs. Then his concentration drifted back to Nydia.

"Oh... I didn't have the guts really." Cale nervously said. "It was a matter of information I wanted to know but I decided it was something that was better left unknown. Sometimes the truth will hurt you and at what cost?" Cale sighed. He partially regretted not pushing to know why he was abandoned but like he said, some things were better off not knowing.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to be so sullen. How was your deal?"

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

Cale appeared to be lost in thought while gazing at the others so Nydia turned her attention to them as well. She was relieved to see that everyone had made it safely, but the changes of appearances in both people and shadows told her that she hadn't been the only one to make a deal. None of them seemed any worse off though so perhaps the deals were truly harmless after all. After a bit, Cale responded and so Nydia turned her attention back to him as well.

"Ah, no need to apologize. Pardon me for bringing up such a difficult subject." Nydia replied bowing slightly in apology. She had no idea what it was he wanted to be know, and would never be so rude as to inquire given his current mood, but she could imagine how frustrating it must be to have that information so close.

She didn't have any words that would be of comfort to him to her chagrin so she moved to change the subject and answer his question instead. "Ah, I haven't done any magic since to see if I truly have become stronger but I feel... Quite well so I suppose it was a success. As for my price.... Well as of yet it hardly feels like a price at all." She said, her gaze turning towards her shadow. Thus far the only difference she had noticed was the clothes that Shadow Nydia wore, though she seemed a bit more... independant with her reactions to Cale and interest in the other shadows. Though if that were the only change than she would count herself lucky.

 

[UnusualStranger]

The Prime Minister gave a few low nods as he listened to Alexander, not seeming quite as pleased when Alexander seemed to agree with his assessment of the portal, but nodded all the same at the information. However, the note that perhaps the shadow and gem that the Prime Minister had ultimately had Alexander use seemed to brighten his mood slightly at the idea.

"Well, at least something good is coming out of all the work that we seem to be doing down here. Forgive my expression, but I do not appreciate the idea of sending you mages through a portal that may have an army waiting on the other side. It would be a poor way to start off any defense if the magic users close by all are wiped out due to foolish thinking. But, of course our choices are not exactly widespread, and we still lack any luxury of doing much else but moving forward..." The Prime Minister said, now making his way to the back where the large steel door that they had entered through first when seeing the portal room.

"...Speaking of moving forward, I feel the need to ask if you think there is any particular material or...thing that I can seek to provide to augment your powers? Perhaps to better prepare you for what lies ahead? I imagine it is just the thought now that makes me wonder the topic, but again I would not see you unprepared for the trip. Like...perhaps your shadow could use some form of assistance? I can't claim to have all the information really needed, seeing as they are only about when in this room. However..." As the doors went onward to shift, bringing them into darkness and allowed entrance to the other room, the Prime Minister began stepping into the ritualistic room.

"...there is always something going on in here. For example...why is it that the God of the Flames no longer seems concerned with the others? Has he resigned his fate? Given up on all this already? To be honest, I would be certain that the God of Shadows would be first to turn if that did happen....

True enough, it seemed that all of the Statues in the room seemed to have entered a stance more bent on defending themselves, with all seeming to give off their power more obviously. Small lights, water dripping, pebbles bouncing away, darkness gathering, and the wind blowing. However, the flames of the God of Fire seemed to only simmer about him, not really in a move to strike, more of a way of patience.

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"Well, the taste of battle is OK, but yeah, I think I would prefer something a bit more...tasteful to eat and drink rather than that." Seth replied to Raven, deciding that perhaps things had cooled off sufficiently enough for him to trust that Drew wasn't going to turn around and start murdering the poor water mage. Or him. With that said though, he felt it be a bit more proper to perhaps go with Raven. It was odd, but it just seemed....right. Stepping over to where she stood, he gave a small nod.

"No time like the present to get something to enjoy then? Here, I'll get the door." Seth continued, stepping over to push the door open, taking a quick glance down the hallway. Awfully quiet for what appeared to be such a booming city....

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Seth's shadow, in the meantime, seemed to react with Raven's own, giving a small nod towards the shadow as his eyes seemed to get some color of their own, and the shadow seemed to move a hand as if to place it upon her shoulder, only to pause when Seth made his way past, turning to look at the Shadow Raven now for guidance, seeming to show some concern as if looking for a sign as to that is what they should have been doing.

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Lilim seemed a bit more confused by the answers that Phebe was providing, seeming to leave more gaps as to what was going on, where she ultimately belonged, or who was exactly telling her what. With an oddly dazed look, the demonic woman sat down, seeming to try and contemplate the new questions and info.

"Well...memories are like the night, you can see what is right next to you, but take a few steps away and it isn't even like its there until you go back to it...I think that is how the saying goes? He was always really bad at that, saying things and making comparisons that were bad. Like that one didn't make any sense, right? Course, tell him that and he'd go....Uh...I don't know. But he would say something." Lilim said, seeming to get lost as she began to try and think of the details.

"But it was nice though. Would you like it there? It was a pretty big place, lots of animals and things. Lots of danger. It was a good thing he was there though. Lots of fun skills, even if he was a filthy magic user. But he was alright, despite all the otherworldly powers and...looked so nice. Treated me nice too. Wonder what he would think of this....?" Lilim stopped, and then seemed to look directly into Phebe.

"And where do you come from? Is there something about you I should know or you want to share? I think...I should know you, but here I am and I don't know."

[hr]
[hr]

The shadow of Nydia seemed to regard her, almost seeming to give a small nod at the thought of the deal happening, and for the deal that she cut not having much of an effect. However, when the shadows of both Raven and Seth seemed to be somewhat annoyed at the display. In fact, she almost seemed to want to go over there to interact, but taking a few steps, and then pausing to regard Cale and his own shadow again seemed to make the shadow pause.

Ultimately, she stepped close once again, seeming to be much more on the defensive about the others, and not bothering to take into consideration how it appeared to the other mages, or to Nydia.

Cale's own shadow seemed to just watch for a moment, before taking its own step behind Cale, somewhat in a more support role, and somewhat to keep a more concealed eye on the now seemingly much more defensive and obvious Shadow of Nydia.

 

[CounterAttack]

"So... Gabriel... what did you want out of the trials, anyway?"

"I didn't get anything from the trials. The prices were too imbalanced against me, probably regardless of what I would ask for," Gabriel explained. Although... maybe something has been gained regardless of the dealings with that weird shadow. The thought made him glance over at Fei, his eyes lingering for a second before he blinked and looked away.

"Hungry, Gabriel? I hear back at the hall that we were in before has a bit of a feast for us to prepare for if ya are interested in partaking before the trip." Seth's suggestion sounded good.

"Right. Food... yes, food is a good plan. Missed breakfast for this. Thanks for the heads-up." Interested more in getting something to eat than continuing the current conversations, Gabriel hurried out of the room and towards the hall. His shadow, silent as ever, gave Drew and Seth a small shrug before it followed at a slightly slower pace.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Filthy magic user?

Phebe disregarded the comment for now. Although, it made a slight grin appear on her lips. She thought that Lilim's own description of memories was true, then she found out it wasn't hers at all. Someone else had told her that. Lilim seemed to think it was stupid. Huh.

"Oh, it sounds just like my kind of place." Phebe laughed, and took a large bite from a piece of meat. She was curious about who the man that Lilim kept refering to had been. Had they been lovers? That was the impression she got from listening to Lilim.

"Mphfhmm." She said, when Lilim looked her in the eyes and asked about her past, and her home. She finished chewing and swallowed. "Sorry."

"I come from the south, or maybe the west. I'm not sure, and it doesn't matter where from, as much as from what, I suppose. I grew up in a nomadic tribe. We never stayed that long in one place, just enough to hunt, gather the things we needed and maybe sometimes grow crops, but then we'd still be on the move. Except for when the weather got too cold. I guess you could call it winter, but I've experienced colder climates after I was banished. I was thrown out of my tribe, and my family, when they found out that I had the curse. It's what they called elementals." Phebe decided to leave out the part where she had caused the death of her father, and set the tribe's camp on fire.

"After that, I was on my own for a time. I would probably have died if I had been raised by someone else, or in other circumstances, but it was more like a test of everything I had learnt. It was scary, and it was lonely, but at the same time exhilarating. I might have stayed like that for years, if I'd been luckier with my catch and all that. Instead I had to resort to stealing at times, whenever I found a town. Another elementalist discovered me in one of those towns, and brought me to the academy. I didn't have much of a choice."

If she'd go into details it would take much longer, and there were details she didn't want to disclose to anyone.

"Well, I know a little more about you too. I think you were human once, but I've no idea how you ended up the way you are now." Phebe grinned again, and put her hand against her chest. "I do hope you've no issue with being around a previous filthy magic user, or you know, all the others we're currently with."

 

[blaze96]

"Well the gods could be a kind of timer. Or perhaps representatives of something more. Perhaps the god of fire is patiently waiting. He could be waiting for whatever it is to pass through before he strikes, or be a kind of timer and more and more gods will enter a reserved stance as things get worse and worse. Though....what if the gods are representatives of some wards. With the god of fire's being the first line of defense. It would act as a way to generate more haste and preparation among us to do whatever we are going to do. If they are representatives of wards it would also connect this to the increased rate of expansion of the storm." Alexander lost himself in thought for a moment before continuing.

"As for objects that could augment my power. I can think of nothing. However right now we should focus on hurrying to move on. I would sincerely suggest you start preparations to try and get some of your people to some form of safe haven if you can. If nothing else try to clear out cities as best you can. Should we fail, they will become deathtraps in the storm.

 

[Mr. Omega]

Drew had slipped away while Gabriel and Seth spoke, heading near the exit. He noticed Cale and Nydia talking, sticking close to them. He had to admit, he was curious about how this would play out. He was the only one there to hear Cale ask the shadow for information, and it did interest him. Still, perhaps not the best thing to ask about... maybe he'll share it with her... That notion was quickly shot down, and he shrugged. Must be a touchy subject...

He then took a look around seeing that everyone else's shadows were starting to gather around. "Hey... where's mine?" he said to himself, starting to walk to the dining hall. "Food first. Then shadow."

[hr]

Drew's shadow had drifted its way into the dining hall, spotting Phebe and Lilim, observing the peculiar shadow. Or at least he assumed she was a shadow. Whatever she was, he wanted to see if he could learn how it had learned to speak.