Sandbox Ragnarok: Phase Two

[Yun Lee]

"Damn it!" Remy watched the scene, unsure of what exactly he could do against a literal dragon. Sure, if he could use magic that'd make things easier, but only Rio could do that. He had to be able to do something...

He looked down at the artifact in his hands, and tried to scan the area for anything useful it could do here. Otherwise, he'd just have to avoid a dragon for the time being.

@Atomic Knight (at work so cant tag everyone orz)​

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

Maple was hyperventilating, the sudden force of chill caused her to close her jacket up and she had to hold onto the wall. If it was one thing she hated more then the heat..Actually, it couldn’t be as bad as when she got thrown into a icy lake right?

Who was she kidding, she hated the cold still.

She had to do something, otherwise she was going to be frozen, and the two over there would be dead. So the wall was solid for most of them right? An artefact over the wall and to the barrier?

“Wait..I might be able teleport with the artefact over, but teleporting with a item takes a toll on my body. But still, I have to try. If, or more likely, when I pass out, please don’t leave me.”

She couldn’t believe it, she was helping out a bunch of..who again? Strangers? It wasn’t even out of her heart that she wanted to teleport over and get the item over to the barrier, it was an obligation to her.

Still, does that make a difference?
@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight @MelodyMeister​

Mikleo and Seres seemed to strop writhing upon receiving healing but both did not seem to be getting better.

"Neither you or I were touching the artifact when we passed through the wall!" Sorey yelled to Schala. "That might not do anything!"

Seres suddenly let go of Schala, shaking her head. "It's not enough!" she cried. "It's too much...!" Grunting, she reached out and pulled Mikleo toward her and started to glow. She whispered something into his ear before pushing him back toward Schala. "Get him to the Shepherd!" Seres yelled, her skin turning a pallid grey.

"Seres!" Artorius roared, looking both frightened and angry. "What have you... No!"

Wisps of dark smoke began to leak from Seres' body, obscuring her from view. The dark smoke was like tar bubbling over, consuming Seres entirely. To any observer who did not recognize what was happening, Sere seemed to be dead. However, what was truly happening was something worse. The black mass surrounding Seres began to expand rapidly and form a large distinct shape. It turned red, almost looking like a lizard, but then it sprouted wings, looking far more formidable.

"The malevolence has corrupted her... turned her into a dragon," said Artorius, affixed in place.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

Will had never been one to remain stationary when things got rough. She didn't know how to figure out the puzzle leading to this room, but once the others caught her up to speed, she knew she had to play her part.

That time had come.

Will could feel the evil dripping out of every pore from this beast. The ally the group had lost was also important, so Wil had to make sure she was very careful. She could feel Seres, soul, fighting against the black that threatened to consume her. The darkness had taken form, into the guise of a deadly dragon.

She had seen this done before. Thankfully, she could subdue the beast without killing or harming Seres in any way.

The Keeper stepped forwards, her hands crackling with Quintessence. In her best leader voice, she gave out a simple command.

"You guys did your part. Now it's my turn. Everybody step back. I'll handle this."


@Lucky @Ver @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister

"No... No!" Sorey banged uselessly against the transparent wall, watching the events unfold before him. Mikleo was still hanging on, probably thanks to both Schala's efforts and whatever Seres had done. Likely, she had given her life force to Mikleo, though why she had done that was lost on Sorey. The woman had barely spoken a word before now, and then suddenly she did something so selfless, that Sorey could not believe it. Tears filled his eyes, both out of regret and gratefulness.

If Seres retained any of her former self, no one could tell once as she roared so loud it even drown out the sound of the blowing wind. Fire streamed from her mouth, threatening the group in the enclosed space.

"Very well, Seres," said Artorius, sounding eerily calm. He drew his sword with a flourish that blew away the fire.

"You chose your path, but I will not sway from mine!"

Artorius did not heed Will's request and ran at Seres, swinging his sword to cut at her scaled skin, causing the dragon to roar in anger.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

"Damn it!" Remy watched the scene, unsure of what exactly he could do against a literal dragon. Sure, if he could use magic that'd make things easier, but only Rio could do that. He had to be able to do something...

He looked down at the artifact in his hands, and tried to scan the area for anything useful it could do here. Otherwise, he'd just have to avoid a dragon for the time being.

@Atomic Knight (at work so cant tag everyone orz)​

Schala Zeal
@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight @MelodyMeister

Schala's head was beginning to pound from her exertion, but... She didn't want to stop, she couldn't stop; she had to keep the malevolence from affecting the two that were the most sensitive here at least.

Unfortunately, even despite her efforts, Seres was unable to fight it any longer... Causing it to transform her into a dragon.

Once she was able to grab hold of Mikleo again though, she made sure to keep a tight grip, continuing to help him fight off the malevolence as long as she could. Cure was only going to help so much; she had to do something... Now...

Turning towards the dragon that was once Seres, she let out a desperate shout, hoping she could somehow reach out to Seres, if she was still in that dragon... Somewhere...

"Seres...! You have to fight it!... Please... Don't succumb to the Malevolence!" She shouted, most likely in futility.

With one hand free now, Schala began to reflect upon what Seres said before her transformation... Get him to the Shepherd...

It was then that it hit her; the reason these ruins likely had an audience... It was that thing on the Pedestal! The Shephard that guided a countless many here!

Praying that her theory was correct, she sought to attempt to back towards the barrier before the altar, placing a hand upon it as she attempted to enter the barrier once more. This time, she knew better than to attempt to seal whatever was on that altar, but if she could just get Mikleo in there... With Sorey... Maybe... Just maybe... They could contain the malevolence somehow.

She just had to make sure Mikleo didn't succumb to the malevolence too, even if it took all that she had in her...​

 

[Ver]

"Is it too late for her?! If so, if we all work together, we'll be able to purify her! Sorey, please lend us your power! If we don't act, we'll never be able to put Ms. Seres at peace!" Alisha exclaimed regrettably, clutching her lance and swiftly dashing to the dragon's side opposite to Artorius's position, magical energy charging at the tip of her weapon.

"Demon Fang!"

With an upward swing at the air, an energy projectile was conjured and launched from Alisha's tip, the arte manifesting and snaking along the ground as it made its way toward the one they once knew as Seres, resulting in a small boom, with Alisha intending to draw the dragon's attention while Artorius and the others went to work.

@Atomic Knight @Hahli Nuva @York @Yun Lee @Takumi @Jeremi @Lucky @MelodyMeister @Gummi Bunnies​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

Will rolled her eyes mentally. Sure, just ignore her. But given the situation, she could forgive them. She wasn't the leader of this group after all.

That being said, having an actual plan would be better than just attacking wildly. Will felt Seres fighting, attempting to hold off the darkness. She couldn't tell how long the girl had, but Will could at least buy her some time.

Channeling Quintessence in her hand, the very energy of life itself, Will conjured up a ball and threw it right at the beast, hoping to throw it off guard. Seres was still in there, and so Will couldn't just erase the beast from this plane of existance. To do so woul dbe killing a former ally.

@Atomic Knight @York @Gummi Bunnies @Ver @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Lucky @MelodyMeister @Lucky

 

[Atomic Knight]

Sorey leaned uselessly against the wall, knowing that no matter how many times he slammed against it, it was not going to give. He didn't know if this was meant to be a trap or if the malevolence had caused this, but either way, the situation could not get any worse. He felt a pain in his chest watching some of the group try to save Seres from the malevolence. He knew the truth of the matter and they needed to know too.

"Everyone, you don't understand!" he yelled. "When seraphim turn into dragons, they... there's..." Sorey closed his eyes, thinking about Edna's brother, Eizen, and the harsh reality of the fate that seraphim like him face. Perhaps things were different outside the world Sorey knew, or maybe something in the multiverse did exist to save individuals like Eizen, but for now, here in these ruins, there was no fixing this.

"Not all malevolence can be purified... and Seres can't be saved! Seraphim who turn into dragons, they can never be turned back! I'm... I'm so sorry!"

Seres flapped her wings, sending out a shockwave that attempted to push those closest to her back up against the walls of the room. The energy ball that Will threw caused Seres to throw her head back and roar. She hovered off the ground and aimed flaming balls of fire at will.

"Sorey is right," Artorius said, having little to say beyond that. For him, the conclusion of this had been set the moment Seres made the decision to give her life for Mikleo's.

As Schala pulled Mikleo closer to Sorey, the two boys reach out for each other and placed their hands against the wall. They were so close, but perhaps it was enough. A light began to emit between them, growing with intensity every few seconds.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[Gummi Bunnies]

❝ ... UNDERSTOOD. ❞ Dlanor spoke only one word in response. Unlike the others, she didn't seem to show any emotional reaction to these developments. The worst has happened, and it became clear from Sorey's explanation that this was impossible to change back. In any case, the inquisitor could only do one thing in this situation, which was to eliminate the new threat that sprouted from Seres's transformation into a dragon.

❝ Permission to use the Red Key GRANTED. ❞ A sword glowing red appeared in her hand. The only reasonable course of action here was to defeat the dragon. Going from that logic, she already got herself the permission from the Court of Heaven to deploy the Red Key, a weapon that was alike to a death sentence. Despite it's usual use to execute those that were unruly, Dlanor saw this as the quickest way to put Seres down, and to make her death painless.

Leaping up, Dlanor swung the Red Key downwards at Seres, seeing how the Witch-killing weapon would fare against a dragon.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Atomic Knight @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[Jeremi]

Sorey leaned uselessly against the wall, knowing that no matter how many times he slammed against it, it was not going to give. He didn't know if this was meant to be a trap or if the malevolence had caused this, but either way, the situation could not get any worse. He felt a pain in his chest watching some of the group try to save Seres from the malevolence. He knew the truth of the matter and they needed to know too.

"Everyone, you don't understand!" he yelled. "When seraphim turn into dragons, they... there's..." Sorey closed his eyes, thinking about Edna's brother, Eizen, and the harsh reality of the fate that seraphim like him face. Perhaps things were different outside the world Sorey knew, or maybe something in the multiverse did exist to save individuals like Eizen, but for now, here in these ruins, there was no fixing this.

"Not all malevolence can be purified... and Seres can't be saved! Seraphim who turn into dragons, they can never be turned back! I'm... I'm so sorry!"

Seres flapped her wings, sending out a shockwave that attempted to push those closest to her back up against the walls of the room. The energy ball that Will threw caused Seres to throw her head back and roar. She hovered off the ground and aimed flaming balls of fire at will.

"Sorey is right," Artorius said, having little to say beyond that. For him, the conclusion of this had been set the moment Seres made the decision to give her life for Mikleo's.

As Schala pulled Mikleo closer to Sorey, the two boys reach out for each other and placed their hands against the wall. They were so close, but perhaps it was enough. A light began to emit between them, growing with intensity every few seconds.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

Liara sat up a biotic barrier so that Mikleo and Sorey wouldn't be interrupted. "Whatever you're doing it seems to be working! I'll try to cover for you!"

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister

 

[Atomic Knight]

The blade cut deeply through the dragon's skin, causing Seres to roar in pain. She used her to tail to swipe at the fighters, but the enclosed space had her at a disadvantage.

Amidst this, just for a brief moment, Sorey was able to put his hand through the wall, allowing him to take Mikleo by the hand. The pair disappeared in a flash of light, only to then be replaced by a single shining entity.

"We have this," Sorey said, turning around and notching an arrow of water in his ancient bow. He yelled, shooting at the altar and dispersing the black wind. Light filled the room, fully dissipating the malevolence. Sorey then stepped through the wall and took aim at Seres, though he hesitated.

"... Why did it have to be like this?" he asked. He waited, eventually closing his eyes and letting Seres' roars fill his ears. Ignoring the pain in his chest, Sorey let the arrow fly, refusing to watch as it pierced through Seres. The dragon collapsed from the attack and began to smoke. In a matter of moments, she was little more than black smoke that evaporated into the air.

Sorey and Mikleo split and Mikleo fell into Sorey's arms. "Who could have expected... such a surge of malevolence?" said the seraph.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[Ver]

"Seres... This place... really is a hive of evil," Alisha could only say with a heavy heart, a downcast expression on her face. Human, seraph, a loss like this was always awfully tragic. She shut her eyes for a brief moment, as though attempting to shut out tears, before looking toward the two boys beside her, letting out a shaky breath.

"Still... We have to keep going," she said, carrying a voice that was clearly hesitant about her own suggestion, "To stop here would be a disservice to her memory. Isn't... Isn't that right, Shepherd Artorius?"

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

"Is it too late for her?! If so, if we all work together, we'll be able to purify her! Sorey, please lend us your power! If we don't act, we'll never be able to put Ms. Seres at peace!" Alisha exclaimed regrettably, clutching her lance and swiftly dashing to the dragon's side opposite to Artorius's position, magical energy charging at the tip of her weapon.

"Demon Fang!"

With an upward swing at the air, an energy projectile was conjured and launched from Alisha's tip, the arte manifesting and snaking along the ground as it made its way toward the one they once knew as Seres, resulting in a small boom, with Alisha intending to draw the dragon's attention while Artorius and the others went to work.

@Atomic Knight @Hahli Nuva @York @Yun Lee @Takumi @Jeremi @Lucky @MelodyMeister @Gummi Bunnies​

Will rolled her eyes mentally. Sure, just ignore her. But given the situation, she could forgive them. She wasn't the leader of this group after all.

That being said, having an actual plan would be better than just attacking wildly. Will felt Seres fighting, attempting to hold off the darkness. She couldn't tell how long the girl had, but Will could at least buy her some time.

Channeling Quintessence in her hand, the very energy of life itself, Will conjured up a ball and threw it right at the beast, hoping to throw it off guard. Seres was still in there, and so Will couldn't just erase the beast from this plane of existance. To do so woul dbe killing a former ally.

@Atomic Knight @York @Gummi Bunnies @Ver @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Lucky @MelodyMeister @Lucky

Sorey leaned uselessly against the wall, knowing that no matter how many times he slammed against it, it was not going to give. He didn't know if this was meant to be a trap or if the malevolence had caused this, but either way, the situation could not get any worse. He felt a pain in his chest watching some of the group try to save Seres from the malevolence. He knew the truth of the matter and they needed to know too.

"Everyone, you don't understand!" he yelled. "When seraphim turn into dragons, they... there's..." Sorey closed his eyes, thinking about Edna's brother, Eizen, and the harsh reality of the fate that seraphim like him face. Perhaps things were different outside the world Sorey knew, or maybe something in the multiverse did exist to save individuals like Eizen, but for now, here in these ruins, there was no fixing this.

"Not all malevolence can be purified... and Seres can't be saved! Seraphim who turn into dragons, they can never be turned back! I'm... I'm so sorry!"

Seres flapped her wings, sending out a shockwave that attempted to push those closest to her back up against the walls of the room. The energy ball that Will threw caused Seres to throw her head back and roar. She hovered off the ground and aimed flaming balls of fire at will.

"Sorey is right," Artorius said, having little to say beyond that. For him, the conclusion of this had been set the moment Seres made the decision to give her life for Mikleo's.

As Schala pulled Mikleo closer to Sorey, the two boys reach out for each other and placed their hands against the wall. They were so close, but perhaps it was enough. A light began to emit between them, growing with intensity every few seconds.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

❝ ... UNDERSTOOD. ❞ Dlanor spoke only one word in response. Unlike the others, she didn't seem to show any emotional reaction to these developments. The worst has happened, and it became clear from Sorey's explanation that this was impossible to change back. In any case, the inquisitor could only do one thing in this situation, which was to eliminate the new threat that sprouted from Seres's transformation into a dragon.

❝ Permission to use the Red Key GRANTED. ❞ A sword glowing red appeared in her hand. The only reasonable course of action here was to defeat the dragon. Going from that logic, she already got herself the permission from the Court of Heaven to deploy the Red Key, a weapon that was alike to a death sentence. Despite it's usual use to execute those that were unruly, Dlanor saw this as the quickest way to put Seres down, and to make her death painless.

Leaping up, Dlanor swung the Red Key downwards at Seres, seeing how the Witch-killing weapon would fare against a dragon.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Atomic Knight @York @MelodyMeister​

Liara sat up a biotic barrier so that Mikleo and Sorey wouldn't be interrupted. "Whatever you're doing it seems to be working! I'll try to cover for you!"

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister

The blade cut deeply through the dragon's skin, causing Seres to roar in pain. She used her to tail to swipe at the fighters, but the enclosed space had her at a disadvantage.

Amidst this, just for a brief moment, Sorey was able to put his hand through the wall, allowing him to take Mikleo by the hand. The pair disappeared in a flash of light, only to then be replaced by a single shining entity.

"We have this," Sorey said, turning around and notching an arrow of water in his ancient bow. He yelled, shooting at the altar and dispersing the black wind. Light filled the room, fully dissipating the malevolence. Sorey then stepped through the wall and took aim at Seres, though he hesitated.

"... Why did it have to be like this?" he asked. He waited, eventually closing his eyes and letting Seres' roars fill his ears. Ignoring the pain in his chest, Sorey let the arrow fly, refusing to watch as it pierced through Seres. The dragon collapsed from the attack and began to smoke. In a matter of moments, she was little more than black smoke that evaporated into the air.

Sorey and Mikleo split and Mikleo fell into Sorey's arms. "Who could have expected... such a surge of malevolence?" said the seraphim.

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

"Seres... This place... really is a hive of evil," Alisha could only say with a heavy heart, a downcast expression on her face. Human, seraph, a loss like this was always awfully tragic. She shut her eyes for a brief moment, as though attempting to shut out tears, before looking toward the two boys beside her, letting out a shaky breath.

"Still... We have to keep going," she said, carrying a voice that was clearly hesitant about her own suggestion, "To stop here would be a disservice to her memory. Isn't... Isn't that right, Shepherd Artorius?"

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

Schala Zeal
@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight @MelodyMeister

As soon as Mikleo and Sorey were able to make contact with each other, Schala let go... Collapsing onto the ground for a moment as she struggled to recover from the strain from fighting the malevolence with her cure spell.

Forcing herself to her feet, her gaze met the dragon that was once Seres, what Sorey and Artorious was saying finally hitting home; Seres was gone, forever. This wasn't the kind of malevolence that could be purified.

Even knowing this... Part of her wondered if she could have reversed this somehow... Had she acted faster... Been stronger... Had she been able to seal whatever was on that altar in time.

"No...! Seres... I'm... Sorry..." She said weakly, only managing to raise a hand before the dragon was slain thanks to the efforts of those in the group.

Perhaps, if Schala hadn't hesitated to strike the dragon with lightning, she might have contributed to Seres' ultimate end... But... She just didn't have to heart to do it; no matter what shape or what form... Seres was still Seres, and somehow... She just couldn't bring herself to put an end to her fast enough, even corrupted by malevolence as she was.

For a while, Schala lay on the ground, in an effort to collect herself, before she finally raised her head when Alisha spoke up, addressing Artorious as the Shepherd. It was then that the realization of what Seres had been trying to say hit her...

Had there been another way? Had she brought Mikleo towards Artorious instead, could she have saved Seres?

Feelings of guilt, and regret wracked her mind for a while as she followed this train of thought... But... Once she remembered what kind of force was still on that Altar nearby, she realized she couldn't remain this way... Not just for her sake, but for the sake of those around her... After all, Malevolence naturally fed off of negative emotions, and she wasn't about to provide any more if she could help it... Not here... Not now...

Eventually, she found the strength to speak, her thoughts turning to the nature of these ruins.

"But... What happened here? To the people that once... Resided in this place. It's strange that there is such a strong, active source of Malevolence, even after this place fell to ruin..." She said quietly.

Her eyes darted around the room as she searched for some way to continue forwards through these ruins. Of course there was that option of interacting, or attempting to enter the source of malevolence on that altar... But... She would rather not do so if there were any other options available to them.​

 

[Atomic Knight]

"... You are right, Alisha," Artorius replied, maintaining a stone-cold expression as he sheathed his sword. "Sorey is right as well in that not even he is capable of purifying all kinds of malevolence. No known being can wipe malevolence away completely. That is the nature of our reality; one that I hope to change."

He looked to the transparent wall, noticing that it was shimmering once more. "The source of the malevolence was the altar. We must investigate it. As for how we enter, I believe Sorey has an idea."

Sorey had been staring at the spot where Seres had once been, knowing that this was not the first time, nor the last, that he would have to face this situation. After a deep breath, he turned and supported Mikleo in walking toward the transparent wall. Once on the other side, he held a hand out to the others. "I don't know why exactly," he said, "but some of us seem able to pass through this. I believe if you take my hand, I can pull everyone through."

Artorius held up a hand, signaling for everyone to hold on.

"Before we continue, I have a question for you all, one that I'd like you to think on. The question is: Why is it, you think, that birds fly?"

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[York]

"... You are right, Alisha," Artorius replied, maintaining a stone-cold expression as he sheathed his sword. "Sorey is right in that not even he is capable of purifying all kinds of malevolence. No known being can wipe malevolence away completely. That is the nature of our reality; one that I hope to change."

He looked to the transparent wall, noticing that it was shimmering once more. "The source of the malevolence was the altar. We must investigate it. As for how we enter, I believe Sorey has an idea."

Sorey had been staring at the spot where Seres had once been, knowing that this was not the first time, nor the last, that he would have to face this situation. After a deep breath, he turned and supported Mikleo in walking toward the transparent wall. Once on the other side, he held a hand out to the others on the other side. "I don't know why exactly," he said, "but some of us seem able to pass through this. I believe if you take my hand, I can pull everyone through."

Artorius held up a hand, signaling for everyone to hold on.

"Before we continue, I have a question for you all, one that I'd like you to think on. The question is: Why is it, you think, that birds fly?"

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

Schala Zeal
@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight @MelodyMeister

Artorius's question provoked a considerable amount of thought in Schala's mind... But at last, she spoke, not hesitating too much with her answer.

"My mother once told me they fly because it was their destiny. They were made to soar high in the sky. Just like our Kingdom." She said, a frown crossing her face.

"But I knew it was a lie; birds don't fly just because they were made to... Or born to. They evolved to fly, that much is true... But it was their parents that taught them to fly in the end... By pushing them forwards, on the path to flying." She added quietly.

Perhaps it wasn't the answer Artorious was looking for, but it was the best one she had at the moment... There was still so much she had left to learn about the world around her. Not just in the derpartment of malevolence, or magic... But even the bare basics... Something her mother had deprived of her for so long, in her one track persuit for power.​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

Will had deflected the fireballs easily enough, but when the boy struck the beast dead with his magic arrows, she felt the former ally of theirs disappear as well. This event seemed to have a strong effect on some of the party members. It looked as if they had just lost a dear friend.

As tragic as that was, they needed to move on. Perhaps, they could find the source of this evil and put an end to it for good. Will took a deep breath and recollected herself before hearing Artorious ask his question. Will didn't understand why he asked why birds flew. Didn't he know? The answer seemed simple enough, although Will figured he was looking for a specific response.

Sadly, she didn't have that information. But she could offer her two cents.

"I don't know why birds fly. But, we need to keep moving. We don't want what happened here to happen again..."


@Lucky @Ver @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @MelodyMeister @York @Atomic Knight @Takumi

 

[Yun Lee]

What the actual Hell.

"Birds fly because they're designed to," Remy replied curtly, the impatient look on his face giving away how he felt about being asked such a question. "Why they evolved like that, I've no idea. But is this really a time for such a question?" One of their own had died, and clearly it had an effect on some in their group. Couldn't Artorius save his stupid question until after this mission?

@Atomic Knight @Gummi Bunnies @Hahli Nuva @Jeremi @Lucky @MelodyMeister @Takumi @Ver @York​

 

[Ver]

"They fly because it's in their nature to... just as it's in the nature of malevolence to exist as it does," Alisha said softly, still downcast after what had happened, but catching on to whatever ulterior curiosity Artorius provided.

"Is this a sort of test, Shepherd Artorius?" She asked curiously.

@Atomic Knight @Mission​

 

[Atomic Knight]

Sorey was unsure what to make of Artorius' question. On one hand, he found himself agreeing with some of the others about this not being the time, but on the other hand, Sorey knew Artorius had to be asking for a reason. Besides, he was the closest one to Seres among them, so who was anyone to say what was or was not appropriate right now but him?

"I suppose... birds fly because they want to, right?" Sorey suggested.

Artorius did not seem to regard any of the answers given with much thought, nor did he acknowledge Alisha's direct question. Eventually, he said, "now is the time to get going."

There was no time to experiment with who could or could not pass through the wall, so Sorey helped everyone pass through until they were on to the other side. Once they approached the altar, it activated once again and opened what appeared to be a portal. Sorey worried that it would give off malevolence once more, but this time it did not.

"I will lead the way," Artorius said, stepping forward and into the portal.

When nothing terrible seemed to happen, Sorey decided to step into the portal with Mikleo. Once everyone was through, they saw a whole new world before them.

"W-Wow!" Sorey exclaimed, unable to hold back a sudden surge of wonder and excitement. "What is all this?"

Artorius looked around himself, looking almost in awe himself. "... It is the space between dimensions."

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[Sleepwalker]

Maple raised her eyebrow at that question. It really wasn’t the time for such questions, even she knew that. Unless it was some kind of password or clue, but she couldn’t she any correlation currently. Seres has died, and she probably wasn’t coming back.

But everyone dies, that was the fate of everyone, so there was no problem in someone dying early. In fact, it was better to die early then live forever. The main problem now, was not birds, but the bank of active malevolence in this ruined building.

“I’m sorry, but it seems this question is rather...pointless. Birds have evolved and adapted, so they are built to fly. Some adaptions include hollow bones, external eggs, a skel-”

Maple was interrupted, when Artorius told them to get going, and she passed through the wall. The other side...was this the same place? Of course not.

“Ah? It seems different to the space I see when I travel between dimensions and uh, the like. Different multiverse, different rules though. So, where is the next dimension?”

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister @Atomic Knight​

 

[Atomic Knight]

Artorius turned to Maple, looking rather unimpressed. "I feel you must be confused about the make-up of our reality," he said dismissively. "Or perhaps you are delusional. In either case, where we are is a place that stretches across the multiverse itself. With that in mind, you may feel this place is impossibly large, but I assure you it is not so."

"Wait, we're heading to another dimension?" Sorey asked.

"Certainly not," Artorius replied, shaking his head. "If we wanted to travel anywhere but Ash, we would have done so directly via the Coalition. No, what we seek is exactly here."

Mikleo managed to stand without Sorey's support. He gave Artorius a confused look. "I thought we were to explore those ruins, not find places in-between dimensions."

"... The Coalition believed such a portal existed on Ash. That was the purpose of our exploration, to find this ancient portal." Artorius turned and looked around as if trying to spot something. "However, we are still exploring and this is still a mission."

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

 

[York]

Spoiler: Replies

Will had deflected the fireballs easily enough, but when the boy struck the beast dead with his magic arrows, she felt the former ally of theirs disappear as well. This event seemed to have a strong effect on some of the party members. It looked as if they had just lost a dear friend.

As tragic as that was, they needed to move on. Perhaps, they could find the source of this evil and put an end to it for good. Will took a deep breath and recollected herself before hearing Artorious ask his question. Will didn't understand why he asked why birds flew. Didn't he know? The answer seemed simple enough, although Will figured he was looking for a specific response.

Sadly, she didn't have that information. But she could offer her two cents.

"I don't know why birds fly. But, we need to keep moving. We don't want what happened here to happen again..."


@Lucky @Ver @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @MelodyMeister @York @Atomic Knight @Takumi

What the actual Hell.

"Birds fly because they're designed to," Remy replied curtly, the impatient look on his face giving away how he felt about being asked such a question. "Why they evolved like that, I've no idea. But is this really a time for such a question?" One of their own had died, and clearly it had an effect on some in their group. Couldn't Artorius save his stupid question until after this mission?

@Atomic Knight @Gummi Bunnies @Hahli Nuva @Jeremi @Lucky @MelodyMeister @Takumi @Ver @York​

"They fly because it's in their nature to... just as it's in the nature of malevolence to exist as it does," Alisha said softly, still downcast after what had happened, but catching on to whatever ulterior curiosity Artorius provided.

"Is this a sort of test, Shepherd Artorius?" She asked curiously.

@Atomic Knight @Mission​

Sorey was unsure what to make of Artorius' question. On one hand, he found himself agreeing with some of the others about this not being the time, but on the other hand, Sorey knew Artorius had to be asking for a reason. Besides, he was the closest one to Seres among them, so who was anyone to say what was or was not appropriate right now but him?

"I suppose... birds fly because they want to, right?" Sorey suggested.

Artorius did not seem to regard any of the answers given with much thought, nor did he acknowledge Alisha's direct question. Eventually, he said, "now is the time to get going."

There was no time to experiment with who could or could not pass through the wall, so Sorey helped everyone pass through until they were on to the other side. Once they approached the altar, it activated once again and opened what appeared to be a portal. Sorey worried that it would give off malevolence once more, but this time it did not.

"I will lead the way," Artorius said, stepping forward and into the portal.

When nothing terrible seemed to happen, Sorey decided to step into the portal with Mikleo. Once everyone was through, they saw a whole new world before them.

"W-Wow!" Sorey exclaimed, unable to hold back a sudden surge of wonder and excitement. "What is all this?"

Artorius looked around himself, looking almost in awe himself. "... It is the space between dimensions."

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

Maple raised her eyebrow at that question. It really wasn’t the time for such questions, even she knew that. Unless it was some kind of password or clue, but she couldn’t she any correlation currently. Seres has died, and she probably wasn’t coming back.

But everyone dies, that was the fate of everyone, so there was no problem in someone dying early. In fact, it was better to die early then live forever. The main problem now, was not birds, but the bank of active malevolence in this ruined building.

“I’m sorry, but it seems this question is rather...pointless. Birds have evolved and adapted, so they are built to fly. Some adaptions include hollow bones, external eggs, a skel-”

Maple was interrupted, when Artorius told them to get going, and she passed through the wall. The other side...was this the same place? Of course not.

“Ah? It seems different to the space I see when I travel between dimensions and uh, the like. Different multiverse, different rules though. So, where is the next dimension?”

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister @Atomic Knight​

Artorius turned to Maple, looking rather unimpressed. "I feel you must be confused about the make-up of our reality," he said dismissively. "Or perhaps you are delusional. In either case, where we are is a place that stretches across the multiverse itself. With that in mind, you may feel this place is impossibly large, but I assure you it is not so."

"Wait, we're heading to another dimension?" Sorey asked.

"Certainly not," Artorius replied, shaking his head. "If we wanted to travel anywhere but Ash, we would have done so directly via the Coalition. No, what we seek is exactly here."

Mikleo managed to stand without Sorey's support. He gave Artorius a confused look. "I thought we were to explore those ruins, not find places in-between dimensions."

"... The Coalition believed such a portal existed on Ash. That was the purpose of our exploration, to find this ancient portal." Artorius turned and looked around as if trying to spot something. "However, we are still exploring and this is still our mission."

@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @York @MelodyMeister​

Schala Zeal
@Lucky @Hahli Nuva @Ver @Jeremi @Takumi @Yun Lee @Gummi Bunnies @Atomic Knight @MelodyMeister

Schala, once she entered the world, gazed in marvel upon the place they ended up in; it was described as a space between dimensions, but yet... There seemed to be something more than just an empty void.

It was far different from what she had envisioned a place like that would be... As she had experienced something like this once; the darkness beyond time. An endless expanse of nothingness that she was stranded in for who knows how many years. A place of discarded timelines, and beings who had lost their place in the timestream.

One such being was Lavos... Who quite nearly became the catalyst to the end of all and nothing in her Universe.

"I still find it strange... How anything beyond a void an exist in a place like this..." Schala murmured.

It was one of the many mysteries of the multiverse that still nagged at her to this day. Eventually though, something else occurred to her, causing her to look around cautiously.

"Do you know of anything that... Lives in this place?" She asked suddenly.

Considering that there was land and water here, the logical conclusion was that there may be beings that inhabit this strange space between dimensions.​

 

[Hahli Nuva]

Will was more than familiar with places like these. In her tenure as Guardian of The Infinite Dimensions, she had led her team W.I.T.C.H. across different timelines and worlds, battling evil in wherever and whatever form it took. Gods, demons, monsters, humans, dragons and all the forces of darkness stood no chance against their combined might.

And yet, in this isolated world, Will would find no peace in the serene beauty. The Keeper had been focused on one thing, and one thing alone.

Eliminating The Malevolence, whatever form it took.

Even if it used up all of her godly powers, she would be determined to smite it clear and free the planet of Ash from what appeared to be an endless cyle of death and misery. Will stepped forwards and moved to stop Artorious, wanting to question just who he was and what he wanted.

"Whatever your mission is, you need to come clean to me. If you want me to follow you, there can't be anymore secrets."

@Lucky @Ver @Jeremi @Gummi Bunnies @MelodyMeister @York @Takumi @Atomic Knight @Yun Lee