View source for 1911/Elements & Arcanists: Part II

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/30
|Location=Black Shroud, Hydaelyn
|Synopsis=On the trail of the missing Arcanists, Mihk Lihzeh and her friends perhaps find themselves in the face of a very dark truth...
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=56, 242, 522, 573
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|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ariah and Mihk have figured out where the Arcanist has gone off too, which is worse then they may have ever feared-- at least for Mihk who knows this land. He is heading directly for the Life stump, the location that allows the Seed Seers to commune with the Elements.<br /><br />If the Arcanist was allowed to try and contain the elements, it could have a great impact on Gridania, if not partly Hydaelyn as a whole. The elements were part of this world and Gridania their home. They have lived in harmony with the Gridanians and while they protest technology and showed their wrath when the Garleans first tried to invade on all, they have gone back to peaceful terms-- for the most part.<br /><br />When the group arrives, the Arcanist is already there, he is an Elzen; An elf really who stands taller then most humans; In robes with several aetheric element crystals laid out around him. His book is open and the page he has it turned too, the ink is glowing as he speaks words to himself.<br /><br />Looks like he already trying to start the ritual.<br /><br />And for those sensitive to it, there is something lurking in the unseen and with it a dark fog is cast over this area.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk was partway on route to scout out a ruins site depicted on the map when her Aetheric Compass started to flare wildly in the direction of the Life Stump. Thusly, the Miqo'te turns and makes all haste towards the area, pulling a couple of potions from her pouch, quaffing one, while shattering the other. "Navigator guide me swiftly... I pray we arrive in time."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Arcanist flips to the central pages of her tome, pulls a third item from her pouch and rests it in the center of the two-page diagram depicted there. "Oh Winds, gust and gale, breeze and zephyr, I call upon thee. Bare into this gem thy power, and by this Contract be bound. To my will be surrendered. I call upon the Entity, Carbuncle!" She 'writes' in glowing ink above the page the words she speaks, and with the finaly dot, she picks up and throws the gemstone. In flight, Aetheric currents surround it, and form the glowing blue body of Emerald Carbuncle, the gemstone set into its forehead. Foxlike, with three tails, the creature lands, skips once then falls into step at Mihk's heel, looking up with its little black eyes. "Heel. Wait for my signal." she commands, as she puts the book back at her hip.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>No one had invited her, but that was irrelevant to the Sage of the Elements. She could feel their unspoken distress, even coming from the heart of this far away land. A cry, little more than a whisper on ethreal winds, that she had been following. Only to find it by appearances the pentamount moment it actually comes to its importance.<br /><br />How long she was there or not is unimportant, only that amazonian zebra woman walks up now behind the others with little sound as if she had been of the land itself. Fortunately the source of contention is clearly not of the Confederates before her, this much the land itself tells her.<br /><br />"For this day there is no line; only the solution to problem thine. These actions we shall not condone."<br /><br />However a bangled ear twitchs, and with only a passing glance to the elven Arcanist before the Shaman turns her gaze off elsewhere. That looming yet unseen presence does not escape her notice. She holds the head of her staff above her, with an unspoken command a ball of spiritual flame swirls to life between the horns of the skull topping it, casting mystic light upon the settling fogs.<br /><br />"But be wary, we are not alone...."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Though a soldier and not a ninja, Ariah's supernatural speed and agility are more than enough to make others think on the contrary. Staff held in both hands, she rushes through the forest, taking only enough care to not get tripped up by underbrush or get her coat caught on branches. Only when she nears the rendesvous spot does she slow down, seeing the telltale glow of the Carbuncle ahead of her. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I pray we are not too late?" she mimics the Miqo'te's sentiments on time, fingers on her staff brushing over the runes there. Her eyes narrow as she looks into the fog. "As this does not bode well at all." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The arrival of Cheyanne earns a wary glance, and she looks to Mihk questioningly before back to the fog. "You are not a native here. I trust you are here to aid, not hinder?" she asks. Her voice is cold and accented thickly in French, her stance subtly shifting to a more defensive one.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Zebra shaman speaks true, there is something far darker here, even as the try to light up the area, the darkness does not let up, before a spectral of some kind appears, wearing black torn robes and skeletal arms with clawed boned hands. It floats there, looking at the group, and standing between them and the Arcanist at the stump.<br /><br />"<span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr">Za dun'le Elementa shun surena Hydaelyn. Sha'buna de'na ka.</span>" Its voice rasps out on the winds and almost in the minds. It raises up its clawed hand, before the ground shifts and three golems rise from the ground. This time when the creature speaks, it speaks in the language they can understand. "<span class="underline fg_n bg_n ++ u">He is under our command and you will not stop us, child of Hydaelyn or your friends.</span>"<br /><br />The Golems then rush right for them as the specter seems to float up higher, before becoming a ghost figure in the fog.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk adjusts her glasses. She doesn't turn to look at Cheyanne, but voices her agreement. "Aetheric flux is far out of normal levels... even with the Sect Leader working his ritual." she pauses. "I am concerned to where the rest of the Sect are, but that is a question we can ask later."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk turns to Ariah, offering a smile but the peace is short lived as a floating specter floats out of the gathering fog, challenges the trio and summons Golems. "Tch, You will not stop /us/ Specter!" she shouts in defiance. "Carbuncle, Sic!" she commands, pointing at the closest golem. The little blue creature squeaks, lifts into the air and starts to batter the thing with rapid-fire compression pulses of Wind-aether.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk herself pulls her tome, deftly flips the pages and begins running Aether through the Geometry on the page. Power gathers through her, and with a shift of her hand, a protective bubble forms around herself, Ariah and Cheyanne. "It is not as strong as a Conjurour's barrier, but it should assist!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Aha, so there are more outside forces at hand here! No wonder the elements called to her, and to others of this land and beyond. Unfortunately this also meant this is likely to not go down with a fight, to which she puts her staff to the ground and readies herself, leaving the ball of spirit light adrift over her head. "Try as you may, we shall still win the day."<br /><br />And then, golems. No one ever does anything for themselves any more, do they?<br /><br />"Like the strings of a puppet pulled, yet another obstruction to be culled. Before us rise but you shall not stand,"<br /><br />With a dramatic flare she sweeps her staff up and forward, firing off a bolt of magic at one of the golems. The same type of spell dungeon crawlers use to dissolve walls of rock and dirt quickly to get into secret treasures, the shaman turns upon the golems called from the ground as a weapon.<br /><br />"From the Earth and back to the Earth again!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So there is someone--or something--pulling the strings. Mihk, what do you know of these creatures?" Ariah asks, even as the skirmish begins. "We must hurry... the sounds of battle may draw unwanted attention, even if the disturbance hasn't already drawn the Seed Seers. If we can make a hole, perhaps we can rush in." Her fidgeting with her fingers on the runes of her staff grows a little more intense, the tips tracing the symbols. This time, however, each rune ignites as it's traced, lighting up blue-white. And when that protective energy envlopes her, Ariah feels quite at home with the 'warmth' of magic around her. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She looks to Mihk, and then Carbuncle, "Let me try something..." she breathes, not taking a front line place. Instead, she focuses her energy on Carbuncle and starts to send her power into the sprightly creature. Whether or not it can benefit from mana mixing with aether remains to be seen, but she's definitely trying to boost the smaller creature's capabilities. "Focus on one so we may break through," she suggests aloud.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The barrier is cast by Mihk but if she isn't careful one of the Golems comes up on quickly, leaping into the air and to bring down its fist right on top of her. Meanwhile Cheyanne casts her spell and the Golem starts to dissolve from her elemental command. It roars out and slings part of its crumbling body at her.<br /><br />The rock impacts the barrier Mihk casts and splinters part. Its easy to see that Cheyanne's spell has weakened the golem greatly and an annoyed hiss can be heard from the strange creature in the shadows. Yet as the Golem attempts to still come after the Zebra she may hear the voices of the Elements speak to her-- they warn her as the trees rustle and the ground can be heard crackling from an unseen force.<br /><br />The Third golem attempts to move around the front line, seem to be aiming to try and get to Ariah who is hanging out in the back. For a bunch of rock monsters, they move fast! They are also being powered by a... darker aetheric energy--- aetheric energy not that of Hydaelyn's... but something else entirely.<br /><br />As for the Arcanist, he rises up his hand as he continues to speak. The Aetheric crystals start to rise up as flicker of electrical energy starts to charge around the crystals. The Stump itself starts to darken in the center...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk isn't fast enough to dodge the strike, solid rocky arm slamming into her barrier shield. The energy flares brightly, spiderwebbing lines tracing from the point of impact. It stops the strike just long enough for her to leap back and away. "Carbuncle, Operation Get Lost!" she commands her familiar, pointing at the Golem that just attacked her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ariah's boosting seems to mesh and bolster the Aetheric Entity's structure, making it grow a bit more bulky, and adding another two 'tails' to its fan. When commanded, the creature gathers up, then unleashes a heavy concussive blast of Wind at the Golem, aiming to knock it back, though it's much more powerful than a regular Backdraft.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Mihk flips to another page, turning her eyes onto the Elezen. "Choking clouds and buzzing beasts. Rotting flesh and festering feasts." she incants, then 'throws' the glowing Geometry at the Elezen. "Miasma."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The tactic works, but not before the golem tries to dish out some retribution in its dissolving death throws. Cheyanne holds up her staff to deflect the makeshift projectiles and take advantage of the barrier's aid, though each impact still pushes her back and leaves ruts in the ground from her hooves bracing her.<br /><br />Whispers speak from the trees and fog, more sinister in contents now. The tension of the situation makes it difficult to tell if it was a warning or a threat, but either way it cannot be put aside.<br /><br />"Break apart and more the same? Fine, two shall play this game." The shaman pulls a flash from her belt, sloshing the contents around a bit as her hand glows with a combination of blue and green essenses. It appears first as a pool bubbling around her hooves, then lifts her from the ground as is surges upward, sending a small wash of water out from it as it takes a vagely humanoid form as well, save its made of rolling water. Yet Cheyanne stands on what would be shoulders as if solid enough at least to her. In her case it was not a golem but a manifestation of elemental Water in itself.<br /><br />Carbunkle has one golem dealt with so she indicates the other with her staff, and the water elemental blasts its arms at the other golemn. But instead of blasting it away the streams churn like horizontal whirlpools, trying to drag the golem closer to it so the construct can't get in the way of the others.<br /><br />"The man's castings are what must end," Cheyanne shouts to the others. "I shall deal with the unwanted friends!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ariah seems pleased that her mixed magic is actually working, her experiments on meshing aetheric energy with her own mana stores still barely in their infancy. She also seems pleased with their third's elemental abilities, even moreso since the witch herself cannot manipulate earth and stone. What displeases her, however, is how fast these constructs can move! As one comes around and bears down on her, she stares up at it with a frown. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then she leaps up, attempting to land atop the golem and get a better view of the field of battle. Should she catch moments of stability, she balances atop the broad, rocky shoulder and focuses towards the Arcanist in the grove. "We are in agreement," she responds curtly to Cheyanne. Her staff brightens and then suddenly a handful of runes wink out, their energy forming into baseball-sized spheres. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Spheres she aims not towards the Elezen, but towards one of the floating crystals. Like anti-air flak, the spheres burst into concussive force upon getting close to the crystal, provided nothing blocks the attempt...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Golem after Mihk roars out as the wind slams it back and it claws its fingers into the ground. That is until a root suddenly entwines around it and actually throws it up into the air, soon a massive tree creature shows up in the fog, before opening its maw and consuming the Golem. It seems 'The Calvary' has arrived from the Elements itself.<br /><br />Be it because they know they are highly threatened right now or because of the actions of those here trying to help. While the elements are fiercely protective of their lands, they are watchful... and while they may not understand the modern world, they do understand thanks to the presence of a Shaman who herself is tied deeply to the elemental flow, that they are here to help.<br /><br />When Mihk goes to cast her spell, it flies right for the man, yet--something counters it. A flash of magic, dark magic consumes the spell, as the Specter looks directly at her. One can almost hear its dark laugh as if to mock her.<br /><br />Then as Ariah's own spells come in, they are met with the same deflection and that same dark laugh, before it appears once more and starts to gather dark magic in its hands, blue magical flames consuming its hands and up to its robes, before it extends out its hand to the Tree guardian, then something--- disturbing happens. The tree guardian roars out in pain, as it trees to fight off what was happening to it, but it was slowly twisting--- becoming tainted.<br /><br />Yet they will notice while it does this, instead of being a ghostly apparition--- it is actually there, but what really should bother people, is that there is no shadow under it.<br /><br />Cheyanne's water spirit pulls in the golem with success and its easily dispatched by her powers, but as for the Arcanist, he is being protected by that 'reaper' and so long as that 'reaper' is there-- there doesn't seem to be away to get past him.<br /><br />Or is there now?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk tchs as her spell is countered, but then she looks over at the Guardian that arrives and is subsequently twisted. "So that is your plan..." She observes for a moment or two, then nods. "Ariah, strike on my signal, I am going to attempt something... Shaman? Provide me with what aid you can." she says, then from her back, unfolds a large hammer-like weapon... well, 'unfolds' in so far as it wasn't there, and now it is, on a backpack carryframe.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her book is returned to her belt, and a grasp is taken on the hammer-like weapon. "Carbuncle, Operation Hailstorm." she commands, sweeping her Warmonica aroundso the creature can leap atop it. She then charges in, pirouetting and launching her familiar at the Ascian. During flight, the Carbuncle curls up into a tight ball, which then starts to spew out razor-like wind blades at the Reaper-like creature.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>As soon as the golem is pulled in close the water elemental shifts it's composition, portions of the vortex becoming solid enough to give new meaning to 'hard water' as it breaks the golem apart. Water erodes earth, after all. Though it is careful to not totally destroy the thing until Ariah is clear of it.<br /><br />Shadow without shadow. Darkness without light. It becomes more obvious when the spectre manifests fully without such a shadow cast. But Light and Dark do not exist without the other, at least not naturally. It only emphasizes how wrong and a problem this thing is.<br /><br />As the water elemental dolls out it's golem destruction Cheyanne jumps down from its shoulders and makes a short sprint across the land. By the time she comes to a stop her eyes are already glowing with supernatural energy, pupils invisible beneath the green radiance. Her own power with the elements is brought to bear, but rather that strike with it, she unleashes it in two different divisions. The first goes to Mihk, giving the arcanist the additionally bolstering she is asking for.<br /><br />The other portion she infuses to the Guardian, in her case she's using her powers to bolster it, aid it in resisting the specter's attempts at corruption. "Shadows with no light can only spurn, but another tonight you shall not turn!" She's also hoping that keeping it focused on her and the Guardian will make it easier for her companions to deal with the problem before it can disappear into the fogs again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ariah soon finds her perch to be far more unstable than it already was, and with a nod to Cheyanne, the witch is soon back on the ground, free hand aglow with energy. "I will do what I can," she states quickly and simply. The treant she leaves for the Earth Shaman to handle, Ariah's own talents far more suited for aiding Carbuncle. "We must stop this madness." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; And much like before, she helps 'energize' Mihk's companion, focusing and channeling her own energy into the Aetheric being, visible streams and threads of magic coming off of her hand as she holds her palm outwards to the glowing blue creature. Her eyes, while still narrowed, pulse with purple light as she puts all of her attention into this task.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Specter continues to try and taint the Guardian, however the process is interrupted as several blades of wind impact it, where it lets out an inhuman shriek in pain. Only to be strengthen by Ariah's own boosting effects.<br /><br />The Specter breaks the spell from the Guardian, as the Zebra Shaman cleanses it in that moment. the Guardian roars out in anger before vines snap out from it trying to grab the Specter, which suddenly tears apart the vines with a single swipe of its clawed, boned hand.<br /><br />Yet the Guardian does not give up and keeps trying to push back the Specter, but with it each attack, the dark presence fights back even harder.<br /><br />The Crystals with the Arcanist start to rotate around him quickly, the stump becoming darker as vegetation around them starts to die off. The elements are being weakened! Yet the elements speak to Cheyanne once more, but its easy to see for others as well, as leaves suddenly rush by on the wind easily going past what was now a barrier-less area.<br /><br />They had an opening!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk was waiting for that. She can't hear the Elements, nor their offerings of help, but the wind and the distraction of the Guardian makes her grin. "ARIAH NOW!" she roars, before pouring on her own charge, aiming to smack the Arcanist with her hammer-like Hunters Horn.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfortunately, the overcharging from Ariah makes Carbuncle unstable, and just as it lands, it squeaks in apparent pain, and keels over, its body breaking apart as Mana and Aether reject one another.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Guardian has the Specter detained, just what she was hoping.<br /><br />Cheyanne's attention snaps like a whip back to the ritual, both from the soft pleads for help and for the visible effect it was having. But the nature of most rituals she's encountered in her experiences are most suseptible just before the completion. That was the time to strike.<br /><br />That time was now.<br /><br />Energies start to swirl around the Shaman, flickering through shades of red, blue, white, brown and green -- the colors of Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Life themselves (at least for the Elements of her world). She thrust out one arm and the swirling consolidated it towards her palm, seeming to compress in on the churning force itself smaller and smaller as she clenched her fingers slowly together, drawing more and more of the elemental energy together. Maybe even those of this land would give her some of their own strength, though she does not impose on asking, or trying to take without being given. Her own reserves are enough in the least.<br /><br />Her eyes flare open, the only spoken word a whisper as she flares her hand open again. "... singularity ..."<br /><br />Five elements compressed into one, only to release a massive burst of pure Energy from the combination, exploding out of seemingly thin air in a deafen roar and release of force that could rival any manufactured explosion.<br /><br />While the Arcanist's ritual is the primary concern, she's attempted to place the elemental detonation where the blast while possible strike the Specter as well while it is distracted with the Gaurdian.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Forgive me," Ariah says to the air, seeing the Carbuncle dispersing. She gathers the remnants, the aetheric energy and mana swirling towards her, the runes on her staff igniting a different shade, pulsing, almost volatile. It's temporary storage, her eyes following Mihk as the woman charges with the Hunter's Horn. She does her best to contain the aetheric energy instead of converting it, letting the unmixed powers swirl in holding for mere moments. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At the call to action, she sends the surge, her own mana in one bolt, the aetheric in another, spiralling in a double helix towards the Arcanist. She would rather hit the crystals, but at the least she can focus the explosion of mixed power in a concussion wave rather than something that could kill. Potentially.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mihk rushes in as the opening is given and her hammer-type weapon slams into the Arcanist, as soon has she makes impact, the book is dropped from his hands, thrown away from him and the energy within the spell causes the crystals to destabilize, before Ariah's own spell collides with the aetheric crystals and they shatter into pieces.<br /><br />Slowly the land starts to restore itself and as it does the Specter roars out angrily, "<span class="underline fg_n bg_n ++ u">NO!</span>" However before it has time to act, Cheyanne's own spells slams into the Ascian. The element strike and explosive power washes over the creature as it screams out. Though once the brightness of the explosion ends, the Specter is no where to be seen and the Guardian roots into into the ground before seeming to become another tree within the forest itself.<br /><br />The Arcanist lays there unconscious and the book however is seen suddenly engulfed by the ground itself as the land seems to claim it. Though as they stand there several motes of lights appear, each with its respected elemental color.<br /><br />Those motes of light suddenly shift form into gleaming small human-like figures with angelic almost like energy wings. They have no face or any details, but Mihk should know these well from her people; They are the elements themselves...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk pants for breath from the exertion of using such a large melee weapon without formal training. She returns it to the brace, and falls to her knees, glaring angrily at the Elezen. It's about this time that she spots the motes, ears perking forwards, before they turn into their Avatar forms.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Miqo'te bows her head then, deferentially offering respect. "I apologize for my fellow, he was not himself and will be dealt with by the Guildmaster." she offers to them without looking up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ariah stands firm, a portion of the blast being energy not her own, leaving her with no lack of reserve energy in case of a further threat. She watches the Arcanist hit the ground and everything 'revert' to some level of normalcy. The Elements manifesting makes her shift into a defensive stance again, holding her staff with both hands, centering it with the tips of her toes in front of her. "Mihk?" she asks with hesitation, seeing her friend still on the ground and speaking with respect to the avatars of the elements. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After this, she goes silent, waiting to see what happens next.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>There's no way to tell if the creature was destroyed or teleported away after being bombarded, but in the end it is of little consequence. The importat part was that it was gone.<br /><br />And the earth itself takes care of the book it would seem.<br /><br />Cheyanne shifts her attention to the new forms, but needs no introduction. She can sense it being the elements of this realm manifesting form, and shifts her staff to bow in proper respect to the figures.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:522|Gaius Van Baelsar (522)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The elements float there and they don't seem to move. They may be observing all those here, they may be even speaking to the land and the Guardians themselves. Who knew what these avatars of the elements were actually thinking.<br /><br />Yet the element of water floated down and came to hover before Mihk, it extends out its hand as a gentle cool mist washes over her, seeming to restore her energy, before that mist then focuses around her and then becomes a blue-silver necklace chain and a blue gleaming orb.<br /><br />'<span style="color:#5cacee">Child of Hydaelyn. Friends of child. We shall remember this act, as the acts before and to come... but the Paragons will not rest. All is endanger, for mother is ill. The child of the Dragon Lord knows this well.</span>'<br /><br />The water floats back as the fire then speaks up.<br /><br />'<span style="color:#cd2626">Flow is weak. The land does hurt. They will not stop. That is why they seek.</span>'<br /><br />Then the lightning.<br /><br />'<span style="color:purple">Our wrath is withheld, but hurt we are. This day we go, but next time we will not hold.</span>'<br /><br />Then the earth.<br /><br />'<span style="color:gold">Remember this well and the mistakes made. May that charm be not only a reminder, but a gift.</span>'<br /><br />Soon the elements fade away, but its the one of ice that waits the longest, before it almost seems to bow its head in sadness, before it too goes away.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk lifts her head as Water speaks, and squeaks in surprise at the necklace and orb. She lifts it to inspect, before her ears turn to each in turn. "I will investigate this... I will not rest until I have stopped these creatures from destroying our world... That I promise you."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She stands after the Elements have left, retrieves her Carbuncle Gem then moves over to the unconscious Elezen. She frowns down at him. "To let yourself be corrupted by that thing... disgraceful." she says bitterly, before moving to tie his arms and legs so he can't escape. "We must return him to the Guild... they will extract the information from him that we need." she looks over at where his tome was. "A pity his tome was lost... the information within--- no, best it rot here than corrupt another."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Cheyanne merely nods a bit at this. "He is one of yours, I will leave him to your justices to handle." That wasn't in a rhyme, either. The matter she was drawn in to attend to has been dealt with, so she had little else to poke into now.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ariah waits until the elements have dispersed before approaching Mihk. She glances back to Cheyanne and then to the elezen. "...let us hope the Wood Wailers and Seed Seers do not catch wind of this. And hopefully your Guild can extract the whereabouts of the Apprentices at least..." she says quietly. She leans on her staff, more a relaxed stance now that combat seems to be over. "Paragons?" she asks. "Is this something for us to focus our research efforts on then?" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Her attention returns to Cheyanne now, "Thank you for your aid. Now that matters are not so immediately pressing, it is time for introductions?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mihk looks over at Ariah. "I will need your aid in carrying him." she then looks at Cheyanne for the first time. "Well, I must say I was not expecting a Beastman to aid us, but I am thankful for it." she stands, and bows to the Shaman. "I am Mihk Lihzeh of the Arcanists Guild." she offers, straightening up and adjusting her glasses.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Cheyanne returns the bow with her own. "My name is Cheyanne. A shaman from a far land." Bangles jingled lightly as she turned her gaze to the stump where the ritual had been taking place a few minutes ago. "But distance mattered not when the elements called for help." A faint smirk played at her expression as she stood again. "Or the lines drawn by wars for that matter."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Carefully, Ariah secures her staff on her back. And then with almost no effort, she hefts the fallen elezen from the ground and puts him in a fireman's carry over one shoulder. With the size difference, it looks rather ridiculous, but the small vampiress is far stronger than she looks. "I am Ariah Olivie. Aide de camp to Miss Lihzeh," she states in a convincingly formal military tone. The witch nods to Cheyanne, "Your aid has been valuable and appreciated. Your connection to the elements must be a strong one."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:573|Mihk Lihzeh (573)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"My links to the Confederacy are borne out of necessity, not choice." replies Mihk, looking over to Ariah with a soft smile. "Though I have found some friends there." she turns back to Cheyanne. "I am glad you came... I had my doubts that I could have taken that thing on alone, or with Ariah's help."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:242|Cheyanne (242)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"This was an event that mattered not for sides, or I would not been drawn here," Cheyanne replies, unbothered by the fact that she is more or less standing with what would be two enemies under other circumstances. Experience knows when the lines drawn in the sand, figuratively speaking, need to be stepped over and scuffed out.<br /><br />"I am the emissary of the Elemental forces that maintain my world," she replies in answer about her strong connections. "It gives me a certain amount of insight regardless of world to their needs."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:56|Ariah (56)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ariah nods, "There are times when other needs take precedent over certain disputes." She's clearly in agreement on the terms of scuffing the lines. Then she looks to Mihk, "The two of us may have been able to stop him... but not likely in time. The damage done would have been irreversible, to land, Elements, and reputation." The witch turns her gaze back towards Cheyanne. "The lines blur when the multiverse connects. I am pleased to know that your affinity allows you to touch and be touched by worlds other than your own. It brings further interest to my own studies on magic and energy as one crosses borders.." she muses, thinking aloud more than simply talking. With the unconscious Elezen still carried.<br> <br>


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