OOC: I make so many naming mistakes >< I guess it's because you are controlling a lot of characters. I'll be more careful.

IC:

Void's eyes looked dead at her again, wanting so much to teach her her place. But as much....as much as he desired to, he had a priority in hand, and dealing with her would only slow him down. He also was hating this wind control of hers. He knew the mechanics of how wind works in nature, so it would be sooner or later when he gains a resistance to it.

The elf clenched his teeth again, biting back his urge to inflict pain.

"You are one short-tempered woman, if you ask me. To tell you the truth, I can tell you're going to be a weak member of this party. You know why? Because you cannot control your own emtions. It is the reason why I feel a weakness in this control of yours right now. Whenever you go off, your control goes off, as well. If you do not learn to control that, then your usefulness decreases. For me, I could and should have killed you all without a moment's hesitation because my own magic works the same. I became too excited and wasn't able to use my power to its full extent.
"So, do not say that I am being a fault in your little plans. Now, let me down and maybe I'll behave."

The sprite shakes her head, placing her hand on her forehead in embarrasement. She didn't want Lien to see the Void she once knew like this, now.

“Pfft.” Drewera sputtered, her hand covering her mouth to muffle the guffaw, which broke the silence that had accompanied the end of Void’s comments.

Within seconds, the silence was completely taken over by raucous laughter that echoed about the forest. It’s owner, Drewera, was unfortunately caught between trying to ease the ache at her side and preventing herself from falling over. Her best friend, Nefuriya, was no better, rolling about in mid-air, her arms wrapped around herself and her mouth wide open, bell-like laughter rolling about in waves.

“You really don’t know do you?” Drewera managed to gasp out between giggles when her laughter subsided, “About Riya-chan’s temper, I mean.”

The elf merely stared back flatly. She smothered her chuckles and continued, “If she really had no control of her emotions, you would be no more than a few chunks of meat half an hour ago.”

She walked back to the moonseekers, “Now if you have no more comments, can we please carry on with the extraction? We’re all tired of dragging this out. At least, I know Neru is.”

The said water mage nodded, her impatience written all over her face.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop.” Nefuriya replied, her good cheer returned as she recovered from her laughing streak. She floated by Void, murmuring softly, “I’ll let you go for now, in gratitude for the good laugh you’ve let me and Wera have. And I’ll give you this piece of advice. Infuriate me, I’ll just play with your air. Do the same to Drewera, and she’ll crush you using that shield she has wrapped you around with. And no amount of shadow magic that you inflict on her will affect her. Trust me, I’ve witnessed it.” She made a face, “Argh, now I’ve got to wash that image off my mind. Anyways, just be nice, and don't run, and we'll be nice too. You'll see."

“Do we start now?” Eiyora asked, a trace of impatience lining her words as she neared the tree.

“I’ll mark an X on Mesophilion where he directs it.” Lynx offered.

They nodded, and soon, the two watermages, Krug, Trielani and Drewera were at work. The former three, at extracting the shard, while the latter two focused on healing the tree and tampering with the soil around it respectively.

All went well and the shard was finally extracted. By then, the faintest drops of perspiration had began to show on their faces. The moonshard was passed over to Trielani, who encased it in the holder Sigel had given her.

“Alright, this should last you another century. And by then, you body should have recovered enough to be able to support itself as it had always done so.” Drewera said as she got up, slightly wobbly, “I pulled the nutrients and lifeforce from way below, rather than from the other soil about the surface, so it shouldn’t affect the other trees. Also, I’ve engraved a signature on the soil, so anyone who detects and notices any problems will contact me and have it straightened out.”

“What about the hole on his trunk?” Arien asked anxiously, peering at the hole with ashes lying at its base at the opening.

“He’ll just have to get used to having one on him.” Lakre said, “Take it as a souvenir from us that’s going to stay with him for centuries.”

“Can we go now?” Neru interrupted, “I want to go back to town as soon as possible. We’re all tired and my feet are sore.”

“Favonius has given me enough energy, so I can float you all back if you want.” Nefuriya suggested.

“Thank you!” Neru breathed.

They were soon floated above and out of the forest where they entered the village, relief clear on everyone’s faces.

“Remember, be nice.” Nefuriya reminded Void and the sprite, and bounced towards Drewera who was leaning out of her inn window with an expectant look. She turned to grace them with an impish smile before floating up the open window and into the inn room.

[OOC: Social time~]

Void just showed his teeth from the corner of his mouth and walks away as she leaves. The sprite follows behind him as he makes his way out of the boundaries of the village and into a tree. He lays back in it and sighs, relaxing for once from all the turmoil he just went through. He glances at his companion and snarls.

"How do I know you are telling the truth about Lien," he asks her.

The sprite shakes her head. ~Lien remembers your days in North Condarca, Void. She remembers you two frolicing around without a care in the world. She remembers your pleasant smile whenever you met her every day. She even remembers that night....~

Void's eyes widen and he looks away quickly. "Never speak of that again! She's ok, right?"

~Yes. She says she will tell you everthing once you reach her.~

Void rubs his hand across his face in frustuation. "A great time for you to show up, though. If you hadn't interfered...."

~You'll be dead.~

He remained quiet, then closes his eyes to take a nap.

(OOC: I’m going to assume that we arrived at the village at night)

"I will cut the shard out. I don't care how you all feel about me, but I am the only one skilled in this matter. If you care to retrieve the shard quickly, then I can."

Lynx rolled his eyes as his mind refreshed about Void’s over-rated comment, in a way, it ticked the hell out of him for such ego-ness reminded him the very image of his brother.

“Hell. No.” he muttered with an obvious irritancy, eyeing the suspect who was on his way to slumber against the tree.

“Hmm? Taken into that sprite ain’t cha?” inquired Randelf curiously.

“…wha-what?! No way!” stuttered the human in disbelief.

“…well, then the elf?” chuckled the dwarf sarcastically

This time, Lynx just backed away and sweat-dropped.

“…what?” raised a dwarfish eyebrow. A silence came for an uneasy period of time until Randelf finally cleared his throat to initiate another conversation, “A-hem, since this will just be another long night, why don’t we have another man-to-man talk huh?”

Lynx nodded his head faintly; there wasn’t anything much he could do currently.

“Let’s talk about partners for life.”

“No.”

“How about se-”

“Shut up.” he ended abruptly as he stuffed a bun into the dwarf’s mouth

Note to self, dwarves are perverts.

(OOC: Guess I can't really post much here until the plot moves ahead ^^;; btw it’s pretty much of an exam period at my area so erm, might lag in the posting o.o Same goes to a particular person, me thinks.)

Part Three - Splitting of the Group

Neru stretched out comfortably on her bed and let out a yawn that would have drawn looks if she was in a stuffy royal setting. But given that she was not, she allowed herself the luxury of enjoying it nice and slow, until there was a knock on her room door.

Shooting the door a sour look, Neru shifted reluctantly into a sitting position and called out, "Come in, whoever you are."

The door opened slowly, and half of Coran's body came into view, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Hello Neru. How are you doing?"

"Don't 'Hello Neru' me. You know well enough that I'm not partial to anyone disturbing me when I want to sleep. And I was doing perfectly fine until you walked in. Now speak." Neru was in a bad temper and she showed it. "What do you want?"

Coran looked more bemused than thoughtful. "Just to check in on you. You seemed ready to collapse."

"I am ready to collapse, and I was planning to do so." Neru nearly growled at him but restrained herself, on the thought of him being nice. "Thank you for the thought, but I'm sure it's not the only thing on your mind. Now speak."

Coran frowned, though not one of displeasure. The thoughtfulness that was previously on his face came back in full force as he came further into the room and closed the door that he was blocking.

Neru waited patiently, with an expression of utmost impatience, as he settled on the wooden chair placed in the room slowly and finally spoke after a long while.

"I think... I have a goddess in my room."

"WHAT?!"

"She... is glowing and I have never seen anyone glow like that except the Sun God." Coran sounded uncertain, something he did not usually do.

Neru asked with wide eyes. "Holy... Is she glowing blue?"

The ex-bandit's face was filled with confusion. "No... it's green... why?"

"Then why did you come to me? It's Favonius, the Wind Goddess! You should run for Nefuriya, not me!! Why did you leave her alone in the first place? Is she still there?"

"I don't know... and yes, she's still there... but..."

"Now go find Nefuriya! Now!" Neru yelled at poor Coran as she scrambled out of her bed and dashed for her magician robes. Silently she thanked Eithelwen that she had cleansed it magically before she made preparation to go to sleep. "Why would she be here? She's a goddess! And of all times!"

Drewera watched the people moving below her in slight amusement. How was it possible that they did not notice two floating people just outside the second floor of the inn?

She had no time to look further as her body was swept through the open window of another inn room. She glanced about the room for a second before a familiar glowing person, who was waving her hand at the duo, caught her attention.

"Hello Favonius." Nefuriya said, floating towards the goddess. "Why are you here?"

"I came to recruit a new worshipper." Favonius replied, "But he left after taking one good look at me, so I am awaiting his return."

"You do realise that it is quite a shock to have a goddess appear in a person's room right?" Drewera raised her eyebrow.

"It is?" Favonius feigned surprise, "But you don't seem shocked."

"That's because we've seen you often enough to not care." Drewera muttered.

"Anyways, back to topi-" Nefuriya said, only to be cut off by the sound of the door opening, followed by Coran and Neru. "Oh hello Coran, Neru."

"I'm assuming that you're recruiting the man?" Drewera asked the goddess who nodded.

"Why are you all here?" Coran asked.

"Why don't you take a seat first? This might take some time." Nefuriya suggested.

When both had settled down on the bed, the windcaster continued, "Alright, me and Wera are here, because we felt Favonius' presence, and had to come check. Favonius here, can explain why she is here."

"As I have said a while ago, I am here to speak to him." Favonius said, gesturing at Coran.

The sprite suddenly gasps as she feels a great being enter into the inn not too far from them. Her eyes whimper in shock as she hovered there to Void's side. The elf slowly opened his eyes halfway, only to look toward her with a frown on his face.

"What is it, now?"

She answers hesitately:"It's...it's Favonius! The wind goddess!"

Void responds in a more serious tone:"What?"

"She is here....in town!"

Void leans forward and looks toward the town. "Do you think she's here for them?"

"Most likely. They are a multi-worship group after all."

The elf sneered as he lept from the branch and onto the ground. He wanted to investigate this because she was probably here to tell them about another shard location. Yeah, that was it. He didn't want to be one step behind with these people. The sprite descends and look at him.

"Do not..."

"Whoever said I would. I'm just going to see what she is here for."

He smirks, walking forward back into the town. He passes the buildings as he makes his way toward the inn, not really bothered by a few people looking at him with a sprite following him. Once he arrives, he asks her:"Where do you feel her?"

The sprite looks around a bit and then points to a window near the upper level of the inn. "There."

Void smiles and darts for the corner of the inn. he leaps up it and begins to scale the walls. He grabs the roof's ledge and flips himself onto before silently making his way over the window's position and then leaning over, slowly lowering himself to peek into the room. Yep, she was here talking with those moonseekers. Fortunately, the window was open for him to hear.

"You might as well come in, worshipper of Morwen." Favonius turned towards the window and smiled. "I have nothing to hide and eavesdropping is just not nice."

As Void took his time to enter the room, Favonius turned to Nefuriya. "Would it be better to invite the others as well? After all I have more than just recruiting to do. I was hoping to finish it first but oh well."

"Consider it done." Nefuriya replied but paused before she floated out of the room. "But won't this room be too small?"

"I believe there is a shrine dedicated to Mirgalen nearby. He wouldn't mind so we could convene there." Favonius supplied thoughtfully. "Would that be alright?"

Drewera shrugged. "The priests will get a shock but it'll be fine. You're a goddess after all."

"True. I'll see all of you in a few then." Favonius replied with a smile, and turned to the newcomer into the room. "And sorry, Void, to have you make two trips."

He sniffles and looks away, not at all intrigued by this woman. A goddess who believe she could appear whenever she wanted at such a time only meant she wanted attention and he was not one to give others his unless it was for his own benefit. But he didn't care. She was a goddess after all, but the only person he wanted to see most of all was Morwen, the one who just vanished one day from him.

Void looks back to her and replies:"Don't think this all a challenge to me. I could easily travel to Condarca and back. And besides, I don't care what you have to say. I am only here for my own reasons, not to save some hopeless goddess who has vanished from existence. I'll await you all outside of town when you decide to departure."

He sneers and leaps out of the window. Once he lands, he stands to his feet and casually walks back to where he was resting.

Aurora Emanuel lay down on the healthy green grass of the temple garden. Today was the day. Looking up into the sky the clouds seemed to be being dragged by some unseen force. How amazing nature was. As the sunlight shown down on her eyes she put her lef thand up to them to protect herself. It was so beautiful out in the forest. However it was also lonley. Only Jian and about 14 other students were living there anymore. Luminelles fall had effected every aspect of the temple. The teachings hadnt changed though. A shadow appeared behind her.

"Arent you excited?", Jian spoke with that soft voice of hers.

She was peering down at Aurora wearing a blue robe with white flowers imprinted into it. Her brown hair curled down past her shoulders. Jian had a baby's face in a way becasue the skin was so fair and yet she was 30. Strange.

"Don tell me your not alking to me today", Jian laughed.

That was the thing about Jian. She could always cheer Aurora up even on a sad day like this. This was the day she would leave her home. It felt like home. The stone temple wasnt very big but it housed all of them. The children were playing over by the pond along with Ked, the high priest.

"Sorry", Aurora apologised.

"Dont tell me you of all people are afraid to go", Jian sat down beside Aurora.

"No!", Aurora said with a hint of laughter. Maybe she was lying.

"No....I have to go dont I", Aurora said.

Aurora kneeled up and sat beside Jian. Jian began stroking her hair.

"You dont have to go", Jian tried not to make Aurora feel pushed into it.

"But...I want to anyway", Aurora assured Jian that she wasnt afraid to go looking.

"Good...You'll learn alot from this experience", Jian stopped stroking Auroras long black hair.

"I know...", She said quietly.

"They will be coming soon I expect", Jian tried to cheer her up.

Aurora nodded her head.

"Do you think Im ready?", Aurora looked up at Jian very seriously.

"Y'know Aurora the first time I saw you I thought what a mess of a girl....you were walking up those steps", pointed to the steps going ot the temple door. "You wouldnt talk to anyone....and you were frightened out of your life....but now you know what I see?", Jian looked at Aurora eye to eye.

"What?", Aurora asked.

"I see a woman", Jian smiled. Aurora smiled as well.

The shared a hug then Jian got to her feet.

"Im going to sort out breakfast for you....a Jian morning delight", she laughed.

Aurora knew Jian had to be the worst cook but she smiled anyway and got up off of the gras and caught up with her. They walked into the temple together.

“… I’m surprised that Lady Favonius didn’t mutilate him.” grunted Lynx with a mixture of disappointment and sarcasm entwined to his tune immediately after Nefuriya ended her explanation. Lakre added, “Well, she is presumably the most serene of all the gods I ever know of, others such as Ignifer would probably roast him slowly over a hellfire without any hesitation.” Lynx laughed at the image projected in his mind, it would indeed be an entertainment to him in a sadistic sense.

It had been nearly a month since he and Randalf(at first unwillingly since he had to sell his caravan) joined the entourage, they were accepted into the group rather nicely ever since. Though the entourage was small, it was surprisingly well-organized as daily chores were issued to each member like a normal household would. However, the Sigel worshipper was rather “stupefied” by the individual characteristics of the group such as the overly-hyperactiveness of Eiyora to the extent she trips amazingly yet majority of the time when she walks. A simplified thought emerged eventually, how were they even chosen? Just as he started to ponder his mind about that, Eiyora tripped again. She let out a faint whimper with the puppy-eyes look about. Then again, I doubt I could ever imagine about it. He chuckled as he leaned forward to lend a hand to assist the water mage to get back onto her feet.

“Well, that’s that. So when do we leave for the Shrine of Lord Mirgalen? Dawn? Now?”

"Now. We can't keep Favonius waiting." came the reply of the wind priestess.

Aurora was in the dining room sitting on her coushion along with the other pupils. She would miss them the most. "Are you going away big sister?", Little Megan asked looking a little sad. She was only 7 years old but was bright. Aurora didnt want to tell her she was going away...adn that there was a chance she would never come back. "Yes.....I have to go away little Megan", Aurora looked down at her little friend who was eating her rice with speed. "I dont want you to go", She said with some sadness in her voice. "Awhh You'll forget me", Aurora laughed. "No I wont...I want to come with you big sister!", Little Megan said more loudly. Everyone looked at them but they didnt say anything because they knew how close Little Megan was to Aurora a.k.a Big Sister. "But who will look after everyone else?", Aurora looked at the rest of them and then back to Little Megan. Megan didnt say anything. "I guess...i'll have to look after them", Little Megan responded after a few moments of silence.

After breakfast was over Aurora walked out to the pond by herself to clear her head before they came for her. A moonseeker. That would be interesting. Aurora took off her shoes and put her feet into the pond and closed her eyes. This was peaceful. Closing her eyes she felt the widn around her. Flowing through her hair. Aurora could hear the cildren from the temple laughing. She would miss this place. Yeah......she would miss......being home.

The Mirgalen's temple was a simple shrine with intricated carving on its stone walls that were meticulously left there by the local worshippers of the Earth God, and dwarves that sometimes travelled downwards. Drewera managed to borrow the practice hall and everone was gathered there, with the sole exception of Void.

As sudden as her disappearance, Favonius's form shimmered into existence in mid-air shortly after everyone had settled down on the round boulders that could be used as chairs. She was still glowing, though it was softer than it had been, and she descended to sit on one of the unoccupied boulders.

"Sorry to have to disturb everyone's rest, but I have important news for all of you." She started, her musical voice chimed pleasantly within the room. "As Nefuriya and Drewera had probably informed you, I am Favonius the Wind Goddess. I'm here in the place of Sigel and Sireaus who have asked me to run this errand for them."

She paused to let the information sink in before continuing. "I'll keep this short since I know that all of you had a tiring day. The death of Luminelle was a huge blow to Dominaria's balance, and as a result, we gods have been working hard to keep it from toppling altogether. But as a result, Sigel, Sireaus and Eithelwen have fallen ill from being overworked."

"Eithelwen! Oh dear..." Eiyora exclaimed worriedly.

"Do not worry, worshipper of the Water Goddess. She is recovering, as are the others." Favonius graced her with a reassuring smile. "But we gods are greatly weakened by all of these, and we could no longer keep the disasters caused by the destruction of Luminelle and her shards' presence at bay."

The Wind Goddess frowned slightly. "As we speak, the shards are affecting their surroundings adversely. We have pinpointed the locations, but have decided as one to place the job of retrieving them on the hands of the Moonseekers, which are you. We would also like to suggest that you advance as not one but two groups, as time is of essence. You must hurry, for the disasters may escalate and we might not be able to stop them in our current state."

"So all the other shards have made their appearances?" Syn asked, his face thoughtful.

"Yes, all except one. Including the three shards that you have found, nine have surfaced, but one remained missing." Favonius's beautiful face seemed troubled as her frown deepened momentarily, then cleared. "I shall not keep you from your rest any longer. But first, let me give you the locations of the shards."

"In Nas'Taar of Ariania, a giant fish of eight feet long swam in a fisherman's net, its scales hard and impenetrable as diamonds. In Cesopia of North Condarca, magic went wild and wrecked havoc as a man kept a shard in secret. In Crujen the harsh desert, the days got hotter and the nights colder, and the sandstorms went on and on."

The Wind Goddess took a breath. "In Chetrean of Chuvoria, the royals kept dying of mysterious cause as its neighbours sat hungry at its borders. A pirate cave on the Shadoris is glowing with a silver light, and its pirates discovered their immortality. Mount Sairean of the Shadoris has been erupting without stopping and it seem it will continue on for a while."

"You're not kidding when you said the shards were causing havoc all over the place." Coran muttered under his breath.

Favonius smiled brilliantly at him. "You are absolutely right, my boy. Remember still, that there are others who still seek the shards for their own. Now that I have finished delivering the news, I shall go into my next matter. Fenrir, kindly show yourself."

The wolf growled unpleasantly as he stepped out of the shadows. "What do you want?"

"You shall come with me, for you're much needed for another matter than the seeking of the shards." Without waiting for the wolf's reply, Favonius turned her attention to the others. "There will be another who will join the group, and she will be waiting in the Temple of Luminelle in Sweanda city which is east of here, where you may find an appropriate transportation to journey away from this continent which no longer holds what you are seeking. Farewell, Moonseekers. You have my blessings as well as that of the Sun and Stars."

With that, the Wind Goddess slowly faded away from sight, and Fenrir along with her, leaving the others sitting in silence. Unknown to others, Favonius's voice sounded in Nefuriya's head.

Beware, my dear one. I say this only to you, so listen carefully. Morwen has gone missing without a word to anyone. Tonitrus threw a temper earlier before he stalked off to find Mirgalen, who refused to come back to our realm and stayed on Domiria. I will stay only a while to speak with Coran, then I'll return and you'll be on your own. The gods are in chaos and conflict, so be careful.

Aurora was lying down as her feet continued swimming through the waater. Behin dher she heard a conversation.

"Where is Aurora Emanuel?", Some unknown male voice asked.

"By the pond", the voice of Geseen explained.


Aurora stopped relaxing and looked around. There behind her stood a tall man. He wore the uniform of the Wind Goddess. His hair was long and blonde. His eyes a bright green. Pretty thing. She turned her head around again and looked back into the water looking at her reflection.

"Aurora Emanuel?", He asked.


Aurora didnt answer straight away. She took her fett from the pond and put her boots back on again and leaned aroudn to him.

"Yes?", She wasnt that curious as to who he was.


Wait....OH MY!!! Was this one of the Moonseekers come to collect her? Come ot take her away on look for those moonshards. How could she be so foolish. Aurora wanted to look sensible and grown up when she had met them.She looked aroudn for other moonseekers but couldnt see anyone but him.


"The Moonseekers have a message for you", He began. Auroras mouth opened.


"You mean your not a moonseeker?", she asked hoping the answer was no.


"No..Im a messenger of the wind goddess", he looked confused.


Aurora gave out a sigh of relief. She could imagine a group of powerful warriors meeting her soaking in a pond. She almost laughed.

He continued,"The Wind Goddess asked me to tell you that the moonseekers wont be able to collect you today". He had a look that said sorry. Aurora wasnt the least displeased.


"Oh...I see...", Aurora trailed off.

"Very well...thankyou", she responded.

He bowed to her. Was this what it was like ot be a moonseeker. Bowing and Honour.......she could get sued to this.


"Where are you going now", she asked as he moved around to leave.

"I am needed by the goddess", He informed her as if trying to say as little much informatinon as possible.

He bowed his head again after Aurora didnt ask another question.


The moonseekers only took on the best....that obviously meant she was repected by the moonseekers. Then again...they didnt know her did they? Aurora ran over towards the temple to tell Jian.

As Favonius waved to her a last time before she left, Nefuriya could not help but sigh as she pictured her next few days, filled with training the new wind worshipper, also known as Coran, how to use his newly acquired powers. Granted, he did have potential on his own right, but looking back upon past experiences...

I'll just... wait till the time comes, then I'll think about it. she thought finally, sighing her nth sigh for the day.

Looking up, she realised that the only ones left in the shrine was herself, Drewera and Coran, who had a thoughtful look directed at her. The others had already shuffled somewhat sleepily back into the inn.

"What did she tell you?" she asked Coran.

"I'd quote, 'I shall grant you the basic access to wind magick. If you have any questions or problems you can ask Nefuriya.'." Coran replied, "But I'm not sure if I know how to wield this wind magick."

"I knew it." Nefuriya sighed again, not surprised that the wind goddess had once again sent her a new worshipper to teach. After consulting the time with Drewera, she turned back to the brunette and said, "I will teach you the basic utilization of wind magick. We will set off for Sweanda City at noon tomorrow, and probably take at least another two days or so to reach there. We will be using those few days to get you used to using wind magick."

"That is fine with me." Coran replied after some consideration, and turned to leave.

"Well, we should return to our own rooms now." Drewera said, and gestured for the windcaster to float them back, which Nefuriya was only glad to do so.

~*~

(Three days later)

Drewera could feel a smile on her face as she finally caught sight of the landmarks of Sweanda city. Finally they could get some much needed rest, pick up the new recruit, and get back on the road again.

She tilted her had upwards to catch sight of the two windcasters, who were considerably quieter now than they were when they had been starting out. "We're reaching!" she yelled to her friend, who gave her a grateful nod and turned back to her 'student'.

Coran was turning out to be quite efficient at wind magick. He could even float himself without Nefuriya's help for an hour without dropping off in exhaustion. The stop at Sweanda city would probably a good time for him to train himself without Nefuriya to guide him.

They were soon past the gates, with the two windcasters still fifteen metres above them and floating pass the gates without the trouble of dealing with the guards, where they proceeded towards the shrine to pick up their newest recruit.

"What was her name again?" Drewera asked, "The moon worshipper I mean."

"We don't know." Arien replied, "But I think they will guide us to her once we reach the shrine."

"I suppose you're right." Drewera murmured, and turned to shout at the floating duo, ignoring the looks she was getting from the townsfolk, "Oi Riya! We're going to pick up that moon worshipper, so stop teaching already! You can continue after we return to the inn or something!"

Nefuriya simply flashed her with a fine-I-get-what-you-mean look and turned to murmur to Coran before floating down and landing beside her. Once her eyes left Coran, who eventually managed to land successfully, she focussed on the female brunette behind him, whom he had almost collided into.

"Are you the moonseekers?" the girl asked.

"Yes we are. Who are you?"

So finally they had decided to show their faces. Not having heard a word for three days Aurora had thought they had simply given up on her. This wasnt the way she had expected to meet them either. Well, this was it.

"I am Aurora Emanuel....the moonseeker of Sweanda City", Aurora said calmly slightly bowing her head,

They stood out like a thorn in a thumb. The reason she had noticed them so clearly was because they were practicing wind magick. Not many people in the city practiced that magick.

"Im sorry for keeping you....we got held up", The female informed her trying to give some sort of sympathatic look. Bless.

Aurora looked at her for a moment without any words just blissful silence. So this was her begining. Aurora didnt care much about them taking so long not really. She was greatful they had taken so long. Aurora had gotten the chance to say a proper good bye in a way.

"Accepted.....I must go to the shrine first to pray", Aurora looked towards the shrine at the north of the city. They haad come just to get her. Then again they had made her wait the least they could do was make her wait a little.

"You can come if you like....you mihgt learn something", Aurora offered with a smile. The girl nodded. She didnt seem to pleased to have to go to the shrine but well that was tough luck.

Aurora walked quickly exchanging conversation with them. Not a bad bunch. Walking up the cold stone steps they were walking through the woods. This would take some time. It would do them good in the long run. After a further five minutes they reached the final step and before them lay the beautiful green garden of the Moon Shrine. Aurora saw Jian in the distance near the flower field.

"Jian", she called out. Jian quickly came.

"Hello..are these the moonseekers?", Jian quickly got to the point not being used to seeing people so armed in her life.

"Yes", One of the moonseekers answered for her. Aurora couldnt pin point who it was. One of the ones she hadnt go ta chance to talk to yet.

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye then", Jian looked a little sad.

"NO...its ummmmmmm ill see you later", Aurora gave a smile.

"Be quiet and give me a hug!", Jian shouted embracing Aurora. Very tightly. Like she wasnt going ot let go. Well she better let go before she embarass me anymore. She finally let go. Turning around Aurora looked to seew hat the moonseekers thought of this. They werent smiling. They must have known what it was like to leave...just like she was doing now.

"Im going into the shrine for a moment", Aurora told the moonseekers. Quickly running towards the shrine she did what she needed to do.

----(10 minutes later!!!)------



Aurora came running out agian and they looked rather bored of waiting. She had to try and keep up appearances!!! That was going along as she had planned.

"Ok Im ready to go", Aurora looked at them.

Jian started, "One more hug!". After a few more minutes of hugging Jian let go. She was learning quickly.

"Im coming back Jian...if we do get these moonshards..ill be back", Aurora smiled.

"Your right", Jian accepted the fact that the little girl she had known was going but would be back.

The moonseekers waved goodbye and Aurora ran to them waving goodbye to Jian the entire way.

"Bye!", Aurora shouted.


"Bye!!!!", Jian shouted even louder.

Now....it was time. Moonshards im gonna get you good!

(OOC: You make our characters sound too wrong, check on their personalities Alexandrou. Anyways, to move on with the plot.)

---In an inn of Sweanda City---Evening
… great another woman again. Come to think of it, she doesn’t seem to carry any weapons.

“Hey Aurora, don’t you use a weapon?” he inquired with a clear hint of curiosity.

“Oh yes, I do!” came the reply shortly.

“And where…?”

“Well, it’s a s-e-c-r-e-t!” she ended with a seductive yet chilling smile.

…figures. Women are too mystical.

“Well, now that we’ve got our newest entry to the group, shall we proceed to the groupings as Lady Fanovius instructed?” Lakre suggested wisely.

“She mentioned two groups right? Since we have seventeen, it’s eight for one group, nine for the other then.” Trysta added.

“Maybe we should even out the elements, so that we’ll be prepared for any encounters but…” everyone set their eyes on the sole Thunder God worshipper in the group ,Syn, who merely answered with a “what?”

“Well… the group that needs him more take him then.” came another suggestion by Lakre once again.

“Alright, lottery time.” chuckled Lynx as he prepared the necessities for the event.

---Half an hour later---(I hate describing the process, so meh ^^;;)
Group A
-Lynx
-Eiyora
-Aurora
-Seph
-Nefuriya
-Drewera
-Krug
-Arien

Group B
-Lakre
-Ray
-Trielani
-Neru
-Coran
-Trysta
-Void
-Randelf

Despite the lottery being his idea, Lynx couldn’t resist the urge to regret since the group seemed to be problematic from what he analyzed. Firstly, the over-hyper and talkative Eiyora who kept falling while walking, then came the duo, Nefuriya and Drewera, who seemed pretty much merciless, then the trio, Krug, Arien and Seph, who carried an aura of gloominess majority of the time. The only person whom he didn’t knows well enough apart from the fuzziness would be Aurora but still…

What an odd… combination? Oh well, at least there’s no VOID. He sneered at the elf immediately after noting his name mentally.

---Another half an hour later---

Due to some mild personal issues raised in the discussion, a decision was emerged that Group A would be in charge of seeking the shards appearing in the Shadoris and Ariania regions while the retrieving of the rest in the Chuvoria, Condarca and Crujen regions rest on the bodies in Group B. Syn volunteered to accompany Group A as his element would aid well in the encounter against the “fish” in Ariania. The Moonseeker group would be split into two officially once the first beam of sunlight shine upon the inn of Swenanda city.

(OOC: Idea of the grouping was by Sel and me, so don’t sue/flame me ^^;; Social time, or bed now. =))

Aurora didnt mind at all who she was grouped with as she really hadnt a clue about any of them. The 8 she was stuck with however she had a distinct feeling she would get to know.

A thought crossed her mind. What would happen if one group failed? And consequently died. Looking at her own group she relised they were not as powerful as the other but the only had to worry about two places. Aurora had no objection.

She was the new girl. They had more right than she. Howeve rshe was growing more worried about the consequences of splitting. If they died that was it. Alas they had been advised to do this and she couldnt go against such advise especially from whom it had come from. The Gods. Witht hese people she would meet the gods. How fancy.

Aurora had learnt about what it meant ot be a moonseeker. Find the moonshards. She woudl use all of her strength to do so.

Drewera leaned back against the slanted roof sipping her tankard of ale, which she had somehow been able to smuggle up with her, and watched the duo who floated metres away from her.

It was Nefuriya and Coran. The former trying her best to impart most of her knowledge to the latter before their deadline reaches. She watched as the windcaster demonstrated the method of manipulating the wind while the latter nodded thoughtfully. It reminded her of the time when they were still in Zigla. When the Kuryuties had not died from the earthquake. When all they had to worry about was their daily chores and the new trainees that Favonius often left for Nefuriya to teach.

She realised faintly, that when she saw the new moon worshipper exchange hugs with her friend, they were all jaded, even Eiyora who acted hyper and happy all the time. And probably would not retain the innocence that had been lost when they had begun their journey.

"What are you doing here?" an unfamiliar voice woke her from her reverie.

Ah, speak of the devil. the dwarf thought, as she tilted her head backwards to be met with the upside down view of the moon worshipper. She patted the area beside her, gesturing for the brunette to take a seat beside the her.

"Take a look at the area before you." she said as Aurora plopped onto the tiles beside her. "What do you see?"

The girl squinted her eyes and replied, "Two figures I think, but it is very vague."

"Nefuriya and Coran." Drewera murmured, and elaborated when Aurora fixed her with a blank look, "The two who floated down in front of you today."

"What are they doing?" Aurora asked.

Just as she had spoken, a strong breeze swept past them, almost knocking down Drewera's tankard. The dwarf muttered inaudibly under her breath before saying, "As you can see, or rather feel, they are practising wind magick right now."

"At this time?"

"To be more specific, Nefuriya is teaching Coran how to manipulate wind magick better. To prepare him for the day that we split into two groups."

"Teaching him?"

"Yes. Coran has only attained wind magick a few days ago, so she is trying her best to impart as much as she can to him. So that even when she is not around, he would know what to practise."

"I see."

"What are you two doing here?" another voice said.

"Hello Lynx," Drewera said, and noticed the water mage behind him, "and Eiyora. What brought you two up here?"

"We noticed the four legs dangling out from the roof and figured that it had to be Drewera and one other of us." Lynx replied.

"Why Drewera?" Aurora asked curiously.

"Because I'm usually the one who is seated up some roof, watching Riya practise her wind magic." Drewera explained. She offered her tankard to Lynx, "Want some? The ale here is better than the ones in Ariania, at least it's not as diluted."

[OOC: By the way, just to let know. Usually Nefuriya will be floating some fifteen to twenty metres from the ground, so that they would not be noticed be other people.]

By just looking at the student she wondered if they were truley ready to go. Aurora herself had just finished her training. Then again they couldnt spare any time incase another found the moonshard first. One who seeked to corrupt its power. As Auroras hair blew violently in the wind she looked at the dwarf beside her whom would also be joining group A.

Looking up a the stars Aurora admired the beauty. Then she looked up at the area the moon should have been. Without the moon goddess there was no moon. Everything was falling apart. Gods fighting? Aurora couldnt have ever imagined such a thing each one relied so heavily on the other. This was the balance. Eventually if the moon goddess was not brought back the balance would be lost as would the world as we know it.

Aurora thought over it again with the two moon seekers beside her exchanging chit chat. Beneath her warm surface she questioned their own power. They had already gotten 3 moon shards already hadnt they? Maybe she was wrong. Yes, she must have been. After a while of sitting, watching and talking Aurora stood up balancing on the roof. They looked at her relising it was a little late to be going to sleep.


"Im going to bed now", she stretched her limbs.


"Night", the both echoed each other.


"Goodnight", Aurora replied waving goodbye.


Aurora would need all the strength she could get and a goods night sleep would be the first step.

Anxiety and worry still occupied most of Neru's mind as she wiped her staff again, an automatic and reassuring set of motions she had taken to doing when she did not feel like thinking. She could just hear her sub-conscious mind running the 'what-ifs' over and over again, and firmly told it to shove it.

She knew that it would not help for her to start panicking before she even knew what the situation was like. She had already made it known to the other Moonseekers that no matter what, she would be going to Cesopia first. Even if it meant she had to drop out of the quest just to do that, she would.

Luckily for her, after much discussions, the group she was in had decided to head for Cesopia before they advanced southwards to South Condarca. Privately, Neru thought that she would not know what to do if they had not agreed to her request. It would be a great disappointment to her if she really had to leave the quest and the seekers who she had became more familiar and somewhat fond of.

Oh yes, Her Royal Brattiness had indeed started liking some of her companions, despite her lack of showing it. Some, like the deceased Maco and the newly joined Void were high on her People-I-Dislike list, but others, like the free-spirited but practical Nefuriya and her dwarven friend, Eiyore and her clumsiness, Krug and his sincerity, Trielani and her devotion... Neru could not help but feel affection for the most of them. It was as if she had finally made some friends that she had always longed to have.

Frowning as she wondered where her thoughts have taken her towards, Neru gave her staff a final rub before she propped it up beside her bed which she settled into and closed her eyes for sleep to claim her.

[OOC: By the way, just to make things convenient, there will be one ship heading for Nas'Taar of Ariania the next morning/afternoon (by hook or by crook), where there will definitely be ships heading for Cesia, the Capital of Cesopia. Group A will stay in Nas'Taar to conquer the giant fish while Group B takes the ship to Cesia. Each of the sea journeys will probably take around three to five days.]

(Five days later)

Nefuriya sighed as she caught sight of Nas'Taar. The day that they would have to split into two groups had come, but she couldn't tell if she was sighing in relief or in disappointment. Teaching Coran had slowly become a pleasure for her, for he understood what she tried to explain and absorbed her teachings like a sponge. Even now, his progress was faster than any of her past students. With enough practice, she could see him as quite an accomplished windcaster soon.

As the ship they had boarded slowly neared the harbour, she beckoned for the brunette to follow her back to the ship. She waited for him to land softly onto the deck before she herself, who remained several centimetres above ground as always, floated towards Drewera.

The dwarf was leaning against the side of the ship, watching the buildings in Nas'Taar slowly become larger and larger. An air of solemnity surrounded her. One that was present in a number of the moonseekers, for it was the day that friends would be split into two and go on their seperate ways. Even Eiyora acted less hyper today.

They arrived at the harbour quickly and decided that Group B would board the ship to Cesia that evening while Group A stayed behind to gather information about the giant fish.

Nefuriya nodded to Coran who mimicked her action, both deciding to make use of most of the time they had before the seperation to practise their wind magick. After a quick glance at the area, Nefuriya murmured to Drewera, "Coran and I are going there," she pointed at a spot in the air, which was some twenty metres above the sea and harbour, "to train. Could you call us an hour before their departure?"

"Very well." the dwarf replied, "But after that, I want you to take a long rest. You have been training non-stop for two days, don't think I haven't noticed."

"I will." Nefuriya said, "After they leave."

"Whatever, go." the dwarf grunted and made a shooing motion with her hands. the windcaster merely smiled and levitated up in the air where Coran was already waiting.

Aurora had become somewhat of a recluse. Not many people sent much conversation her way and when they did it frequently involved the sentence, ‘can you pass me the salt?’ Some of them such as Drewera had bothered to make any motivating chitchat. Aurora wasn’t in their group in a way...they seemed much more established and conversant than she. Then she quickly remembered she was a moon worshipper, she could sense the moon shards. This as well as her medicinal abilities would come in handy. Maybe even some of her Black Phoenix tuition would come in handy. Aurora wielded that weapon with talent and ease. Nevertheless she didn’t like to use it. Bad recollections.

Walking down the wooden planks of the waterfront she sat down. Her legs hanged over the side, only half a metre from the yawning sapphire waters. When she was told of the destinations and enemies they would face fear was the first emotion to tiptoe into her mind, that and some anticipation. Aurora doubted the strength of those around her…she doubted most things. Not much of a moon worshipper. She had to see things to accept them at times. In this case she had seen little example, apart from the extensive wind magick training, of any genuine power. Breathing in the salty atmosphere of the incoming tides she smiled. Tranquillity.


It was a humorous thing. It affected her in a particular manner. It started in her toes and made its way up trying to liberate itself from her humane shell. Aurora opened her mouth and began to sing. At the shrine travellers and those who had come to seek sanctuary from the worlds dangers had commented on her singing. They had thought the moon goddess had been present and was singing her typical melody. Aurora was exalted with these respects. It humiliated her making her cheeks turn crimson but she liked what they said deep down. There was once upon a time when she had never been complimented.

Her voice echoed her ears. She didn’t know the origin of the hymn but it filled her heart with love.

---Flashback---
“Um, diluted or not, I take alcohol pretty badly, so I’ll pass.” he rejected the offer politely as his eyes surveyed across the dark sky, searching for any floating elf.

“Speaking of which, the last time I drank, I went in a frenzy state which caused an uproar in local tavern of a particular village in Ariania. Thankfully, they bought insurance.” He chuckled as he unsheathed his blade to polish it.

“Then again, that brings back plenty of memories.” He murmured.

“We’ll visit it along the way then!” chirped a rather cheerful Eiyora.

“It’s one of the villages reported to be totally annihilated by a bandit group about a year ago.” He lied despite knowing the true cause.

“Oh…”

“Well, I intend to pay the ruins a visit after I accomplish my goal.” He added briefly.

“I’m going to bed now.” The newcomer announced.

“Aye, goodnight.” He waved back as Aurora made her exit.

The atmosphere was pretty quiet except for the gulping of the ale by Drewera. The night was late indeed, it was hard to think that they would set off their quest in just mere hours. A snooze was heard soon enough though, not by Drewera, not by Lynx but Eiyora herself whose body slumped against the earthen wall. With a shake of his head, he removed his cape and covered her around it.

“She seems too innocent, Drewera.” He said in a soft-spoken voice, his emerald eyes shimmering under the moonlight.

“You think so too? I wonder if that lasts throughout the entire journey.”

“ … I’ll put her to the bed now, and turn myself in for the night as well.” He said coldly as he carried the water mage back to her room.

---End Flashback---

Once our quest for retrieving the moonshards end, seeing men like Issac dead, the lands of Domiria will be back in peace again.

The harbour city had the same sea of crowd as he remembered. He never thought he would set foot to his homeland and then part away from close friends he met just weeks back, Lakre and Randelf.

“Hey Lynx, want to spar before we part ways?” the other Sun God worshipper asked with a smirk.

“Aye, good idea. I wanted to know how strong you are before we part.” He replied as he led Lakre and Randelf to a spot not too far off the outskirts of the city.

“Randelf, do us a favor and be the referee and timekeeper would you? It would be an embarrassment if we were the ones delaying the departure.” Lynx spoke as he drew out his blade. Lakre’s motions did likewise except that his blades were two.

“With spells?”

“Nah, just swordsmanship.”

Lakre started off by darting towards Lynx with his blades crossed-like scissors stance. Lynx answered swiftly with a horizontal swing, using the flat-side of White Judgment to deflect his attack, knocking Lakre backwards. Lakre didn’t falter though, nimbly, he gestured Lynx to come forth to deliver back a blow.

Lynx went on with a thrusting stance as he used his left arm as a pivot to gain momentum for his right to deliver a heavier blow. A cut was made on Lakre’s cheek along his process of dodging towards Lynx’s dead angle. However, due to lack of time, he was only able to deal a mere cut to Lynx’s torso and retreat back before Lynx angle-slashed to his side.

“Nice reflex.” panted Lakre.

“Yours too.” Came the brief reply.

Lynx started to analyze the situation. His blade was longer but Lakre had two blades which meant he was prone to counter-attacks, the only advantages he had was that his double-handling of his hilt would beat the strength of either of the blades Lakre hold but not both at a time and the fact that his weapons were based on single-handling judging by the bucklers attached to the blades. He had to take one of them out in order to improve his chances of winning.

Seeing their idling wouldn’t get them anywhere, Lakre leapt back for another assault, leading to a deadlock between the duelists. Gritting his teeth, Lakre forced his blades down further, pushing Lynx downwards. To gain advantage of the situation, Lakre swiftly swung his left blade to Lynx's neck only to find his opponent deflected his right blade, stunning him for a mere second. Lynx immediately swung his blade towards Lakre’s torso, simultaneously Lakre continued his delayed motion. The match became a draw.
“That was fun, I wonder what’d happened if we both used everything we got.”

“Hmm, I guess we’ll settle that score until next time then.”

The Sun God worshippers both laughed merrily as they withdrew their blades and placed them back to their proper sheaths.

"They've ended it already?" Drewera grumbled as she set another tankard of ale down on the ground beside Randelf. "And here I was hoping to enjoy it over a tankard of ale."

"Is that ale I see?" Lakre suddenly appearing in front of the duo, Lynx in tow. Helping his sparring partner straighten, he asked the dwarves, "You don't mind sharing it with us do you?"

Seeing Lynx begin to protest, Drewera replied smoothly, "Sure, we don't mind, why don't both of you sit down and we have a nice sip?"

She exchanged a significant glance with Randelf who understood and nodded. The dwarf passed the tankard to the redhead, "Come on, have a sip. It's good."

"But-" Lynx began.

"Yeah its from Sweanda City and it's better than some of those tavern ale around here." Drewera added, effectively cutting off the sun worshipper's protest.

"Go on." Lakre said, "I'm sure you'll like it."

Lynx sighed, resigning himself to his fate and took a tiny sip. A sip gradually turned into a mouthful, and soon, Lynx had 'fallen in love' with the ale and took generous gulps as they passed the tankard amongst themselves. It did not take long for his cheeks to be smeared with red either.

By the time they were joined by company, which was an hour before evening, he was totally wasted, to the amusement of his companions.

"So here you are. And here I was thinking that you might have lost track of time or something." Nefuriya admonished as she descended slightly shakily from the mid-air alone, Coran having left a while ago, saying that he had things to discuss with Neru.

"Sorry, Riya," Drewera gave her a half-hearted apology, "I couldn't resist sharing this tankard of Sweanda ale with them before we split up."

"But now you've gotten Lynx drunk!" the windcaster accused, pointing at the redhead who was looking at her blearily.

"Who...?" the said redhead mumbled as he squinted at Nefuriya, "Is that... Isaac?" he paused, his brain almost giving a click as his thoughts linked to form, 'Isaac here, kill!'. Fumbling to pick up his sword haphazardly, he charged at the surprised windcaster, whose only reaction was to freeze him when he was still centimetres in front of her.

"Huh?" he muttered intelligently when the image of Isaac gave way to become Nefuriya. "Where... did Isaac go...? Nefu... riya...?"

Unfortunately, exhaustion from using wind magick for the entire week and two and a half consecutive days managed to hit Nefuriya just at that exact moment and the backlash hit her hard. Very hard.

She lost her hold on her wind magick and fell forward, colliding into the drunk swordsman, who lost his own footing as well and fell backwards, and onto the ground.

"Well..." Drewera murmured, amused. She watched as Lynx began to, uncharacteristically, snore from his spot while Nefuriya's form simply relaxed further and the windcaster herself passed out. On the snoring redhead. "This isn't exactly what you get to see everyday."

Randelf and Lakre nodded, both hiding smiles behind their relieved faces when they realised that Lynx had not caused any harm to Drewera's best friend.

Just then, two footsteps neared the four and abruptly halted.

"Oh my..." Neru murmured as she took in the sight before her.

[OOC: Tag Sel!]

Void watched as the three idiots fumbled around on their tip toes from the effects of their drink. He sat hidden behind some foilage with a good eye view to them. He could not believe these people were moonseekers. Such embarassment made him want to leave instantly, yet he needed to reach "her." The elf looks away and flees away from them from tree to tree, as he neared the camp not far from the place that he and the sprite set up. Upon arriving, he saw her already sleeping under the blanket he had given her and sighs as he drops near the fireplace conjured by her magic and sat there crosslegged, not really caring for anything else.

He unlataches his Scizmitar from his back and lays it near his stuff as he lies down and stares at the fire, the image dancing in his eyes as the thoughts of Lien came to mind. Would she accept who he was now? Or was herself any different than him? He kept asking these questions over and over to himself, but he growls, shaking away the bothersome stuff and rolls onto his back, staring into the night sky, again....his eyes missing the moon that once rested there.

The duel had caused Auroras singing to end. She did enjoy examining fights. Yet again Aurora questioned her moon worshipping with a tiny smile. It was heartbreaking to see friends leave each other. However it wasn’t just the reality that they were splitting up but the fact that she hadn’t got the opportunity to attest her own worth. Aurora was a boaster, at times though she speculated what she had to boast.

Everything had changed so quickly. With all the prospect of things to come would she ever get the chance to sing again? Maybe that was what she feared the most….the loss of serenity. After contradicting herself the other day she relised why she was fighting. Aurora fought for a place to remain singing. It was a juvenile cause but it was a cause. Everybody had reasons…and this was Auroras….a place to keep singing.

Aurora smiled with an innermost laugh looking into the expanse of the hole filled with tears.

Neru was on her way out of the temple worshipping the water goddess where she was praying for Eithelwen's recovery and for her family's safety when she felt a familiar gaze, and frowned. "Come down, Coran."

The new windcaster promptly floated himself to Neru's level, and said wryly, "You know, you could give me a better greeting than that."

"Ah... but you have to have deserved it." Neru smiled sweetly at him before inquiring bluntly. "Now, what do you want?"

"To discuss something with you before we reach Cesopia." Coran's tone was dead serious and Neru frowned, wondering what could be of such importance to prompt such a reaction, and listened attentively although she appeared slightly bored. "It's about Bloody Hands."

Neru's eyes narrowed and she scowled. "What about them? Surely you are not requesting that I let those bandits who betrayed you to go unpunished for capturing me and attacking the merchants entering and exiting Cesopia? They are criminals, Coran."

"As am I. I was their leader until I was overthrown, don't you remember?" The ex-bandit's eyes were flat and displeased. "I am not asking for you to give them pardon for their crimes, just not to seek them out deliberately in retaliation. Some of them... those loyal to me... they did help us back then, did they not? So just focus on getting the shard in Cesopia and save your country, and leave them alone for now."

"I will have you know that I am not pleased with this request. And also that there was and still is a standing order to capture them, if not kill them should they resist. They have a negative impact on Cesopia's economy, and as its princess, I cannot sit by and let them destroy our trade." Neru stated, her very speech showing her obvious royal upbringing. However, her tone softened just a little as she continued.

"But I will not go out of my way to pursue them for their crimes against me. Some of them deserved to be publicly flogged, but indeed there were some who showed some kindess and at the very least, admirable loyalty, by letting us go. For that, I will let the matter rest. However, I will not revoke the order for their capture, so should they be so unlucky, I will not let any escape from their overdued punishment."

Hearing that, Coran let out a relieved sigh and smiled mischieviously. "What about me, Your Highness? Will you not let me escape from my punishment?"

Neru gave him another smile laced with honey, like the one from before. "Well... you did leave them, although it was more like thrown out by them, so I'll think about whether you should be punished as well."

And with that, she let out a tinkling laughter and went in the direction of their inn, followed by Coran who floated just a little distance off the ground. They arrived back just in time to see Nefuriya and Lynx lying on the floor, both knocked out, and the former lying on top of latter.

"Oh my..."

"What is it, Neru..." Coran stopped abruptly and caught the sight of his teacher sleeping on top of another moonseeker. "Well well... I didn't know she liked him so much."

"Riya is over-exhausted from teaching you, Coran, so quit with that nonsense." Drewera spoke up for her friend, though her tone was teasing. "Still, it's quite an amusing sight."

"Indeed." Neru mumbled, as she tried to muffle her laughter with her palm. "But they are blocking the way, so we will have to move them. Inconvenience on the expense of amusement is sometimes not as funny."

"I'm on it." Coran smirked and floated the both of them together without any change of position towards the stairs leading to their rooms before following them behind. "Now there is not inconvenience, is there?"

"None whatsoever." Randelf chuckled. "I wish I can see their faces when they wake up in the morning, but I wouldn't want to piss Nefuriya off."

"You're right on that." Drewera muttered under her breath, before breaking into a grin. "Well, let Lynx deal with that. They will figure it out in time, though I doubt she'll just let us off. Especially you, Coran."

Neru shrugged easily, with a mischievious smile. "We ARE splitting up tomorrow, so Coran will just have to bear with it until we leave."

"You are not thinking about pushing all your blame on me, are you?"

Neru smiled evilly. "Why not?"

Nefuriya woke slowly, unwilling to leave the long awaited sleep that she had finally gotten. She shifted slightly, noting blearily that her bed and pillow felt vaguely different from the ones she had been used too. In fact, it had been at least half a year since she had even slept on a real bed, much less one that moved up and down and smelled faintly of ale. And when did her bed become sentient? She could have sworn she heard a muffled groan under her.

Wait. her hazy thoughts came to a halt, and she blinked. What the heck happened last night? Yesterday or some hours ago for the matter?

Another moan came from below her and she turned her gaze downwards. Only to see a familiar looking gray shirt. Which belongs to a certain red haired warrior. Who had looked very obliviously cut- ahem, flustered when he was drunk.

Nefuriya froze when her brain finally put two and two together. She stared down at the redhead who had laid a hand on his forehead, and moaned softly about having a killer headache.

The major part of her brain was running frantically around in circles while another part went along the lines of 'What the hell, just go back to sleep.'

Eventually the latter won out and she collapsed back onto her 'pillow-cum-bed' hoping to return to dreamland which she had missed for eighty-four long hours. No such luck.

"Nefuriya?!" her not-so-cooperative friend, bed and pillow exclaimed, shooting up into a sitting position, staring at her limp form incredulously. "What are you doing in my bed?!"

Nefuriya ignored the tiny voice in her head that whispered about him being obscenely cute when he was blushing all the way to the tips of his ears.

"And I've got to ask you what exactly happened yesterday, last night, or whatever." she retorted grumpily, having been unceremoniusly dumped the one side of the bed. She paused to consider the part of her brain that smartly informed her that if she did not get back to bed within the next five minutes, it would shut down on her, "Can we go back to sleep and deal with this later?"

[OOC: Tag Sasu!]

“Ugh…” he groaned once more. Not only did he feel light-headed, he could barely move his body. He was drained. What’s worse was that an elf was sleeping beside him …but why? His eyes wandered back to Nefuriya. Her fringe partially fell over her delicate elven facial features as she sleeps, her beauty mesmerized him completely.

“She’s…like an angel…” his brain registered promptly. “!!!”

Pull, your-self to-gether! He slapped himself across the cheek repeatedly, then shook his head to get his emotions under control.

Let’s see… Lakre and I fought… Drewera came… then there’s the al- OH GOD.
His crimson cheeks flushed further to a different variety of shadings, his mouth opened and shut wordlessly at the dozing woman.

…it can’t be!

As he dwelled in his “mysterious” thoughts, he heard faint signs of snickers by his door. Without hesitating, he hurled a dagger towards the door.

“Mirgalen’s beard!” came a surprised yet recognizable cry, followed by some muffles, then silence.

“Wai-” he tried to call out, but his tired body merely fumbled back onto the bed. His vision was slowly engulfed by darkness as his mind grew weary and soon, he gave way to slumber.

“Just leave them alone…for now.” Lakre whispered into the dwarf’s ear.

“Pft, fine, cha humans aren’t fun no more. Let’s get that package ready for him before we spilt then.”

"Package? What package?" Drewera asked.

"It's his new outfit. We had it sent to a tailor at Nas'Taar when we arrived." Randelf explained he paused and turned to glance out of the window before continuing, "Come to think of it, it should be ready now."

"We'll pick it up for you." Eiyora volunteered, standing a little ways beside Drewera.

"Wait, we?" the female dwarf looked at the watermage suspiciously, "Referring to who?"

"You and me, of course!" Eiyora replied cheerfully.

"I knew it." the brunette slapped her forehead.

"Why not?" Randelf added, "Lakre and I need to prepare some things for those two anyways." he passed a slip of paper to Drewera and said, "That's the tailor's address. Just tell her that it's Randelf's order."

With that, the dwarf turned to the quiet youth beside him and dragged him along, all the way stage-whispering about what he intended to do to the sleeping duo.

Drewera stared at them, stumped, "I err, suppose we should run along to that shop he was talking about."

Eiyora agreed, almost tripping as she followed the female dwarf out of the inn and down the streets. The afternoon sun blazed down on them and they hurried towards the tailor's, thankfully coming across several buildings that protected them from the heat.

They managed to collect their package from the tailor who happened to be finishing the final stitches of the outfit. And Eiyora did trip over a roll of silk thread that had fallen to the ground when they left the building, the dwarf holding onto a baggage wrapped in brown paper.

As they settled down at a roadside stall, deciding to rest their feet before returning to the inn, she managed to catch sight of a pair of familiar figures. One was leaning over the displays in one of the stalls opposite of them, while the other waited patiently.

"Is that Arien and... Seph?"

[OOC: ^^;; Sorry about the sudden increase of couplings. I had the feeling if I didn't set them up now, I won't get the chance to when they split up.

Oh by the way, Sasu has made a change in the listing, and swapped Ray and Arien. So now Arien is in Team A while Ray goes to Team B.]

“Is that Arien and … Seph?” Drewera said.

“I think s… wegg!!!!” Eiyora tripped over her own foot all of a sudden while walking and fell forwards to the ground with a thud.

“Shhhh…. now you’ve done it…” Drewera said with a sigh. Apparently Drewera was having thoughts of eavesdropping but due to Eiyora’s fall and the sound she made, the pair has been alerted of their presence.

The pair looks at where the sound came from and was awarded with the sight of a water mage on the floor with her face flat on the ground and a dwarf shaking her head.

“Drewera and Eiyora…?” The both said in unison.

“Erm hi Arien and Seph, what are both of you doing here?” Drewera said while helping a groaning Eiyora up.

“I wish Coran or Nefuriya was here…” muttered Eiyora who was messaging her red nose as she have fell face flat onto the ground and turned her attention to the pair who was regarding both she and the dwarf with a that-should-be-our-line look.

“Hi Arien and Seph! We are taking a package from the tailor for Lynx…what are both of you doing here?” Eiyora informed them and asked again while walking over to the pair with Drewera.

“We are…erm…you see…arr…we…” A blushing Arien said, stumbling over her words. She tried to explain yet couldn’t find the right words and in the end, they got Seph to explain everything instead.

[ tag yume! =3 ]

"Oh, so you've been together since the incident at the water shrine?" Drewera asked, mentally counting the number of days they've kept their relationship from the rest. "I wonder why we didn't notice..."

"Uh yeah, so um... can you please don't tell the others?" she could have sworn the red on Arien's face was ten times more vivid than when it was on Lynx.

"Sorry, no can do." Drewera said firmly, then lowered her voice, "But I'll let you in on a secret."

"What secret?" the girl asked, immediately forgetting her problem at hand.

"Nefuriya and Lynx." Drewera whispered mysteriously, "Go and take a look at them at the inn, it's the third room from the stairs."

"Well, if you want, you can follow us." Eiyora added helpfully, "We're returning to the inn too."

"We'll do that." Seph agreed and the four marched back to the inn, where they ooh and ahhed at the sleeping pair in the room before leaving quietly.

~*~

Nefuriya stirred. She could feel the sun through her eyelids, and opened her eyes. And realised that she was lying on a familiar somebody's chest again. Again, she ignored the voice in her head that was vehemently declaring the swordsman's *coughcutecough*-ness.

Turning her head slowly, she looked out the window. The sky was a brilliant mix of orange, red and blue and casted a slight purple shade where the colours came into contact.

Dusk. she decided before getting up slowly, carefully removing the arm slung over her waist and floated gently off the bed, not wanting to wake the sleeping redhead, who eventually woke up anyway.

"Hi." the redhead said when he caught sight of her, his cheeks colouring lightly.

'He has bed hair!' Nefuriya's inner voice squealed, and she squashed it down viciously before replying, "Hi. Slept well?"

"Alright I suppose." Lynx yawned, then clutched at his head when the pain in his head suddenly doubled and pounded against his skull ruthlessly, "Ugh, who the hell created hangovers anyway..?"

"I'm not sure I know." Nefuriya blinked, "But I'll get you some tea and herbs to ease it."

"Thanks." he offered and she left the room in search for her best friend.

She eventually found her down a tavern again, in the companionship of Trysta and Ray this time. The dwarf passed a mug of tea and some herbs to her.

"How did you know I needed that?" Nefuriya asked puzzled. She had not even stated why she had gone down in the first place!

"Ray said you'd need them." Drewera replied simply, "So we had them readied in advance."

"Oh. Uh, thanks." Nefuriya said, and floated back out.

"Have fun! But remember that we're leaving tonight!" Trysta called out behind her. And Nefuriya realised that Drewera must have told all of the moonseekers.

I wonder how we ended up in the inn. Nefuriya thought. The memories of the events leading to her passing out had somehow managed to return to her, but none were relating to the inn in anyway.

Her thoughts suddenly turned to a certain brunette swordsman whom she had been training with for the past week. How indeed. she thought wryly. I suppose I'll need to speak with him about sabotaging his mentor before we spit up tonight.

She entered the room silently to find Lynx laid back against the bed, his arm thrown over his head.

"I've brought the herbs and tea." she called softly, waking the redhead gently, and paused catching a soft tune that had drifted from outside the window. "Is that singing I hear?"

[OOC: Tag Sasu and Xandrou!]

“It’s definitely singing.” He muttered softly, trying not to show any trace of irritancy over his voice. His mind refreshed over the dream he had.

---Flashback of Dream---
He found himself wandering in a forest. Leaves of trees rustling, birds chirping, your usual typical forest settings. Then he came to a cabin where he see Nefuriya in a housewife clothing.

“Nefuriya? Why are you here?” he asked in a nervous tone.

“Oh, dear you are back!” she remarked cheerfully which was not her usual tone that made Lynx jumped. Furthermore, he was being addressed as “dear”, what on Domiria was happening?

He assumed all was but a practical joke until he saw two kids chasing each other about behind Nefuriya. They nostalgically carried a concrete resemblance of himself, he gulped. Immediately, he had a mirror out of nowhere and raised a confused Nefuriya’s chin to compare both their images, a perfect combination which actually led to the features of a children. Still, he was reluctant to trust his assertions.

“Thes-These…ar-aren’t our chi-children, are they?” he stuttered endlessly with a dazed expression.

“Oh yes they are, mister Lynx Bane!” she pouted as she pinched his cheek. “Don’t tell me you were out flirting with the other women again!”

He was stoned. Then came the “daddy” shouts and tackles by “his” children, shattering his spirits further. He wasn’t mentally prepared for all these responsibilities, he could only let out a death wail, “NOOOOOOOO!”

---End of Dream---

The Sun God worshipper’s emerald eyes paced back and forth at Nefuriya, blushing as an inner voice whispered into him , “Way to go dumbass, you earned yourself a permanent contract via drunkard method.” Whatever done was done, he could only accept the consequences that awaits him.

Without further ado, he knelt before the Wind Priestess, apologizing frantically.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do it! Not that I was having any conscious when doing it but I’ll bare all the responsibility and consequences. Forgive me!”

Simultaneously, Randelf and Lakre appeared by the door. “Mind if you step out of the room for a moment miss?” requested the later of the duo. Nefuriya complied, with a puzzled look on her face.

“What are you guys doing?”

“Oh, just a makeover.” They both added with a devious glint to their eyes.

(OOC: Yay. The new look. http://www.rpgdreamersforum.com/index.php?...ic=33837&st=210 )

Void had awken earlier than usual as he practiced his balance near a pond's lake. He was upside down, balancing on one finger as he kept his eyes closed and kept meditating as the sun arose to welcome a new morning. He wasn't at all thinking about those moonseekers. His mind was only wandering on Lien. Fromn the brush, the spirte appears, her red hair messy slightly as she slept a rough night. She looks over at Void and wonders what he was doing. The elf had already given her a bad impression and now he was becoming even stranger.

She hovers over to him and says to him:"What are you doing?"

He does not answer as he kept in this stance.

She continues:"Well, it seems the others will be off soon. Thought I should tell you."

He still does not answer, until his other arms reaches the ground and he handsprings upright. Void keeps his direction toward the water and replies:"This is all a mistake. Everything is a mistake. Something goes wrong with the gods, and now we're involved. Better yet, I am stuck with having to retrieve these shards to resurrect some moon goddess when in reality, it is most unlikely obtaining all of them will work. If those shards have tainted the places they are at, I think there's a different side to this story."

He turns and walks past the sprite as he continues:"If she was of pureness, hyow come her shards are now of darkness? Not the type of darkness I wield, nor Morwen's power, but an evil spawntation that lurks in the bounds of the objects' heart. For some reason, I don't think those shards should be kept by one with little willpower, for they can start messing with their mind...their sense of right and wrong."

He thinks of a few of the moonseekers who possess the ones so far. "I see an unwelcoming plan for them in the future."

Aurora sat by the lake that split up into separate ponds. Tickling her fingers through the water her reflection became obscure.


“Ta nes…baton…ray done hew la kay…mon jo…ce ta…le flon de jo ko…ma see nay ratana gu leorn a tid…” Aurora stopped singing after hearing a voice pierce her ears.


She could not place a face on the voice however she could make out fragments of what was being said.


“If she was of pureness, how come her shards are now of darkness?” The voice asked.




She couldn’t make any more out. Although Aurora was somewhat offended by this declaration she couldn’t help but contradict her own beliefs. If this person were right would she be an enemy? To the very end Aurora would serve the moon goddess. Even if that meant turning against the planet…


Returning to her singing Aurora looked up at the sun blinding her eyes. It was apparent to her from the rest the sun was sitting that they would be leaving now. Moon worshipping was not just about the moon but all walks of existence and she knew most details about the other gods and their own beliefs.



Getting onto her feet she began walking towards were they were to meet. Followed by the song of her harmony.

“Makeover?” blinked the redhead, not being able to comprehend the situation.

“Yep.” Randelf grunted, taking out a rope with an oblivious glint in his eyes. Lynx sweat dropped, “What’s… that rope for?”

“Oh, to bind you up so that we’ll be able to fix things easily.” quipped a rather creepy dwarf.

Suddenly a inner voice squirmed in his head. “One friendly advice here for you here…GET THE <BEEP> OUT OF HERE NOW!!” Lynx complied, only to find his struggle futile due to a mild side-effect of the hangover.

“Anyone help! NEFURIYA!” a rather frantic cry by the soon-to-be victim, making a certain Wind Priestess sneeze somewhere the voice couldn’t reach.

“My…poor poor hair.” sobbed the Sun God worshipper as bits of his hair snipped right before his very eyes. Pleased with his work, Lakre gave a pat on the back on his fellow worshipper’s shoulder, “Now we’re done with that, it’s time for the outfit!”

Seeing that his new hair style wasn’t that bad after all, Lynx had a bit of hope glimmering from his face. Unfortunately, Randelf brandished a skimpy tight-leather outfit, making Lynx’s jaw dropped dramatically.

“Whoops, wrong package.” He snickered as he took the appropriate set out.

--Moments later---
“Hey not bad.” remarked the redhead brightly for the makeover he received.

“But Randelf… what the heck was that clothes for.” he pointed at the evil-aura emanating clothes on his bed.

“Oh, self-interest.”

“You sick bastard but well, thanks a lot for all these guys. I wonder how will I ever repay you both.”

“Oh, there’s no need to. We saw some interesting stuff already.” Lakre said, giving a thumb’s up to Lynx with a sly smile.

Nefuriya sneezed. The elf shook her head and muttered, "Strange, it's not a cold night tonight... Was someone talking about me again?"

"Well I suppose there are a few that I could name right now." Drewera teased, eliciting a gentle blush on the windcaster's face.

"So, what was it that you needed to do?" she asked, following her friend as the dwarf navigated through the many shops down Nas'Taar.

"I'm meeting a contact of mine. He claims knowledge of the giant fish that Favonius mentioned." the dwarf replied, pausing to stare at the shops around here. "It should be around here..."

"And what are you going to exchange that information with?"

"This." Drewera smirked, carefully pulling out a dark green object from her knapsack.

Nefuriya had not been accompanying Drewera on her mining expeditions for years for nothing, and a quick glance allowed her to identify the item, "It's Malachite isn't it?"

Drewera nodded, "Well, he's into ornaments and all, so I figured it would be somewhat useful to give it to him instead of some smithy who would attempt to use it as he would to a piece of mithril."

The brunette turned back to the shops and continued to search for a familiar signboard, and managed to walk right into one, her head colliding against the wooden material of the board.

Pushing it out of her face, she glanced at it and exclaimed, "That's it! we're here!"

"I'll take a walk around the town, if you don't mind." Nefuriya said, "Call me once you're done with your bargaining."

"Sure." the dwarf nodded absently and entered the shop.

There's that singing again... Nefuriya thought as she floated above the buildings and towards the lake.

Letting her altitude fall inch by inch, she lowered herself down towards the lake where she caught sight of two moonseekers, one preparing to leave the ponds while the other was so engrossed in the tiny blob in front of her that she did not notice the little piece of rock in her path.

Sighing as the water mage tripped over the aforementioned rock, as predicted, Nefuriya raised her hand, freezing the water mage and sending her flying towards her.

"Eheh, thanks Nefuriya." Eiyora said as she neared the elf.

Waving off her thanks, Nefuriya floated them down to the moon worshipper.

"Hi, what are you doing here?"

[OOC: Tag Suis and Xandrou!]

Aurora examined the moonseekers whom had just joined her. Clumsy things.

"Hi, what are you doing here?” the moonseeker asked.

Aurora hadn’t expected to run into any other moonseekers here. Aurora had known them to be delimited by the hustle and bustle of the vicinity and had never expected to see them here.

Aurora was an enigmatic female. One who never told the full truth…she didn’t lie…she just left out a few details here and there.

Perhaps it had been her singing that had brought them to this calm and serene place. There was little hesitation in her mind that was it.

“Hello, I was just leaving as a matter of fact”, Aurora answered walking past her.


Aurora bent down and picked up a scarlet rose and put it up to her nose and smelt it. A joy of life. Turning around allowing her long black hair fall past her shoulders she looked at the moonseeker.


“I shall be in the chapel if you desire to speak to me”; Aurora began elegantly walking on the path. Holding the rose stuck between her hands she crossed he fingers and began to pray.

Nefuriya rolled her eyes at the attitude the moon worshipper showed, Of all times to want to act sophisticated and standoffish...

A familiar sharp whistle pierced the air then, a signal shared between herself and Drewera to remind each other of the time, and she looked up to the sky, noticing the setting sun.

"We've got to go now. They are leaving in ten minutes." she said to Eiyora, and turned to the other moonseeker, gentling flicking her hand to lift her up in the air, "Sorry to interrupt your prayer, or session at the chapel, or whatever. You can do that later. We're going now."

"Umm, where?" Eiyora asked.

"To get Drewera, then we'll go to the harbour." Nefuriya replied, floating all of them towards the dinghy shop she had left a while ago.

They picked up the dwarf quickly and set off for the harbour where they met up with the others.

Nefuriya breathed in relief as she allowed the three to land, "We're not late I hope?"

“So, we really didn’t do anything else?” asked the Sun God worshipper for the third time.

“YES! Nefuriya just tripped into your drunkard body due to her lack of strength, you snored off immediately right after whereas her conscious was knocked out and Coran levitated both your bodies right onto the darn bed at the inn. For the sympathy of my ears, stop making me repeat or I’ll force you to wear that!” groaned the dwarf as the trio made their towards the departure point.

Lynx beamed and mutter under his breathe repeatedly, “I sustained my virginity! I’ve not been sinned! Thank you Lord!” Somehow, despite feeling relieved, a part of him didn’t regret sleeping next to the Wind Priestess. Instead he couldn’t help but to replay their encounters mentally. Her bewitching sapphire eyes, her silver hair which carries a sweet scent, her pointy ears, her silky skin… he was captivated by her beauty completely when suddenly a question popped into his mind. I wonder what she’ll think about my makeover? He frozed, why was his mind so engrossed about Nefuriya? His face flushed mildly.

“Yo Lynx, are ya alright?” piped the other swordsman. He lied as he gestured the other two to move along, “Hangover.” Sure it was. His mind registered sarcastically. He scoffed at the thought and attempted to shake his mind off about Nefuriya. But the more he tried to think of something else, the more he thought about her.

As the trio merged into the group by the harbor, many were startled by his appearance but his emerald eyes and scarlet hair gave away his identify. The entourage was soon to be split to proceed with their destiny.

“Well, take care of yourselves, you both.”

“Well, take care of Nefuriya.” They both teased in unison.

“Wh-what? Don’t pry into this kind of matter you bastards!” he stuttered in a weak tone, punching their shoulders vigorously yet jokingly. Then he noticed a blush across the elf’s cheeks which made him awkward and his heart skip a beat. One word could describe her at the moment. Cute.

The boats sails swimming in the gust of the wind captivated Aurora. Taking her gaze from the boat she looked at the other moonseekers. Aurora nodded her head signing a separation.


They did the same not having got the chance to get to know her.

As the moonseekers began walking onto the ship the others waved frantically. Aurora looked at the water again as it made circles. In a way she wished she was oging onto the boat. She had never been on a boat before.

[OOC: Actually, Xandrou, Group A is staying in Nas'Taar. So no need to get on a ship/boat.]

"I will contact you through my messenger hawk every other day." Neru said to the floating elf, indicating at the bird of prey perched at the side of the ship. "If you don't receive a message from it in four days, it'll be that we're in danger."

Nefuriya nodded, "Very well. I'd expect a message from you in tomorrow then."

Valiantly keeping Lynx's form out of her mind, she floated back to the remaining members, where Drewera was informing the others about the giant fish.

"Erm, can we talk about this at the tavern? It'll be easier rather than standing around here where we are attracting attention." Arien asked.

Agreement came from the other members and they all shifted towards the tavern where they occupied three tables.

"Firstly, the fish is about eight feet high and around thirty feet long with hard, impenetrable scales. But from what my contact told me, its scales are also very shiny, to the point that it can reflect light and electricity. So we cannot simply let Syn cook it with his magick, or let Lynx have a go at it with his sword." Drewera said.

"Secondly, the fisherman who caught the fish is quite a stubborn man, insisting that the fish brings him luck and refuses to let others go near it, even his family members are having trouble.

"Lastly and the most troublesome problem we have, is that the fish itself has not only gained size and its scales grown harder, it is also hostile, and the last time some one did go near it, it actually leapt out of the water and tried to eat him.

"What I would propose is that we find the fish first, force the man to let us in, if he doesn't comply, we'll just knock him out and face the fish anyway, and have some of us distract the fish while Syn zaps the fish through its mouth where it is most unprotected." the dwarf finished.

"Knock out the man?" Arien gasped.

"It is pretty efficient, he'll just have a little headache when he wakes up that's all." Drewera smiled crookedly.

"It does sound alright. But facing the fish is the most problematic." Seph agreed.

"So now where do we head?" Eiyora piped up.

"To rest first. We'll head out in the morning tomorrow." Drewera replied, "So now, we should all get some rest and be prepared for tomorrow."

[OOC: EDIT: Changed the size of the fish o eight feet tall, thirty feet long, because me and Suis figured that the eight feet length was a tad bit too small.]

Aurora shaked her head in agreement. She relised this fish had become a dangerous opponent. It seemed they were totally reliant on this plan. A plan B would come in handy if things got bad but Aurora could think on her feet. Run. Good plan B. As all these thoughts raced through her head she yawned.


"Im going to go now", she said setting down her glass of mineral water.


Getting up she waved to the barmaid and headed for her room. Sleep sounded like a delightful idea to her. She had been ssearching the area alld ay and had learnt a few things about its past as well as its present and future. A quiet place.

(The next morning)

Nefuriya walked out of her room sleepily, yawning as she descended the stairs slowly, uncaring that the grains of sand resting on the wooden surface was biting into the skin.

She entered the tavern slowly, plopping onto an empty seat at a table, closely followed by Drewera who seemed almost equally tired.

"What happened?" Lynx asked the duo.

"Well, both of us were working through most of last night, so you'll forgive us for being more than a liittle tired won't you?" Drewera replied, then added as she got up, "But we'll be fine after a mug or two of ale."

"What were you working on? And I'm not sure if I've ever seen Nefuriya not floating." the swordsman muttered.

"Yeah, me neither." Eiyora said, bouncing onto her seat, looking more energetic than ever.

Nefuriya shook her head wearily, waved hello at her friend, and proceeded to lightly snore on the table. While Drewera brought two mugs of ale to the table, setting them down with a thud that woke the windcaster quite efficiently.

"Huh?" Nefuriya asked intelligently, staring at the mugs blearily. She did not need to be prodded by her friend, though, and took a sip from one, and wrinkled her nose, "Diluted ale, ugh."

"See." Drewera said, she herself taking a large gulp from one mug.

"So what were you two up to last night." Lynx asked.

"Nothing much, Riya was meditating half the time while I was deveoping a technique to use against the fish." the dwarf replied.

"I see..."

“Well, like you Drewera, I practiced a particular skill that might be useful against the beast.” He continued as he took a seat beside Nefuriya.

“I haven’t been using it frequently because I flunk at it, or more like it doesn’t like me-much?” he paused as he noticed rather puzzled eyes in the room were not wavering away from his direction. He gave a you-will-get-what-I-mean-later look and simply shrugged.

“Anyways, I’ll let the others know that we’ll be heading out shortly?” he mentioned briefly, retreating the area in a swift pace towards Seph’s room.

“Yo Seph, we’ll be heading out in-.” the pupils of his emerald eyes enlarged as he shoved the door open.

“OH DEAR SWEET LORDDDDDDDDDD!” he shouted promptly, emitting a deep blush through his tanned cheeks. He witnessed a rather-much-privacy-needed scene between Seph and Arien.

“I…ah…well…wewillbeleavingquitesoonohmygodohmygodohmygodIamsosorry-better be out of here!” he made himself scarce, knowing that his presence was hindering things.

Why…do all these things happen to me recently? He wondered as he yanked the collar of his shirt frantically, trying to chill off the heat radiating from his face as he proceeded to the next room.

The sharpening of one axe could be heard in the room, Krug and Syn were both there, other than that, the room was quiet.

What…the hell? First the heat, now a diamond dust?

“We’ll be heading out shortly.” There was no reply, simply just echoes of his voice forming in the room. He eyed at Syn, who seemed to be pretty laid back, scrapping a structure out of a wooden block whereas the other, Krug, was gloomily sharpening his blades.

“Okayyy…See you guys down there then.” With his eyes rolled, he opened the door to the next room.

Contestant number 5, Aurora, will she be like those previous two? I hope not.

She was sleeping.

…You know what? To heck with all these, I’ll just get Ari- No wait she’s busy. I’ll get Eiyora to wake her up instead.

(OOC:Wanted to post more but, well I don't know where exactly the fish is kept.)

Aurora woke up immediatley. She was lying in a stance as if she had awoken froma bad dream but that wasnt the case thsi time. Aurora looked around her and then at the door. Lynx was looking at her eyes rolled.


Aurora climbed out of the bed and grabbed a long cloth made of silk and tied it around her naked body. She then reverted her gaze to Lynx without any emotion. She didnt really care that he was perving on her.


"Excuse me", she signalled him to leave.


"I...I wasnt", Lynx tried to gt a few words in.


Aurora got to her feet. She walked towards the door where the word struck Lynx stood staring at her in awh. As she walked to the door she relised her entire body was visible behidn the white cloth but even that did not cause her any concern. Aurora took a grip of the door and began to close it. Lynx took a few steps backwards his figure getting smaller and smaller as Aurora shut the door.


Aurora now alone in her room stopped holding onto the cloth and let it slip. She peered around for her dress. Scratching her head she tried to remember where exactly she had put it. Under the bed. Aurora bent down and caught sight of it. Pulling it out she set it on the bed. Then she went to her basin and washed her face quickly. Then she returned to he bed and change dinto her dress and made her bed. After a furter five minutes of viewing herself in a small mirror she left the room into the empty hall. Passing each room in turn she took note of what was going on by what noises she heard. Interesting.

Aurora made an appearance to the moonseekers who were already waiting. She set down beside them.


"Hello", She greeted them all trying not to look at the embarrased looking Lynx.



"Whats for breakfast?", she got straight to the point feeling her stomach growl. Then Aurora remembered that they would have to start with the whole fishy investigating. She hid her annoyance, work at times was a burden to her.

Neru stared out at the open sea, her eyes unfocused. To be honest, the view was great. The combination of wave patterns and reflection of light made it seemed like there was a scattering of diamonds above the deep navy of the sea. But Neru was not there to admire the wonderful mother nature had presented. Maybe on another occasion she would, but not then.

"Thinking?"

A soft melodious voice crept out from behind Neru and roused her back to attention. Neru turned to see Trielani standing behind her, her face paler than was normal, but looking ever serene and calm.

"Yes." Neru replied simply, and looked out at the sea again. Only when Trielani took the spot next to her and waited then did she continue. "I'm worried for my family and people. I wish the ship could be faster."

Trielani pointed down to where the hull of the ship cut the water surface cleanly, illiciting much white foam with its speed. "The captain is going as fast as he can without wrecking the ship and causing discomfit to us. You must be patient."

"How can I?" Neru whirled towards her, her distress and desperation clear in her eyes. "How can I when I have no idea how they are doing when a disaster is happening there? Are they alive? Are they safe? Unaffected? Or are they... are they..."

"Calm yourself down, Neru. You cannot help by bogging yourself down with worry." Trielani put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know how you feel. I worry about my adoptive mother, Sister Sabalsek, all the time. But I trust that sisters will take good care of her. I trust that she will not allow herself to die. And I know I must do what I can, not what I cannot."

"You are wise, Trielani." Neru gazed deep into the elf's eyes and turned back to the sea. "I forgot that I should trust them. Afterall, they do share the same blood as me, the stubborn, determined and strong blood of my father. They will survive."

"That's the spirit." Trielani smiled. "Now let's go back into the cabin. I may have travelled on ships before but I don't have to like it."

Void was lying high up against the ship's sails, looking down at Neru and Trielani as they spoke. He didn't care much about these people or what they wanted to acomplish. He just needed to at least get one goal accomplished, that was to meet her again. She was on his mind all day, 24/7. It was as if it was natural for him to worry for her. They were childhood friends, after all. He wondered how much she has grown.

He looks back down as they spoke amongst one another. They talked of their family and friends and how they could be affected by the disasters occuring. He sighs, not wanting to think the same thing of Lien. If he still knew her as she was before, then worrying was not needed. He trsuted her. Void just sighs, looking out upon the waters, wondering when they will get to Cesopia. It was else if his gaze would make them go faster, but he shakes it off, knowing that was the stupidest thing to think. He was not one to fall for such illusions and never would be. This all was a big blow to his pride and purpose. Being with these people were beginning to make him soft and he couldn't allow that. The sprite herself kept near the ship, gazing up at Void as she sat on the top of crate, watching both him and the two girls leave back into the ship.

…damn those images! The swordsman cursed mentally as he took gulps of his beverage(nope, not alcohol) continuously without fail, refilling his drink when there’s a need to.

Seph quoted, “Uhm, Lynx? We are leaving now.”

“Eh…about earlie-“

“Not a word about it, I promise.” Lynx interrupted as he pat the flustered male’s back.

Having the audacity to tease him mildly, he smirked, “Ever heard of locking though?” Seph opened his mouth, trying to defend himself, but all his replies were naught but stutters and deeper crimson cheeks.

---Approximately thirty minutes later---
The entourage reached their destination, a rather exquisite place he might say, yet the location of the place look strangely familiar to Lynx. He was having a hunch, a bad one.

A servant greeted the group, humbly addressing them to the living quarters to wait for his master’s appearance. It was one whom he did not expect, the master that is, it was the exact same old pervert who frequently posted in the Bounty Guild for him to send his love letters to countless women.

“#####.” He said without any hesitation, audibly enough for everyone to catch in the room. The fisherman squinted at Lynx rudely, eventually recognizing him. “Oh, you are the same lad who did me the errands some time back! Coming here to collect the debts? I got them from me profits earned from good fishing.”

“Hmmm, what errands?” asked Nefuriya curiously, earning a gawk by the red head.

“Oh, it’s me LOVELETTERS of course.” He chuckled bluntly, emphasizing the fourth word exceptionally louder.

My image…shattered… He stoned himself at a corner, whirling his fingers ceaselessly on the ground in resentment.

“Well, there’s the money and I suppose you guests will leave soon I presume.” The fisherman dropped a pouch of gold coins upon Syn’s reached-out hands, snickering away.

“We need to see that trophy fish of yours. Moonseeker business.” Krug grunted bluntly, right to the point, I like it.

“NO!” the fisherman shouted with a sudden outburst of rage hysterically.

“Moonseeker or not! It’s mine, all mine! No one can touch it! No one! My preeecioussss!” he continued smugly with an even more twisted look.

“…It seems like our friend here has developed a fetish for the fish.” Drewera whispered into Eiyora’s ears, receiving nods in return.

“Guuuards! Take them out!” the fisherman roared once more, summoning shabby looking ruffians at his disposal as his made his retreat.

“Ahhh, fresh meat.” Krug grinned with a devious glint in his eyes.

Syn, however, persuaded, “Don’t kill them. Two simple reasons. One, their blood will just stain our clothes and weapons and two, not worth killing.”

“How dare you mock us! We were once known as the Black Eagles that once terrorized these lands. Consider yourselves unlucky to meet us today!”

---Just five seconds of pain, torment, screams (whatever hurtful words) etc later---
A pile of jello-ed bruised bodies with overly beaten-up faces that are barely human waved white flags willingly. The group then followed behind the fisherman’s trace, eventually ending up in a unique room where a large pool(around half the size of a soccer field) was located in the middle.

The fisherman took several steps away, with his back facing the pool, spreading out his arms and screamed that the fish belonged to him. *CHOMP* The fish made his appearance by biting his body off which earned an applause by a particular Half-Orc.

The fish or more like a fish-like monster with a basilisk head was gigantic. Its shiny blood-red scales matching its orange fins were unmistakably large and its forehead laid a scarlet eye. Seeing potential threats on the surface, it dived back into the depths immediately.

“I’m so not having seafood later.” Lynx snickered dryly, holding his blade in a stance for a ritual.

“I, Lynx Bane, solemnly swear to Lord Sigel as a devote follower, to perish the unforgivable sinners in his name with the aid of the guardian he forged within this sword. Come forth!”

A silver-grey dragon crest sigil was formed on the ground in his radii as the wind around him swirled fiercely.

“Iori!” he shouted once more, a beast emerged slowly the sigil, a white dragon. The dragon with the size of three over-grown horses, roared as he spread his majestic wings apart, his sapphire eyes glaring at the redhead.

Iori to Lynx: -You! I told you that you are not worthy of fighting alongside me!- (I use - - for mental conversations in my text. Note that only the dragon can telepathy with individual it chooses)

Lynx:-I know! Just help me this once, the next time I summon you will be when I fulfill the…well…deeds okay?-

Iori to Lynx:-Pft, NO, foolish mortal. Only when you fulfill your task, you will then be my master. Now for a self-introduction.-

Iori to everyone-Greetings I’m Iori, servant of Lord Sigel. Sadly, I won’t be able of service until my pathetic master does his homework. Women, feel free to help.-

With that, Iori vanished into thin air, leaving some startled faces behind. Not many people were used to telepathy after all, it couldn’t be helped.

“…gah, I knew he wouldn’t be helpful at the moment. This is so embarrassing.” He sighed, his head still hung in shame, “Since Iori is unavailable, (bastard), what should we do to force the prey out of the pool?”

Great work, you made such an obnoxious impression on her today. Wait a minute…why am I…God, I’m whipped.