((Should've given a little more warning, but since we've hit 5k views, I'm holding an event in celebration. One of which is the murder mystery event, where all participating players help to prove an NPC's innocence. Doing so will create a powerful ally and reward all participants with +5 quest completions. The person taking on the role of this NPC's defense will also be awarded 50k Legens if they succeed.

Furthermore, any players joining until October 11 will start with five quests completed right off the bat! Woohoo!))

Mikkael took a deep breath, collapsing to the ground. They had repelled it. This was good enough for now. Better to live another day, right? He looked over to his party members and gave a sigh. He then began to think to himself.

"Just what on Jungalore is that voice? It sounds so familiar... It reminds me of that dream. Could it be the gauntlet? Just what is going on? I'll need to keep calm and get it away from myself as soon as possible. Such a thing should not exist."

Getting up, he looks over to Philena, who seems to have made it, she gives a weak smile to him and he smiles back. Afterwards, he turns his attention to the Nekor, "Man, you sure know how to take a beating for a scout. Anything broken?"

_________________

Alius let out a sigh of relief and shrugged at Mikkael's question. "Only thing that really got me was the electricity. It packed quite the jolt as you experienced first hand. But nothing that I can't shake off...probably" He went over to the corpse of the Jellyking and retrieved his weapon that he threw at the squishy monstrosity.

"I was kind of used to the feeling of getting shock from my little torture session with the other jellyfish. Still nothing was quite as bad as what that thing had packing it its system, nyan." The Nekor was pretty energetic, even though he was still in pain from the shocks the Jellyking delivered. He didn't really show that he was in pain other than one of his hands was still shaking from the damage which he was seeming oblivious to.

Alius noticed the cowering bandit, curled up behind Natsuki and was slightly annoyed. "Oi! Stop shivering about the damn jelly thing and get up nyan! You're alive aren't yah! Geez, one giant monster and almost everyone pisses their pants nyan..." He turned back to Mikkael and smiled. "By the way, what are you guys doing all the way out here, not that I'm complaining of course nyan!~ I'm just curious."

Timmy was getting sick of these dumb generic monsters and the constant piss and shit smell, and ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He ran through the sewers, following the water, hoping it would lead him to the end. Just as he saw a ladder in the distance, three rats stepped out in front of him. They were wearing yamakas and carrying dreidels. Timmy thought it was weird that these filthy, disgusting rats were smart enough to put hats on and were able to come across the toy of the Jews. He looked around for a minute and shouted, "James are you in the sewer somewhere!?"

Within the deep recesses of his mind, he heard from somewhere in a non-existent Valhalla, "No Timmy, you stupid, crippled cuck!"

The rats began to hiss at Timmy, as if to say, "OY VEY! PAY ATTENTION, YA SHMUCK!"

BOSS BATTLE: RAT x3

Attack Order:
1. Timmy
2. Rat A
3. Rat B
4. Rat C

Timmy's Life: 404
Timmy's Will: 140
Bash Equation: 2(2(46)) = 184
Attack Equation: 2 * 46 = 92
Damage Equation: 2(20) - 56 = ZERO! INSTANT WIN POSSIBLE!

Just as Timmy was delivering the first blow, he began to hear... squeaking. He thought to himself, "More bats... Well, balls." Then, the squeaking became louder, and he started to hear another sound, like squeaking, but it wasn't... As Timmy - and even the rats - stood there listening, the second sound began to overpower the squeaking in the back...

"REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! LEAVE ME, AVIAN DEMONS OF HELL!!!"

As Timmy turned around, chuckling a little at the humorous screaming, he saw an incredibly fat man wearing glasses who resembled a pig running in his direction. As the sizable one neared Timmy, he slipped and fell, flattening all three rats. As he slid a little further, the bats that were chasing him all flew into the wall and died.

Just as the obese bounty hunter began to pull himself back up, the loud cackling of an old woman could be heard, "Ahahahahaha! Look at the big fat pig wallowing around in shit!"

The fat man responded, "SHUT UP NANA! I'M NOT FAT!"

The old woman responds, "Yes you are, Austin. You made Mickey Mouse Pancakes and we're not even in Disneyland."

"You know what Nana..." Austin sniffled, "maybe I wouldn't be so fat if people would stop making me feel bad and accept me for the god that I am! How am I supposed to win the heart of the fair bar maiden, Sara, if you're always bringing my self esteem down!?"

"Austin, all the self esteem in the world wouldn't mean anything if everyone's afraid that you're going to eat everything in the bar." The old woman lashed back.

The bounty hunter just stood there for a moment, then ran up the ladder crying. After watching that whole scene unfold, Timmy himself stood there for a minute and just said, "That was weird." Then he picked up all the drops. He also opened a chest conveniently ignored by the ladder containing 1000 Legens!

Total Drops: 1305 Legens, 1 Shiny Leaf, 1 Charred Wood
Quest Level +1 (UNCLOGGING THE CYNDAR SEWER)
+4 Stat Points
+150 Life/Will Points

As Timmy exited the sewer, he realized he would need a LOT of money. He was going to need a place to stay if not for himself, then for the woman he would eventually have to break out of prison. Given that he wasn't very strong, he'd have to rely on his one other talent that didn't involve shooting something... Making other people laugh. He couldn't rightly just stand out in the street telling jokes, if he made any money, he would likely be mugged or worse... Forced to listen to how someone was being oppressed by some other ruling class. He noticed a sizeable building off in the distance, he could hear glasses clinking and people laughing. He assumed it was a bar or a tavern of some sort, and as he approached the building, he noticed a big fucking sign on the building that read "Tavern".

He thought to himself, "Hmm... I think this is a tavern."

He entered and saw a stage, and on it was... a man. Timmy knew him from somewhere, but couldn't quite figure out where. As he began to think, he absentmindedly pulled up a chair, and sat at a table near the stage. He stared at the musician for a few minutes. As the musician finished his first song, he spoke loud enough for the entire room to hear him, "Alright, this next number is written by an old friend of mine. Wherever ya are pal, this one's for you..."


Link


Timmy couldn't believe his ears. It was HIS song! The musician could be none other than his old friend Jesse! Without thinking, Timmy stood up and exclaimed, "Holy fucking SHIT! Jesse!" The musician stopped playing, and looked in Timmy's direction. He slings the guitar over his back and gets off stage.

"Oh my god! Timmy!"

An old man commented, "Do not use the Lord Lumbra's title in vain!"

Jesse quickly responded, "Shut up! I'm having a reunion with an old friend!" He then shouts out to the crowd, "Everyone! This is my friend Timmy! We lived in the same area, and we've known each other since the year 4984." The crowd cheers and the old man says, "This song is blasphemy and it goes against everything our holy texts say!"

Timmy shouts, "Okay, I swear, you prune scarfing, wrinkly old FUCK! One more word out of you and I will take a lighter and a can of hair spray to your sagging busted nuts!"

Jesse continues, "Anyways, you guys want to hear one more song!?" The crowd gives a cheer in response, Jesse turns to Timmy and asks, "What song do you want to do next?"

He simply asks, "In all your years of knowing me, have you ever known me to be able to play any instrument? If we're going to do this, let's do a new one, I wrote this one months ago." Timmy pauses, "If you know the theme from 'Greatest American Hero' then you do the music, and I'll do the lyrics."

The two get up on stage and Timmy shouts, "Alright everyone, this is a song I wrote a while back but never got done. I couldn't come up with a title, but I'll just call it 'Believe it or Not'."

...

The song finishes and the crowd erupts in cheers. Jesse smiles, "They loved it! Since I played one of your songs, and since you wrote the lyrics for that one, let's split this down the middle." Jesse handed Timmy 1500 Legens, and popped the other 1500 in his own pocket. "Next time I'm in town, let me know and we'll do it again. Or maybe if we meet somewhere else."

The two shook hands, "Alright. See ya around."

+1 Quest Completion!
Stat Points Available: 8
Life/Will Points Available: 300

Exhausted, Natsuki had plopped to the sand alongside the bandit girl who had gotten caught up with the fight. At least she now knew why adventurers with at least some experience were so damn physically fit. The moonlight provided some illumination to this beach as their eyes started to get used to the darkness.

Even the smaller jellyfish were giving a wide berth to the beach they stood on now. Perhaps they had a rudimentary form of distributed intelligence and knew of their presence?

After a short break, she stood up and walked to the others.

"So, you people interested in a quick breather over at Selk?" she asked as she pointed to the city barely visible over the horizon. "After this, I have to at least treat you all for a meal..."

Yemhelch's guts growled at the mention of food, and he decided he had collected enough loot from the scattered remains from the beach and raised his hand.

Yemhelch gathered the following items!

Jelly oil: x2
Gobs of jelly flesh: x2
Squirming stingers: x3
Stingers: x1
Transparent fluid: x1
Barbed stingers: x1

"I too, would like a good solid meal as well." he nodded. The lone bandit girl was still sitting there and Philena trying to snap some sense to her. It seemed like the mage had somehow convinced the shivering girl to return to reality, but even now her grip on sanity remained uncertain as she continued to mumble 'I didn't see that...' every now and then.

Bemused, he walked to Mikkael.

"Hey..." he started, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. "How exactly did you know what that critter was? I found no mention of such a thing back in Cyndar Library."

_________________

The Meridian scratched at his cheek for a moment, tearing a film of fried flesh off his cheek. "Being at sea is dangerous. Lots of creatures lurk in the waters, creatures that you wouldn't even believe existed. What you'll find in any directory, any library, won't hold every secret, especially those which have yet to be truly documented."

He looked over at the pile of flesh left over and continued, "Meridians are constantly at war, and we're always facing some threat or another. That said, our home is better than what we could ask for. Were it not for the fact that Exodiin, our common enemy, was unable to swim and is not exactly on the best of terms with the water dragons, then we would surely be living as nomads. In any case, it's because of my culture's constant battles that we have the greatest intelligence on some of the most well-hidden beasts... At least those at sea." Mikkael looked to the Nekor and the bandit girl, and then to Philena.

He then decided, "Come, let's head for Selk. It's about time we got a meal."

Philena, per Mikkael's instruction, helped the bandit girl out and tried to keep her company on the trek towards the desert town. Taking the front, Mikkael lead them into the town where he ran into a familiar face...

"Well, if it isn't Mikkael!"

Turning to the voice, Mikkael recognized the leader of the Assassin's Guild.

"Oh, Master Scorpio, it certainly has been a while." Mikkael answered in kind, giving a small bow.

"I see you are a spellsword now. Such a shame, you probably would have done well as an ashigaru... This is perfectly fine, though. So, who are your friends?" The master asked, nodding over to the rest of the party. He began his introduction, when suddenly, a bell was being rung by the town crier. "Actually, we'll have to skip the introductions for now. By all means, stop by the guild later, you seem tired out and we'd be happy to have you. In fact, my daughter has been hoping you'd return."

At that moment, Mikkael could feel daggers being shot at the back of his head.

"W-W-What!? Daughter!? Hoping he'd return!? Who does she think she is!?" A certain Meridian girl in their posse began thinking. She became jittery at her thoughts and began gripping the bandit girl harder.

"We'll certainly take you up on that." Mikkael agreed.

...

Philena could only think of one reaction at this revelation.

"HUH!?!?"

_________________

Yemhelch snorts. "Popular with the ladies, ain't ya?" he lets loose a good belly laugh as he turns to look at Philena... only to realize that the girl she was escorting had slipped off her top and run - and with good reason too; it looked like she had a vice-grip on the leather breastplate that could tear it at any second now.

Philena gets a somewhat crumpled leather breastplate, refitted for women!

His jibe was lost in the sea of raucous laughter of the Selk main street - even now at night, it was quite lively, he noted. Burlesque shows, open-air taverns, street performers and magicians thrived here - a lurid change of pace from the neat and orderly streets of Cyndar.

Finally, they settled on an open-sky tavern named the "Silver Talon". A cute waitress, dressed in a garish facsimile of a pirate captain's coat walked up and in a jive-ful voice, asked them "Ahoy, landlubbers! Welcome to the Silver Talon, mateys! What'll ya order be?"

_________________

Alius couldn't help but laugh after Philena's reaction and the events afterwards. He was finding these people pretty fun to be around, though he was very surprised that the leader of the Assassin's Guild himself would welcome them. Who are these guys anyway?. He thought to himself as he looked over the group.

When they got to the Tavern he order some beer and fish before looking at Mikkael and Philena. "First I must thank you both for saving my life. I guess I'm in your debt now. Also might I ask what brings you to Selk? You guys don't seem like the type of people to come here for fun."

"Two servings of whatever's being cooked over there for me, please." Yemhelch raised his hand as he pointed eagerly at the large fish-like creature turning slowly on the spit.

"Ah... that, landlubber, is a Spiggan Huntfish! You'll not eat a tastier meat in this side o' the world!" the waitress smiles. "That'll cost ye 500 pieces of eight!"

"...pieces of eight?"

"Har! I mean legens. Best get ye used to sailor talk, landlubber!"

Yemhelch carefully brings up his bag of coin - the smaller one he kept on hand, of course - and carefully counted 500 legens and handed it over.

"Two servings of Huntfish Prime a'starboard!" she confirms, and goes up to a giant of a man holding a scimitar operating the spit. He flexed his massive biceps, before swinging the sharp blade through the air, slicing off a oil-sodden steak-sized chunk of meat still bubbling with boiling fat. With surprising agility, the waitress catches both flying chunks with a large plate, and brings it over.

"Best ye finish that, landlubber! Or ye'll be walking the plank you will!" the waitress laughs as she serves the meal, intentionally leaning low to let the them see her cleavage. "Just kidding!" she adds, almost as an afterthought before she stood up.

"So, what' bout the rest o' ye?" she addresses the others.

-----

Deep Jungle, south of Frenga Farms.

The patrol had ended uneventfully, and the seer sighed as she put away her magical hourglass. The strange creatures were becoming more and more scarce - even the small, non-aggressive ones had stopped appearing.

"Looks like we're just wasting our time here..." the warlock - a middle-aged man from Selk sighed as he lit a lantern against the gloom. "Magic or not, we've yet to spot a single demon-spawn this deep in the jungle for the last 4 hours..."

The knights accompanying them - once holding a perfect phalanx formation, had - over time - eased into a protective circle around them - swords and spears held at ease, shields - on the other hand, still ready in their hands. The lone peasant who had been working for them as a guide, flopped to the soft grass as he sighed. "You city folk are crazy... first you take away something delicious, then hunt them all to extinction. Then you start looking for it."

The Priest of Lumbra, serving as the vanguard of the patrol handed out small vials with stamina-restorative herbs ready to drink. "We've all had a rough day... how about we all go back and just rest for tomorrow?"

"That would be lovely, Father Ieraus" the scout smiled, as she shook a loose lock of hair from her face. "We've been working all day, haven't we?"

The loosening tension as the patrol was disbanded was destroyed by the scream of the healer - a young woman from Cyndar fell backwards into the grass.

In an instant, the knights had formed a protective phalanx around them as Father Ieraus quickly knelt by the healer who had collapsed.

"A sniper attack...?" the scout gritted her teeth as she focused on keeping her form behind the large shield of the knight who now shielded her.

"I'll scry out their location." the seer exclaimed as she focused on triangulating the attacker's position - her eyes glowed white as her mind opened itself into the world, sensing... sensing...

"Where are they?!" the scout quickly nocked an arrow into her bow, and glanced back for some cue - and gasped in horror. Black tendrils crept through the seer's white eyes - and the seer also collapsed - her pure white eyes turning into a sickening black.

"No... the demons..." Father Ieraus gasped. "They were plotting to ambush us!"

"Bastards!" the knights' squad captain grunted.

At this moment, the seer and the healer both screamed. The voice was all wrong - instead of pain, their screams were tinged with what sounded like throaty moans of pleasure uninhibited.

"Get a hold of yourself!" Father Ieraus pleaded, as he quickly prepared a purification ritual - and dropped the vial of consecrated water in a shudder of disgust. His fingers had rotted, and was falling away, to reveal a mass of blackened worms that twitched and writhed under the light of the red moonlight.

Seeing this, the peasant yelled "FUCK THIS. No amount of legens is worth this!" and ran... smack dab into a tree, knocking him out instantly.

The formation was in total disarray, as the knights backed away from the corrupted flesh in their midst. The scout, watched in horror as her legs sprouted blackish tendrils the way they had raced through the seer's eyes... and looked up right into the eyes of a young knight who had become consumed by the things. His flesh was warped and his tongue hung loosely from his slack jaw.

She was going to die. Cannibalized by these things that had violated and emerged from their very bodies like some sort of plague. Her legs would not move. Her breath raced, and she thought of her friends and family back in Selk. The thing wearing the knight's body moved in... and gave her a tender hug.

Her eyes snapped open and she felt the tendrils swimming in her eyeballs - dancing shadows in her vision. At the very edge of her vision, she saw the others, similarly pairing off with each other; even the priest was sobbing in the hands of the seer who now tenderly stroked his heaving chest.

She opened her mouth - only for a mass of black to seep out like ink in water. The air itself was turning black; the vague forms of her team disappearing one by one, each in their own world as they caressed and comforted each other.

Just before she passed out, she saw them - the pokutes, the jelly-like fruits, and even a shadowy behemoth or two watching them. If she was going to die... then, maybe it was okay... she reached out and hugged the bloated body of the knight to herself, stripping away his armor to listen to his heartbeat...

-

They woke up the next dawn, their armor and clothes scattered this way and that. The blue sky welcomed them; as if the rays of the sun had banished the madness they had experienced. Father Ieraus was in prayer, thanking Lumbra for delivering them from the horrors of the night. The seer was resting, most of the knights had already gotten back into their fitted plate armor and were checking to see if anyone was injured - or still mutated.

No one showed signs of any corruption.

Finally, the convened to discuss what had happened to them that night. What truly had happened would never be known - for Father Iraeus himself had broken several religious taboos in the throes of demonic possession. Clergy could survive such a scandal - but the everydaymen like the healers would be forced from work - at worst becoming rogues and harlots that worked in the night as their reputations would be ruined.

Finally, they agreed upon the story; they had wandered into the depths - and gotten ambushed. Fleeing, they had lost each other - and by the time everyone could return to the designated exit point, it was dawn.

"May Lumbra forgive us and purge the sin that now inhabit our bodies..."
"Amen" replied the whole team.

_________________

Mikkael ordered a drink of hot cocoa and began to explain their situation to Alius.

"... and I myself am studying with Philena at Vex Vinas. She and I are a part of the same study crew, and I decided that we would best learn about the world by actually going into the world and helping others on their own adventures. My story so far has involved lots of fighting and visits to quite a few cities."

Philena nods, now having calmed down, "I want to visit those same places with Mikkael, but that all depends on what he wants since he's notably stronger and thus a better judge of where we can go."

"Actually, one place I'd like to visit again is Vel Da Ir. I never had the chance to really check the place out, and it looked like a very nice city. From what I could see from my last visit, they have a hot spring, a casino, and there's always a festival or party. May be worth the trek someday."

That was when Mikkael noticed something, or rather, someone out of the corner of his eye. At first he thought to pay no mind, but then he decided against it. He had a feeling he had to do this. Getting up after downing the hot cocoa the waitress brought, he simply said, "Wait here a moment, I'm going to get a quick breather."

The figure moved through the streets quickly, but Mikkael made careful pursuit, blending with crowds where possible. Other times, he would blend into the shadows with care. Though his armor made noise, he found it little consequence, as the man soon called out...

"Mikkael, I know you're there."

"So you do, but why are you here? Weren't you the one who was at Arcane Well?" The meridian pointed out. The man turned around with his long grey coat swaying with his turn. He smiled at the spellsword and reached out a hand.

"I was hoping to change your destiny..."
--------------------------------------------------
"Nineteen... Twenty!"

Eiryk had spent the next few hours gathering the supplies on Aya's list. Crystals found in the Divinity Peaks area, Mushrooms outside of Vex Vinas, and he even managed to gather a good portion of rune-slates from Arcane Well. Now with the Mushrooms gathered, he went ahead to Vex Vinas once more. Though Aya had not returned, he wrote a note to her and hoped it would suffice in convincing her to take him as her student.

"Miss Gealach,

I find it unfortunate that you would not let me join you as a student. However, I will assure you that I am very serious about this. I may be an acolyte in training, but I want to better this world by any means necessary. Sure, I may be weak, but attached you will find the list of materials left on your desk. I hope this will convince you that I am capable of at least performing some duties.

I will be staying in Vex Vinas for a while yet, so if you change your mind, you will find me at the tavern. Please consider changing your mind.

-Eiryk Advento"

With that task completed, he went ahead and got himself a bed at the tavern. He would have to await this blacksmith's return anyways.

_________________

Link

"You want to... what?"

The man lowered his extended hand and stepped towards Mikkael.

"You see, Mikkael Altans, lastborn of the Taltenic family, and firstborn of your own, I am one who has seen your fate... and even though I was once one who put an end to the concept, while the Slab of Destiny stands, it creates a cast over the metaphorical wound I helped create on the concept of fate. Thus, your destiny, along with the destiny of others of this world, are set on a path, with very little movement room."

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean. What are you talking about?"

The man stepped closer and leaned in, giving off an ever-faint whisper.

"What I am saying, is that I am the first heretic of Lumbra, and the one who led Umbraria to her awakening."

Mikkael's eyes widened at this revelation. He heard the stories very briefly as a young child, of how Lumbra had slain a powerful being named as only the first heretic, and how that man also made Umbraria who she was. This man, in front of him, was the devil himself. Yet...

"I can see you need some convincing... Look yonder to the people gambling down the street. The man in red will bet 500 Legens on odds, and he will win, the one in green will smack his own forehead in shame."

Just then, the events played out exactly as the man in the long grey coat described. The man in red shouted his bet of 500 on odds, and cheered as he won. The man in green facepalmed with swift motion, and the grey-coated one simply smiled.

"Just... What in the blazes are you!? What do you want!?" The Meridian gripped the hilt of his Buster Sword.

"Like I said, I wish to help you. I am not truly evil, but I suppose I am not good either. Still, I wish to help those I find close to me." The man started to walk around Mikkael, but Mikkael continued to keep alerted to his target's position, "You see, I was originally at Arcane Well to obtain the gauntlets for myself. Yet... Little did I know, your class was coming for an excavation. I didn't think you would actually make it to the church and break the golem open to reveal the hidden artifact within."

The man stopped and pointed to Mikkael, "Listen to me. That artifact is dangerous, and there's a reason they want to keep it away from Philena, bless her heart, for she is to be used in an experiment for... people of a questionable nature."

"An experiment...?"

"I want you to give me those gauntlets. I will... dispose of them, and take away the power within."

"Wait, how can I trust you? You just come up to me and... didn't you want me to take the route to where they were?" Mikkael questioned, now crossing his arms. The man sighed.

"Indeed, I did, but that was because I could not..." The man looked down and then steadied his gaze, "Look, I didn't want to tell you but... If you continue down the path you're going, you will kill her."

Mikkael gasped and drew his buster sword, "H-HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST SUCH A THING!?"

"Mikkael, I need you to liste-"

"SHUT UP!"

Mikkael attacks the man, who prepares his spear and parries the strike, jabbing Mikkael in the shoulder. A non-lethal blow, and yet, it felt like Mikkael's very consciousness was slipping.

"Listen to me, if you want to save her, you will need to give me those gauntlets, and if you don't believe me, that's fine. But one day, they will summon her for a so called test, and they will set her up for a very dangerous experiment that will end with you killing her!" The man draws back his spear, and Mikkael gasps for air as the red bident is removed. "Bury the gauntlets somewhere. Do not keep them on you, leave them somewhere that no one will think to dig. When she is summoned, go to the Magic Knight's Directories, and there you will find the answers you need."

A pause.

"I will need those gauntlets though, they are too dangerous for mortal hands."

"If I refuse...?"

"... Then I'm afraid... You will face eternal suffering."

The man began to walk away.

"WAIT!" Mikkael reached out, "Why... Why would you help me?"

"Like I said, Mikkael, we are very close individuals. Just like I protected someone once before, you too have someone to protect." The man turned his head with a smile, "... and don't you think her will should not be silenced?"

Speechless, Mikkael looked down and threw the gauntlets to the man's feet.

"If it means saving Philena's life... Then I will trust you... for now."

The man picked the two gloves up and nodded. "Await those summons, I will be waiting as well."

Then, with a turn of the corner, the man was gone...

_________________

Natsuki was sharing some tips on spellcasting when Mikkael ran off. Yemhelch had been listening to her intently as she explained the basics of will and mental focus when it came to spellcasting. She was in the middle of explaining the purpose of spell foci when she suddenly stopped and cringed.

"Good grief, did you mother ever tell you to close your mouth when you chew" she sighed as Yemhelch tore off a chunk off the steak he was eating.

"Never mind. Moving on - a spell foci serves as training wheels for mages casting spells." she sighed and continued. Philena was sipping on a glass of "Desert Bounty" - a fruit cocktail made with fine oasis fruits. Her treat, she smiled. Philena smiled back appreciatively as she listened to the impromptu magic lesson. She may have more casting experience, but listening to a scholar provided some deeper insight into spellcasting.

"Hey, Philena..." she finished... "Did Mikkael go for a toilet break or something?"

Yemhelch waved Mikkael as he returned - and suddenly his friendly grin disappeared. There was something wrong with him. For starters, he was sweating or quite wet; did he fall into a manhole or something? Or was the appetizers something that didn't quite agree with their digestive systems? In fact, Mikkael looked like he had seen a ghost. As he sat down, Yemhelch noticed something missing. A smell? A feeling? It was difficult to place.

"Oi, Mikkael. Better dig in - we got sarasa beans and beef rice" he smiled again, making a note to ask Mikkael about what happened later. "....and I've... been a little excessive with my cut... last person to finish their bowl is a pomegranate!"

At these words, Philena looked up and locked eyes with Yemhelch and he returned a steely, challenging gaze. Before anyone could react, they dug into the bowls noisily, almost blending in perfect with the noisy crowd.

_________________

Mikkael ate heartily into the meat he cut himself and began feeling a thousand times better. Getting rid of the gauntlets made him feel a lot better. Perhaps it was draining him? Though he wasn't quite sure about that spear, and that man...

However, he paid it no mind, he was more concerned with Philena, and the last thing he'd want is for Philena to be caught in some nefarious scheme. However, to keep from bringing down the mood, he smiled and began to speak.

"So, I know we're probably going to be busy bringing this all back to Cyndar, but I'd like to accompany you all on your journeys for the next while. Truth be told, I need a reason to keep away from Vex Vinas..."

Philena looked to Mikkael with a puzzled gaze, "Huh? Why is-?"

"Well, it's as I've said once before, better to learn about the world by being in it and taking it all in, right?" The meridian fibbed.

"I suppose..."

"Plus, you wouldn't want to be stuck in the labs doing some menial experiment, now, would you?"

"Alright, I get your point, but we will have to return at some point, you know."

The Meridian shrugged, taking another bite of his food, "Well, they can damn well wait."

He twirled the fork around in his hand before asking, "So, where will we be going after we get these materials back to Cyndar?"

_________________

Alius watched Mikkael run off and shrugged. He just sat quietly and observed the others at the table. He ate his food without a word and thought to himself for a bit until Mikkael came back. He was sweating for some reason. Generally it isn't that hot in Selk for people to go for a bit then get drenched. Did he get into a scuffle or something? Obviously he would be fine with that giant ass sword of intimidation so Alius didn't expect any of that of happened.

When Mikkael asked where they would go next, Alius finally spoke. "How about Cita Den? I would like to join your little group here actually, nyan! But first, I gotta say goodbye to some people....and find out who threw me into the sea to die...Yah know...stuff"

"Unless of course you don't want to see the sights of Selk, the Vast, Vast, Desert and the dark, dangerous alleyways. Both popular tourist attractions nyan~. Either way I'm coming with you. This place is too boring for me now. I won't mind."