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The deafening sound of countless, frantic footsteps envelopes the halls of the nameless ruin. The noise thundering ever louder the closer the footsteps come to the ruin's entrance. Then, bursting into the open: a young man with peculiar wild white hair. With hastened breath, he runs without forethought towards the lush jungle canopy straight ahead. Alongside him runs a white-furred dog with floppy ears carrying several bags of luggage; on one of its legs is a sheathed dagger. Why are they running with such fervor? Well, impending doom is a fine motivator. Behind the pair, in chase, is a mob of a demons—spawns of an ancient, sinister magic lost in history. The dog looks to its master and barks. [color=C45454]"Save your breath for running, [i]Iago[/i]!"[/color]

The pair makes their escape into the heavily-forested jungle. Still, the demons aren't giving up their pursuit anytime soon. The young man impressively weaves through the thick brush of trees. Climbing, leaping, swinging—doing whatever it takes to escape from the clutches of danger. His canine companion, Iago, follows suit. After some time, the two find themselves at the precipice of a tall cliff—they're trapped, and it'll be only a matter of time before the demons catch up to them. [color=C45454]"So much trouble for just [i]one[/i]."[/color] The young man holds up a card emanating a powerful mystic aura. He looks over the edge of the cliff and sees an expanse of water below. [color=C45454]"Hmm..."[/color] He loses himself to his thoughts for a brief moment before looking back at Iago. [color=C45454]"You know... If I just toss you to the monsters, I'd buy a few seconds for myself."[/color]

Iago barks disapprovingly in response. The young man laughs it off. [color=C45454]"Relax, I'm only joking."[/color] He picks up Iago in his arms and gives his companion a reassuring smile. [color=C45454]"Time to take a gamble."[/color] Iago whimpers. [color=C45454]"No risk, no reward, right?"[/color] Hearing the demons closing in on their position, the young man takes several big steps back then runs and leaps off the precipice, diving towards the water below. Iago puts its paws over its eyes in fear. As the pair hits the water, they find themselves on the other side—in an otherworldly place. The young man stumbles for a bit before he finds his footing. As he and Iago looks around, they become mesmerized by their strange, new environment. [color=C45454]"Guess the risk paid off... Big time."[/color]

He sets Iago down and scans his surroundings. Twisting, warping walkways can be seen all over the place. The ruin seems lost to nature as everything is covered in a thick blanket of green. Behind the two is a black expanse of starry sky. They were expunged into this place from that very expanse it seems. [i]Terra Mater[/i] this is not... Iago barks to gain the attention of his master. [color=C45454]"Right..."[/color] He nods at Iago. Nowhere to go but forward. The Fool and his dog begin their journey to the center. Along the way, they take in the alien scenery: foreign architecture and statues of a history unknown to him.

All roads lead to one place and at this place sits an enigmatic man on a throne with a floating, magic coffin hanging overhead. Quite the precarious placement for such a heavy thing. What if whatever is holding it up fails to do just that? In any case, the young man knows [i][b]exactly[/b][/i] what is going on. He looks to Iago with a casual smile. [color=C45454]"We died."[/color] Iago whimpers in response. The young man then looks to the man on the throne and makes an attempt at conversation. [color=C45454]"Hello, uhh, God?[/color] But the man does not respond or show any signs of a reaction. [color=C45454]"Not the talkative type, huh?[/color] Disregarding the man for now, the two pace around the platform to see if there is anything else of interest but, soon, they find themselves in the company of others. Travelers just as confused as to where they are.

Once enough people have gathered, the man on the throne finally breaks his silence and addresses the group. He states that he is the one who summoned everyone to this place. It seems an obvious thing but it's good to get confirmation. He approaches the group and explains his purpose for bringing everyone here. The young man listens intently, absorbing every bit of information given by the man. It was... a lot. And sudden at that. A notice in advance would've been preferable. Surely, there are a number of questions to be asked. Why them? Why can't he do it himself? Surely he is powerful enough. What if they refuse? What do these "fragments" look like? How will they find it? What if they fail?

[color=C45454]"Okay, go to our worlds, retrieve these 'fragments', bring 'em back here. Got it. Where's the exit?"[/color]