[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8Cv4lR4.jpg[/img][/center][sub][sub][h3][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzXzYU0mg24]✦[/url][color=#B9BABC]	F L A S H B A C K     —     T H E  A F T E R  P A R T Y[/color]     ◇     [color=#6A5B7E]J u n e  5[/color]     ◇     [color=C54E4E]A   c l u b   i n   N e w   A t r i a s[/color][/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]
The Oakridge graduation party was a spectacular event, but what most students really looked forward to was the after party in the city. Each year, New Atrias and its clubs and hotspots knew that they would be invaded by the academy students, so they always prepared a warm welcome with the best drinks, performances, and music. Even if the world had basically come to an end, some of the wealthier city-states still lived akin to how the rest of Libra did before the Calamity. 

The after party was the height of the year for Olivia. Going to the city and party was one of her favorite endeavors, and she had dragged along a wealth of different people from the academy on numerous occasions. Some of them were more inclined to tag along than others, but sooner or later they admitted to have had a good time.

The night was young, but the parties around the city were already pumping. Olivia had ended up at some trendy club with neon lights and experimental drinks. The atmosphere was already thick and warm from the crowd at the dancefloor, the pulsating music made new arrivals move their hips as they entered, and the bright and flashing lights gave the impression of another dimension altogether. Olivia could not help herself but to sway hips as she made her way to the bar. She attracted a bit of attention in her fabulous, black dress that ended by her thighs, and black pumps that added a few inches to her height.

It was going to be a night to remember for a long time. It marked the end of the student life at Oakridge and the beginning of the cruelty of the real word and the war. This was their chance to forget all about it, for just one night.


[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/X63fd8t.jpg[/img][/center][sub][sub][h3][color=#B9BABC]	T H E  F I E L D S[/color]     ◇     [color=#6A5B7E]J u n e  6[/color]     ◇     [color=C54E4E]B a t t l e   w i t h   t h e   E a r t h[/color][/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]
The scenery grew darker and more ominous for each passing moment. The winds were authoritative enough to swirl Olivia’s rain soaked hair about, and flashes of lighting kept striking the earth within sight of the stranded Guardians. The oncoming convoys from Oakridge began to thin out as the battle with the earthen Mordrem begun. Olivia was stricken by panic for a second by the realization that nobody would stop to help them. Surely, she could act tough and collected, but her inner thoughts and emotions were often completely different from what could be seen on her face or actions.

Monika’s candor translated equally to her actions. The frigid woman commanded the attacks against the vile creature, which rumbled about and upheaved the earth. Olivia quickly stepped side to side and swung her blade at oncoming rocks and debris. Monika’s spirit unleashed their radiating power and washed a sensation of strength upon the Guardians. Nicholas took advantage of that strength and attacked the antagonistic creature with intimidating fury, a dexterous display. Olivia held her weapon tight, a steady stance, ready to synchronize her efforts with one of her fellow Guardians. She was about to make the creature know her capability, but the clash of the titans held her at bay. Graham’s commentary after some impressive acrobatics was the nudge Olivia needed to take action.

	[color=#6A5B7E]“Rogart, get down!”[/color] Olivia shouted as she darted towards the hulking man. She leapt off his enormous back towards the monstrous creature, her blade held with both hands above her head. Her half-moon arched body soared through the air and sliced one of the creature’s tentacles off upon impact. Olivia tumbled over its head and slid down its back to land on the ground behind it. The monstrosity roared in agony and curled up to grow a hardened bark all over its body in a matter of seconds. Olivia unleashed a flurry of strikes behind the Mordrem enormity, but the protective bark did not falter. The creature responded with violently throwing its remaining tentacles about, one of which hit Olivia in the chest and catapulted her away. She grunted as her body slid across the soaked grass and mud a few meters away, on the opposite end to her comrades.

	[color=#6A5B7E]“Come on, hit it again!”[/color] Olivia shouted from where she lay in the dirt. It was then that the monstrosity began to grow its fungus into mushrooms the size of cats. These fungal creatures bounced and trotted their way to the ground and towards the Guardians, spreading their vile spores.


[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/RO0qcPh.jpg[/img][/center][sub][sub][h3][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vb3YiZBtyE]✦[/url][color=#B9BABC]	K I N A B A L U  S U M M I T[/color]     ◇     [color=#6A5B7E]J u n e  6[/color]     ◇     [color=C54E4E]A   d a r k   f i g u r e[/color][/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]
The trek towards the entrance of the mine had been rather uneasy. Everyone seemed tense, even the wolf. He had managed to agitate Subira in some manner from their brief conversation. Selene remained silent at the helm of the path, which ended in a massive cleft at the top of the mountain. The storm reached them in all its fury. It was not yet raining, but strong winds carried sulfurous scents from the depths of Kinabalu wherein the One of Fire dwelled, and thunder struck the peaks with shattering force. Beyond the cleft was a clearing. A massive structure was awaiting the Guardians, likely the entrance to the Nexus mine. Selene slowed the team down and peeked through the cracks of hardened rock, a narrow path leading ahead. They knew nothing about this place. The Eidolon could be waiting around the corner, ready to turn them into ash.

	[color=7C585A]“Death comes for us all, might as well be here.”[/color] Selene marked Roxie’s comment, and then she squeezed through the cleft.

But the clearing was silent. There was nothing to be seen as far as the eyes could carry them, except for one thing. By the colossal doors stood a strange anomaly, swirling shadows of some sort. Selene could not quite make it out unless she approached it. With a flawless movement she drew and unfolded her weapon into its haunting scythe form, and then slowly moved forward. The closer the Guardians ventured, the clearer it became that the anomaly had the silhouette of a person. Xander began to whimper slightly, sensing danger. It was probably a reaction of instinct rather than what his consciousness would have done in the situation. The shadowy figure did not move, nor did it indicate anything other than hostility.

	[color=7C585A]“Who are you?”[/color] Selene finally uttered at the sapphirine eyes that were now distinguishable.

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/lQl2cHt.jpg[/img][/center][sub][sub][h3][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKliMwfeZ5w]✦[/url][color=#B9BABC]	N E X U S  R E A C T O R[/color]     ◇     [color=#6A5B7E]J u n e  6[/color]     ◇     [color=C54E4E]T h e   r u i n s[/color][/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]
[i]The storm broods, drawing closer. The creatures fester and sense their prey. Something sinister lurks within . . .[/i]

[hider=Summary]
FLASHBACK — Oakridge students have arrived in New Atrias to party all night before deployment. Olivia has found her way to a club with neon lights, funky music, and exotic drinks. Whoever so wishes can be with her at this event.

THE FIELDS — Olivia propels herself into the air with aid from Rogart and attacks the Mordrem creature. She slashes one of its tentacles completely off, which provokes the creature to use its ’bunker bark’ ability. Olivia then tries to hit it from behind several times, but the bark is rather tough. The creature then uses its ’lashing tentacles’ ability, which hits Olivia and pushes her away. Gastridamon uses its ’vile fungus’ ability thereafter.

KINABALU — The team reaches the summit and the entrance to the Nexus mine. There they stumble upon a shadowy figure guarding the gates. Selene asks who it is.
[/hider]