[Center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/146547750937296896/326293615297036290/Damnwhitecolors.png[/img][/center] [@Regitnui][@Old Amsterdam] the very real issue of the branches was preventing any action on Felix' part but Dia solved it with a clever application of her element. The exact opposite of his own. Down to the ground they went, only to have What had been a dull simmer of anger left on the stove had gone to full boil in an instant. Taunted, teased, trapped, and now forced to do such a personal and intimate action simply on the whim of an upperclassman? If either of them had been visible and within arms reach they would be missing teeth. [quote=@Old Amsterdam] "Leave him alone!" She yelled, a blast of permafrost exploding from around her and Felix as her anger finally boiled over. [/quote] A blast of freezing cold stole the breath from his lungs for a moment as he inhaled the suddenly freezing air. Like before he did not feel the cold that no doubt would have clung to his body the same way it did to his clothing, blissfully still in one piece, but the dirt walls had been frozen over by Dias impressive display. It was her selfless declaration that brought him over the edge. Nobody seemed to have ever cared for him. Not one person that he could recall from memory. The fire in his chest took form across his bruised hand as Felix struck the frozen wall with everything he could muster, ignoring the pain and the fear, demanding the passionate burst of flames to strike outward instead of around him lest Dia suffer the consequences. A mixture of frozen dirt, sudden heat, and a fair amount of force punched a clean opening in the ring of dirt that had trapped them. At the top of his lunges he shouted into the darkness. [color=Crimson][b]"OUR CHOICES AREN'T SOMETHING YOU CAN DICTATE THROUGH STRENGTH!"[/b][/color] Freedom was theirs to take.. Felix chose to follow his heart and end the madness before he burned the whole forest down. Turning to Dia, he took a step towards her and blushed. This was something he wanted but feared she would not. [color=crimson]"I choose to kiss you. Not for them, but for me. For us. Does your heart speak the same?" [/color] ------------------------ [@Kalleth][@Hammerman] Location: Halfwaypoint, #2 (This is the zone number where the Walker is found) The three students crept closer for a better look. The mist was just as obscuring to them as it was for the runners but at least they had practice, so keeping up wasn't difficult. From branch to branch they maneuvered with ease thanks to the altering of the strength of the limbs and the width in the upper reaches of the treeline that created a sturdy walkway of sorts for a great distance. Both the handler and the Obscurer were impressed by their resourcefulness in the challenge. When they came to a stop somewhere above the two exhausted and fumbling students, all three of the trappers getting a full view of what was transpiring thanks to a friendly gust of inconspicuous wind that hand blown away the fog ever so slightly. Maxwell all but bit his hand to stop himself from laughing at the sight, causing the walker to halt its slow but steady advance. Following the command of its handler it ceased the slow climb and merely stood where it had stopped. Max and Alex giggled quietly in the treetops as their third and final companion gracefully touched down beside them with a bemused grin practically taking in her ears. Accidents like this always happened. In fact, Max and Alisha had met a wildly similar experience when in a blind sprint Alisha had tripped over a root and cushioned her fall with a bed of air only to have Max fall face first into her rump. It had ended with a very large hand shaped bruise that refused to fade even after nearly a week.. The two wisely never spoke of it to Alex but they were positive he had found out anyways. As the two boys giggled, Alisha was the first to speak up. [color=6ecff6]"The kid is tired. I say pull back and let them continue." [/color] Max was still grinning as he gave his agreement, Alex just flashed a thumbs up as he called down to the group. [color=1b1464]"Try not to get too physical down there. You got a few free minute before it comes at you again, so don't just lay there enjoying the sights."[/color] Alex flashed a knowing grin at the two beside him before Max promptly smacked him, all three still laughing at the good spirited fun. --------------------------- [@CriticalHit][@Raptra] Location: Crossroads The pair promptly returned to the crossroads where over a dozen various paths snaked off into the distant forest likes the writhing heads of the mythological hydra, each one had the potential to lead them to the fountain or back to another part of woodlands. Chaotic and disorientating to be sure. Two students, dressed all in black but not wearing anything to obscure their faces any longer, sat at the middle point of the crossroads. Helen and Troy, fifth years of Water. Troy was an average looking student with long black hair while Helen had rich blond locks falling just past her shoulders, tears rimmed her eyes as she whispered reassurances to her partner. Troy was all smiles as the two approached, whispering for Helen to be calm. When he caught sight of the two he waved them over. [color=6ecff6]"O~i!" [/color] The front end of Troys black hoodie and the shirt below it had been cut, a quick slash from something that had been very sharp that he had explained off as a 'nasty thornbush' of some sort but Helen had feared real injury and simply gave up on the event. Thus the two now sat at the crossroads as guides. [color=6ecff6]"Hey you two. Look I hate to break the moment but my girlfriends having a bit of a breakdown."[/color] Gesturing to his shirt dismissively to add emphasis. [color=6ecff6]"Pretend you didn't see us. If you find the headmaster, can you tell him to send a runner? The main path should be one of these three,"[/color] Troy pointed to the nearest three pathways, [color=6ecff6]"We'd go ourselves but well.."[/color] At this point she had had enough. In a half-cry half-yell, Helen blurted out, [color=00aeef]"I'M AFRAID OF THE DAAAAARK"[/color] before clinging back to Troy. Hands wrapped around her, Troy looked at the two pleadingly. [color=6ecff6]"Sorry folks."[/color] ----------------------- [@Pseudo Stygian][@Stern Algorithm] Location: The river, #1 The river flowed down through the forest in complete serenity. A natural flowing body of water that trailed into the forested area just a few minutes from where the fountain was located and ended up looping back down and out just a few minutes away from where it had started. Not a particularly long way to follow. Such comforts could be deceiving.. With no other way to go but forward the students would have to use one of the many provided little wood bridges to cross the wide river and stay dry. Anyone attuned to the call of the water would feel something watching them.