[center][h2][u]The Lake | 11:15 EST[/u][/h2][/center]
A collab with [@PapiTan][@Kamen Evie]
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[color=8fa5c7]‘Should have left.’[/color]

[color=cfa9af]‘Oh, don’t be such a bore, Rust.’[/color]

[color=8fa5c7]‘Makes my job hard.’[/color]

[color=cfa9af]‘Hmm, but you do a good job, don’t you?’[/color]

[color=8fa5c7]‘Why stay?’[/color]

[color=cfa9af]‘Well… you’ve been bored too, haven’t you?’[/color] Ravenna hummed to herself out loud as she watched the city from her perch in the sky. [color=cfa9af]‘Lyra was going stir crazy too.’[/color]

An image of an ocean view flashed into Ravenna’s mind, a clear indication of the spirit’s disapproval of having stuck around. They had a perfectly good reason to go on a trip, didn’t they? Could have done anything they wanted. An-y-thing. 

[color=cfa9af]‘Sorry, Lyra. Maybe another weekend.’[/color]

Fortunately, with the world so concentrated on the disaster on the ground, Ravenna was free to travel the skyway, seated on Rust’s catalyst like a makeshift broom, as it were. Could she have helped? Probably, but that seemed like an unnecessary risk to herself and her adorable spirits. That, and she'd managed to piece enough information together to dodge most of the problems she could have foreseen. No need to fight when she could just... skip the formalities and get to the final course, after all. Tyet scoffed, a bizarre noise translating itself as disagreement. It would have been able to fight. Better than the other spirits in the fold, at least. Ravenna chuckled to herself, an affectionate warmth prickling through her chest. 

[color=cfa9af]“Now, now, don’t be jealous, Tyet. You do a wonderful job keeping the Foxhole safe.”[/color] Mismatched eyes narrowed against the sharp winds passing through the trees as she watched the pair before her with a keen interest. Really, people needed to be more careful about what they handed over to her. Especially when they were people of interest—a rarity with Ravenna, honestly. 

[color=cfa9af]“My, my, you certainly took your time,”[/color] the barista called with a melodic taunt to her voice as she descended from her low perch in the sky, though she remained off the ground. Out of respect for Lyra, of course. The poor thing didn’t need to be drenched in lake water after being denied a quick trip, after all. [color=cfa9af]“The roads were rough, dear?”[/color]

The mildly frustrated biker looked to the familiar Barista, at first with unveiled annoyance, then with a shit-eating grin. [color=#EA970D] "Well well, if it isn't that witch's pretty little pet. I didn't think you'd stick around."[/color] He said as he turned fully, intentionally trying to block her view of his obviously wrecked bike. "Have you finally decided to ditch that old hag for me?" He'd stroke back his messy wet hair with his hand, as an excuse to try and cover the head injury he suffered from his crash.

Hm, it might have been nice to be a pet. A step up, maybe. Not so reliable though. Ravenna didn't voice that particular thought. 

[color=cfa9af]"Oh, darling, you know she isn't that generous."[/color] A pause. [color=cfa9af]"...well, to you, at least."[/color]

But even that was hardly accurate. Frankly, Ravenna was entirely certain that the strangely fulfilling sense of grounding that she got from her current daily life would be difficult to achieve a second time. That, and she wasn't exactly stupid enough to think that her current entourage was actually interested in the human that was Ravenna Fairchilde. [color=cfa9af]"But maybe one day, dear. You've certainly held my interest for longer than most."[/color]

[color=#EA970D]"It must be my good looks, I-" [/color]He was cut off by, silence? The man paused as he seemed to listen in to the insect trinket he was holding.[color=#EA970D] "Oh I'm sorry, you think I like having my talents be wasted as your damn messenger?!" [/color]He shouted.[color=#EA970D] "I am a fucking legend and you have me sit back and watch this oversized guppy-" [/color]A torrent of water knocked him off his feet before he could finish, ruptured from the gills of the shark. He got up, seething with anger. He tried to play it cool however by fixing his leather jacket. 

The momentary lull was broken by the sound of yet another motorcycle, emitting a loud roar that eventually showed to a gentle purr as it slowed to a halt. Off it stepped Tachibana Yui, already fully covered in her armor. She gave a curt wave as she stepped off the jet black machine, a judgemental stare hidden behind her helmet.

[color=BEBEBE]"PHANTOM sends its regards,"[/color] she said with a nod. Her English still held a notable accent to it, her voice giving the occasional hint of struggle with what her mind understood. [color=BEBEBE]"Though speaking for myself, I hope you don't squabble like that all the time."[/color]

[color=cfa9af]"Hmm, I imagine it's usually worse,"[/color] Ravenna chuckled, the levity in the words blatant even without the light chuckle that accompanied them. Her eyes trailed toward the spirit responsible for the surge of water, and the barista smiled despite the storm at large with a respectful, if subtle, bow of her head. [color=cfa9af]"Am I wrong?"[/color]

The man brushed his messy hair to hide his frustration at the new arrival and the comments of the barista. [color=#EA970D]"There is certainly a lack of respect for my talents and ability among my kin."[/color] He stated in protest. [color=#EA970D]"I mean can you believe it? The great and mighty steve reduced to baby-sit this overgrown piece of shit."[/color] As he gestured to Ryleigh, the head of the beast reared up with the torrent of water ceasing and dispersing back over the lake's surface. The head turned, its maw was open to reveal its oversized human-like teeth, widening into a smile. 

[color=BEBEBE]"S-Steve?!"[/color] Yui repeated, her polite facade crumbling away as she broke into uproarious laughter, her hand shooting up to cover a mouth that was already hidden. The sight of a Spirit sharing her amusement somehow made it even more funny. [color=BEBEBE]"And just when I think I have seen everything..."[/color] Even Hurricane seemed amused by the revelation, the bike's engines emitting a quick sputter and a puff of smoke.

Ravenna maintained her smile, another prickling warmth crossing through her as she noticed the smile of the larger spirit. She moved through the air as though it were in her nature, lazily drifting toward... Steve.

[color=cfa9af]"Aw, there's no need to make fun of Steve. I'm sure he's doing his best, given the circumstances."[/color] There was a subtle knowledge gnawing in the back of her head, a sense of discontent from both Tyet and Rust as the medium placed a gentle hand on the man's shoulder, only to allow slender digits to trace along the side, barely brushing against more sensitive skin along the neck before lingering. [color=cfa9af]"These are greater responsibilities than could be given to anyone...lesser, yes?"[/color]

Steve had been glaring at the Phantom agent, and was about to speak, but Ravenna got to him first. Steve raised an eyebrow at the barista, first to her hand, then to her face. [color=#EA970D]"You are absolutely right, however.."[/color] He'd place his hand over hers, coyly at first but it sharpened into a tight grip. He wore a wicked grin. [color=#EA970D]"I don't remember giving you permission to lay your hand on me."[/color] There was a direct contrast now with how unnaturally warm his hand felt and the cold rain around them, a glint of red and yellow twinkled in his stare, then he leaped into the air. Leathery, bat-like wings erupted from his back as he flew, spinning with her, about 3 meters off the ground. At the end of the twirl he leaned closer to her slighty, like the end to a dance. Just a tease though, as with unnatural strength he'd then toss her up further into the air, assuming she could catch herself with her abilities just fine. He quickly descended with the wings retrating into his flesh, as he looked to the PHANTOM agent with a cocky smile.[color=#EA970D] "Do you want to mess with me too?"[/color]


So that was it. One found new information every day, didn't they?

Ravenna caught herself about as gracefully as one could expect to in the moment, the easy smile never leaving her face as she readjusted herself to a seated position on the Staff of the Armory, the only real sign of her little trip the windswept nature of her hair and clothing, and even that was groomed as she returned her descent.

[color=cfa9af]"My, my, there's no need to be rude to our guest, dear."[/color] Hm, was it unnerving to be so calm? Ravenna racked her thoughts despite the nonchalance of her demeanor. She was fairly certain it was, if experience served. [color=cfa9af]"[i]I[/i] may not mind your rough play, but it's not very becoming toward a new face."[/color]

Yui looked up, having been lost in thought for a moment at the sight of "Steve's" display. She had only heard of such a thing; it was another experience entirely seeing it for herself.

[color=BEBEBE]"I don't mind it,"[/color] She admitted, a somewhat playful tone arising in her voice. [color=BEBEBE]"I am in a similar situation to "The Great and Mighty Steve" to be honest. If I get to work out my frustrations "messing" with him it ends up serving our cause just as well."[/color]

He crossed his arms as he looked to Rav with her 'cute' comment and back to the PHANTOM agent. "Oh don't pretend you know what its like to be in my shoes, all your kind is good for are for food and servitude. I however, was born to rule." He said with an overdramatic, dorky flare, even turning his head to the side in an attempt to do a 'hair flip' with non-existent bangs. [color=#EA970D]"You two peasants could never understand."[/color]

Yui's hand balled up into a fist. Even her own Spirit had never been so arrogant.

[color=BEBEBE]"My purpose,"[/color] she started, trudging towards her rather irritating ally. [color=BEBEBE]"Is [i]mine[/i] to decide."[/color] Her bike rolled in front of her, as if to block her path, but she simply shoved it out of the way and continued forwards until she was right in his face. She seethed for a moment, before regaining some small speck of composure.

[color=BEBEBE]"Though for someone who thinks of us as servants,"[/color] she concluded, [color=BEBEBE]"You seem to enjoy taking our form, [i]Steve[/i]."[/color] She had imbued the name with a particular venom, determined to get all the mileage she could out of it.

He was composed, even bearing that shit-eating grin as she approached; as if he enjoyed watching what he thought was a worm get enraged. However that look changed upon her last sting. That seemed to have ticked a nerve, a twitch of the eye even. The rage was barely hidden behind his scowl. Despite his anger, he didn't seem to have a retort to that. A 'chuckle', if you could call the odd, loud, and deep sounds escaping the monster on, broke the silence. Ryleigh seemed to like Yui's comment. Steve's silence was broken. "Oh shut up you." He hissed at the shark-thing. 

From her roost, Ravenna watched, judgement lacking in the placid expression she wore in observation. Interesting. Very interesting. Moreso than the tedium of running the cafe like clockwork when things were peaceful. 

But not really fulfilling either, if she let herself think too much on it. 

The woman smiled just as easily as ever. 

[color=cfa9af]"Now, now, we're on the same side right now, aren't we?"[/color] But the words lacked much conviction, as if she wasn't entirely thrown behind them. [color=cfa9af]"It might be in our best interests to play nice as long as we are, as it were."[/color]

Yui gave a short huff, feeling that she had made her point. Her stance slowly sunk back into something more lax.

[color=BEBEBE]"Of course,"[/color] she said dryly. [color=BEBEBE]"I'm eager to see where this alliance takes us."[/color] She glanced at Ryleigh before her gaze settled on the lake itself.

[color=BEBEBE]"Let's hope this mission of yours pulls through."[/color] She added, her tone carrying a subtle nudge of urgency.

[color=#EA970D]"Which reminds me." [/color] He regained his composure. [color=#EA970D]"I suppose since you here we should let you know that we found a key to yggdrasil, so I've been told anyway. Dumb bitch here was in charge of getting it but it seems like he can't get to it for whatever reason."[/color] He looked to Ryleigh, then to the trinket in his hand. [color=#EA970D]"Alright alright lets give him a voice."[/color] He seemed to talk to the inanimate trinket. He then made a baseball pitch with it towards the monster's face. The cockroach trinket became animate, catching itself on the skin of the beast and remaining planted to it. 

The beast made several disgruntled noises, and following its beastial sound, a voice echoed from the trinket.

[color=#EA970D]"Barrier blocks way, keeps spirits out. Need Drill, or human."[/color] It had no cadence or rythmn either, much like text-to-speech, almost robotic.

[color=#EA970D]"Shit." [/color]

[color=BEBEBE]"Y-Yggdrasil?!"[/color] Yui stammered, unable to comprehend what she'd just heard. [color=BEBEBE]"The Great Tree?! You're telling me there's a... a key to it right there?!"[/color] Her deep breaths were audible even through the roar of the storm. She raised a finger to the side of her helmet.

[color=BEBEBE]"Harper,"[/color] She said. [color=BEBEBE]"Are you getting this?!"[/color]

[color=9262CB][i]"Of course,"[/i][/color] A voice responded, just barely audible outside of Yui's helmet. Her tone was surprisingly unenthused by the discovery, to the point that Yui wondered if anything could faze her at all. [color=9262CB][i]"I'll need a few minutes to run a satellite scan and analysis. Don't try going through it until then."[/i][/color] Yui nodded, reaching to grab a card seemingly at random from her side and insert it into a slot on her free hand. A large revolver began to materialize in her hand.

[color=BEBEBE]"I think I'll lend a hand."[/color] Yui said with a smirk, giving the cylinder a quick spin.

[color=cfa9af]"Oh, my..."[/color] Whatever surprise that Ravenna had felt was repressed in its external reaction. So close to home? Or perhaps she had been given a keen interest solely because of the proximity. Her gaze returned to the shark-like beast for a long moment before gradually turning toward the PHANTOM agent. Surely brute force wasn't necessary if they had humans ready and available. With a reluctant sigh, the barista allowed herself to drop to the floor, her boots and staff dissolving away into a small bird and cat.

It might have been a little out of her depth and a bit beyond the scope of her job description, but there were so few ways a human could be useful. 

[color=cfa9af]"If we are in need of a human, I could make myself useful here too."[/color]

[color=#EA970D] "Barrier tough to break, key, at bottom. Swim."[/color] The monster said. Steve, however, kept his arms cross. [color=#EA970D] "I suppose if you two want to take over in its recovery go ahead, the faster we get over this road block the better." [/color]

[color=BEBEBE]"I see,"[/color] Yui said with a frown. She aimed towards the lake and fired a couple of dismissive shots from her revolver, watching for the explosions as they collided with the barrier. [color=BEBEBE]"I was hoping to avoid getting wet today."[/color] The agent brought her finger up to her helmet again.

[color=BEBEBE]"Are you finished yet?"[/color] She asked.

[color=9262CB][i]"Almost,"[/i][/color] The voice responded. [color=9262CB][i]"I'm getting something about fifteen meters down. Spherical. I would recommend breaking that barrier, though. It's going to interfere with the Remnant Gear."[/i][/color]

[color=BEBEBE]"Then I won't bring it."[/color] Yui said firmly.

[color=9262CB][i]"Well you're going to catch a goddamn cold, Yui-"[/i][/color] The armored agent simply rolled her eyes as she removed her cards, her armor vanishing into thin air. She paused for a moment, feeling the rain run down her face and hair before she took off her coat and belt, throwing them on her bike as it faded into its Sealed Form.

[color=BEBEBE]"Are you going in too, comrade?"[/color] Yui asked, turning her gaze to Ravenna as she leaned over to remove her boots.

[color=cfa9af]"It wouldn't be very fair of me not to, dear."[/color] Even if she would have loved to avoid hopping into the lake. There were [i]things[/i] that she didn't savor the idea of touching. Like algae. Or god forbid, leeches. Rust swat at the back of her calf in response, the closest equivalent to a frown he could make as a cat peering up at her as soon as her attention was taken. [color=cfa9af]"As if you wouldn't come running if there was trouble."[/color]

Another swat, this one firmer than the first. Ravenna sighed, but dropped her channeling all the same, kicking her work shoes behind her.

[color=cfa9af]"Now that was uncalled for, Rust."[/color] But nonetheless, the hairtie on her wrist and the eerie doll attached to it seemed to dissolve into nothingness--at least, for anyone incapable of seeing the shimmering pegasus and the rabbit-like figure lingering in close proximity. Sending a mismatched glance at Steve and the larger spirit, she gave a calm smile. [color=cfa9af]"I presume my dearest darlings will be safe with someone as great and mighty as you while I'm gone?"[/color]

[color=#EA970D]"W-well of course only someone as mighty as myself could do such a task!"[/color] It was really that easy. [color=#EA970D]"just don't drown yourselves you two."[/color]
The shark beast laid down on its side, seemingly try to relax as it did so. Steve, meanwhile, remained standing in the rain.

[color=BEBEBE]"I won't,"[/color] Yui said flatly. [color=BEBEBE]"Don't touch my stuff."[/color] She shoved her shirt, pants, and socks under her coat in the vague hopes that it would manage to keep them dry and immediately ran for the water. She tried to get in as quickly as possible rather than worry about the temperature, swimming across the surface until she had determined she was close enough to the center. She turned back to her allies, hoping that her impromptu diving buddy wouldn't take too long psyching herself up.

As fortune had it, beyond the brief initial faltering of the ever-present smile--[i]there might be something slimy and foul in there![/i]--Ravenna didn't seem to care much more as she sank into the water, clothing and all. Which, she realized, was a terrible idea, but the algae. And the [i]leeches[/i]. She'd rather take a ruined set of clothing. 

...though, she had to admit... swimming with all of it on felt cumbersome. Everything was heavier, like moving through thick cream instead of water, but her progress was quick either way. Strong might not have been her forte, but it wasn't like she ever let herself fall out of shape. 

[color=cfa9af]"So much for worming my way out of this in high school,"[/color] Ravenna murmured as she drew close to her companion, but even the complaint lacked any real resolve. [color=cfa9af]"Here goes, then."[/color]

She took in a deep breath, grateful, suddenly, for how restricting some of Lyra's abilities had been, and slipped beneath the surface of the water, trying her best to block out thoughts of slime and muck all the while.

The water was of poor quality, brown and murkey. However a light slowly manifested in the dark as they dove further in, a blue condensed bubble held its form, like some kind of shield. It seemed to stretch from most of the lake's bottom, in what presumably was a half-circle. The water inside the barrier was noticeable much more clear then the surrounding murk. Of note, what would presumably be a lakebed of muk and algae was instead a sea of giant twisted roots, all of which seemed to flow towards the presumed lake's center.

Yui frowned as she stared through the water. It felt like her eyes were burning, but she would have to ignore it for now. She swam ahead and tentatively stuck a hand through the barrier. [i]Nothing.[/i] She spun around to face her companion and made an OK signal before quickly diving through.

Well, that [i]probably[/i] didn't mean "stop".

Ravenna followed after the PHANTOM agent, equal parts curious and relieved. Clear water was good, certainly, but something about the whole thing felt... off. A nagging feeling in the back of the barista's head. It couldn't be that easy, could it? Surely something would have done exactly as they were if it had been. The unease didn't last long though--it never did anymore--as it melted away into something else entirely. They'd fix whatever bridges they had to when they reached them. Probably.

Or whoever came next would.

Towards the center of the lake, where the roots all seen to converge on a single point, a twisted tree-like pillar spiraled 10 feet off of the lakebed, its top sprouting in what appeared to be almost a gnarled claw, the many fingers curling in a more natural fashion. At the 'palm' of this was a perfectly round orb; glowing faintly in the light of the water. Obviously the key they had been referring to. It seemed unguarded, as there weren't even any fish or invertebrates near it.

Swimming towards the claw, Yui considered a more cautious approach for a moment. If it was a trap of some kind, she might not make it out of the lake alive. Still, she had little patience when it came to this key, and she'd be damned if she let Animus run off with it before she could at least feel the artifact for herself. She ran up to one of the "fingers" and gave it as sturdy of a blow as she could manage underwater. Unable to notice any reaction, she paddled forwards and wrapped her arm around the glowing ball. It felt smooth, like marble, and surprisingly light; she could easily carry it back to the surface with her. She turned to face Ravenna and gave a thumbs up, moving her hand up towards the surface a couple times to emphasize what she meant. She pushed off the surface of the pillar and began swimming back up.

Upon removing the orb, the barrier dissipated entirely. Murky and clear water merged together seemlessly. The growing dark caused the hand-like tree to slowly whither and curl downward into the soil. 

Upon this, Ryleigh had already entered the water. His body coasted near the surface, shark fins breaking the surface. He moved towards the pair, and circled. Awaiting their recovery from above. Steve was watching still from the safety of a tree, his eyes squinting out to the lake.

Yui took a long, gasping breath as her head popped out of the water. She twisted about in the water for a moment, trying to regain her bearings, and swam for the shore. As she stepped onto dry land, she brushed her wet hair out of her eyes, working at it with her hands until it fell back into its usual chaotic order. She placed the orb down on the grass next to Hurricane and looked around for a towel.

Oh right, she didn't bring one. Well, a little algae never hurt anyone.

[color=BEBEBE]"That takes care of the key."[/color] Yui announced. [color=BEBEBE]"Is that your only mission here?"[/color]

[color=#EA970D]"Essentially."[/color] Steve shrugged, as Reyleigh breached the surface to join them. [color=#EA970D]"Looks like we got it befo-"[/color]He was unable to finish. As if on que, the lake suddenly spiraled into a massive vortex at its center. The whirlpool revealed straight to the bottom floor, mostly compromised of now whithering tree roots. The sudden currents dragged Reyleigh off the shoreline and into the intense maelstrom of water. Directly above the whirlpool, 100 yards apart, a spacial anomaly ruptured. The air crackled with energy from the opening rift, air rapidly vanishing into the swirling hole into the sky. Between the two vortexes, three black spheres formed in the air. These spheres then grew rapidly, taking a vaguely humanoid shape. A set of identical giants, with elongated, malformed proportions. Their skin was an almagamation of stone, slag, and darkened tree bark. Their heads were misformed, faceless rounded stumps with a large glowing cavity at the center. Heat radiated from their gaze with an intensely bright light, like that of a spotlight. 

Once they we're fully formed, both the whirlpool and vortex closed. The lake stilled. The 3 titans stood in the water, 200 feet approximately in height. 


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[color=#EA970D]"Well shit."[/color]

The PHANTOM agent shot straight for her gear, picking her belt and earpiece out of the pile, the latter of which was blaring commands before she even touched it. She put them both on; getting dressed would unfortunately have to wait.

[color=9262CB][i]"Yui?! Yui!"[/i][/color] Harper's voice was harsh, excited, more than Yui could remember it being in a long time.

[color=BEBEBE]"What's going on?"[/color] She asked, staring up at the three giants.

[color=9262CB][i]"The scanners started picking up after the key left the water. I was reading a gateway, massive amounts of spiritual energy, three Spirits, Category 3. Can you confirm?"[/i][/color]

[color=BEBEBE]"They look pretty fucking big for Category 3."[/color] Yui responded. [color=BEBEBE]"But yes. They're not attacking yet, should I engage?"[/color]

[color=9262CB][i]"Just get ready."[/i][/color]

[color=BEBEBE]"Yes,"[/color] The agent confirmed, very glad that her handler could not see her out in a rainstorm in nothing but her underwear and a strange gadget. [color=BEBEBE]"I'm ready."[/color] She loaded a card, Justice, and let the power of a Spirit flow through her body as she transformed.

Ravenna gave a calm smile, though she doubted she should have felt calm. Getting worked up wasn't really in her nature, and neither was running headfirst into a fight. 

[color=cfa9af]'Lyra?'[/color]

An image that translated itself into obedience flashed into the woman's head as her clothing shifted again, the Traveler's Boots forming over her feet as she glanced at her companions. 

[color=cfa9af]"I'm afraid I'm a little out of my depth with these."[/color] But she didn't seem very remorseful. Or concerned. [color=cfa9af]"All this over a little fetching errand."[/color]



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