[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjgwLmYwMTcwYS5WR2hsSUZCeVlXTjBhV05oYkEsLC4yAAAA/shlop.regular.png[/img][/center]
[center][sub]Time: 12:46 - The Forest[/sub][/center]

[hider=Max/Eris]
The light on the wall blocking Eris off from Max grew quickly. It was clear it was going to threaten the picture of the constellation before long. Meanwhile, a star on the ground in front of Max glowed that same yellow briefly while the others dimmed. 
[/hider] 

[hider=Lilie/Ben]
Thankfully, Lilie and Ben were still in the area with plenty of signs thanks to their accidental detour. Even in her panicked state, Lilie would be able to maneuver her way to the appropriate site so long as she could keep her concentration on the spell. 

Unlike the previous area, the next part of the challenge could have been easily overlooked without the Dark Eyes spell. A pillar of roots and packed dirt was off to the side of the main thoroughfare with a ceramic pot the size of a mage’s head sitting on top. Only the faint glimmer of blue ink on the pot outlining a face gave away it’s position in the dark. The pot was filled with soil and a little note on top read:

[color=deepskyblue] “Whether it be  love or friendship that sees you through the night, place it here and listen to my plight.”[/color]
[/hider] 

[hider=Salem/Victor]
In the far distance, a woman screamed while the pair analyzed their challenge.[/hider]

[hider=Aaron/Varis]

As the key turned, the door groaned as something on the other side clicked into place. The door protested shrilly as it swung open and bright white light spilled out, enveloping the area. Everything faded into the light, leaving nothing but a blank word around them with the exception of the piles on the ground and the opening in the tree. The piles flattened, turning into dark, dense squares on the white although they only stayed still for a few breaths. One was significantly lighter than the others. They shifted quickly, rearranging themselves with one directly in front of them and then a few breaths later, shifting quickly again. Another one was in front of them and so it continued. 

The opening of the tree was still dark though the light around them made seeing in easily. A shovel leaned against the tree trunk beneath words carved into the tree.

[color=deepskyblue]“Find your spoils in the shifting soils but be wary of their moves. They resent your claim to victory and will kick and buck and bruise. Heed close the voice that watches in time with shifting spoils to keep two feet upon the land or find your game is forfeit.[/color]

Meanwhile, Varis’ grip closed on itself, hand balled into a fist. He stared at the space next to it and he opened and closed it where the boy’s arm should have been. [color=f7976a] “What in the Queen’s name is going on here?”[/color] Varis snapped, his hearing sharpening instinctively. He heard the boy’s heart beat, heard him breathing, but he… Varis waved his arms around as unbeknownst to him, they passed right through Aaron. [color=f7976a] “If this is some trick, boy, we are going to have words as soon as I figure it out.”[/color] Varis all but snarled through the sudden tremble in his voice.[/hider]


[hider=Maddie/Amaris]

[color=FC8686]“That makes sense.”[/color] Maddie agreed, eyeing each of the bells thoughtfully. [color=FC8686] “In that case, we’ll avoid yellow. I think anything deemed an additional obstacle should be given a wide berth. If we’re choosing between honesty and action, then I think we should take honesty. Doing anything with action while you’re in this condition is dangerous.”[/color] Maddie reasoned to herself as she moved to untie a blue bell, pausing for a moment. [color=FC8686] “If you’re of the same mind that is. If you think red is a better way to handle this, then I’ll take that one.”[/color] Personally, Maddie was hoping for an easy truth exercise with the blue. As well as she was handling the current situation, she’d much rather not have to guide a blinf vampire through an obstacle course. 

Maddie turned her head sharply as she heard a scream in the distance. She turned, untied both a blue and red bell, and then immediately started guiding Amaris in the proper direction. While she had full confidence in the Princess’ intent to protect them and that the screaming was just the result of a prank someone played on someone else, Maddie would feel far more comfortable with a little more moving and a little less standing. [/hider]