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[center][sub]Time: 1:31 - The Forest[/sub][/center]

[hider=Max/Eris]
As they contemplated their decision making, the pair could hear a faint screeching of someone, a [i]crack[/i] tearing through the air and then the sound of wood and metal being torn viciously apart.

The reflections meanwhile turned on their heels and sulked back through the forest. If Eris and Max decided to follow, the reflections walked away from the posts without looking back. The path they made wove through the stunted growth, larger and larger bare patches and withered, shriveled shrubs the longer they followed, until only sad excuses of trees remained. 

Eventually, the reflections led them to another clearing but this one was completely void of any life but them. A marble pedestal sat in the center and a ceramic skull watched them with obsidian set eyes. As soon as they passed the trees, Eris would be able to see again.  As the reflections walked closer to the pedestal, they changed. A blade appeared in Eris’ hand, made of pure obsidian, and an obsidian clawed glove was on the other. Max meanwhile looked similar except now, he had seven metal obs circling him the size of his head. Each orb was a different color and were carved with intricate symbols. They touched the skull and vanished with a sigh from Eris’ reflection and a tired groan from Max’s. 

[color=deepskyblue]“A prize you wish and prize you’ll get when the demons of others you completely vanquish. Any trick and any way, to win the fight and save the day, you may employ but don’t forget, more often than not it’s simpler than this. A hand you lay upon my head and into others you’ll fall instead.”[/color]
[/hider] 

[hider=Lilie/Ben]
In the distance, the pair would hear a muted [i]crack[/i] and the even fainter sounds of wood and metal protesting as they’re torn.

The path south, if they choose to take it, is an easy winding path that follows a bend in a river for a short while before diverging again. The directions Lilie found eventually led them to a large meadow tucked away inside the forest. It was clearly well cared for, the growths even and well maintained and flowers only grew in an even circle just past the tree line. In the center stood a harp that started playing as soon as they stepped across the flower line. A breeze blew suddenly and all the pair would be able to smell was the ocean. The harp’s music was soft and sweet, three simple cords repeating periodically.  Words were carved into its front.

[color=deepskyblue]“Sweet mage, sweet mage, listen carefully. This melody is your saving grace from all ignominy. Beware the words of careful thoughts crafted with you in mind as chains to bring you down to drown in theirs lives. But if faith you have your companion keeps intentions pure and simple sweet, speak my magic with these cords three and see your faith paid off in sleep.”[/color] Beneath it, there was a  three phrase incantation. 
[/hider] 

[hider=Salem/Victor]
Little changed for the two at their tables. As the blue walls shrunk in every closer, their voices sounded most distant by the minute.[/hider]

[hider=Aaron/Varis]

Varis shrugged the jacket on again, immediately reaching out for Aaron. [color=f7976a] “Well, come along. I’m not walking myself to this next challenge again. Clearly, it’s a necessary evil to stand on this… dirt while we are contemplating these inane challenges but I will be damned if I walk if I do not need to.”[/color] Varis started with a huff. Something felt odd beneath his fingertips, the fabric of his cloves suddenly quite different.

[color=f7976a] “I swear if Ryner’s little parlor trick ruined my gloves…”[/color] Varis started muttering as he went to pull them off but he trained off. All he felt was his finger when he tried to pinch the tips of the gloves. He tried again with the same results, turning away from Aaron instinctively to shield his hands from Aaron’s sight. He tried to find any part of them but only traced the grid-like scars across his fingers and palm. A little bit of them remained around his wrists. His little episode earlier clearly did damage to more than just the trees. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned back to Aaron. This was… a problem. He couldn’t let the boy see his hands, nor any of the other vampires, so he’d have to have the boy guide him,

[color=f7976a]“On second thought,”[/color] Varis kept his voice as even as he could despite the bubble of panic rising in his throat as he tried to push his hands further into his pockets. [color=f7976a] “It seems you’ll be guiding me. If I so much as stumble even [i]once[/i], I’ll assign more lines and dock a future free day from you. Now let’s hurry up.”[/color] 

The pair continued through the forest, all Varis wanted to do was bury Ryner in a very, very, very deep hole just for the pleasure of watching her dig herself out and then start again when he kicked her back into it. A few centuries of that might ease some of the… frustrations he was currently experiencing. 

As they continued, the plant life around them faded away and withered, leaving barren patches behind. The trees shrunk as they reached out for the ground instead of the sky and what did manage to grow was stunted and small. Aaron would become aware of clones of Varis and himself flanking them as they walked, Aaron’s typical court smile on his face but his eyes were red and puffy and his body was tense, his grip on Dawn leaving his knuckles white. Varis’ reflection was impassive, void of any emotion. Blood had dried around his mouth and across his clothes though he clearly didn’t care. A quiver of arrows were attached to his back, each tipped with an obsidian arrowhead and a pair of curved daggers sat on his hips. Aaron, with his historical training, would recognize those as blades the vampires and humans developed against werewolves, specially made to pass through their thick muscle easily and then the curved portion would tear out the innards with agonizing efficiency. Varis’ reflection caught Aaron’s eye and it misstepped for a moment before trying to speak.

But they hit the clearing. The reflection’s attention immediately snapped back to the skull in the center. Varis would get his vision back. Max and Eris’ stood at the skull, looking at where their reflections had vanished just before the other’s intruded. Aaron and Varis’ reflection made their way to the skull. Aaron touched it and vanished.

However, Varis’ reflection struggled against the pull. His hand hovered above the skull as its eyes glowed brighter and brighter. Varis’ reflection looked around and although he couldn’t be heard, he was clearly swearing. His hand inched closer and the skull vibrated, shaking the podium. His back was to Aaron and Varis so he stared at Max. He mouthed something slowly at him and then his hand touched the skull. He vanished. The skull settled but there was a crack where Varis’ reflection touched. The same words rang out.

[color=deepskyblue]“A prize you wish and prize you’ll get when the demons of others you completely vanquish. Any trick and any way, to win the fight and save the day, you may employ but don’t forget, more often than not it’s simpler than this. A hand you lay upon my head and into others you’ll fall instead.”[/color]

Eris would recognize the word Varis’ reflection mouthed: Coin.[/hider]


[hider=Maddie/Amaris]

At first, Maddie could at least [i]see[/i] through whatever had her trapped. She could see Amaris trying to reach her, she could see Ari trying to reach her, and [i]see[/i] the Serpent. She heard the instructions and sighed in relief even as she tried to hold her hand against the crack. It helped a little but not much. It was just a higher stakes version of 2 truths and a lie. Easy. Amaris just had to figure out which was the lie and they’d get out of this mess.

Maddie froze when suddenly the walls of the barrier turned solid white and she couldn’t see the Countess anymore. She couldn’t hear anything, she couldn’t see anything, and another crack formed a little higher on another wall, letting even more water in. She used her other hand to try and plug it, about as unsuccessfully as the first one. 

[color=FC8686] “Ari?”[/color] She shouted as she panicked that the countess had somehow been taken away  or worse, left. She couldn’t hear Ari anymore even though she could hear the damn snake―She knew this was a terrible idea, she knew the snake was fucking evil!―earlier. [color=FC8686]“Ari, I really hope you’re still out there because I have water coming in faster! Figure out the lie, please! I’ve only got some many hands to stop the water!”[/color]

Amaris would hear Maddie talking but the words would be a little warped and distant and seemingly coming from all around her at the same time. 


[/hider]