[center][h2]The Journey Begins[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]~ Unknown Location ~[/h3][/center]

[center][i]Interacted with:[/i] [@ERode], [@Pyromania99][/center]

Now that the threat was taken care of and the sword given to [u]Isidore[/u] it was time to head on out of here. There were more of the wretched creatures but they were not in the way and they seemed content in loitering around this decrepit place than give chase to the trio. Nick wondered what was inside this seemingly abandoned and mysterious place. Perhaps they, or at least he, could return here once he was more prepared.

Finally, they found the exit to the building. A cool, gentle breeze greeted them and Nick felt the crunch of snow on his shoes. The stone path that lead them out now lead them to a frost-covered courtyard of sorts. Right in the middle was a buried stone slab made of the same black rock material that they saw earlier back in the prison cells. There were smooth swirl patterns engraved upon it alongside other markings. Nick wondered what could they mean. Perhaps his contemporaries have an idea.

[quote=Isidore][b]“Do your eyes glean anything from these patterns?”[/b][/quote]

[quote=Augusta?]"Not so much.  I think I can only use this on living things. Creatures or such."[/quote]

Well so much for that.

Beyond were more of the stone slabs but they were smaller and lacked the intricate carvings. The path curved around to their left and presumably lead out of the courtyard. Or it could lead further into whatever this place was.

The view on the right, though, was a sight that Nick could barely fathom. It was a view of the open ocean, its waves crashing upon the base of the cliff they stood on. The rocks, hundreds of feet below, were of the strange black stone that seemed to be all over the place. From the cliff, they could see an island in the far distance. And in that island was a gigantic black pillar so tall it disappeared into the blue sky.

And that was not all. As Nick's eyes beheld the sky, he saw that there was no Sun to provide light. Instead, there was a massive blue moon that covered most of the sky alongside a smaller gray one hidden just behind its larger sibling. There were no clouds to block this captivating sight. Oh, how Nick wished he had a camera right now. This was a view of the century!

[quote=Augusta?]"What in hell...? How do you guys feel about that sky?"[/quote]

"[color=skyblue]We're not in Kansas anymore, that's for sure.[/color]" Nick shrugged. He hoped they would get the reference.

Nick watched [u]Augusta[/u] return to the stone slab in the courtyard. At the same time, he noticed that the anxious feeling was subsiding. Did that mean they were relatively safe for now? "[color=skyblue]Hmm, it doesn't look like there's anything dangerous here. Those wretched things are certainly not around here.[/color]" He remarked offhandedly.

[quote=Augusta?]"This thing feels odd.  It just has a feeling to it.  I don't really know how to describe it."[/quote]

"[color=skyblue]Yeah, this stone is definitely strange. We've been seeing it all over the place.[/color]" Nick joined [u]Augusta[/u]. "[color=skyblue]I know. Why don't we take a piece along with us? Maybe we can find something, or someone, in this world that can tell us what it is. There has to be just a small one here. A sample, I guess.[/color]" 

Nick then began looking a small, portable piece of the black stone. Whatever it was, its wide presence meant it was probably important. Hopefully, it was not dangerous though.