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Croix could not help but let slip a small smile as the sand shifted and crackled under his shoes. The unrelentingly hot sun and humid air would, understandably so, be of extreme discomfort to most but to Croix they were continued reminders he was back home. The wind continued to lash at his face bringing him back to reality, as comfortable as he was in the conditions of The Bone Sea, he was glad his cloak and hat were providing some degree of protection. Home anywhere in Deadwoods was as dangerous as it was welcoming. 

Croix knew that, all too well. He looked down at his feet to inspect the dried blood on the tips of his shoes and a splatter on his right shin. Some bandits along the road, they did not seem to be tribe affiliated as far as Croix could tell from their markings but they chose to impede him none the less. Though one did manage to barely escape, Croix was satisfied that they would not plague anyone else on their journey, particularly with one likely to call upon such a high volume of people.

Looking back up, Croix brought up a hand to shield his eyes, so that he could marvel at the twin sights off in the horizon. Exusia, the floating paradise untouched by the daily carnage the Deadwoods was known to provide and Hope's Passage almost directly underneath. Croix could not help but find humour in the vast difference of their scale. While one was an almost ethereal haven whos pleasures were known only to few, under it was a fairly standard, somewhat ramshackle encampment. He continued on, as eager to begin the quest now and the potential it had for his chance to spread The One Truth as he had been when he'd embarked.

The guards at the entrance studied Croix with great scrutiny as he grew closer, already somewhat on edge from the influx of all manner of people hoping to succeed where no one else had for untold riches. Not helping was the bug creature that had burrowed from out of the sand moments earlier. Finally, Croix stood before them, his massive frame almost acting as shade for them from the hot sun. He smiled as warmly as he was capable and placed a hand into the breast pocket of his coat, presenting the guards with his invitation. The two guardsmen continued to stare quietly at Croix, one looking down at the dried flecks of blood on his clothing. After a few tense moments, they stepped to the side and allowed the missionary to enter. Croix tipped his hat to both soldiers as he passed, heading for the most impressive looking tent.

It was unmistakable, the gaze of soldiers upon Croix as he walked by the camp towards the largest tent, but he paid it no mind. He could understand their fears, but to him it was merely an opportunity and he would either succeed or fail and The One Being would find another more worthy warrior to further its message. It was almost like something out of a novel when Croix entered, the melting pot of races and people all waiting side by side, prepared to undertake an impossible task. Croix was not much of a people reader but he took stock of all those that would soon no doubt be his closest companions. Some wiry but fierce looking young women, an angry but large woman who if she was standing may almost be as tall as Croix, a capable warrior mumbling some poem or song to himself, a much smaller young man sat next to the large woman and a considerably fairer looking woman who Croix may have seen as a stoic leader type were she not fumbling over herself about maps albeit in an endearing manner.

Above everyone that Croix took note of however was the armoured buglike creature directly in front of him. He had travelled from place to place quite often but his education was lacking and he found himself unable to call upon what type of creature it was that stood with its back to him. None the less, Croix was snapped from his wonderings when the creature began to chuckle to itself about seemingly nothing, a chuckle that grew slightly louder. Though he wasn't sure exactly of the why, the bug's joy was infectious. Croix felt his lips curl into a smile before he too stifled a laugh. His composure failed him as he took a step forward and laughed alongside the bug creature.

What joy! He could not claim with much certainty if The One Being had planned this motley crew, but Croix already felt himself enjoying the strangeness of their presence.